Database Develop

Samsung nube here a little help on new phone

My first smart phone was the Motorola droid x then I did have the Samsung mega that was easy to root and the as possible back then was not like today.i just gave my girlfriend the PIXEL. And I got me this note 8 unlocked My questions are.
1. Does root disable Knox (I believe if Knox is tripped Samsung pay won't work)
2I have n950u1ubu2bqk1 model I have not upgraded yet is this still rootable. If so will it tripped Knox. Can you give me the link to the right guide
3. What about TWRP will that trip Knox.
4.if Knox is tripped can I get back to stock and have Knox back
Thank you in advance

cgrimm9 said:
My first smart phone was the Motorola droid x then I did have the Samsung mega that was easy to root and the as possible back then was not like today.i just gave my girlfriend the PIXEL. And I got me this note 8 unlocked My questions are.
1. Does root disable Knox (I believe if Knox is tripped Samsung pay won't work)
2I have n950u1ubu2bqk1 model I have not upgraded yet is this still rootable. If so will it tripped Knox. Can you give me the link to the right guide
3. What about TWRP will that trip Knox.
4.if Knox is tripped can I get back to stock and have Knox back
Thank you in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 Don't worry about Knox (Extremely hard to do on Snapdragon)
2 Root
3 No, so don't worry
4 You worry too much about Knox and yes you can go to stock.

cgrimm9 said:
My first smart phone was the Motorola droid x then I did have the Samsung mega that was easy to root and the as possible back then was not like today.i just gave my girlfriend the PIXEL. And I got me this note 8 unlocked My questions are.
1. Does root disable Knox (I believe if Knox is tripped Samsung pay won't work)
2I have n950u1ubu2bqk1 model I have not upgraded yet is this still rootable. If so will it tripped Knox. Can you give me the link to the right guide
3. What about TWRP will that trip Knox.
4.if Knox is tripped can I get back to stock and have Knox back
Thank you in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 yes
2 yes
3 there is no twrp for u1
4 yes

Im not sure, but I believe the current root method for the 950U1 does not trip Knox; however Samsung Pay will not work on a rooted device.
If you do trip Knox, no you can NOT get Knox back. You can flash back to stock and uproot, but if Knox gets tripped it's done. It's an actual physical change on the motherboard that can't be reversed with software.
I personally no longer see a reason to riot, but others here disagree. You can disable almost any app you want without root with Package Disabler (although it seems the people with the best battery life and performance didnt disable anything). Ad Hell 2 will disable ads across the device without root. The Samsung Browser already has built in ad blockers. If you want to customize, there's plenty of themes in the Samsung theres store, or go with Substratum for full customization.
If I were you, I would enjoy the stock rooted experience for a while. You just might be surprised.
By the way, I've always been a Nexus/Pixel fan, rooting, custom ROM flashaholic. I unlocked bootloaders on all my devices, even if I didn't root them. So I speak from experience.

Mr. Orange 645 said:
Im not sure, but I believe the current root method for the 950U1 does not trip Knox; however Samsung Pay will not work on a rooted device.
If you do trip Knox, no you can NOT get Knox back. You can flash back to stock and uproot, but if Knox gets tripped it's done. It's an actual physical change on the motherboard that can't be reversed with software.
I personally no longer see a reason to riot, but others here disagree. You can disable almost any app you want without root with Package Disabler (although it seems the people with the best battery life and performance didnt disable anything). Ad Hell 2 will disable ads across the device without root. The Samsung Browser already has built in ad blockers. If you want to customize, there's plenty of themes in the Samsung theres store, or go with Substratum for full customization.
If I were you, I would enjoy the stock rooted experience for a while. You just might be surprised.
By the way, I've always been a Nexus/Pixel fan, rooting, custom ROM flashaholic. I unlocked bootloaders on all my devices, even if I didn't root them. So I speak from experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm debating cause I had/have the pixel. I bought from Google store. I unlocked and rooted installed TWRP but development not what I thought it would be due to the 2 partitions.
I was debating rooting this phone cause that's what I do can't leave things alone I'm experimenting with substratum trying to find what works and not hard to factory reset yhe phone 3 times now due to crashing.
I heard although rooting is available samfail has its issues I don't know if it's true just what I read not personal experience that can't charge the battery past 80% screen glitches sometimes and apps randomly crash. I think I'm gonna leave the phone alone get substratum theme where I like it. And go from there.
I keep a eye out and see if someone figures a way to install TWRP on this model. If magisk works like it does on the pixel on the note and allows apps like Samsung pay work I may do it. Main reason I root is for fully customized ROMS all I really care about is customization
Thank you your info helped allot. My stock benchmark anitutu ranked 5th on the 1 test I did so I'm happy just got to keep the little kid in me away from the phone

cgrimm9 said:
I'm debating cause I had/have the pixel. I bought from Google store. I unlocked and rooted installed TWRP but development not what I thought it would be due to the 2 partitions.
I was debating rooting this phone cause that's what I do can't leave things alone I'm experimenting with substratum trying to find what works and not hard to factory reset yhe phone 3 times now due to crashing.
I heard although rooting is available samfail has its issues I don't know if it's true just what I read not personal experience that can't charge the battery past 80% screen glitches sometimes and apps randomly crash. I think I'm gonna leave the phone alone get substratum theme where I like it. And go from there.
I keep a eye out and see if someone figures a way to install TWRP on this model. If magisk works like it does on the pixel on the note and allows apps like Samsung pay work I may do it. Main reason I root is for fully customized ROMS all I really care about is customization
Thank you your info helped allot. My stock benchmark anitutu ranked 5th on the 1 test I did so I'm happy just got to keep the little kid in me away from the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Magisk will not allow Samsung Pay to work. It will not work with a rooted device. It is military grade security, which is good thing.

cgrimm9 said:
I'm debating cause I had/have the pixel. I bought from Google store. I unlocked and rooted installed TWRP but development not what I thought it would be due to the 2 partitions.
I was debating rooting this phone cause that's what I do can't leave things alone I'm experimenting with substratum trying to find what works and not hard to factory reset yhe phone 3 times now due to crashing.
I heard although rooting is available samfail has its issues I don't know if it's true just what I read not personal experience that can't charge the battery past 80% screen glitches sometimes and apps randomly crash. I think I'm gonna leave the phone alone get substratum theme where I like it. And go from there.
I keep a eye out and see if someone figures a way to install TWRP on this model. If magisk works like it does on the pixel on the note and allows apps like Samsung pay work I may do it. Main reason I root is for fully customized ROMS all I really care about is customization
Thank you your info helped allot. My stock benchmark anitutu ranked 5th on the 1 test I did so I'm happy just got to keep the little kid in me away from the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bought the wrong phone for customization.

Curious also, any suggestions.
Like the creator of this thread I can completely admit to being 100% novice. I started out back with the s3, and bricked my first phone, rooted successfully the 2nd time.... But not by any luck of my own, more like i could not figure out how to install superuser, so all i got was a rom that was already rooted and some how managed to flash it over using CWM. Now, many years later.... and yes, i was out (thank you prison) till this year. I now have a Samsung Galaxy Note 8, model number sm-n950u. I have done nothing at all to it, how ever i did download Odin3 3.12.3. I also went to a web page and found platform tools, the adb.exe, which to my knowledge means the Android debugging bridge? either way, I also then downloaded CSC_OYN_N950UOYN1AQIA_CL12185999_QB14995093_REV00_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar. Now, like many retards before me (myself included) I can't help but to be curious as to the benefits of rooting my device. Or at some point my gf's s8, though she would probably never trust me. Heck, i do not trust myself either because i am still making payments to att for the phone. But I am curious, where would a beginner begin??? where are some easy tutorials for learning how to use odin, or twrp, or cwm, or anything that would help me start.

Cough OnePlus 5T sir would give you the customization your looking for.

Noticed but not a big deal just got to deal with what I got

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.
Click to expand...
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

It's back to Oreo and this time it's forever

I've given Samsung (and Google) the benefit of the doubt and tried their new phone and new UI software. I returned my S10 and reverted my Note 9 back to Oreo. Now life makes sense again for me. I'm also someone who's guilty of impulse purchases. I'm trying to be better about that. Mobile tech can be addicting.
The new UI on the Note 9 feels like it's been crippled. Like Google, and to a certain extent Samsung, are inching closer and closer to Apple territory. Meaning that they are removing more and more features away and pushing users into tighter boxes. Call recording apps, theming apps, greater control over GPS settings, greater control over camera settings, easier to understand camera settings, and just other faux improvements that leave users feeling like they're using a half-baked OS.
The S10 was fine enough but without the features and apps that I've grown to dearly depend on my Oreo Note 9, I couldn't live with it. It makes me realize that there is no hope that such apps and features will ever make it to the new Note later this fall either.
Not without root. And that means that unless I want to keep this Oreo Note 9 for the rest of its life, any future Note device will have to be Exynos. Which makes me a bit disappointed because the SD chips have been bringing some great features to these phones. But we will never be able to count on reliable unlocking of SD Samsung phones here in North America so from now on it's Exynos for me because I will be relying on root access to get the features that I want but more importantly the features that I NEED.
I'm curious if anyone else feels the same way about this. About Oreo and the direction Samsung and Google are moving from here. I just wish we could stay on Oreo and continue getting security patches and other bug fixes along the way. Without being forced to switch to Pie. I will never understand this need among some users to quickly update to the latest OS version. They feel content to live with bugs in order to use some new features? An OS that's not fully baked in? That's good for them? I don't get it. Not that I'm supposed to get it. Just saying, it seems irrational to me. But that's me.
Something needs to change. Samsung and other parties need to come together and agree to let us unlock and root our phones. If we buy these phones outright, unlocked and outside of carriers, we deserve to do whatever we want with them. And that includes unlocking and rooting. Something needs to give. For a while there, Samsung seemed to be looking at the things people were rooting for and introducing them on their next phones.
But now, it feels like they've moving in the opposite direction. I fear that Samsung will no longer be known as the manufacture that gives its users more features than they need and more options to customize their smartphone experience. It feels as if those days are now over and we will be forced to just accept whatever Samsung gives us out of the box.
Not unlike what iPhone users are forced to do with their smartphone experience.
Long live Oreo! Long live the Note 9!

Why not sell it and get n9600? Snapdragon and rootable.
Best of both worlds.

roaduardo said:
I've given Samsung (and Google) the benefit of the doubt and tried their new phone and new UI software. I returned my S10 and reverted my Note 9 back to Oreo. Now life makes sense again for me. I'm also someone who's guilty of impulse purchases. I'm trying to be better about that. Mobile tech can be addicting.
The new UI on the Note 9 feels like it's been crippled. Like Google, and to a certain extent Samsung, are inching closer and closer to Apple territory. Meaning that they are removing more and more features away and pushing users into tighter boxes. Call recording apps, theming apps, greater control over GPS settings, greater control over camera settings, easier to understand camera settings, and just other faux improvements that leave users feeling like they're using a half-baked OS.
The S10 was fine enough but without the features and apps that I've grown to dearly depend on my Oreo Note 9, I couldn't live with it. It makes me realize that there is no hope that such apps and features will ever make it to the new Note later this fall either.
Not without root. And that means that unless I want to keep this Oreo Note 9 for the rest of its life, any future Note device will have to be Exynos. Which makes me a bit disappointed because the SD chips have been bringing some great features to these phones. But we will never be able to count on reliable unlocking of SD Samsung phones here in North America so from now on it's Exynos for me because I will be relying on root access to get the features that I want but more importantly the features that I NEED.
I'm curious if anyone else feels the same way about this. About Oreo and the direction Samsung and Google are moving from here. I just wish we could stay on Oreo and continue getting security patches and other bug fixes along the way. Without being forced to switch to Pie. I will never understand this need among some users to quickly update to the latest OS version. They feel content to live with bugs in order to use some new features? An OS that's not fully baked in? That's good for them? I don't get it. Not that I'm supposed to get it. Just saying, it seems irrational to me. But that's me.
Something needs to change. Samsung and other parties need to come together and agree to let us unlock and root our phones. If we buy these phones outright, unlocked and outside of carriers, we deserve to do whatever we want with them. And that includes unlocking and rooting. Something needs to give. For a while there, Samsung seemed to be looking at the things people were rooting for and introducing them on their next phones.
But now, it feels like they've moving in the opposite direction. I fear that Samsung will no longer be known as the manufacture that gives its users more features than they need and more options to customize their smartphone experience. It feels as if those days are now over and we will be forced to just accept whatever Samsung gives us out of the box.
Not unlike what iPhone users are forced to do with their smartphone experience.
Long live Oreo! Long live the Note 9!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so what apps made it so that you had to go back to a device supporting oreo?

bober10113 said:
so what apps made it so that you had to go back to a device supporting oreo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call recording being the biggest one and overall smaller ways in which the OS is laid out. Like with the camera settings and notifications work.

Not with you on this.
I quite like OneUI.

HuStLaZ said:
Not with you on this.
I quite like OneUI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's fair. We're all different.

Bought my Note 9 when One UI was just released. Had a lot of trouble with several key apps (banking, mail, weather and some news apps). Had crashes and graphical glitches almost every day and every week a "fatal" crash were I had to restart my Note with a button combination. I was thinking about returning my device. Kept is and installed the latest Oreo 8.1 version. Almost all software problems are gone. For 3 days not a single crash. Keep my fingers crossed

dont know if you guys side loaded the beta update but on a fresh pie install, not updated, i dont have any of the issues reported.

i have to say my experience is totally different. I think OneUI is fantastic and a major differentiator. i think samsung has taken the OS and built on it. I am a phone junkie and regularly look to buy other devices, but this is the first time im sticking to Samsung not only because of HW but now SW.

I'm a happy camper with One UI. Not gonna lie, I loved how Oreo on note 9 looked. But I'm guilty of upgrading phones twice every year. A fresh look gives me no reason to upgrade to S10 lol. I'll wait till note 10 comes out.

bober10113 said:
dont know if you guys side loaded the beta update but on a fresh pie install, not updated, i dont have any of the issues reported.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. My Note upgraded to Pie/One UI immediately after talking it out of the box and setting it up. My user experience with the Note is One Ui only. I've factory reset (deleting data and settings) my Note four times (installed a different set of apps every time) and didn't use a backup (coming from an iPhone) so it was a 100% fresh install. The problems started the same evening, the first crash was within a few hours. With Oreo i'm missing a few features (night mode and lift to wake for example). One Ui is definitely looking more polished.

Friendly reminder, the only constant in the technology world is change. Anyway, Pie takes some getting use to and my biggest complaint is notifications have stopped while my screen is off. I still get calls and texts, but everything else stopped. Android called it Doze and change is inevitable.
https://developer.android.com/training/monitoring-device-state/doze-standby

I like one UI a lot. It's very modern and fluid. I don't have many issues with it. I've disabled updates, though, hoping for root to come soon so I can flash even better customized one UI roms and remove the crap they include permanently instead of just disabling it. That way the phone is lighter and the processor wouldn't have to work as hard.
I get your points, though.

I think I'll go back to Oreo also can't stand not to have my notifications play through the phone when connected to Bluetooth miss way to many notifications. I have to turn off media playback on bluetooth to have notifications play on the phone, and when playing Spotify the notifications interrupt the music hate that.

bligui said:
I think I'll go back to Oreo also can't stand not to have my notifications play through the phone when connected to Bluetooth miss way to many notifications. I have to turn off media playback on bluetooth to have notifications play on the phone, and when playing Spotify the notifications interrupt the music hate that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Finally someone else that has this issue. I thought I was only one..lol
SM-N960U ONE UI PEACAN PIE

butchieboy said:
Finally someone else that has this issue. I thought I was only one..lol
SM-N960U ONE UI PEACAN PIE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did, too, but never paid attention to it and I like it actually. I think it was done purposely so people don't text or check their social media and drive. Phone calls come through no problem.
---------- Post added at 12:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 PM ----------
butchieboy said:
Finally someone else that has this issue. I thought I was only one..lol
SM-N960U ONE UI PEACAN PIE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you of all people shouldn't be texting while driving, and you know why. [emoji23]

K-alz said:
I did, too, but never paid attention to it and I like it actually. I think it was done purposely so people don't text or check their social media and drive. Phone calls come through no problem.
---------- Post added at 12:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 PM ----------
And you of all people shouldn't be texting while driving, and you know why. [emoji23]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol...I dont kind sir.
SM-N960U ONE UI PEACAN PIE

butchieboy said:
Lol...I dont kind sir.
SM-N960U ONE UI PEACAN PIE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mhm. I "believe" you. Then why were you concerned about the notifications going through your BT in the car? Haha

To each their own. I'm too old and way too busy now to deal with rooting, customizing, etc. Used to spend hours on it when I was in my 20s, the results were always disappointing. I have only a few requirents. The phone has to be secure (my corporate access apps and email account will not work on a rooted phone), reliable, and I have to have a way to set default apps. Camera has to be good but I don't care much for too many camera features or pro mode. I have a full frame dslr for when I want to take real pictures. And I really don't give a crap about filters. Never used them and never will.
So, apple is out of the question mainly because I can't set default apps (open Google maps instead of Apple maps for example), but I honestly think they are overpriced for substandard tech. And I can't think of any iPhone that comes close to the battery life of the note 9.
In summary, looking back, I don't miss having an unlocked bootloader phone. In fact, I can't think of a single good reason to root anymore. None of the custom roms or kernels are actually an improvement, and in my experience, they never have been. I actually like the new android.

sputnik767 said:
To each their own. I'm too old and way too busy now to deal with rooting, customizing, etc. Used to spend hours on it when I was in my 20s, the results were always disappointing. I have only a few requirents. The phone has to be secure (my corporate access apps and email account will not work on a rooted phone), reliable, and I have to have a way to set default apps. Camera has to be good but I don't care much for too many camera features or pro mode. I have a full frame dslr for when I want to take real pictures. And I really don't give a crap about filters. Never used them and never will.
So, apple is out of the question mainly because I can't set default apps (open Google maps instead of Apple maps for example), but I honestly think they are overpriced for substandard tech. And I can't think of any iPhone that comes close to the battery life of the note 9.
In summary, looking back, I don't miss having an unlocked bootloader phone. In fact, I can't think of a single good reason to root anymore. None of the custom roms or kernels are actually an improvement, and in my experience, they never have been. I actually like the new android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not disagreeing with you but there certainly are still some good reasons (in my opinion) for rooting.
Disabled high volume warrning with headphones (I personally found this very annoying)
System wide ad blocking
More efficient kernels
Use of Samsung's built-in call recorder
Battery charge limiting
The option to install AOSP based ROMs (Although the lack of HWC means battery life is poor)
Biometric unlock after reboot
More theming options
Use any app with the dual app tool

Question Should I Unlock the bootloader?

First off, yes i have searched thru the forums for an answer but none of those that I found are direct to my questions...
I just placed an order for S21 Ultra Exynos. Should be arriving within the next 2 days or so..
My questions are: (this will be my first Samsung phone)
1) Is one UI good enough? or is it worth it to flash a custom from (previously I used to flash custom from for better battery life and also advance customization.
2) If I unlock the bootloader, will I still receive firmware updates?
I'm basically buying this particular phone for its excellent battery life, camera, and performance.
And also because Samsung promised 3-4 years for firmware updates. I believe this phone will last for at least 3 years.
And I'm thinking of unlocking the bootloader on day 1 itself before even setting up anything. That way I would save my time from losing stuff by resetting after unlocking BL.
3) and also, did anyone get the Samsung care+ extended warranty? Is it worth it?
I have never broken a phone before in my life thus far. But since this is gonna be the most expensive phone I have ever bought, I would prefer to secure my investment. (another reason why I'm considering not to unlock bootloader/root as of yet).
Thank you soo much.
Have not done rooting for a long time. Lost touch will all this stuff.
Hence the noobie questions.

1. One UI is quite good. There aren't a ton of custom ROMs out there for this phone. Even the most popular ones that exist are still based on one UI.
2. and 3. contradict each other. If you're bothered about warranty AT ALL, don't unlock your bootloader. You can never return to 100% stock on Samsung. Knox will remain tripped so bye bye warranty. Unless of course your country has laws allowing this and you can fight Samsung. They tend to deny warranty if you've modified your phone software. YMMV. I don't have Samsung Care so I don't know about that.
Since you asked for suggestions, mine would be not to be hasty and play around with the device to see if you need to unlock/root/flash etc.
Rooting on day 1 just so you can avoid having to set up phone again is pretty lazy and dangerous. Especially since you've been out of the game for a while.
Baby steps buddy. Better safe than sorry.

enigmaamit said:
1. One UI is quite good. There aren't a ton of custom ROMs out there for this phone. Even the most popular ones that exist are still based on one UI.
2. and 3. contradict each other. If you're bothered about warranty AT ALL, don't unlock your bootloader. You can never return to 100% stock on Samsung. Knox will remain tripped so bye bye warranty. Unless of course your country has laws allowing this and you can fight Samsung. They tend to deny warranty if you've modified your phone software. YMMV. I don't have Samsung Care so I don't know about that.
Since you asked for suggestions, mine would be not to be hasty and play around with the device to see if you need to unlock/root/flash etc.
Rooting on day 1 just so you can avoid having to set up phone again is pretty lazy and dangerous. Especially since you've been out of the game for a while.
Baby steps buddy. Better safe than sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn´t it sad, that we spent more than 1000 bucks on a device, that in the end, we will never truly own?
I´ve been thinking about this issue since i got my Note 9 (3 years ago)...
The balance between, what we want the device to do for, and what we are allowed to do in the device, without losing support in case of hardware failure...
I, mainly, used to root for 3 reasons: 1 - Ads removal from software; 2 - Control/modification of the system files and 3 - Easy backup and restore with TWRP
And as we all are aware, a few changes in a system file, can avoid the installation of a third party software (e.g. Call Recording) so it seems to be more efficient to root... but then come the brands claming that we can´t do it because that would ruin the user experience that they planned for the device...
The Knox feature as been buffed up to a point that is increasingly harder to install a custom recovery. Something that a few years ago was a solution for a big number of users, now its just a work for those "geeks" that live for the challenge... The risks of brincking a VERY EXPENSIVE device are becaming bigger than the advantages that we would get with root... I guess we are playing into brands plans...
To be fair, brands also understood that they would have to give what users wanted if they wanted to avoid software alterations (except maybe Apple, who just gives what Apple consideres users should have)...
Customizations and bigger control of the software are trends that are growing up in Android skins (like OneUi).
I got my S21 Ultra a few weeks ago, and normally it would rooted and with a custom recovery by now, but the problems i faced with that in my Note 9, are still present in my mind... and i don´t want to face them again...
I manage to get my basic needs with some non-root software, and with GoodLock and Bixby Routines and can do almost everything i would do with the root... Still can´t avoid to have to install a third party software to record calls, something that could be done better with the native system, but that´s it...
In the end, you do you...
Just keep in mind the risks, and be ready to take responsability when something goes wrong... and the possibility of that happen is getting bigger every time they launch a new device...
RSGI

RSGI said:
Isn´t it sad, that we spent more than 1000 bucks on a device, that in the end, we will never truly own?
I´ve been thinking about this issue since i got my Note 9 (3 years ago)...
The balance between, what we want the device to do for, and what we are allowed to do in the device, without losing support in case of hardware failure...
I, mainly, used to root for 3 reasons: 1 - Ads removal from software; 2 - Control/modification of the system files and 3 - Easy backup and restore with TWRP
And as we all are aware, a few changes in a system file, can avoid the installation of a third party software (e.g. Call Recording) so it seems to be more efficient to root... but then come the brands claming that we can´t do it because that would ruin the user experience that they planned for the device...
The Knox feature as been buffed up to a point that is increasingly harder to install a custom recovery. Something that a few years ago was a solution for a big number of users, now its just a work for those "geeks" that live for the challenge... The risks of brincking a VERY EXPENSIVE device are becaming bigger than the advantages that we would get with root... I guess we are playing into brands plans...
To be fair, brands also understood that they would have to give what users wanted if they wanted to avoid software alterations (except maybe Apple, who just gives what Apple consideres users should have)...
Customizations and bigger control of the software are trends that are growing up in Android skins (like OneUi).
I got my S21 Ultra a few weeks ago, and normally it would rooted and with a custom recovery by now, but the problems i faced with that in my Note 9, are still present in my mind... and i don´t want to face them again...
I manage to get my basic needs with some non-root software, and with GoodLock and Bixby Routines and can do almost everything i would do with the root... Still can´t avoid to have to install a third party software to record calls, something that could be done better with the native system, but that´s it...
In the end, you do you...
Just keep in mind the risks, and be ready to take responsability when something goes wrong... and the possibility of that happen is getting bigger every time they launch a new device...
RSGI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree. The trend for Android devices aping the Apple philosophy is disturbing. But for lack of good alternatives, we are left without too many choices. OnePlus seemed to be doing well on this front but lately they've also gone rogue. So we have to live with what we have, whether we like it or not...

guyderam said:
I'm basically buying this particular phone for its excellent battery life
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Click to collapse
Okay so who's gonna tell him?
To be perfectly honest, the battery life is the only gripe I have with this phone. It's quite mediocre for a 5000mAh battery. Of course everyone's usage is different, but I expected better battery life. If you're not a "heavy" user you should be fine though!!
As for bootloader unlocking: I've had 2 S21 Ultras. I had the first one unlocked for a dumb reason, wanted to flash some magisk module to enable all lenses in Google Camera ports basically. Which is kinda funny because now with OneUI 4.0 all the lenses are available in GCam
back to the actual topic, now that I have my second S21U, I don't see a reason to unlock the bootloader. From what I've seen there's only one or two Exynos custom ROMs that are regularly updated. That's the first thing. The 2nd thing is, I just don't wanna trip Knox again and void my warranty.
For me unlocking the BL is not worth it (at the moment). You should consider the pros and the cons of unlocking and hopefully it'll be easier to decide then.
With that being said, enjoy your S21 Ultra, man.

jericho246 said:
Okay so who's gonna tell him?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thank you so much for the feedback guys.... got my questions answered. Doubt ill be doing anything for now. Gonna use it as it is and see how it goes.
Sadly yes, androids used to be fully customizable and this was the main reason people used to buy them. Unfortunately, phone companies seem to be making it harder and harder for us to do anything to our phones anymore these days.
Oh well....

guyderam said:
Thank you so much for the feedback guys.... got my questions answered. Doubt ill be doing anything for now. Gonna use it as it is and see how it goes.
Sadly yes, androids used to be fully customizable and this was the main reason people used to buy them. Unfortunately, phone companies seem to be making it harder and harder for us to do anything to our phones anymore these days.
Oh well....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But really, what do you want to do with your phone that's not already in-built. I was thinking the same but over the years Android (and it's custom OEMs) have gotten a lot better with companies baking a lot of the magisk modules (their versions) into their ROMs...I didn't root my OnePlus 7Pro, neither the S21U..don't see the need to (at least for the time being)...

A few things, updates are forfeited after root and also be aware Android 12, One UI 4.0 is far from stable. If it hasn't been preinstalled you should consider ignoring the update until the numerous bugs are addressed. I've had a number of S Series devices, only the S8+ was a Exynos variant, all others had the Snapdragon SoC's and never had a warranty issue. I wouldn't buy the Samsung Care+ but it's like any other insurance, you hate paying for it but happy you did if you ever need it. Unless you're a power user battery life shouldn't be an issue but if it is you can review numerous posts for corrective solutions. Based on what you've shared it's probably best you hold off on unlocking the bootloader, to me there aren't many compelling reasons when one considers all the consequences. I think you'll be OK with the stock device.

I consider myself as a relatively advanced user and was always playing rooted with all of the S devices I had. There were always workarounds for root detection by apps and samsung itself BUT now things have changed and I regret having rooted my S21.
As samsung is enforcing its restrictions against root, I find myself (while being rooted) unable to connect my GW4, unable to use latest Samsung Health app, unable to use Samsung Pay and lately even the samsung account keeps disconnecting for "security reasons" several times a day... What a mess !
As previously said, returning to stock with locked bootloader won't give a 100% functional device as the tripped Knox will still be there preventing you from using some samsung apps and features !
If it gets more complicated, I only have 2 choices : get a "virgin" S21 or say goodbye to Samsung.
With that said, you now know where you're going if you choose to go that way

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 !!!