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Hey Guys,
i'm really tempted to buy an Xperia XZ1 Compact, but am really wondering if i can live with the Restrictions Sony 'implemented'. I read some threads, but am still unsure about some facts.
I thought Id write down what i found out, would you mind to correct any conclusion that is wrong? (As of 2018 Mar 21)
1) By unlocking the Bootloader, the DRM-Keys are lost forever, thereby warranty is likely void
2) By now there is no way to backup the DRM-Keys. There is a Bounty-Program for finding a solution, but by now that isnt solved, and it seems more unlikely that a solution might pop up anytime soon.
3) It is possible to unlock every Bootloader, even those with status "allowed: no"
4) Sony provides an official way to unlock the Bootloader, but that renders the Camera (and some other Features) unusable.
5) There is a DRM-Fix that simulates the DRM-Keys, so it is possible to use the Camera and other Special Features without any downside, aside that the original DRM-Keys are gone forever.
6) If not rooted, it is always possible to downgrade the Firmware to a Version that is compatible with XperiFIX
7) Even without Root, it is possible to uninstall every unwanted Package over ADB
8) Even without Root, it is possible to disable/delete unwanted sounds like Startup/Shutter/Screenshot etc...
Would be really glad if you could correct anything that might be wrong, so i can really decide if could live with those limitations!
Thankin u! :good:
dafunkydan said:
Hey Guys,
i'm really tempted to buy an Xperia XZ1 Compact, but am really wondering if i can live with the Restrictions Sony 'implemented'. I read some threads, but am still unsure about some facts.
I thought Id write down what i found out, would you mind to correct any conclusion that is wrong? (As of 2018 Mar 21)
1) By unlocking the Bootloader, the DRM-Keys are lost forever, thereby warranty is likely void
2) By now there is no way to backup the DRM-Keys. There is a Bounty-Program for finding a solution, but by now that isnt solved, and it seems more unlikely that a solution might pop up anytime soon.
3) It is possible to unlock every Bootloader, even those with status "allowed: no"
4) Sony provides an official way to unlock the Bootloader, but that renders the Camera (and some other Features) unusable.
5) There is a DRM-Fix that simulates the DRM-Keys, so it is possible to use the Camera and other Special Features without any downside, aside that the original DRM-Keys are gone forever.
6) If not rooted, it is always possible to downgrade the Firmware to a Version that is compatible with XperiFIX
7) Even without Root, it is possible to uninstall every unwanted Package over ADB
8) Even without Root, it is possible to disable/delete unwanted sounds like Startup/Shutter/Screenshot etc...
Would be really glad if you could correct anything that might be wrong, so i can really decide if could live with those limitations!
Thankin u! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
add bluetooth problems to your list of cons.
Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk
With the Bootloader unlocked, you won't receive OTA updates anymore.
jbarba76 said:
add bluetooth problems to your list of cons.
Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Bluetooth problems here.
dafunkydan said:
so i can really decide if could live with those limitations!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The DRM fix made by sToRm// works on any firmware (next release) and any XZ device.
The DRM that sony installed is broken when you unlock your bootloader and sToRm//'s fix enables it. So there is no loss of quality with the camera, it's exactly as stock. The DRM is fixed or broken, the camera is fixed or broken, there is no half way 'dodgy' pictures that people imagine.
Yes, you won't receive any OTA updates if your phone is rooted, but there is Xperiafirm and Newflasher, to keep you up to date. Then reflash with sToRm//'s app and you're good to go.
Yes, you can delete or disable apps you don't want without root.
Disabling sounds needs no special permissions and the level of tweaking as to what apps make visible/audible notifications on Oreo is superb.
In the old days you wanted to root your phone to control all the battery eating apps, but Google/Sony have been aware of the drive to extend battery life for a long time now and with a few exceptions, changing the configuration of the services will probably make your battery worse not better. The battery life on the XZ1 compact is the best of any phone I've had, straight out the box, no tweaking required.
The only other main driver for rooting your phone was to be able to customise it and change the frramework colours, but you can do that without root now.
Be sure you want to root you phone for the right reasons, not because it's fashionable, or because you want Xposed installed so that when you press the volume the flash comes on.
There's a chance you'll break your phone in the process, so is what you want to root your phone for important enough to have to buy a new phone for?
I'm not trying to put you off, but if you read sToRm//'s thread, there's loads of people getting into a real mess trying to root when they don't even know what ADB is. They've unlocked their phones, broken the camera, but now stuck unable to get the fix to work. Don't go there.
Hi there. Just giving my two cents here.
First the op is right I think in everything he said. I'm just not sure what the unlock bootloader part but other than that looks legit. It's a great idea for topic because Sony really screwed up some things in this phone. I had a z3 compact before which lasted like 2 years until I decided to upgrade to a s8 last year. Great phone but I really didn't like the size so decided to switch back to this. Overall I like it but the limitations Sony has put are ridiculous and defeat the whole purpose of getting an android.
Anyways I wanted to root because I use VPN and as a result I couldn't get a decent ad block solution because of that. Now with root I can use adaway and mimminguard while using VPN so I'm happy. Anyways I bought the phone on a online shop with only 3 month warranty. As it expires next week I decided to give it a go during the weekend.
With xperifix its really a simple process the dev made a great job. I'm far from being an expert in Android stuff and I could do it almost hassle free. So if you really want to root the phone and don't care about the TA or warranty go for it. Otherwise stay out of it as the last user said
Good day.
I had several Android phones, and all rooted except the lastest two, Galaxy S8 and Sony xperia XZ1 compact.
I see no real advantage in rooting latelly, Android OS has become more mature and apps like xposed, titanium backup, greenify are no longer needed IMO.
I used xposed for astetic purpose.
Now is possible to backup Apps and data with Xperia Backup, it is possible to freeze system apps with BK disabler, so i no longer need Titanium backup.
I can force doze the phone with Naptime, and apps are hibernated earlier, so no longer need for Greenify.
Not worth loosing warranty.
Hansoliv said:
Good day.
I had several Android phones, and all rooted except the lastest two, Galaxy S8 and Sony xperia XZ1 compact.
I see no real advantage in rooting latelly, Android OS has become more mature and apps like xposed, titanium backup, greenify are no longer needed IMO.
I used xposed for astetic purpose.
Now is possible to backup Apps and data with Xperia Backup, it is possible to freeze system apps with BK disabler, so i no longer need Titanium backup.
I can force doze the phone with Naptime, and apps are hibernated earlier, so no longer need for Greenify.
Not worth loosing warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+ you can theme with substratum without root. i really cannot see why people bother with root these days.
edit: not trying to be contentious, i get that some people still love to root for some niche mods. i just mean that compared to five years ago when i needed a tonne of mods to get my galaxy s3 looking and feeling nice, there seems to be much less need for it with a device/OS this good and so many great rootless mods.
Is it possible to encrypt the device with a password at boot, with pin+fingerprint and only user fingerprint at boot?
i'm looking to strengthen my security with a new device and upgrade from z3 compact, but still unsure. love the compact, hate DRM-stuff of sony
luminoso said:
Is it possible to encrypt the device with a password at boot, with pin+fingerprint and only user fingerprint at boot?
i'm looking to strengthen my security with a new device and upgrade from z3 compact, but still unsure. love the compact, hate DRM-stuff of sony
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone partiton is encrypted by default.
You only need to set either pin unlock or pattern unlock (both have fingerprint option) and that will lock the phone and make the partition unreadable, no MTP access or recovery access via TWRP.
If you want to read the phone in TWRP then you need to have set the pin unlock and TWRP will ask you for the pin to continue.
This doesn't apply to the external SD card.
Fingerprint unlock to boot? you've been watching too many spy movies.
1) By unlocking the Bootloader, the DRM-Keys are lost forever, thereby warranty is likely void
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keys are lost, warranty not necessarily. I unlocked bootloader on a Z1 compact and had to sent it later to Sony because of defect battery and they fixed it without complaints.
2) By now there is no way to backup the DRM-Keys. There is a Bounty-Program for finding a solution, but by now that isnt solved, and it seems more unlikely that a solution might pop up anytime soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, not sure when or if ever a vulnerability that allows root acces will be found. For Tablet Z4 it took very long time until I could backup my keys (~ 1.5 years as far as I remember)
4) Sony provides an official way to unlock the Bootloader, but that renders the Camera (and some other Features) unusable.
5) There is a DRM-Fix that simulates the DRM-Keys, so it is possible to use the Camera and other Special Features without any downside, aside that the original DRM-Keys are gone forever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems to be solved (did not test it). But not perfect solution of course. Needs for example additional steps on every firmware update.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-xz1-compact/development/kernel-sony-xz1-compact-16-january-2018-t3736068
6) If not rooted, it is always possible to downgrade the Firmware to a Version that is compatible with XperiFIX
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, no problem. Use FlashTool and XperiFirm. Doesn't matter if bootloader unlocked or not. In some cases you may need to reset data to factory default too on downgrade. It may be wise to backup firmware packages when new version is released because you can download only latest and second latest in XperiFirm. Older get removed!
7) Even without Root, it is possible to uninstall every unwanted Package over ADB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly no, you can only disable system apps. You would need read/write access to system partition which you cannot get without root.
Examples of uninstallable apps: "Amazon Kindle", "Amazon Shopping", "AVG Protection", "Facebook", "Facebook App Manager", "Spotify", "Talkback".... oh Sony )
8) Even without Root, it is possible to disable/delete unwanted sounds like Startup/Shutter/Screenshot etc...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No startup sound present at all.
Shutter sound can be disabled in Camera settings.
Screenshot sound cannot be disabled.
allofmex said:
Examples of uninstallable apps: "Amazon Kindle", "Amazon Shopping", "AVG Protection", "Facebook", "Facebook App Manager", "Spotify", "Talkback".... oh Sony )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can uninstall all of those,, permanaently, without root, perhaps you are unfamiliar with ADB?
Didgesteve said:
You can uninstall all of those,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the hint. The end of your linked article mentions that these apps are still not deleted from device. They are just deleted for default user (user 0). It is a little bit better than disabling the app because if they are "uninstalled" by mentioned adb command the don't show up in your Settings -> App list anymore, but you will not free space on device.
I just tested it before, no change on free storage size after "pm uninstall...".
allofmex said:
Thanks for the hint. The end of your linked article mentions that these apps are still not deleted from device. They are just deleted for default user (user 0). It is a little bit better than disabling the app because if they are "uninstalled" by mentioned adb command the don't show up in your Settings -> App list anymore, but you will not free space on device.
I just tested it before, no change on free storage size after "pm uninstall...".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you leaving the '-k' switch in?
pm uninstall -k --user 0 "package name goes here"
the 'k' switch preserves the folder and data and I'n not entirely sure why the example of how to uninstall shows that configuration.
If you delete without that switch, it will infact remove the files
pm uninstall --user 0 "packagenamegoeshere"
Think about it before rooting or mess up the phone.
I already wrote this in another thread.
Seriously, it's not KitKat days anymore guys. Besides adblockers, what do u need root for since Android Oreo? And I mean really useful stuff, not theming or or freaking sounds...
And about the damn ad blocker, u can Google it and u will find a few ways to have it, without root.
.... Or maybe it's just me getting older so I don't see any reason to bother about it ???
BK disabler for XZ1 compact?
I checked out BK disabler in Play store, it says it's for Samsung only and it's a paid app with no trial version. However I did notice in reviews (if I pick "From this device model only") that someone with XZ1 compact gives this app 5 stars. Is this a better way to deal with unwanted uninstallable apps than ADB?
Hansoliv said:
Good day.
I had several Android phones, and all rooted except the lastest two, Galaxy S8 and Sony xperia XZ1 compact.
I see no real advantage in rooting latelly, Android OS has become more mature and apps like xposed, titanium backup, greenify are no longer needed IMO.
I used xposed for astetic purpose.
Now is possible to backup Apps and data with Xperia Backup, it is possible to freeze system apps with BK disabler, so i no longer need Titanium backup.
I can force doze the phone with Naptime, and apps are hibernated earlier, so no longer need for Greenify.
Not worth loosing warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
strate aero said:
I checked out BK disabler in Play store, it says it's for Samsung only and it's a paid app with no trial version. However I did notice in reviews (if I pick "From this device model only") that someone with XZ1 compact gives this app 5 stars. Is this a better way to deal with unwanted uninstallable apps than ADB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good day.
. Sorry, i totally forgot it was a paid app, i bought it for my Galaxy S8 last year. It seems that the last version is 10.9 that works in all android.
And i followed this instruction. (https://kunkunsoft.wordpress.com/setup_device_owner_2/)
I personally use the app, because i freeze apps i only use sometimes, like facebook or instagram, and don't want them to be in the app drawer and using resources in the background.
If you only want to freeze bloatware and uninstalable and forget about them, is better (and cheaper) doing it by adb.
(Recently i read an article that disabling apps does not have any impact in battery consumption whatsoever)
BTW, if you do not want your games or apps like facebook be running in background and use resources, you could try App Ops (this one is free, i promise).
I use it for my games, facebook and google play store (the most known battery hoggers) (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=rikka.appops)
Hansoliv said:
Good day.
. Sorry, i totally forgot it was a paid app, i bought it for my Galaxy S8 last year. It seems that the last version is 10.9 that works in all android.
And i followed this instruction. (https://kunkunsoft.wordpress.com/setup_device_owner_2/)
I personally use the app, because i freeze apps i only use sometimes, like facebook or instagram, and don't want them to be in the app drawer and using resources in the background.
If you only want to freeze bloatware and uninstalable and forget about them, is better (and cheaper) doing it by adb.
(Recently i read an article that disabling apps does not have any impact in battery consumption whatsoever)
BTW, if you do not want your games or apps like facebook be running in background and use resources, you could try App Ops (this one is free, i promise).
I use it for my games, facebook and google play store (the most known battery hoggers) (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=rikka.appops)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Thanks for the reply, I actually don't mind paying for an app if it works well on my device. It would only bother me if I bought it only to find out it didn't work (I guess I could request a refund) anyway I was just trying to verify that it indeed did work with XZ1 compact. I read the instructions in the link and using BK Disabler is a bit more involved than just installing the app and using it to freeze other apps. You need to temporarily remove all your accounts and use ADB!
The main app I'm trying to get rid of is What's New, I have already disabled everything else I don't want. For some reason Sony won't let that app be disabled the regular way.
Thanks for the tip about App Ops , looks like it needs to used by ADB and needs "a little bit troublesome setup steps" in the words of the developer, oh well, I guess I'll try looking into this a little further but no matter what I'll be needing to use ADB to get the job done
strate aero said:
Hi,
Thanks for the reply, I actually don't mind paying for an app if it works well on my device. It would only bother me if I bought it only to find out it didn't work (I guess I could request a refund) anyway I was just trying to verify that it indeed did work with XZ1 compact. I read the instructions in the link and using BK Disabler is a bit more involved than just installing the app and using it to freeze other apps. You need to temporarily remove all your accounts and use ADB!
The main app I'm trying to get rid of is What's New, I have already disabled everything else I don't want. For some reason Sony won't let that app be disabled the regular way.
Thanks for the tip about App Ops , looks like it needs to used by ADB and needs "a little bit troublesome setup steps" in the words of the developer, oh well, I guess I'll try looking into this a little further but no matter what I'll be needing to use ADB to get the job done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're going to the trouble of setting up ADB, you don't need any apps to disable a service.
Didgesteve said:
If you're going to the trouble of setting up ADB, you don't need any apps to disable a service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Thanks for your reply, I checked out your link. Apparently to get rid of What's New I would have to remove package com.sonymobile.entrance ,right? I was noticing in that thread a few users were reporting that they needed to reset their devices because they apparently removed something they weren't supposed to but they didn't say what that was. Is What's New somehow linked to System Update or something else that might be important? Should I maybe leave it alone just wondering why Sony wouldn't allow that app to be disabled if it wasn't important somehow
I decided to remove BK disabler and force doze and let the phone be. It seems that having some apps disabled that way confuse the OS and it uses more battery.
I will try and use the method above and remove What's New and Support app, and leave the OS manage things.
I've been using my Note8 for 5 months already.
I miss many functionalities I would have if I could root the Note8, but I am reluctant as I know Samsung Pay will not work never again on this terminal.
The truth is that I would root it but here are the pros/cons:
Pros:
CPU downgrade (more battery juice)
Add apps to the ultra-power save mode (I definitely would use this mode more)
Get rid of bloatware (but on the other hand now I can just deactivate it)
Could use Titanium Backup to backup my apps
Cons:
Cannot use Samsung Pay never again
Would loose the stability/security of the stock ROM.
In fact, the banks I work with use Android Pay (and not Samsung Pay).
The main department store in Spain (El Corte Inglés) support Samsung Pay, but there is a silly issue that makes me not to use it. To clear the parking ticket you can do it directly with the 'old card', whereas if you pay with Samsung Pay in the store, after you have to go to customer service, wait the queue and have your parking ticket cleared. It's just silly and makes me not to use Android Pay in this store.
So, would you root your device or keep it stock?
So I still didnt root my phone too mainly because Samsung Pay. In Germany there is also no banks that supports it (Apple and Google Pay are also not out) but I have after 7 months found a swiss bank that supports it and yet i have to test it out.
ptolomeo said:
I've been using my Note8 for 5 months already.
I miss many functionalities I would have if I could root the Note8, but I am reluctant as I know Samsung Pay will not work never again on this terminal.
The truth is that I would root it but here are the pros/cons:
Pros:
CPU downgrade (more battery juice)
Add apps to the ultra-power save mode (I definitely would use this mode more)
Get rid of bloatware (but on the other hand now I can just deactivate it)
Could use Titanium Backup to backup my apps
Cons:
Cannot use Samsung Pay never again
Would loose the stability/security of the stock ROM.
In fact, the banks I work with use Android Pay (and not Samsung Pay).
The main department store in Spain (El Corte Inglés) support Samsung Pay, but there is a silly issue that makes me not to use it. To clear the parking ticket you can do it directly with the 'old card', whereas if you pay with Samsung Pay in the store, after you have to go to customer service, wait the queue and have your parking ticket cleared. It's just silly and makes me not to use Android Pay in this store.
So, would you root your device or keep it stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cons:
I never use Samsung Pay so for me there is no problem
About stability/security yes you need be more careful about security but if you use phone as normal person and not open thing which you dont know what is it you not have any issue btw you can flash custom romalmost all devs update his custom roms with latest security patches and firmwares
So i dont see reason why not root i root my phone week ago now i searching for good Oreo custom rom
About Pros:
You can do many godo thinks with root special if you have twrp you can flash good custom roms, mods etc.. i root my phone only for Zero Camera Mod in future i will flash custom rom too.
I'm came from a rooted Moto X Pure and loved all the stuff root gave me. When I got the Note 8, I decided not to root it and see how it goes. So far, I see no real reason to root at this point. Yeah, I'd love to be able to backup via TiBu, along with freezing or uninstalling apps, but overall, I see no real other benefit. The battery and speed of the Note is so good that I don't really worry about it.
I don't use any NFC pay services so I could care less about Samsung Pay. Every Android I've had was rooted. I purchased Exynos overseas instead Snapdragon domestically with the intent to root. When I first got my Note 8 in Aug/Sep I tried to see how long I could go without rooting. I didn't even make it a full 2 days.
Back in day I rooted mainly for themeing & ad blocking, in the past years themeing is not even on my list for reason to root. With the Note 8 root is not even needed for themeing.
I root to enable features that can't be on a stock phone, use apps that require root, debloat/disable/uninstall anything without needing an additional app, able to use TiBu like I've always have but not only that, the ability to backup things other than apps. Snapdragon does have root but it's not just root that I want, custom recovery/TWRP is a must for me too. Most of the time, thanks to our devs, performance is also improved.
I vote root. Mainly for Ti backup, debloating, and most importantly Xposed (disappointed when I found out it doesn't work yet). I haven't done much debloating since there isn't a nice list like every other phone I've ever had.
You gotta fund out what bootloader your on cause Samsung now blocked root.
I don't see any point in rooting the Note 8. I'm happy with the battery life so no need to tweak anything here. I don't need low power mode or apps that can run in this mode. Bloatware is not an issue for me, everything I don't want is deactivated and memory is not really an issue for me either.
My Note 8 is a great tool and it just works fine. I would not risk that by using other ROMs etc, because I don't see a point here either. So I won't root it.
I rooted my devices since the S3, but now, many many things that only root could give you control over in the past, now can be done with stock or via apps, the pros of rooting were far more desirable that the cons, but now, things are different, samsung pay is active in my country and I find it very useful, what I painly miss is, Viper4A, only, but, as I use it only at home with a full size sound system, I use my note 4 for listening music, so, I will not root my note 8
The only reason to root my phone could be the zero camera mod. That's all... completely unnecessary in this phone. Think about it (at least in my case) : i installed some fancy apps, and since of them was very cool, but 2 o 3 weeks later it just become in another unnecessary gadget. Custom roms are that... in my humble opinion. Cheers
I just can't see a reason to root. Note offers a lot of functionalities that, in the past, are reached by some stock roms. In term of battery I agree that stock rom could be better. Loosing Knox and Samsung pay is not a clever decision. Imagine a scenario involving warranty.
Note is a portable PC and have everything in my opinion
Saafir said:
Let's not forget you can debloat using adb. No root required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you freeze and defrost bloat?
For me the only reason to root is to have a local firewall while VPNing. The only effective noroot firewalls use the VPN service and if you do that you can not simultaneously block while also connecting to a VPN service to secure DNS or access remote network resources that are not internet exposed.
Unless you are a software developer there is no need to root an modern android device these days. As most android OEMs are doing a good job refining android for their respective devices.
I've rooted the 25 or so Android phones I have had over the years, but, this is the first Android phone I have not rooted; I couldn't care less about samsung pay, or Knox, or warranty, since warranty has NEVER been an issue for me, even on rooted phones.
But, with this Snapdragon version, there aren't really any custom roms to flash, or many mods that require root, and, the phone is fast as hell with the stock rom, so, as long as I can install themes to change the look, I have zero desire to root this phone.
iceepyon said:
Unless you are a software developer there is no need to root an modern android device these days. As most android OEMs are doing a good job refining android for their respective devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or unless no phone offers the features that you need.
iceepyon said:
Unless you are a software developer there is no need to root an modern android device these days. As most android OEMs are doing a good job refining android for their respective devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not so my friend. Some of us can't stand the white ****ty-looking icons and letters on the top bar, like battery, date etc.. they are dull and boring. Rooting is about the only way to change that at this time. Having access to 3minittbattery or other advanced ways to change/theme Android is key even if you are not a developer. Also, I have yet to find a decent backup utility like Titanium in any OEM. Most backup apps will only back up your Apks but no data unless you have root. So when you change phones, you loose all/most data. It's hard to believe that after 10 years, Android still cannot backup data in all your apps without root. For someone like me who likes to have the latest phones, it means at least twice a year you loose all data unless you have root. When you pay close to 1K for a phone, you expect to be able to have it your way. Otherwise, why not just follow the i-sheep where everything in the ecosystem is already pre-done for you? This is why many of us root. We don't want to be part of the i-sheep family.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Sinxe note 2 i was a rooter in all series.. for the first time i kept a phone as stock.
Well knox or secure folder.. is the best reason to have this phone. And i am using it for privacy things.. with double accounts.. u can have a hidden whatsapp with different number in secure folder... This was important for me.
Samsung pay! Another fact.
Disabling bloatwares are possible wo root.
I dont need any kernel or performance tweak. Samsung sid fine...
Even i am not a fan of theming. With Nova i am really satisfied..
For camera tweak. I downloaded apk pixel 2 exynos modify from xda.. which does better job then stock..
With adblock issues lucky patcher is still good wo root..
Titanium backup?? I let google to upload everything.. so data backup no more need on my sd..
Also using a firmware that is so stable is another benefit. There is no crash. No headache. Now i see not complicating things is better..
Besides i have nexus with root.. and for my case.. rooting note 8 is not huge benefit for me...
m_carleone82 said:
Titanium backup?? I let google to upload everything.. so data backup no more need on sd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except Google does a ****ty job of backing up and restoring. Also, I don't just use Ti backup when setting up a new phone, I use it to backup my most used apps before updating them. Half the time updates brings on issues, removes features, or just break the app all together.
Meh!! I'm over tinkering with phones. Been doing it for many years. At the end of the day they still take and make calls , send and receive mms sms emails,and apps for whatever I want to do. These days most modern phones pack enough grunt , I don't find a need to modify. The fun in it for me has become same old, same old. I do however come back here in hope that some one has pulled a rabbit out of the hat with something new and magical. There's more fun things for me to do like travel the globe.
For the young ones it still will be new and exciting, so keep having fun!
And yes my cat is still around, little older and a little slower. Still very beautiful.
I have always rooted all my previous android phones, but had not had a big need for it on XZ1c.
Partly because its actually quite tough, and partly because you can never return to "untouched state" if you want. Wou WILL loose permenentaly you android key provisioning. (introduced in android Oreo).
However now I am in doubt if I should root or not. Mainly because its just nice do have full control of your phone. And also because I like to play/geek with my phone.
Can someone help me make up my decision. So far this is the list I can come up with.
You are very velcome to add points which can help me, and probably many others take a decision, as this product is now nearly 2 years old.
Pros:
* Remove ads in app. Already use Opera to remove ads in browsing.
* Use external SD for app data, as 32GB is very limited. Link2SD working still in Pie? Or somethink better has come up?
* Add option to call recording
* Customize pie clock location - > put back to right side
* You will be able to make FULL backups with ie. Titanium. Although after Android 6.0 this is becoming more and more useless.
* Remove unneeded bloat.
* Perhaps being able to get better battery consumption. Not really proven though, as stock is getting better and better.
*..
*..
* Systemwide night mode (is this still possible in pie, where you can dimmer the navigation keys)
Cons:
* You will physically alter the phone, and cannot return to 100% stock -> loss of andorid Key Attest Provisioning. Cannot relock bootloader etc. etc.
* You will not be able to use Google Pay. And this feature will be lost forever, as this is using key attest provisioning.
* You will not be able to use Over-the-air updates from Sony, which means you will not automatically have the newest security updates to phone.
* You need to strugle with banking apps and streaming apps checking for root. So you have to trick them with magisk hide etc.. Cat and mouse all the time, as they might become better in detecting root.
* You will and spend alot of time, and need to spend more and more time on your phone, to keep up-to-date with latest xda development.
* ..
* ..
*..
*..
I'm not sure if this will change in the future or not, but for me, Google Pay and my banking apps (Chase, BofA) are currently working on my rooted XZ1C. I didn't do anything special other than installing Magisk.
You can use magiskhideprop to use Google pay and alike.
You might also need to use the avaliable hide options from magisk manager though.
Removing bloatware for sure gives the battery 5+ extra hours of use.
For me that was the main reason.
Oreo had a few hours more though is what i notice compared to Pie.
TGN said:
Removing bloatware for sure gives the battery 5+ extra hours of use.
For me that was the main reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can remove bloatware using adb without root.
mcmanuf said:
Can someone help me make up my decision.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By the looks of it, you’ve done a pretty good job of reasearching the points for and against, I don’t think asking the question here will bring you any new instights.
In the past, rooting unlocked the phone to lots of new ‘features’, customising and battery saving apps. But that’s long gone now, you can customise without rooting and the modern stock build is so good with battery saving that tampering with it’s clock features or running proccesses using power saving apps more often produces worse battery not better. Add to that the ability to reomve all the unwated apps you want with some prudent ADB commands, makes rooting seems like a lot of work, for not much gain. There seems to be some sort of urban legend that everything works better on a rooted phone, but I think quite often the battery performance is the same or worse.
I’m sure it’s fashinonable to say that your phone is rooted, but locking yourself out of regular security updates, having to initiate a whole update squence of flashing this file, then that file, then that file, every time there’s a firmware update is very draining and I’m sure you’ll give up after not very long (I gave up with .20 on Oreo). There’s so many more things that can wrong with a rooted phone, even if you do follow the herd and always have the latest latest build on your phone.
I’d say don’t do it and invest some time in learing how to get what you want with ADB.
mcmanuf said:
Cons:
* You need to strugle with banking apps and streaming apps checking for root. So you have to trick them with magisk hide etc.. Cat and mouse all the time, as they might become better in detecting root.
*..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can tell you that this point is 100% true. I have 3 banks. All do not work with vanilla root, but 2 of them can work if using Magisk hide. However the 3rd app (ABSA Bank south africa) cannot work no matter what... Not sure how they check, your magisk can but fully secure, pass safety net, pass cts, pass google play certification - and it will still detect root. Reading on the south african forums regarding this, nobody has been able to figure how to get this working on a rooted phone. I actually went to the bank and closed my account because of this... but this situation is surely only going to get worse.
And there is no system wide dark theme in XZ1c's Pie.
Regards,
Dean
TheVan28 said:
You can remove bloatware using adb without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is interesting, any chance you could point me in the right direction?
l33boy said:
This is interesting, any chance you could point me in the right direction?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice XDA article here
and something more specific to our XZ1c here
You might need Sony drivers
TheVan28 said:
You can remove bloatware using adb without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For my device, the recommended way left a few services active (Amazon Shopping), could not find data anywhere though with root explorer.
When using the Debloater module in Magisk (recommended by @andacro i saw that there were more ''leftovers'' from other removed apps as well which i previously uninstalled through the adb -uninstall method.
For my device, the Debloater module was the more complete method to get everything clean.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...z1-compact-t3815157/post79558539#post79558539
Hi,
I used to root my phone but since I bought the S10 I found myself using Samsung Pay instead of using my cards all the time.
Before I used to root in order to have:
- Spotify mod, but now you can hack Spotify without root installing a modded version
- adaway but you can still use adhell
- YouTube vanced worked on non-root device
So do you think it's worth rooting the phone to maybe removing some bloating and add some minor customisations but lose Samsung Pay?
ValouSydney said:
Hi,
I used to root my phone but since I bought the S10 I found myself using Samsung Pay instead of using my cards all the time.
Before I used to root in order to have:
- Spotify mod, but now you can hack Spotify without root installing a modded version
- adaway but you can still use adhell
- YouTube vanced worked on non-root device
So do you think it's worth rooting the phone to maybe removing some bloating and add some minor customisations but lose Samsung Pay?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think yeah, debloating is the first thing to pushed me to root, but more reasons exist, like tweaks to systemui, backups, also this time i use it to be able to mock locations on pokemongo hehe.
The only thing stopping me to root my s10 was securefolder, because the warranty doesn't mind if you break,wet,loose the phone and since someone found a way to use it theres no other reason to not root for me
Chuytl said:
i think yeah, debloating is the first thing to pushed me to root, but more reasons exist, like tweaks to systemui, backups, also this time i use it to be able to mock locations on pokemongo hehe.
The only thing stopping me to root my s10 was securefolder, because the warranty doesn't mind if you break,wet,loose the phone and since someone found a way to use it theres no other reason to not root for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I DO NOT ROOT ANYMORE!
Debloating is NO LONGER an excuse either!! Infact the phones are SUPER EASY to remove ALL the bloatware from!!!
Just flash a stock "unlocked" firmware and boom, bloatfree.. you dont even need to sim unlock!!!
Modded Apks are good enough for me, and work fine on unrooted devices.
You maintain ALL features...
AND YOU KEEP YOUR WARRANTY INTACT!!!
Some apps only work with root. Root also gives you access to install a custom recovery which can be used to make nandroid backups of the phone. Something stock recovery can't do unless you use the flash fire app in which case you need root to use it.
psynetkilla said:
I DO NOT ROOT ANYMORE!
Debloating is NO LONGER an excuse either!! Infact the phones are SUPER EASY to remove ALL the bloatware from!!!
Just flash a stock "unlocked" firmware and boom, bloatfree.. you dont even need to sim unlock!!!
Modded Apks are good enough for me, and work fine on unrooted devices.
You maintain ALL features...
AND YOU KEEP YOUR WARRANTY INTACT!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if thats your choice thats ok...
warranty is not a deal with because probably I'll break my phone before any factory issue also a full debloated stock firmware?
im not telling you to root but for me is not a need is because i like to do it. manually debloting a rom, use of apps that need device admin without grant it, backups,kernel wireless and framework tweaks, ui customization and a lot of things you can do with root only
Couple of reasons why I have it rooted:
- Replace the ugly Samsung Emoji for any other (I use the legacy but updated blobs).
- Full disable Google if you care "a bit" about privacy.
- Remove Bixby and remap without accepting their contract.
- Full VPN, Android by default don't tether internet with VPN
In overall, rooting is needed if you want to own your device and care about privacy. People have more usage for rooting, but that's why I prefer rooting.
The main reasons I used to root were
-Install black theme. These days every manufacturer offers black themes and Google also offers black themes.
-Adaway for ads removal. There are many alternatives for non rooted devices.
-Viper 4 Android for superior sound. I bought an external DAC which is much better.
-Debloating. Nowdays we are able to remove most of the apps we don't want.
I like my rooted LG G4 a lot, but I need my S10 to use my bank apps without hassle, so I will probably never root it.
Not any real important reasons that usually can't be done some other way, sometimes because their friends are doing it.
Tel864 said:
Not any real important reasons that usually can't be done some other way, sometimes because their friends are doing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting is cool, only cool kids root :good:
I root my phone just because I want to have the freedom to do what I want.
I like to modify config files for apps (whatsapp for example - better photo quality, larger videos and so on).
Adhell isn't working anymore and non-root adblockers including AdGuard DNS are either sucking battery or you need to disable it often to enter websites. You can't add filters to the DNS. Adaway works great on root.
Also Substratum or similar is great and I like the Swift Black theme.
For me it's more the principe. Before I switched to Android I used to have jailbroken iPhones, only - and I loved the freedom.
But since my warranty's void and my USB port got destroyed by fake moisture I'm thinking about to suppress my thoughts of "Android freedom" - the repair shop wanted 400€ for switching the mainboard. I let them send my S10 back and now VaultKeeper prevents booting...and without USB I don't have any chance to use the phone.
So, rooting is great but if your device got damaged it gets expensive.
It's annoying that the phone brands are working so hard to prevent rooting without any logical reason...VaulKeeper and KNOX are just two examples just by Samsung. Huawei, for example, disabled the unlocking of their devices completely, this was the reason for me to switch to Samsung.
Hey there!
After 2 years I'm finally switching from a great OnePlus 7 Pro to a brand new Galaxy S21 Ultra (US, Snapdragon, unlocked).
I rooted my OP7 the first day I got it, it was pretty straightforward - OnePlus made things easier too - and keeping it updated wasn't a big deal. Maintenance was smooth. I really didn't lose any security service, all my banking and payment apps worked flawlessly.
On the other hand, I've never rooted a Samsung before, but I keep reading that it's a bit of a pain.
So I wanted to ask to those of you who already rooted the S21 how it's going. Any app/service you had to leave behind so far? Any complications or difficulties?
Cheers!
US Snap Dragon chips now have a locked bootloader countrywide in newer Samsung Galaxy phones.
no TWRP or root without going thru a paid bootloader unlock service
Yeah, I know there's no TWRP for Android 11 yet. That's why I haven't updated my OP7.
Well, sounds like this countrywide lock is a real big pain then
I'm not an S21 owner nor American, I've just seen this in the S20FE forums, that's how US networks want Samsung to do stuff.
_JuSteR_ said:
Yeah, I know there's no TWRP for Android 11 yet. That's why I haven't updated my OP7.
Well, sounds like this countrywide lock is a real big pain then
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not being able to reliably unlock the BL is why I haven't gotten a S21 Ultra. I'm now looking at the Sony Xperia 1 III.
I also have a 7 Pro
tech_head said:
Not being able to reliably unlock the BL is why I haven't gotten a S21 Ultra. I'm now looking at the Sony Xperia 1 III.
I also have a 7 Pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
something I read on an xda news page about treble said Sony put in lots of work on getting their vendor layer perfect for treble so GSIs should work with all features on Sony phones. everyone seems to not want you leaving their ecosystems such they are.
tech_head said:
Not being able to reliably unlock the BL is why I haven't gotten a S21 Ultra. I'm now looking at the Sony Xperia 1 III.
I also have a 7 Pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. I'm not looking at the phone you mentioned, but I'll probably be sticking to the Pixel devices moving forward. It just stinks that Google hadn't had a proper Pixel 5 release (due to the government secretly pinning the lawsuit that was for Apple against Google instead, causing them to lose around $170M USD) and so I went to the S21U...
While I like the phone, I probably definitely won't be going back to Samsung for my next phone.
_JuSteR_ said:
Hey there!
After 2 years I'm finally switching from a great OnePlus 7 Pro to a brand new Galaxy S21 Ultra (US/Snapdragon).
I rooted my OP7 the first day I got it, it was pretty straightforward - OnePlus made things easier too - and keeping it updated wasn't a big deal. Maintenance was smooth. I really didn't lose any security service, all my banking and payment apps worked flawlessly.
On the other hand, I've never rooted a Samsung before, but I keep reading that it's a bit of a pain.
So I wanted to ask to those of you who already rooted the S21 how it's going. Any app/service you had to leave behind so far? Any complications or difficulties?
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went from a OnePlus 7T to the S21 Ultra. The flasher in me went crazy the first month or two. I kept looking for ways to unlock and root etc. Regretted my decision. BUT THEN, after exploring and research, I found that I could get rid of ads across the whole phone. Including in app ads. I could theme. I could do basically everything I wanted WITHOUT root. After gradually moving all my passwords to Knox, it's grown on me. I'm very content. Samsung UI has come a long way imo
Just think about what you want out of being rooted. Research and find outnif you can accomplish the same without root and then go from there.
How do you block app ads? @BlaaaaazedUp
Thx
if tripping KNOX is worth it, then can go ahead
Sithlordpt said:
How do you block app ads? @BlaaaaazedUp
Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't mind losing more battery than normal (and losing a tiny bit of browsing speed depending on your setup): AdGuard - which isn't on the Play Store. But if you want to block those ads without any issues, you'll need AdAway with root.
I rooted my OnePlus 7 Pro for adblocking (adaway + minminguard), Battery Charge Limit and some small UI improvements and app debloat - Oxygen OS doesn't require that much though. I can't say the same about Samsung.
At the moment, on my S21 I'm just using adaway VPN, which works fine but not consistently. I also tried SystemUI Tuner to remove the VPN icon from the status bar - I can't believe there's no system option for that - but it stops working when you restart the phone.
I really don't know what KNOX is for and I don't know what tripping it implies.
Other than that, I'm really forcing myself to get used to the squircle icons across the UI
Samsung removed the fastboot mode from all their devices. How is that supposed to be open source and developer friendly? No more Samsung for me. Never again. Xiaomi is much more open source and developer friendly and much cheaper. Bye bye Samsung! Good riddance.
_JuSteR_ said:
I rooted my OnePlus 7 Pro for adblocking (adaway + minminguard), Battery Charge Limit and some small UI improvements and app debloat - Oxygen OS doesn't require that much though. I can't say the same about Samsung.
At the moment, on my S21 I'm just using adaway VPN, which works fine but not consistently. I also tried SystemUI Tuner to remove the VPN icon from the status bar - I can't believe there's no system option for that - but it stops working when you restart the phone.
I really don't know what KNOX is for and I don't know what tripping it implies.
Other than that, I'm really forcing myself to get used to the squircle icons across the UI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use Good Lock to remove any icons from statusbar and edit all the things you want, including control center, app switcher style, keyboard effects, lockscreen, clock, etc.
It's a very powerful tool.
I just found a mint 9 Pro for $900.
Still with OnePlus.
I've been rooted for 2 weeks with a hong kong model G9880, unlocking the bootloader was pretty smooth only the firmware download and extra steps to root Samsung devices are much more complicated compared to OnePlus phone including OTA updates.
Everything I've been using was without any problems so far, I've tested Samsung Health and Samsung Pay wasn't working, but not a big deal for me as I use Google Pay. Samsung DeX is working fine also. I don't like Samsung apps as I don't want to stick with them too long.
For me it was worth it to root and trip Knox, because root is a feature for me as I'm pretty nerdy about controlling things and making things my own. I mostly use root for: Tasker automation for limiting battery charging, disabling services, and so much more automations, Adaway, (LP), EdXposed: PrivacyLua, AllTrans, theming Gboard themes, disabling navbar buttons and replace them with FNG and One Hand Operation+ (now using Nova doesn't have issues with swipe gestures, yaay!), Greenify to doze apps, DarQ to make almost any apps dark mode, SD maid (rooted) for disabling apps that start up on boot, Panda Mouse Pro for mapping keyboard in games without mouse and keyboard support (activation with root doesn't need a computer and adb anymore), also i can access ADB in Termux without a computer and without LADB, and so much moooree.. I could go on all day.
After rooting, all tweaking it is SO MUCH pleasure and so smooth to use and it all depends on the user if you're satisfied the way you use your phone. Tripping KnoX may decrease sale price if you're going to sell your phone in the future but I've read they still accept your phone as a trade-in for another phone so it's great. Of course some things can also do without root but with a hassle.
I'm coming from OnePlus 8 Pro and I chose S21 Ultra for DeX mode and when I use screen mirroring I can output 120hz for gaming and bought a monitor for that.
You don't neet adguard or root to block ads. Use the global dns in settings. Use adguard dns or a custom ad blocker such as nextdns. Both are free.
i'd like to get some insights on this too. i've been with android since froyo (yes, i'm old ) and i've rooted everything i've had from day 0, whenever possible. i'm on my 3rd month with the s21u and still stock as i find most of the things i need or do have workarounds for root (like changing out macrdodroid over tasker). so to those who've rooted, did you guys gain batt improvements? this might be a clincher for me
davie9x said:
I've been rooted for 2 weeks with a hong kong model G9880, unlocking the bootloader was pretty smooth only the firmware download and extra steps to root Samsung devices are much more complicated compared to OnePlus phone including OTA updates.
Everything I've been using was without any problems so far, I've tested Samsung Health and Samsung Pay wasn't working, but not a big deal for me as I use Google Pay. Samsung DeX is working fine also. I don't like Samsung apps as I don't want to stick with them too long.
For me it was worth it to root and trip Knox, because root is a feature for me as I'm pretty nerdy about controlling things and making things my own. I mostly use root for: Tasker automation for limiting battery charging, disabling services, and so much more automations, Adaway, (LP), EdXposed: PrivacyLua, AllTrans, theming Gboard themes, disabling navbar buttons and replace them with FNG and One Hand Operation+ (now using Nova doesn't have issues with swipe gestures, yaay!), Greenify to doze apps, DarQ to make almost any apps dark mode, SD maid (rooted) for disabling apps that start up on boot, Panda Mouse Pro for mapping keyboard in games without mouse and keyboard support (activation with root doesn't need a computer and adb anymore), also i can access ADB in Termux without a computer and without LADB, and so much moooree.. I could go on all day.
After rooting, all tweaking it is SO MUCH pleasure and so smooth to use and it all depends on the user if you're satisfied the way you use your phone. Tripping KnoX may decrease sale price if you're going to sell your phone in the future but I've read they still accept your phone as a trade-in for another phone so it's great. Of course some things can also do without root but with a hassle.
I'm coming from OnePlus 8 Pro and I chose S21 Ultra for DeX mode and when I use screen mirroring I can output 120hz for gaming and bought a monitor for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know. Is there any difference between the Hong Kong and US version?
I used to root my phones for quite the same reasons. I stopped using Greenify ages ago though, I don't think it's necessary on modern phones. And I'm not 100% sure about EdExposed as it slowed down my OP7 Pro a bit.
How do you find yourself with Samsung and system updates? Is it a stress to update and re-root?
tiliarou said:
You don't neet adguard or root to block ads. Use the global dns in settings. Use adguard dns or a custom ad blocker such as nextdns. Both are free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree. I'm using AdAway VPN based ad blocker at the mo, but for sure it comes with some cons. It's definitely slower than using the root based version. When I switch networks - from wifi to mobile for instance - it always takes some time to reestablish the connection. Sometimes I have to force close AdAway, if i want to use internet again. I'm slowly getting used to it btw
Using adaway vpn is almost as using the built in android dns setting, although adaway app as more features.
These features can be replicated within nextdns and then you never have to worry about anything. Except if you us public open WiFi network like in malls or airports where sometimes custom dns aren't allowed.