Database Develop

Lollipop vs. mofo-rooted KitKat?

Now that Lollipop is out what are people's thoughts about it compared to a mofo-rooted KitKat? Do the benefits of an updated OS outweigh those of root (albeit partial, but wifi-tehtering and xposed works)? What would you rather have?
Has anyone here made the switch?

From experience on other devices, lollipop is great. On the other hand, why bother sticking on xda if you were going to stay on unrooted stock (which is where 5.1 ota takers are going to stay). I'm not sure if people realize the increased difficulty finding these exploits especially on lollipop.

I guess that's the million-dollar question. Is there anything in Lollipop that would make someone switch from a mofo-rooted KK phone to Lollipop?

No, I can't stand the intrusive ads, and need Wi-Fi tethering with my unlimited plan
Sent from my ARCHOS 80G9 using XDA Free mobile app

If we were talking about an earlier version of Android then kk I would agree in principle, but Android is so mature at this point. I love being on the latest but most missing features between the versions can be added via third party apps or xposed. Very hard for me to give up root.

For me, there are two reasons I want Lollipop... so my fitbit will display text messages.. I guess it requires 5.0 or higher... and for ART.
But to lose xposed, to lose customizing the look (white on amoled.. so dumb), to lose editing my hosts file for adblocking, just so I can have my texts readable on my wrist and a slightly faster load times for apps.. no, just not worth it. I really hope someone finds a way to root LP, until then:
Mofo'd Kitkat all that way. Been rocking the same image I made since March 28 (I nicknamed it TurboTime )

I switch to Lollipop as Wifi didn't work quite well in KK. Drop, slow connection all the time. It's rock solid when I upgrade.
Still really missed the Xposed stuffs, but I still have my nexus to play with.
Also, isn't adblock slow the internet connection too? I realize it when I started COC, it's always freeze a few secs before loading.

Onismurai said:
Also, isn't adblock slow the internet connection too? I realize it when I started COC, it's always freeze a few secs before loading.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Non root adblocking can be slower as (some) reroute all your traffic through their servers where it strips ads before it gets to you, thus creating another step.
With root you can edit the hosts file.. which basically.. when a page, app or anything wants to go to www.AdsAllOver.com your phone believes that url is located at the ip address of 0.0.0.0 instead of the real address... thus the ad never loads. No slow down of speed just the denial of seeing crap.

jawiler said:
No, I can't stand the intrusive ads, and need Wi-Fi tethering with my unlimited plan
Sent from my ARCHOS 80G9 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear ya. It's all about xposed and wifi-tethering with my Verizon UDP as well. Hopefully a root method for Lollipop will be coming soon.

root > all else

As of my post, votes are leading going towards 5.1... however those voters arent speaking up.. Im curious why they feel being on 5.1 made things better.
Ive seen it made a 'less than optimal' wifi, a better function.. better battery life...(still havent seen an issue with KK battery [ 12 hours on batt 2 hours on screen time, still 57%]) ... and outside of that, Im still unsure why the people that voted 5.1 vs root did vote that way.
I really hope someone has a good argument toward upgrading but at this point, I feel those 5.1 Turbos offer less than a 4.4.4. rooted Turbo.

ntxct said:
As of my post, votes are leading going towards 5.1... however those voters arent speaking up.. Im curious why they feel being on 5.1 made things better.
Ive seen it made a 'less than optimal' wifi, a better function.. better battery life...(still havent seen an issue with KK battery [ 12 hours on batt 2 hours on screen time, still 57%]) ... and outside of that, Im still unsure why the people that voted 5.1 vs root did vote that way.
I really hope someone has a good argument toward upgrading but at this point, I feel those 5.1 Turbos offer less than a 4.4.4. rooted Turbo.
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Click to collapse
Maybe people are voting for 5.1 because they feel the need to justify taking the OTA without thinking and losing root (sarcasm).
So far I haven't heard of any real advantages for upgrading yet (increased battery life, better camera, stronger signal strength, etc.). Maybe some folks who have upgraded can chime in?

I would really like to have Lollipop on my Turbo, but moving on without wifi tether, amplify, titanium backup, and gravity box is just not an option for me. What upsets me the most is that these functions need root to begin with. We really need all of these options in stock, especially app+data backup. It's a shame we have to resort to modding our devices just to get them to work the way we want them to.

Being one of the ones giving up mofo for 5.1. For me it came down to the only benefit root for me was ad blocking and Titanium to backup / freezer apps that I couldn't disable. The advantages of 5.1 are (hopefully) improved battery, advance calling actually working for better quality and simultaneous voice / data, location-based smart unlock, better integrated notification toggles, smoother overall phone and of course the itch to be on the latest version
So while I hope they figure out a way to upgrade the kernel and system files with mofo, for me the hurdles / odds didn't seem worth it given the above tradeoffs.
So that's my $.02 from a jumper.

Coming from 4 prior phone before the Turbo with WP Off, and able to do whatever I want, running Lollipop on my Galaxy S3 before I got my Turbo. I literally had the SAME setup via apps, configuration, interface, (Besides having ART on LP, and Dalvik on kk) between my Galaxy S3 w/ Lollipop and my Turbo 4.4 w/ 'root' where I did my own images and added in what I want.
When I got rid of my S3 to get my Turbo, I really didn't notice a difference. I really did like Lollipop because I had no issues with my apps like Xposed, Viper4Android. Then again going back to kk, no problem. Only thing that sucks is this god damn phone is plagued with the WiFi issue and there was never a hotfix that was released nor is there any build.prop fix or any config file we can edit to fix the issue.
Also depends what you do, I edited my own images, put in my own ad-block hosts file so I don't deal with that **** anymore. I have xposed, I edited my GPS .conf, I have a entropy fix running which makes it slightly snappier.
If you're like me and want these options still, stick with KK, but if you don't care for your own hosts file, new gps conf, more entropy, and Viper4Android, go ahead and update. Hopefully whoever takes the 5.1 OTA can get a mofo root if there is a exploit.

I'm definitely sticking with rooted Kk. I personally prefer the UI on Kk compared to lollipop, but it's the root that keeps me permanently on it. I have LP on my shield tablet, and am not a huge fan.

Are 32 votes enough of a sample to conclude that the slight majority of XDA'ers who own Droid Turbos would rather take the OTA and likely give up all hope of attaining root on Lollipop 5.1 (despite multiple warnings to not take the OTA and wait for a rooted IMG file that can be flashed with mofo)? Since only one "jumper" actually stated why he made the switch, is being on the latest and greatest OS really so much better, customization/control be damned (note that I did not say functionality)?
Surprising...

GeoFX said:
Are 32 votes enough of a sample to conclude that the slight majority of XDA'ers who own Droid Turbos would rather take the OTA and likely give up all hope of attaining root on Lollipop 5.1 (despite multiple warnings to not take the OTA and wait for a rooted IMG file that can be flashed with mofo)? Since only one "jumper" actually stated why he made the switch, is being on the latest and greatest OS really so much better, customization/control be damned (note that I did not say functionality)?
Surprising...
Click to expand...
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I've got a couple theories...
1. (Is yours from before) people need to justify taking the OTA, so will vote 5.1 just so they feel vindicated in their upgrade.
2. The 5.1 voters are just casual users that, maybe in the past have had customizable phones, thus know of xda, and saw this poll, voted for what they have and left.
3. Voters that have never truly customized their phone and are happy with whatever google decides the UI should look like.
4. Voters that think a higher number is always a better number.
5. Voters that found this forum from droid-life or other news outlets, that saw the poll, voted and left (extension of 2)
6. A group of crazies that find any poll on xda and decide to vote for the least logical solution.
I'm going with 1.. the biggest thing Im hearing about 5.1 is the battery life.. however Im also hearing most are factory resetting, which makes me wonder if they had factory resetted while on KK, if they would've see the same increase of battery life? (not installing apps you forgot you installed 4 months ago, don't use anymore, and it was those apps that were draining their KK battery)
I kinda / sorta feel bad for those that want to be on the cutting edge of tech and upgraded in excitement only to realize how screwed they just made themselves... (I mean we all found xda because at one point we all wanted to root / customize some phone right? And in upgrading, 5.1 users now have no way to root and customize)

ntxct said:
I've got a couple theories...
1. (Is yours from before) people need to justify taking the OTA, so will vote 5.1 just so they feel vindicated in their upgrade.
2. The 5.1 voters are just casual users that, maybe in the past have had customizable phones, thus know of xda, and saw this poll, voted for what they have and left.
3. Voters that have never truly customized their phone and are happy with whatever google decides the UI should look like.
4. Voters that think a higher number is always a better number.
5. Voters that found this forum from droid-life or other news outlets, that saw the poll, voted and left (extension of 2)
6. A group of crazies that find any poll on xda and decide to vote for the least logical solution.
I'm going with 1.. the biggest thing Im hearing about 5.1 is the battery life.. however Im also hearing most are factory resetting, which makes me wonder if they had factory resetted while on KK, if they would've see the same increase of battery life? (not installing apps you forgot you installed 4 months ago, don't use anymore, and it was those apps that were draining their KK battery)
I kinda / sorta feel bad for those that want to be on the cutting edge of tech and upgraded in excitement only to realize how screwed they just made themselves... (I mean we all found xda because at one point we all wanted to root / customize some phone right? And in upgrading, 5.1 users now have no way to root and customize)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One more:
7) Users who actually have a real need for Lollipop, whether it be application development or for a bug fix (even though I haven't heard of any major bugs in KK fixed in 5.1 but there might be some).
Highly doubt this would apply to the majority of people who voted for Lollipop

I will patiently be waiting for L to be rooted just as I did for KK. When MOFO came out and I was finally able to block ads and use gravitybox, any thoughts of lollipop just disappeared.

Hoping to help get root at least

Here are some files I found if there is a specific directory you need to see I'll try to get access to it all you need to do is post the dir here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-k10MX8t9TXN0lsSGpteFRBQnc/view?usp=docslist_api

Best of luck! We T-Mobile S7 owners are crossing our fingers.

Adaway will make this phone perfect.

I've rooted every phone I've had, there's always been a reason I needed it. I got to say though, I can't find an everyday reason to really need it on my edge.
Kris

FatKris said:
I've rooted every phone I've had, there's always been a reason I needed it. I got to say though, I can't find an everyday reason to really need it on my edge.
Kris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you don't want freedom so you don't want Xposed via flashfire so you don't want Titanium Backup those are just some things I need root for idk about you but even if I didn't need those things I would still do it just because I can.....

Ghost Dragon said:
So you don't want freedom so you don't want Xposed via flashfire so you don't want Titanium Backup those are just some things I need root for idk about you but even if I didn't need those things I would still do it just because I can.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think there's pros and cons to everything...
I love rooting, always have but this is the first time in a long time that I can't root and it's actually not so bad.
Granted I'd love to be able to installing ROMs, remove ads and bloat and have all these tweaks and tricks but it's sort of like... been there, done that.
If you root your phone now, you can NEVER use Samsung Pay... EVER on your device. Even if you restore stock firmware. That's actually a big issue now with mobile payments being a common thing.
I kind of like having my phone much more secure and safe to do important financial transactions and access important accounts (just like I do on my iPhone) without fear of lax security while using rooted/custom software.
I think moving into the future, flagship phones like Samsung's Galaxy line(s) won't risk bad press or the potential for bad press by allowing the modding community to easily gain root access and customize their software.
They have more to lose than gain by doing that, especially with their rivalry with Apple being so neck and neck now.
I think people like us on XDA who love rooting will have to purchase devices from up and coming OEMs if we still want to root, either that or Nexus devices.

HNIC215 said:
I think there's pros and cons to everything...
I love rooting, always have but this is the first time in a long time that I can't root and it's actually not so bad.
Granted I'd love to be able to installing ROMs, remove ads and bloat and have all these tweaks and tricks but it's sort of like... been there, done that.
If you root your phone now, you can NEVER use Samsung Pay... EVER on your device. Even if you restore stock firmware. That's actually a big issue now with mobile payments being a common thing.
I kind of like having my phone much more secure and safe to do important financial transactions and access important accounts (just like I do on my iPhone) without fear of lax security while using rooted/custom software.
I think moving into the future, flagship phones like Samsung's Galaxy line(s) won't risk bad press or the potential for bad press by allowing the modding community to easily gain root access and customize their software.
They have more to lose than gain by doing that, especially with their rivalry with Apple being so neck and neck now.
I think people like us on XDA who love rooting will have to purchase devices from up and coming OEMs if we still want to root, either that or Nexus devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. So you would sacrifice freedom for convenience
2. Geohots court session with Apple made it legal to jailbreak aka root phones so why exactly would they get "bad press"
3. Android is open source so what Samsung is doing is kind of breaking the law of Android destroying the very foundation and purpose of it's creation

Ghost Dragon said:
1. So you would sacrifice freedom for convenience
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean that's the thing with security in this day and age. No?
In order to have it, you must sacrifice the freedom (to an extent) to mod and install 3rd party software. While I personally love what XDA stands for, does and has to offer - I mean I love rooting and customizing my phones but I certainly can understand the other perspective in regards to security. XDA might be full of great individuals who are trying to improve the software experience for users, however, there are plenty of other 3rd parties who have ill intent.
It's the same reason why Apple is so strict with system access on iOS.
Samsung is trying to be their equal - in terms of quality, security and everything else.
In order to maintain that level of security in the midst of a global, albeit slow, roll out of Samsung Pay, they have to limit access to their system as well.
Which is why, like I said in my previous comment, if you EVER root a Samsung phone then you can NEVER use Samsung Pay on it.
To a lot of folks, especially those coming from the iPhone, Mobile Payments, Mobile Banking and security in general is a very important feature for them to have.
If not, it furthers the stereotype that Android is less secure than Apple. Which doesn't sit well with the plethora of users who don't care about rooting - we at XDA after all are really a niche group of users when looking at the grand scheme of consumers.
Ghost Dragon said:
2. Geohots court session with Apple made it legal to jailbreak aka root phones so why exactly would they get "bad press"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They would get "bad press" if something were to compromise the security of their devices - anywhere in the world. Especially if that compromise impacted the potential safety and security of their Mobile Payment system.
Which rooting or allowing access to certain parts of the system may or may not do. Which is a big deal to them, their investors and most of their consumers (who aren't aware or concerned about rooting).
Android already has an unfair stereotype/label that it is less secure compared to iPhone.
Ghost Dragon said:
3. Android is open source so what Samsung is doing is kind of breaking the law of Android destroying the very foundation and purpose of it's creation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung doesn't care about what people like us on XDA think. People like us, who love to root and have the freedom to do whatever it is they want to their phones or to the software on their phones. As much as I hate to say it, we are a niche group.
I would love a developer edition of the S7/S7 Edge, that enables us to do all the wonderful things that the amazing and talented developers at XDA create for us. I would also love to be able to continue to use Samsung Pay and access and carry out important financial transactions through my mobile device.
Alas, that's not the case. So we have to choose between a bootloader locked version of the S7/S7 Edge or no S7/S7 Edge at all.
I think this phone is amazing and after years of nonstop rooting and customizing ROMs I don't mind sacrificing that aspect of customization in order to have a secure phone that I can do all the same things I can do on my iPhone 6s Plus.
Do I miss it sometimes? Sure
However, it's not the end of the world for me and the S7 Edge is still the best Android phone I've ever owned or used (I've owned alot too).
It is the "iPhone" of the Android world in terms of premium look/feel and quality and I think that is exactly the correlation that Samsung wants more consumers to have and think.

I was using Samsung Pay on my S6 Edge, and I decided to root it, unlock the bootloader, and flash a new ROM on it. 2 days later, someone had all of my personal info, all the info for a credit card I had on file and was using on my phone, and ran up $6000. I got a text from the bank to verify a purchase which I didn't make, and I responded that I did not make the transaction, but someone had enough information about me to call the bank, verify all of my information along with the purchase. I'm not saying the unlocking and flashing allowed someone to access this information, but it's a fairly large coincidence. Moving forward, any device that I use for financial transactions and such will remain stock, and if I root a device and flash it, it will be a separate device that doesn't contain any confidential information.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using XDA-Developers mobile app

Rolldog said:
I was using Samsung Pay on my S6 Edge, and I decided to root it, unlock the bootloader, and flash a new ROM on it. 2 days later, someone had all of my personal info, all the info for a credit card I had on file and was using on my phone, and ran up $6000. I got a text from the bank to verify a purchase which I didn't make, and I responded that I did not make the transaction, but someone had enough information about me to call the bank, verify all of my information along with the purchase. I'm not saying the unlocking and flashing allowed someone to access this information, but it's a fairly large coincidence. Moving forward, any device that I use for financial transactions and such will remain stock, and if I root a device and flash it, it will be a separate device that doesn't contain any confidential information.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly my point...
This is what makes so many consumers out there trust Apple because, whether true or not, they feel safe with Apple.
Samsung - being Apple's equivalent in the Android world - wants that same recognition and consumer trust.
I can't blame them either.
In this day and age, it is simply the world we live in, security is paramount for businesses and consumers alike.

I been rooting all my phones and my wife's phones for about 5-6 years and can say this phone is perfect jus the way it is. Since launch I had the gs7 edge and not once have I got the urge to root this beautiful device. And I'm sure I speak for most of us here that we can't go 2 days with a new phone without gaining root, flashing roms or xpose etc. For me it's more than jus keeping security. Samsung jus made a phone worth keeping stock, finally.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using XDA-Developers mobile app

I've rooted every single android phone I've owned. I was one of the first people to run CyanogenMod on my Droid when some crazy no-named guy named Koush appeared out of nowhere and said SPRecovery that we had ALL had wasn't "real" recovery and created his own recovery in order to flash the real CyanogenMod ROM. Later this recovery would be called Clockwork Mod. I remember flashing .sbf files that replaced everything on the phone just for a silly custom boot logo. I used to kang features and themes from N1 threads on here, back when that was really the only phone on XDA. I used to build ROMs and custom themes and all that craziness. I remember when changing the clock color was unbelievably complicated. Google integrated many features first pioneered by devs into their main product that these phones all run on now. Taking away our ability to do that may very well slow the development of Android. It defeats the purpose of open-source. If you wish to forgo the freedom of root for the security of KNOX, or Samsung Pay, or whatever feature that conflicts with root, you're free to do so, even if rooting is possible. And manufacturers have always warned against rooting because it takes away from the security features they worked hard to include, and none have ever been held accountable for someone rooting a device before. It wouldn't be any different now. I guess, in summary, they really have nothing to lose by allowing root. Even if I have no real reason to root, I still would like the option to do on a device that I shelled out $700+ for. Rooting never was for everybody. But because some developers were nice enough to simplify the process to the point a chimp could do it. Literally. People that probably shouldn't root, did it anyways, but then felt that they shouldn't be responsible for their own actions. But for those of us that don't need our hand held throughout the entire process of owning a device, having the freedom to treat our property as we like doesn't seem like it's asking all that much. Especially for a device that runs on open-source software...
(Good God, I rambled a lot longer than intended. Sorry about the novel)

52brandon said:
I've rooted every single android phone I've owned. I was one of the first people to run CyanogenMod on my Droid when some crazy no-named guy named Koush appeared out of nowhere and said SPRecovery that we had ALL had wasn't "real" recovery and created his own recovery in order to flash the real CyanogenMod ROM. Later this recovery would be called Clockwork Mod. I remember flashing .sbf files that replaced everything on the phone just for a silly custom boot logo. I used to kang features and themes from N1 threads on here, back when that was really the only phone on XDA. I used to build ROMs and custom themes and all that craziness. I remember when changing the clock color was unbelievably complicated. Google integrated many features first pioneered by devs into their main product that these phones all run on now. Taking away our ability to do that may very well slow the development of Android. It defeats the purpose of open-source. If you wish to forgo the freedom of root for the security of KNOX, or Samsung Pay, or whatever feature that conflicts with root, you're free to do so, even if rooting is possible. And manufacturers have always warned against rooting because it takes away from the security features they worked hard to include, and none have ever been held accountable for someone rooting a device before. It wouldn't be any different now. I guess, in summary, they really have nothing to lose by allowing root. Even if I have no real reason to root, I still would like the option to do on a device that I shelled out $700+ for. Rooting never was for everybody. But because some developers were nice enough to simplify the process to the point a chimp could do it. Literally. People that probably shouldn't root, did it anyways, but then felt that they shouldn't be responsible for their own actions. But for those of us that don't need our hand held throughout the entire process of owning a device, having the freedom to treat our property as we like doesn't seem like it's asking all that much. Especially for a device that runs on open-source software...
(Good God, I rambled a lot longer than intended. Sorry about the novel)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Preach on brotha!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

Loving this phone so far. Great battery life! Don't really care about root atm.

To root or not to root?

Hi everybody,
I’ve prereserved my Note 9, and while waiting for the release date I’m scrolling through the news and forums just to get teased a bit more
A question I’m asking myself though, is: do I really need to root this phone? I’ll lose some functionalities by rooting it (samsung pay/android pay, safetynet apps, knox...) but I’ll surely miss others too (adaway, xposed, tweaks...)
I always rooted all my devices unconditionnaly, like it’s part of my default setup, but do you guys think it’s still needed those days? Is there really a benefit, or can you live without root?

I use to be an avid 'root my phone asap' kinda guy, but the main reason was for wireless hotspot. It's included in most plans now, so I don't feel the need to. I liked getting a cleaner build, less bloatware. To each there own, but with a locked bootloader here in the US it may be a while as you'll need a unlocked version. Carriers here will have it locked down.

the first thing i'm going to do with the phone when i get it is rooting it, hopefully there is a working twrp and there is no oem timeout for unlocking the bootloader.
i can't live without adaway and titanium backup.
releasedate is thursday next week in sweden, can't wait, i have preordered the 512gb model in blue.

Not worth it anymore. Used to be mandatory when Android wasn't as feature rich and mature, but no reason for me to anymore.

In my case root would be needed only for app data transfer from the old phone. After that I don't see the need of root.
Anyway.. how about knox fuse trip and warranty?
Is this still a thing today? Was it in Note 5 7 8?
I know it was in Note 4. But what about later models?

I used to root, but not any more. I get the US unlocked version to cut down on the bloatware. Samsung has made it sooo easy to theme and skin the phone that it's pointless to root for that. Samsung pay is awesome and I use it more and more every day. Smart Switch has taken the place of Titanium back up, and it's free and very simple to use. Also with the 512gb version I ordered , not too worried about the few programs that I dont like but are included.
Sent from my Galaxy Note8 using XDA Labs

I used to root the second i got a device, however since the 8 and also with the 9 i dont bother any more, all the reasons before were to get better battery life slim down etc, i just use package disable pro now and im done. Besides no point in tripping knox loosing secure folder and faffimng around to get google pay working etc. I love to tinker but the benefits are just not there any more imho

Most probably first phone i will not root. especially for warranty purpose with the know feature

Thanks for the input Now that I have some answers I can give my insights too. I think I'll (be able to) wait a few days before being tempted to root it, but I'm pretty sure there will be a day, especially when Samsung will drop updates and I'll have to use custom ROMs if I want to stay up to date or maybe get the Note 10 port
The things I would miss if I don't root are: Adaway, TWRP (flashing and full backup/restore), MyBackup Pro, debloating, Xposed probably, Viper4Android maybe.

I have been a root on day one guy myself forever. Interesting that people here have not mentioned the privacy issues with all my carrier's supplied bloatware. That crap goes immmmmediately. That was the main reason for rooting for me.

Flame Red said:
I have been a root on day one guy myself forever. Interesting that people here have not mentioned the privacy issues with all my carrier's supplied bloatware. That crap goes immmmmediately. That was the main reason for rooting for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ultimately, you don't necessarily have to root to debloat. You can just flash and use TWRP for this. Although when you boot into TWRP it triggers Knox and you lose those related functionalities.

This will be the second phone im not gonna root. First was the pixel 3 i need samsung pay in my life and plus im getting the locked sprint version. Im scared tho i really do want a clean build. Going with sammy since the s6. I dont want a phone with a notch so i figure i use my upgrade this year

I will always root the 1st day. Titanium backup, ad-away, TWRP, custom roms with 3minit battery, ability to customize volume buttons, VIPER4ANDROID, sooo many more reasons why. Stock is boring and dull. No reason to be on XDA if you are not rooting and using developers creations.

Brava27 said:
I will always root the 1st day. Titanium backup, ad-away, TWRP, custom roms with 3minit battery, ability to customize volume buttons, VIPER4ANDROID, sooo many more reasons why. Stock is boring and dull. No reason to be on XDA if you are not rooting and using developers creations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Viper4android is the only reason I still root.

Taebom said:
Viper4android is the only reason I still root.
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Click to collapse
Yup. Sounds so much better!

I personally stopped rooting since the Note 7 / S7E. I now find Samsung experience to offer me more than enough to keep from rooting. I've rooted all my phones since from the Dream G1 to Galaxy S1, Note 2, to the Note 4.

I root day 0 or I don't buy. Phone is worthless without Titanium backup, ad-away, TWRP.

i'm leaning towards no root. but it may be difficult to swallow at first, i think i've rooted the last 4 galaxies i've had... before that was a Nokia. I will undoubtedly miss ad-away, and i've made good use of Xposed on my recent Note5, but many people mention TitaniumBackup and i just don't use it much anymore. I have done a couple full backups with TWRP and used restore from it a couple times, but lets face it... those are things i wouldn't need if a hadn't broke something in a Root function in the first place! All in all, hoping for the best without Root - I want Knox intact. If you guys don't hear from me in the next week or two, i drowned in advertisements.

I've not rooted since my note 5, after being an instant root and Rom girly. It was previously much more needed, but these days not at all for me.
Best things I've found about not rooting -
- No worries at all about trading in, selling on, warranties, insurance etc.
- No worries about keeping the system ROM up to date, and over the air updates are sooooo easy
- No glitches or issues with radios and hardware etc from non standard roms
For me, the level that the current software and hardware is at has wiped out the need for rooting and flashing custom roms

Dayzee said:
I've not rooted since my note 5, after being an instant root and Rom girly. It was previously much more needed, but these days not at all for me.
Best things I've found about not rooting -
- No worries at all about trading in, selling on, warranties, insurance etc.
- No worries about keeping the system ROM up to date, and over the air updates are sooooo easy
- No glitches or issues with radios and hardware etc from non standard roms
For me, the level that the current software and hardware is at has wiped out the need for rooting and flashing custom roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THIS!
I'd rather have the option, but, no such animal for US Samsung devices.
I can deal w/o it on Samsung devices, thanks to Package Disabler Pro & the ad blocking app Block-This.
Is it a perfect substitute for root?
No, but, this gives me the best of what's important to me with the minimum of compromises.
No interest in non-Samsung based ROMs for this phone, why bother picking up a Note to strip it of its unique features........
Currently using a VZW Note 5 using Package Disabler Pro & Block-This..... Doing just fine, the pragmatic part of my twisted mind (on life support, LOL) tells me to save my money & wait until next year, but, I bought this particular phone in great condition @ a great price, to use solely as a trade-in for T-Mobile"s $500 bill credit.....
Sent from my Galaxy Note 5 using XDA Labs

Root? Why?

I've been a rootoholic since the first HTC Desire (2010) and I've been lovin to improve every smartphone throughout those years. I believe that the reason for root have literally died. Since 2010, the interest in rooting and developing roms for phones that really needed it, vanished more and more for every year. The latest 4 - 5 years, developers have mostly only been interested in rooting flagships? People root for different reasons, privacy, debloating, theming, speed or all. In my opinion, the whole developing community have forgotten the real mission!
"Develope, root and improve phones that really needs it!" (mid range and low budget phones)
And look now!? To unlock a bootloader (on a phone that's perfect without it) we're suppose to pay for it? Not even an option to donate, like back in the days? No offense to you, the devs, this is probably just part of Xda evolution, and I need to catch up with reality. Just wondering what this community will look like in 2 - 5 years?
This phone (in my opinion) is perfect without unlocked bootloader or root!
V40 has it all!
And with the option to "uninstall" bloatware via adb, what's the point?

Well, some user's love to flash custom kernel while using the stock rom. Just like me

cheeze.keyk said:
Well, some user's love to flash custom kernel while using the stock rom. Just like me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did too But to improve!?
Not much to improve anymore...

I understand what you mean. But with a custom kernel everything that's good about this phone would only get better. Also, having stock Android on this hardware would be awesome.

nyttliv7 said:
I did too But to improve!?
Not much to improve anymore...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me yes, specially when it comes to speed and you can tweak also the display settings to get rid of the screen burn.

V4A and kernel tweeks

Wondering
how much better can a phone like this get?
I mean, cpu speed is already fantastic, and sound is extremely high quality (Neutron)!
Is there anywhere I can read about this? Progress and experience so far. How big was the difference? And so on...
I could imagine to underclock and disable some features I never use, to save battery...

nyttliv7 said:
how much better can a phone like this get?
I mean, cpu speed is already fantastic, and sound is extremely high quality (Neutron)!
Is there anywhere I can read about this? Progress and experience so far. How big was the difference? And so on...
I could imagine to underclock and disable some features I never use, to save battery...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We disabled a few of the throttling stuff that LG put in the software and it's way faster now and along with FDE.AI Magisk Module the battery is also lasting a bit longer.

Nice!
I'm on Sprint!
Will they detect my root?
Fully functional modem/signal?
Will I miss out on any functions after debloating all sprint stuff?
Can I reverse, go back to the original rom?

nyttliv7 said:
I'm on Sprint!
Will they detect my root?
Fully functional modem/signal?
Will I miss out on any functions after debloating all sprint stuff?
Can I reverse, go back to the original rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your original rom would be on Slot B....but you would still have the original rom on Slot A unless you update to US unlocked Pie....

Tempted!
Root
Being an old rootoholic, I've kind of convinced myself it's not really necessary anymore, especially on a phone like this. But after digging into the threads about it, I've reconsidered...
So, after some resistance, I'm tempted to unlock bootloader and root
Just a few questions:
Slot A and B? Is it possible/complicated to activate "the other" slot (dual boot), or is it just there for backup and update?
Is com.lge.rctprovider and other spy and spam apps still there?
How exactly is the remote screen thing done? Do I need to install something, and how do you pay the fee?
Will it be possible to remap the assistant button?
If I'm not wrong, Qualcomm just block specific bands on carrier's requests, meaning that all bands exist in the chip. So I wonder, can this be unlocked?
How is the signal/reception on Sprint? Will all necessary bands still be there and fully functional?
Thanks!

nyttliv7 said:
I've been a rootoholic since the first HTC Desire (2010) and I've been lovin to improve every smartphone throughout those years. I believe that the reason for root have literally died. Since 2010, the interest in rooting and developing roms for phones that really needed it, vanished more and more for every year. The latest 4 - 5 years, developers have mostly only been interested in rooting flagships? People root for different reasons, privacy, debloating, theming, speed or all. In my opinion, the whole developing community have forgotten the real mission!
"Develope, root and improve phones that really needs it!" (mid range and low budget phones)
And look now!? To unlock a bootloader (on a phone that's perfect without it) we're suppose to pay for it? Not even an option to donate, like back in the days? No offense to you, the devs, this is probably just part of Xda evolution, and I need to catch up with reality. Just wondering what this community will look like in 2 - 5 years?
This phone (in my opinion) is perfect without unlocked bootloader or root!
V40 has it all!
And with the option to "uninstall" bloatware via adb, what's the point?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After so many years with these phones, I've learnt that we would rather buy an old flagship but not a new mid-low range
Even u arent rooting it, flagship is usually much better as that's what your manufacture could do best at that time. Mid-low range was intended to be half-assed

Root is useful to install AdAway and Titanium Backup, even if staying with stock ROM.
Blockada without root sounds like it is not as effective as AdAway.
Ti Backup enables reverting to prior saved version of app when a newer version is faulty or inferior (happens a lot). Also debloating by freezing or uninstalling, not sure an ADB method offers all the options of Ti to debloat.
If V40 still has no way to unlock bootloader and root, without the Octoplus thing, I guess I'm stuck with V30+, which apparently means the dwindling stock of aging V30+ from dicey sellers on eBay etc., including lots of 1+ year old LS998 crossflashed to US998 and sold as "new". Li-Ion phone batteries have only a 2-3 year life....
...

There's currently no way to bootloader unlock the V40 (I have the US non carrier "unlocked" version). Guy on Telegram is ignoring my message. Therefore, root does not appear to be an option.

midwhiteflava said:
There's currently no way to bootloader unlock the V40 (I have the US non carrier "unlocked" version). Guy on Telegram is ignoring my message. Therefore, root does not appear to be an option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well Vlad is in the Ukraine so you have to deal with their schedule....

Ainz_Ooal_Gown said:
Well Vlad is in the Ukraine so you have to deal with their schedule....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be him and I'm awaiting his reply on Telegram from last week.

midwhiteflava said:
That would be him and I'm awaiting his reply on Telegram from last week.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This guy has done two for me less than half a day after paying ten dollars.
@octoplus
Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v40/development/unlock-lg-v40-via-9008-root-t-mobile-t4042207

Well people root so they can remove throttle from manufacturer nd to tweak the phone so it can be at its best for the current cpu/gpu along with custom roms. Root is not needed nowadays except for those because better processors that you wont really need root for normal to performance usage. Well thts my oppinion for the op

The question should be why not to root. The answers to that are far less. Than why to root. Because of the endless possibilities

Question Things i will lose if i root my s21 ultra

Hello friends
as the title says what exactly i will lose if i root my device (S21Ultra exynos) ? All i know knox will be tripped. What exactly happens to it? Can i still get updates when im in stock version? I heard like some samsung apps stop working is there a way to bypass them?

Welcome to XDA
Well if you're in the US you lose warranty... that could get expensive. Given there's no track record for that phone yet and that all the variable refresh rate displays suffer a greater failure rate... you could be painting yourself into a corner. I keep it stock for at least a few months.
Personally my opinion is, I have two stock Note 10+'s that are optimized and run great. I don't update them. They are Snapdragon's which are notoriously hard to root.
It's simply not worth the risk of bricking them or the trouble. As they are they will last for years will minimal maintenance.

Many banks apps or payments apps won't work
No chance of trading your phone in and if you want to sell it privately its value is lower

blackhawk said:
Welcome to XDA
Well if you're in the US you lose warranty... that could get expensive. Given there's no track record for that phone yet and that all the variable refresh rate displays suffer a greater failure rate... you could be painting yourself into a corner. I keep it stock for at least a few months.
Personally my opinion is, I have two stock Note 10+'s that are optimized and run great. I don't update them. They are Snapdragon's which are notoriously hard to root.
It's simply not worth the risk of bricking them or the trouble. As they are they will last for years will minimal maintenance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thankss

alessandro_xda said:
Many banks apps or payments apps won't work
No chance of trading your phone in and if you want to sell it privately its value is lower
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about samsung apps? If so, can i bypass it?

How about I root my phone...change csc and flash back the stock rom.
Still samsung apps won't work ?

In addition to Banking apps, Samsung Pass and Samsung Heath won't work. Secure Folder will also be gone.
Flashing stock rom will not repare it.
Some tricks (eg root masking) may allow certain apps to be used.
The question is more: what does one really gain by rooting the phone...

OnnoJ said:
In addition to Banking apps, Samsung Pass and Samsung Heath won't work. Secure Folder will also be gone.
Flashing stock rom will not repare it.
Some tricks (eg root masking) may allow certain apps to be used.
The question is more: what does one really gain by rooting the phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Having access for everything? System files, etc...i know you can have some of it with ADB. you will be able to customize apps for example with Xposed modules.

Great thread!
This is the first phone I've owned where I'm actually OK being without root. Using Adb Appcontrol, I was able to debloat the snot outta this phone and have exceptional performance & battery life on A11. It's tempting to root, but the tradeoffs seem a little high this go around. I'm staying unrooted.

burnxtc said:
Great thread!
This is the first phone I've owned where I'm actually OK being without root. Using Adb Appcontrol, I was able to debloat the snot outta this phone and have exceptional performance & battery life on A11. It's tempting to root, but the tradeoffs seem a little high this go around. I'm staying unrooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you could disable scoped storage by rooting it might be worth it, but not sure it's possible to do even in a rooted phone.
Prior to the Gookill scoped storage turd dropping you could get good functionality with a stock Samsung running on Android 9 and a bit less so with Android 10 by optimizing it.
Android 12 is very restrictive and authoritarian... no one likes a big sister.

blackhawk said:
If you could disable scoped storage by rooting it might be worth it, but not sure it's possible to do even in a rooted phone.
Prior to the Gookill scoped storage turd dropping you could get good functionality with a stock Samsung running on Android 9 and a bit less so with Android 10 by optimizing it.
Android 12 is very restrictive and authoritarian... no one likes a big sister.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally with you on this. And with you on your prior comments of not taking updates. For the last 20 years or so, I've always been on the cusp of firmware, driver, software etc. updates but lately? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. My current build (4AUJ7) is nearly flawless. Only things I miss are the stock camera updates & battery configuration abilities. I've learned to live without them.

burnxtc said:
Totally with you on this. And with you on your prior comments of not taking updates. For the last 20 years or so, I've always been on the cusp of firmware, driver, software etc. updates but lately? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. My current build (4AUJ7) is nearly flawless. Only things I miss are the stock camera updates & battery configuration abilities. I've learned to live without them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any more updates seem like more giving shiny trinkets to the native girls... than giving real tangible benefits for all the trouble they will bring.
Google hype of evolving vulnerabilities is sounding more like the covid bs hype every day.
In actual usage with care, Pie remains relatively secure. This N10+ in my hand OS load will be 2 yo in June with minimal maintenance, still fast, stable and fulfilling its mission. I keep wifi disabled (not needed), use Karma Firewall, Package Disabler, use only vetted apps, keep email in the cloud, and hawk all downloads which are kept in the download folder until vetted.
All thing users should be doing anyway; a currently updated Android doesn't mean you're impervious to malware at all. Most users install the malware themselves inadvertently by ineptitude. No WhatsApp, Tic-tok, FB or any trashware on my N10+'s!!!
I'm still slowly shaking down the new N10+ running on Android 10, it will never be upgraded more than likely. My impression so far is it's less capable than the Pie variant but usable.
Android 11 and certainly 12 would break it.
No trinkets are worth that... I'm prepared to do a factory reset at anytime if needed.
The fact that I am and have a hair trigger on the nuke option affords me a zero tolerance for any malware that can't be fully eradicated within an hour or two.
Any odd behavior is easy to spot because I'm not constantly changing the playing field with updates/upgrades; I know exactly how this load behaves. It's expendable but the critical data is not which is why that is redundantly backed up with multiple time staggered backups on multiple isolated drives.
I'm not one bit pleased with either Samsung's or Google Android's products in the last 2-3 years; they suck. This 3 yo N10+ is only marginally slower then the S22U and in some instances faster. It has better SOT/screen off battery life, expandable storage (data drive!), a better color rendering index/white point, and a proven track record of reliability. It has a better form factor, higher display bevel ratio and is a better looking phone. It's usability and functionality on Android 9/10 exceeds all the newer Samsung flagships.
WTF Samsung, Gookill? blah, keep your trinkets, no sale!
Feel the wuv...

lunatix01 said:
Hello friends
as the title says what exactly i will lose if i root my device (S21Ultra exynos) ? All i know knox will be tripped. What exactly happens to it? Can i still get updates when im in stock version? I heard like some samsung apps stop working is there a way to bypass them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perderai tutte le funzionalità di SamsungPass!!!
Mod translation via GT: You will lose all the features of Samsung Pass !!!