To Root or not To Root - Google Pixel 4 XL Questions & Answers

Hey guys im new here but ive been readimg xda forums for years now. I was just hoping to ask if anyone can help me with my question. I was hoping to get the most out of my pixel 4 xl (using face unlock, motion gesture) but my country is unsupported. Is it still worth it to root my phone? Can anyone share the pros and cons?
Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

Pros
Ad blocking.
Full backups with swift or titanium backup.
Several theme options with magisk.
Custom kernels
Cons.
Safety net might not always work.
I've heard some banking apps will not work (all mine work in the USA).
Updating monthly requires a little more work.
Root is a must for me. It's not for everyone though. Only you know the answer for you

If you unlock your phone then you have to root "Magisk", or some applications will not work!. as it will be considered as an unsafe phone!, for example Netflix app.
If you know what you doing, Unlock pixel is a must in case something went wrong "software issue", as you can flash a clean system "firmware".
for me I root for :
- enable Motion Gesture
- enable Call Screen.
- a kernel to fix bad screen color calibration.
- Flash Firmware.
the issue with root as @bigmatt503 mentioned above.
for me Only the monthly update needs a little work to be done.

Related

Xiaomi Note Pro root questions

Hello and happy holidays
I have some general Xiaomi Note Pro questions.
To me, I believe complex.
Chances are, complex to someone else too.
I was attempting to learn about rooting my phone.
There were some one-click-root applications like Kingroot and Framaroot.
Seemed those two were related to each other.
I read on some websites that Kingroot is questionable and may even harvest data to unknown parties.
It would be nice to get root without losing data with one click. (I could then do a Titanium backup and play around with my data safe) Is this just wishful thinking?
In 2015 there was some formal non click methods to root the phone.
(https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-note-pro/general/guide-gain-root-access-easiest-method-t3140892)
Prior to this post I make now, I spent over 5 hours attempting to search the Internet to know if Framaroot, Kingroot, or any others that claim this one-click-root concept are valid. I found myself to be more uncomfortable with these two (Framaroot/Kingroot).
Is there a safe one-click-root option for the Note Pro phone?
Are Framaroot and Kingroot dangerous one-click-root options?
Thank you so much for feedback and any expertise I can get to clear up my questions
Again, I think if I have these questions, others may too. (Hope this helps others in the process)
The easiest is:
1: apply for code to unlock bootloader to Mi and unlock it
2: flash a pre rooted ROM like developer preview ROM or better if you want to easily have Google apps, flash eu. Miui ROM which is basically official Miui developer ROM + Google apps and all the languages you could dream of

[ROM] [Stock] J320A/J320AZ/J320AG deodex'd

Today i bring you the very first rom for our device.
It's only stock, but the installer includes enough options to keep us happy for a while.
The core installation includes a stripped down system menu with Google play and contacts. I also added, by default, the WiFi fix and hotspot mod. The rest of what you install is your choice.
Aroma options:
Choose which J320 you own
Debloat (fully customizable)
Deknox
Install root
Install busybox
Install Init.d
Install Xposed
Bugs:
None
If you find any let me know, but if you do not wipe, please don't even report bugs.
Link:
Download
Installation:
Flashfire
Enjoy
-D
This uses the same base files for each room, AQG1. So even tho the highest firmware for J320AG is only AQB1 you still get the July security update (minus the new sboot)
All devices are interchangable for me, on Cricket. Depending on your carrier maybe they'll all work for you too.
I have AT&T Samsung Galaxy Express Prime GoPhone, J320A. Owned it for one week. It has been carrier-unlocked. I'm now using T-Mobile SIM. Seems to work OK. Only issue I can find is where the SIM status page does not show my phone number.
I would appreciate pointers or maybe a place to look for installation steps. I assume I'll to need to root via Kingroot then replace with SuperSU (if possible). Then install FlashFire.​ I have rooted and installed ROMs on other devices (Galaxy Exhibit, 2012 Nexus tablet, Moto G), but seemingly devices are more locked-down these days. I understand that TWRP is not available for this device and likely will not be.
Last year, I bought a couple of inexpensive T-Mobile phones and "rooted" them with KingRoot which is still installed on those phones. (Not really thrilled about that.) I put rooted in quotes because it doesn't quite behave like a fully-rooted phone, IMO. I'm not very expert in these things, but I know how to follow steps and have used ODIN, TWRP, et cetera.
I'm leery of working with these more locked-down phones. Am I being paranoid and/or incorrect about these matters?
BTW, thanks for the ROM! I'm surprised there aren't more replies.
Maybe this phone is not as popular as I think it should be. Maybe it's too low-spec for the tech-savvy crowd. I got mine for just $64 at Walmart online, but they've since raised the price to $79. Seems like a good deal, even at that price.
I paid $15 to carrier-unlock it. I had to flash firmware (modem file?) before unlocking, then flash another file (restored modem?) after unlocking. I was following emailed instructions after the initial unlock procedure failed.
Here's the root thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j3-2016/how-to/root-samsung-sm-j320a-galaxy-express-t3573628
There's a xposed module that does just that, never tried it tho, and of course it's not permanent.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...pp-sim-changer-change-registered-sim-t2106490
I definitely like the phone and yeah, it's a good price.
Being locked does hurt it tho. No easy recovery and no roms from source. The only thing we might get will be ported. And with no kernel, porting is a pain to track down problems... but i like a challenge
My J3 was unlocked out of the box? Still don't quite get the different names for it though. Rooted with infixremix method and worked fi e until its download caused the dialer to crash whenever it was opened. Still trying to sort out the mess I made of this one.
original stock
hey do any of you guys know where I can get the original firmware to restore this device? mine is the S/W: j320aueu1ape9
on the box it says j320x UD
Odin files are posted here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j3-2016/how-to/root-samsung-sm-j320a-galaxy-express-t3573628
How is this ROM working out?
Can anyone -- or DamienMc, the creator -- post a review of how this ROM is working out? Brief or long; any type of review would be appreciated.
I'm thinking of trying this ROM and I haven't rooted my phone yet.
Although I did unlock the carrier via a paid unlocker site. I'm using it on T-Mobile with no apparent issues. My phone is stock, of course, except for being carrier-unlocked. …Several questions, if I might:
Are those "extra" AT&T and Samsung accounts present? (ref. screenshot)
Are Samsung factory (i.e.: theme-able) dialer, messaging, and contacts apps installed?
Is it still possible to theme the UI with the Samsung theme installer?
Finally, which bloat icons have been purged? (ref. screenshot) I realize one's idea of bloat may vary from individual.
Any feedback or commentary is welcome. Thank you for your consideration.
could it work on J320H?
i know it's for 320A/Az but i want to try it
danny8 said:
Can anyone -- or DamienMc, the creator -- post a review of how this ROM is working out? Brief or long; any type of review would be appreciated.
Any feedback or commentary is welcome. Thank you for your consideration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not going to review it (someone else can)
But I used it heavily before I started work on something new.
It's as stable as stock... cause it is stock Nothing tweaked just the few add-ons to let you tweak it easier.
About the bloat.
I did notice I should have left Samsung account (and maybe billing) with the standard install. Because you can't use the theme store without them. But they're in 'bloat'.
You can always install all the debloat options and have 100% deodex stock and edit to your liking.
hamzaeid said:
could it work on J320H?
i know it's for 320A/Az but i want to try it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry bud, different chipset
How do we flash this to our device mainly because twrp and cwm ain't a thing for the j320a. Also I'm using kingroot and I cannot go to su I've tried also flashify does not work either does flashfire how would you go about rooting with su cause I've tried the mrw method and contanstaly it would pop up kinguser has stopped working so do you have another method of rooting the J320A. I just followed the first post about rooting it.
iiFir3z said:
How do we flash this to our device mainly because twrp and cwm ain't a thing for the j320a. Also I'm using kingroot and I cannot go to su I've tried also flashify does not work either does flashfire how would you go about rooting with su cause I've tried the mrw method and contanstaly it would pop up kinguser has stopped working so do you have another method of rooting the J320A. I just followed the first post about rooting it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just rooted my phone with Kingroot and used the mrw method to remove it well keeping my root. after got Su in my terminal emulator, I deleted the kingroot apk not the app itself. then just installed SuperSu thru my play store and been working just fine for me.
gus8347 said:
I just rooted my phone with Kingroot and used the mrw method to remove it well keeping my root. after got Su in my terminal emulator, I deleted the kingroot apk not the app itself. then just installed SuperSu thru my play store and been working just fine for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried that it would just constantly spam me with kinguser has stopped working and that message would constantly spam me so I'm not ever using that way again.
iiFir3z said:
I've tried that it would just constantly spam me with kinguser has stopped working and that message would constantly spam me so I'm not ever using that way again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i guess i never had kinguser app or apk i had to delete. Was just kingroot apk that i downloaded and used.
iiFir3z said:
I've tried that it would just constantly spam me with kinguser has stopped working and that message would constantly spam me so I'm not ever using that way again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After mrc and kinguser crashes you should have supersu. You need to run that first, let it update the files and then reboot.
If su doesn't even get installed, have the apk ready and install.
Another thing you should make sure your really rooted, reboot after king and recheck.
Also what versions of kingroot and mrw are you using?
iiFir3z said:
I'm using Kingroot and I cannot go to SU. I've tried also Flashify does not work. Either does Flashfire. How would you go about rooting with SU…
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed the rooting thread OP directions carefully and had many problems. My initial Kingroot was really ugly and heated the phone. I then attempted to use SuperSU-Me Pro (paid version). It was never able to complete, even after several tries. I struggled using various techniques over many hours. (I did have root with Kingroot.) Nothing would remove Kingroot 5.0.5, and as you probably know, Kingroot won't allow for many apps such as Flashfire. Very frustrating. I probably shortened the life of my phone and battery with all the crap I tried. Many pulls of my battery were needed.
I finally wrested control from Kingroot by uninstalling version 5.0.5 and installing Kingroot 4.5 instead. Then SuperSU-Me Pro did its work. Had I used Kingroot 4.5 from the outset, would things would have gone better? I don't know. The rooting process for this phone is a one-way trip with a dubious outcome. I know the Express Prime is not costly, but if you're risk adverse think twice before trying to root. I suppose you can undo the whole thing, but I haven't tried and likely will not.
Despite the problems I had, I believe using SuperSU-Me Pro was worth the cost and ultimately saved time. I'm glad I rooted my phone, but -- damn, it was a lot of effort compared to previous phones and my tablet.
I have not tried the de-odexed ROM posted in this thread's OP, but it's on my to-do list. I'm kind of afraid of messing with my phone for the time being. I'll post a review if and when I try it out.
For what it's worth, I wasn't able to get my built-in flashlight toggle to work. I ran the fix script via flashfire with no success. Update: Fixed after installing Busybox. Thanks, DamienMc!
danny8 said:
I wasn't able to get my built-in flashlight toggle to work. I ran the fix script via flashfire with no success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need busybox installed as well
Busybox
Oh, you're very good. It works!
Help! After flashing the rom, it does not let me log in to the google account and I can not exit that screen, the message it displays is as follows:
danny8 said:
I have AT&T Samsung Galaxy Express Prime GoPhone, J320A. Owned it for one week. It has been carrier-unlocked. I'm now using T-Mobile SIM. Seems to work OK. Only issue I can find is where the SIM status page does not show my phone number.
I would appreciate pointers or maybe a place to look for installation steps. I assume I'll to need to root via Kingroot then replace with SuperSU (if possible). Then install FlashFire.​ I have rooted and installed ROMs on other devices (Galaxy Exhibit, 2012 Nexus tablet, Moto G), but seemingly devices are more locked-down these days. I understand that TWRP is not available for this device and likely will not be.
Last year, I bought a couple of inexpensive T-Mobile phones and "rooted" them with KingRoot which is still installed on those phones. (Not really thrilled about that.) I put rooted in quotes because it doesn't quite behave like a fully-rooted phone, IMO. I'm not very expert in these things, but I know how to follow steps and have used ODIN, TWRP, et cetera.
I'm leery of working with these more locked-down phones. Am I being paranoid and/or incorrect about these matters?
BTW, thanks for the ROM! I'm surprised there aren't more replies.
Maybe this phone is not as popular as I think it should be. Maybe it's too low-spec for the tech-savvy crowd. I got mine for just $64 at Walmart online, but they've since raised the price to $79. Seems like a good deal, even at that price.
I paid $15 to carrier-unlock it. I had to flash firmware (modem file?) before unlocking, then flash another file (restored modem?) after unlocking. I was following emailed instructions after the initial unlock procedure failed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please tell the name of the service/company you used to carrier-unlock it ? (I'm in the same situation) Thanks! @danny8

The great adventure of rooting the XZ1C

Hello everyone,
I have to say I am completely lost regarding the whole rooting process for the XZ1C. I usually manage to get where I want just by carefully reading the forums, but with this device, I feel overwhelmed by information. And I sometimes feel like what I am reading contradicts what I though I understood from previous reads...
I will try to sum up what I know so far.
First of all, I have a just-out-of-the-box Sony model G8441 with firmware 47.1.A.12.179 / Oreo 8.0.0 (never been connected to the outside world yet), and I want to properly root the device and install TWRP with no loss of feature.
What I think I understand:
To root, I first need to unlock the bootloader, which seems to be a trivial operation. However, this will break some functionalities due to DRM keys being erased. Once it is done, there is no way, ever, to get them back. There are however ways to "trick" DRM-related functionalities into believing DRM keys are still there.
Alternatively, there seems to be a way to backup the DRM keys prior to unlocking the BL, and this backup can somehow be reused and injected back into the unlocked device. If true, then this would certainly be a preferable method than the previous one, which would then be obsolete. However, it obviously doesn't look obsolete when I read the related topics, so I must be missing something...
Another thing I noted (but do not quite understand): There are ROMs for this device that "include" a DRM fix.
Last important thing I read: there is a paid "do-it-all" tool which takes my locked device and, with one click, makes it unlocked - rooted - DRM-fixed - TWRP-enabled. Now that sounds really good! Maybe too good?
As far as i know (but I learn new stuff every day on this topic) this DRM stuff is the main difficulty here. I understand that the rest of the process (root + TWRP) will be much simpler (although I'm old-school and completly missed all this magisk trend...!)
What I don't understand:
I read that some people downgrade to Oreo to be able to root properly, and at the same time, I read that Pie removed the restrictions on unlocked bootloader. So I still have no idea if I should connect and receive Sony updates, or avoid them.
Another thing I don't get, is how many ways do we have to root this thing? In the past, I was used to see, for a specific device, always one major and widly used rooting method. Here I fail to identify it...
What I think I will do:
1. Backup TA partition with j4nn's tool. This will probably imply flashing an older firmware right? Is there any link that could help me with this flashing process? (I only know Odin - did I mention old-school?) I saw this page for generic sony Z devices, but the thread is from 2013 and now closed. Is it still up-to-date or is there a newer thread?
2. Unlock bootloader and restore TA partition.
3. Wait for Sony updates? Or should I first hide unlock status?
3bis. Alternaltively to waiting for updates, maybe I can just flash the latest build? (47.2.A.8.24 if I am not mistaken)
4. Flash modpunk's TWRP.
5. Flash janjan's Boot.img to get root functionalities?
Alternaltively to all the above (except maybe step 1 that I will probably do in any case), buy the paid all-in-one tool (Xperifix), plug, click and wait... But will I really end up the same as with the manual way?
I saw a few other methods in the forums but it seems my brain is currently refusing to bring them back...
That's all I have right now. I would really appreciate if you guys could share some insight and tell me what you think about this, whether there are missing steps, useless steps, incorrectly ordered steps, silly steps, or if I'm just completely wrong about the whole thing.
Feel free also to correct me on the assumptions I made at the beginning.
Thank you very much for reading this repulsive piece of text.
SunJu22 said:
I would really appreciate if you guys could share some insight and tell me what you think about this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By the looks of it you have done a great deal of research on the project.
Yes, go down the route of backing up your TA partition first, but that is not a small step in itself, it's pretty complicated and if you get that working then the rest of the project will be a breeze.
You don't say what version of firmware you want to end up on. If you want to end up on Pie then forget the DRMfix . But if you're staying on Oreo and can't be bothered with lots of files & flashing, then this is the easy way out, I bought the paid version and can verify it works.
More recently I ended up janjan's kernel (Oreo build). Hidden root (Google Pay works), lots of performance tweaks, DRM completely working.
It's unlikely that anyone will bother making a DRM fix for Pie as the camera works and there are only a couple of other features that get disabled.
It sounds like you're not the sort of person who's only going to read the first couple of pages of a thread (or the last) flash the xxxxxx and then complain when it's broken.
The people on the forum here are very helpful and if you go into any of the threads you mentioned in your post with a question, you'll get a reply.
Good luck.
I agree, there is a lot of information out there and different methods of achieving what you want - very confusing if you have not been following the threads since the beginning.
In my opinion, the preferred method is j4nn's method outlined here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...devonly-exploits-temp-root-to-backup-t3795510
Use that post as your main guide (the final step in that guide, #13, is how you will achieve root). You will use Newflasher to flash the various firmwares along the way (this is linked from j4nn's procedure in step #2). User munted made a very detailed pdf file that fills in some of the details on j4nn's procedure - see the following post and download the pdf attached: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=78255334&postcount=382
Most of the other methods out there came before j4nn's work - they didn't include DRM backup/restore.
If you follow j4nn's procedure, you won't need to use the janjan kernel as you assumed - janjan method is different and does not overlap with j4nn.
SunJu22 said:
Feel free also to correct me on the assumptions I made at the beginning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I didn't point out that I was one of the early 'jumpers' who unlocked their bootloader without any backups, so I have been forced into always using fixes and all the information I have is based on having to fix your phone for it to work, but that's all changed now. I'm so out of date :-/
 @camaro322hp is right, if you follow j4nn's method correctly you'll be rooted with no DRM loss. All of the other stuff is not required.
Thank you Digesteve and camaro322hp for your help.
From what I understand the XZ1C didn't get as much love as other devices, thus there was a long period of tinkering before a "do-it-all guide" could be considered "the" solution. That could explain all these different approaches that are proposed. Like you said camaro322hp it's rather difficult to jump on this train, and I can only guess how interesting this ride has been.
Anyway, I didn't see that the TA backup thread from j4nn also encompassed all the information I needed; I am glad to finally know that there is indeed a centralized "do-it-all guide" . To make it easier for XZ1C newcomers, I think j4nn should update his opening post to make this clearer.
Since I managed to grab the attention of 2 XZ1C power users, I would like to ask you: Did you keep stock? Did you try alternative ROMs? Do you like some of them? Do you prefer Oreo or Pie?
For information, the most up-to-date experience I have on a Android phone is my LG90 with CyanogenMod 11 (KitKat 4.4.4! Yes sir!). I heard that it's becoming less and less useful to flash a custom ROM due to major OS improvements, but I would still enjoy the simplest and lightest Android possible.
SunJu22 said:
Did you keep stock? Did you try alternative ROMs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've always been on stock, the camera is an important part of what I want from my phone and although there's lots of alternative camera apps, there's no competition to the stock camera app. Then I theme it black with swift installer and just uninstall or freeze any apps I don't want with Titanium Backup. I have stuck with Oreo, everything works perfect and I remember seeing so many people jumping to 9 then wanting to go back to 8 because they didn't like it. Something about changing the way the drop down menu works, among other things, but having never installed it, I'm not the person to comment on if it's any good or not.
I have been watching the XZ1c thread and Lineage is gaining ground, it even has a stock camera now. I would have thought something like that with miniGapps is going to be pretty lightweight and very similar to your carbon rom of before. At the moment this is based on 8, but is working well. Depends how keen you are to move to Pie.
Thank you Digesteve.
One thing I still don't understand. Part of the process is to hide unlock status. If I do this, FOTA will be applied and I will automatically end up on Pie, right? Should I skip this step if I want Oreo?
EDIT: when you say "a stock camera", you mean the Sony camera?
@SunJu22 I've stuck with the Sony ROM. A rooted stock ROM meets all my needs, so I've never felt the need to experiment with custom ROMs. There are some custom options out there that people seem fairly happy with, so if that's your thing, I'd encourage it.
Without going into too much detail, I'm still on Oreo for the moment, for a variety of reasons, but I don't know of anything that would keep me from recommending Pie.
One thing you should note is that once you unlock, there is no going back. AFAIK there is no known or working method to relock the bootloader.
SunJu22 said:
FOTA will be applied and I will automatically end up on Pie, right? Should I skip this step if I want Oreo?
EDIT: when you say "a stock camera", you mean the Sony camera?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I'm not entirely sure why having your rooted phone try and update itself is an advantage, but something I'd recomend avoiding.
Stock camera is the Sony camera, yes.
Thank you everyone, I believe I now have enough information to jump into this with confidence. The adventure begins, and will be reported in this thread for future reference, in the hope that it will help others like me!
Well, I am a bit sad... I wanted to report my "adventure" here in detail, but I'm afraid I have nothing to say.
Indeed, following the procedure from j4nn with a printed copy of munted's awesome guide, I managed to do all I wanted on the first attempt.
I don't have anything to add to this guide, everyone wanting to root their XZ1C can do it just by reading the opening post from j4nn and the mentioned guide. It takes a bit of time but nothing complicated thanks to the clear and detailed explanations.
I now have a fully functional rooted XZ1C (including camera) on Pie with Magisk root and TWRP.
Thank you all again from pointing me to the right direction.
I however have a slight disappointment. I wanted to start with Oreo and make an Nandroid backup before moving to Pie, but I didn't find Oreo builds on Xperifirm. So I jumped straight to Pie.
In case I want to test Oreo, I read that a downgrade is more complicated than an upgrade, but apart from the fact that a factory reset is needed for downgrade, I couldn't find an explanation for this. Any idea?
Last but not least: I looked for the latest Oreo build version number but couldn't find it. Do you guys know what it is and where I can download it?
I guess this will be all for this thread after this. Although it is very convenient to have my own thread to ask questions rather than finding the relevant page for each one, I don't want to annoy you too much...
EDIT: Please ignore the last question. I found out last Oreo build is 47.1.A.16.20, and I found the files via the download link in the opening post of the Lineage thread.
SunJu22 said:
In case I want to test Oreo, I read that a downgrade is more complicated than an upgrade, but apart from the fact that a factory reset is needed for downgrade, I couldn't find an explanation for this. Any idea? Lineage thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an easy solution to downgrade:
Newflasher
Hi, I've been thinking about rooting my XZ1c for a long time now. So, do I understand correctly that the ONLY disadvantage compared to non-rooted device is not possible to receive the OTA updates from Sony anymore?
mEREHAIGE said:
Hi, I've been thinking about rooting my XZ1c for a long time now. So, do I understand correctly that the ONLY disadvantage compared to non-rooted device is not possible to receive the OTA updates from Sony anymore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can flash a kernel to hide the bootloader unlock flag, this will mean that you will receive OTA updates, although depending on how you're rooted an update will most likely break your phone, so not that useful.
*made a thread*
Thanks--rooted withOUT adventure too
Very happily rooted now. Just wanted to say a quick thanks and add a few notes:
1. j4nn's renoroot to enable TA key backup and restore is fantastic. My advice: use and donate
2. munted's guide is excellent. clear and thorough...a rare combination.
3. do expect that renoroot may need to be restarted a couple of times. it took me 3 or 4 attempts to get temp root to pull the TA keys, although it took only 1 effort to get root back to restore.
4. topjohnwu's magisk is, of course, a key component to all this. Thx and $s there too.
I did a few things slightly differently/additionally than SunJu22.
5. I am on T-Mobile US, so I opted to create a hybrid Pie FW to get wifi calling and VoLTE. There are a number of discussions on this. I did it by combining the vendor**.sin and system**.sin files from custom-CH FW with the other files from custom-US FW. Of course (a) use IDENTICAL release numbers only, e.g. 47.A.2.10.28 w/ 47.A.2.10.28 and (b) you still need to delete .TA and persist files from the hybrid before you flash it.
Note: I don't really care about these features, but I have *heard* that T-mobile won't allow BYOD on their band-12 sites if they don't have VoLTE. Don't know if it is true (or where it is true) but figured why not?
6. I decided (for now, at least) to leave boot and recovery stock. So, I am using fastboot to run TWRP or a rooted kernel. Thanks again to j4nn for the method.
Note: I don't plan on allowing FOTA upgrades---I just like passing all the security checks and being able to *see* if updates are available.
That's all. Fine work in development and guides has made life simple and happy for me
kirkzp said:
Very happily rooted now. Just wanted to say a quick thanks and add a few notes:
1. j4nn's renoroot to enable TA key backup and restore is fantastic. My advice: use and donate
2. munted's guide is excellent. clear and thorough...a rare combination.
3. do expect that renoroot may need to be restarted a couple of times. it took me 3 or 4 attempts to get temp root to pull the TA keys, although it took only 1 effort to get root back to restore.
4. topjohnwu's magisk is, of course, a key component to all this. Thx and $s there too.
I did a few things slightly differently/additionally than SunJu22.
5. I am on T-Mobile US, so I opted to create a hybrid Pie FW to get wifi calling and VoLTE. There are a number of discussions on this. I did it by combining the vendor**.sin and system**.sin files from custom-CH FW with the other files from custom-US FW. Of course (a) use IDENTICAL release numbers only, e.g. 47.A.2.10.28 w/ 47.A.2.10.28 and (b) you still need to delete .TA and persist files from the hybrid before you flash it.
Note: I don't really care about these features, but I have *heard* that T-mobile won't allow BYOD on their band-12 sites if they don't have VoLTE. Don't know if it is true (or where it is true) but figured why not?
6. I decided (for now, at least) to leave boot and recovery stock. So, I am using fastboot to run TWRP or a rooted kernel. Thanks again to j4nn for the method.
Note: I don't plan on allowing FOTA upgrades---I just like passing all the security checks and being able to *see* if updates are available.
That's all. Fine work in development and guides has made life simple and happy for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now riddle me this cause I'm on Tmo USA as well and I did the hybrid work fine as well but heres the question, does googlepay and banking apps still work with a unlocked bootloader or did you flash a modified kernel to hide the unlocked status.
Sitting on the fence about unlocking mine so I can do a full nandroid before trying out some gsi pie roms infact this is the first phone I haven't unlocked or least put twrp on since my samsung sidekick 4g o.o
kernel with hide-unlock
T_Tank said:
Now riddle me this cause I'm on Tmo USA as well and I did the hybrid work fine as well but heres the question, does googlepay and banking apps still work with a unlocked bootloader or did you flash a modified kernel to hide the unlocked status.
Sitting on the fence about unlocking mine so I can do a full nandroid before trying out some gsi pie roms infact this is the first phone I haven't unlocked or least put twrp on since my samsung sidekick 4g o.o
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Full disclosure: I don't use Google pay or too many banking apps, so YMMV. But, I am using j4nn's kernel with unlock hidden. (See link in my note 6.) You can flash this, or you can leave in your stock kernel and merely fastboot to this. From what I have seen, it hides most - if not all -- indicators that the phone is rooted and the BL in unlocked.
Does somebody has :
G8441_1310-7123_47.1.A.16.20-R7B_Customized_CE1.ftf ?
Only backup i did not make, and its gone from XperiFirm.
Still have the feeling battery life was better in Oreo, and would be nice for experimenting.
Would be nice.
Thanks in advance.

Bootloader Xiaomi Redmi 9

Hello to everyone reading this, wish you all the best in the New Year.. Now let's get to the problem I have.. I'm using Brave as my browser and I am sure most of you are familiar with Brave Ads, well they don't work on my phone.. While duckduckgo-ing through I stumbled on possible reason why it may not work, the said reason was unlocked bootloader.. It was suggested to download SafetyNet test and check if everything is as it should be. To my surprise my bootloader was unlocked (I double checked via developer options since Xiaomi offers information on that there as well) but the issue is I never flashed any ROM or Firmware nor anything similar, it's stock as it can be from the store.. Now that I elaborated the best I can (Since my native language is not English) I need to ask 3 questions as stupid as the may sound.
1. Is it possible that bootloader unlocked by itself or some shady app?
2. Does that lock icon below front camera unlocks bootloader by tapping when you turn on the phone? (Since it was locked before and now its not)
3. Is there a way I can lock it without using PC and adb tools?
Thank you for your answers and time, much appreciated!
PS: I would add pictures if needed but since I didn't tamper with the phone nor change anything in developer options I doubt it's of any help.
To lock the bootloader in mi you need to flash the stock rom and if you only need to pass the safety net checks install magisk canary and it's not actually possible to unlock an mi device without the authentication of Xiaomi so it can not unlock by itself as far as I know. Are you totally sure you or someone in your family or friends didn't unlock the bootloader because if not this may be a dangerous exploit used by a shady app and should be reported to Xiaomi now.
Not a single soul have a access to my phone, and if they did they sure as hell don't know hot to flash custom roms or unlock bootloader.. So it might be some shady app.. But how would I check and see if that is true?
PS: And about magisk canary I don't see it in google play store, but I suppose that is apk for rooted phones? The issue is my phone is not rooted if that is the case.

Question Hide status bar time clock?

Anybody know how to hide status bar time? In previous android versions,there used to be an option to hide clock but can't find on android 12. BTW, unrooted OnePlus 10 Pro global edition. Thanks
You can use system UI for that
You can use system UI for that
dladz said:
You can use system UI for that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried to use it but was unable to provide the app necessary permissions. Currently, I am unrooted, adb command mentioned in the app for the required permissions did not work for me. I have been using this app for years but on rooted phones. I will try it again. Thanks
Update: There is another System ui tuner app by Bryan that worked just fine without any permissions
Gr8man001 said:
I tried to use it but was unable to provide the app necessary permissions. Currently, I am unrooted, adb command mentioned in the app for the required permissions did not work for me. I have been using this app for years but on rooted phones. I will try it again. Thanks
Update: There is another System ui tuner app by Bryan that worked just fine without any permissions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep you'll definitely need to provide them permissions or root.
Is adb working? Can you say adb devices and get a feedback code?
Also why not root? It's a OnePlus, the one phone you can root without repercussions.
I have always rooted my phones for the last 16 years and most likely will root this one too. But quite honestly, at least for my needs, benefits of root vs.complexity of rooting process, steps necessary for each upgrade is not there. Lack of official twrp, issues r/t Titanium backup, etc are not encouraging. That being said, the moment I see a good custom ROM for this phone, I know I will root again. Thanks
Gr8man001 said:
I have always rooted my phones for the last 16 years and most likely will root this one too. But quite honestly, at least for my needs, benefits of root vs.complexity of rooting process, steps necessary for each upgrade is not there. Lack of official twrp, issues r/t Titanium backup, etc are not encouraging. That being said, the moment I see a good custom ROM for this phone, I know I will root again. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny you should say that, so have I, and in all honesty you mustn't have seen the guide I made on rooting as it's extremely clear.
Plus as from the 8 pro on wards, you simply do not need twrp, period..it'd be nice to have MSM, but we already have fastboot enhance which is actually better as it doesn't relock the bootloader .
Titanium also hasn't worked correctly for a while, it has issues with restoration.
Swift back up works perfectly for those needs and it can back up to the cloud..
I'm not going to go into the benefits of rooting but just getting rid of ads is massive for me, I couldn't stomach a device which allowed them.
But you do you
ROMs are coming soon btw
Guide to updating, rooting, Magisk and fastboot enhance.
You don't need twrp
(Guide) Rooting, payload dumper, magisk_patched guides NE2213
Hi all, Thought i'd share a guide on how to get these boot images yourself as well as all the files required, plus the patched boot.img if you just want to go ahead and boot/flash it without obtaining one yourself Please read the process before...
forum.xda-developers.com

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