Root or not to Root that is the question - Google Pixel 4 XL Questions & Answers

So with the Pixel 4 XL not getting anymore OTA's. I was thinking about jumping back into the rooting world. After a brief look into what ROM is nearly updated with the Android version which looks like Linage (which is coo). Now the question is .... Is it worth it at this point and time to Root? Again looking briefly without digging looks like banking security isn't a issue which perfect. So any insight would be appreciated.

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Is there a need to root the One Plus 3T?

Hi All,
I am looking to purchase this phone in the near future. Wanted to ask if anyone has really had a need to root this device? I feel like Oxygen OS does a good job at adding some cool features and keeping the stock Android experience.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
It depends on what you wish to gain from rooting. I myself stopped rooting my phones over a year ago. It got old. Still have no desire/need to root my OP3T.
_MetalHead_ said:
It depends on what you wish to gain from rooting. I myself stopped rooting my phones over a year ago. It got old. Still have no desire/need to root my OP3T.
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What is one main reason people root for? Also, I just found out that Verizon data won't work on the 3T. Bummer.
996 said:
What is one main reason people root for?
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Ad blocking, backups (Titanium Backup), and battery saving (Greenify) are all pretty common. There's also other things that don't technically need root, but do need an unlocked bootloader (and once you have that, you may as well root), such as Xposed, removing bloat apps (not really a problem on this phone), and build.prop modifications (for unlimited tethering and some other things).

P20 Pro - stock Android, root, where to start?

I went from a rooted Nexus 6P to a P20 Pro a few months ago. While I like the hardware, love the camera, I am not a fan of the EMUI Android OS skin, or the lack of root. I specifically prefer the GApps over the Huawei ecosystem of apps that comes pre-installed.
I would like to install a 'stock' Android ROM, similar to my old Nexus 6P, including root. However, I am a bit overwhelmed by all the options available, required steps to get there and the issues people seem to be having. Especially compared to my old Nexus 6P where unlocking and rooting were a breeze.
Note that I am not that experienced with rooting and custom android roms, but I got around my Nexus 6P and guides pretty well.
Could you please point me in the direction what steps I need to take in my situation?
I reckon I first need to unlock my bootloader. I saw some retailers starting to offer these again. Will keep a close eye on those developments!
What ROM should I go for that best reflects the 'stock' Android experience with as few customizations as possible? I figured LineageOS or CypherOS are the most popular and well maintained roms.
I always updated my P20 Pro to the latest version whenever it came out. Is that an issue and/or should I downgrade first?
Can I get the same camera experience on the custom 'stock' Android ROMs? The one thing I like about the Huawei software is the camera that fully uses the 3 hardware lenses.
How is the device updated after installing a custom ROM. Does it support OTAs? On my Nexus 6P I had to manually flash the monthly updates which got quite annoying.
Any other tips, risks or things I should know before starting?
Thanks for helping me out!
Anyone got any tips? Looks like the keys to unlock bootloader are available again, albeit at a higher cost. Would like to start experimenting!
I'm also on that quest to @chillzilla. No one has responded a couple of videos online especially the tutorial for the lineage OS.
Got my code off FH last Friday and unlocked the bootloader.
Since then, I have been trying to work out how to root it and then rebrand it.
Not found anything concrete to work from yet, a lot of guides are old.
I heard about open kirin and I think it's could be the best usage right now, about the camera you can install the apk file of the real rom it's works like a charm. Fill free to take a look I created a poll about the best rom that we can use and see the options and choose what you want to like.
Happy hacking

to root my pixel 4 XL to get the best benefits out of the device?

Am I going to need to root the pixel 4 XL I just picked up in order to achieve the most benefits out of the device? how easy is this device to route as I have absolutely never done rooting before is it foolproof?
from what I heard if I do go the option of rooting the device I would have to install updates manually and flash a bunch of ROMs every time I got an update and this concept of flashing ROMs seems very tedious. Bear in mind I've got no experience with routing so maybe flashing a ROM is in this difficult as I'm thinking it is.
Also is there an actual third-party theming engine that would be able to theme third-party apps on the pixel yet? On my note 10 plus I use hex plus theme engine and was wondering if there was an alternative for non-rooted pixel devices?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
thepersona said:
Going to need to root the pixel 4 XL I just picked up in order to achieve the most benefits out of the device? how easy is this device to route as I have absolutely never done rooting before is it foolproof?
from what I heard if I do go the option of rooting the device I would have to install updates manually and flash a bunch of ROMs every time I got an update and this concept of flashing ROMs seems very tedious. Bear in mind I've got no experience with routing so maybe flashing a ROM is in this difficult as I'm thinking it is.
Also is there an actual third-party theming engine that would be able to theme third-party apps on the pixel yet? On my note 10 plus I use hex plus theme engine and was wondering if there was an alternative for non-rooted pixel devices?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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https://forum.xda-developers.com/pi...-10-q-root-t3996969/post80774791#post80774791

Questions regarding Root, Safetynet and Android 12 Beta

Is the fix for Safetynet still spoofing older Pixel models?
If I were to upgrade to Android 12 and root would I want to be formally enrolled in the Android 12 Beta program? Would that probably be dependent on whether I choose to run official or custom firmware?
I'm currently running unrooted stock OS Android 11 on an unlocked Pixel 5 purchased directly from Google. I haven't rooted my phone since I owned a Samsung Galaxy S3. I have rooted all my Android tablets and even played with root temporarily on my Verizon Samsung S6 in the meantime. I guess what I am trying to say is; I'm pretty comfortable with wiping, rooting, flashing roms and working with recoveries as well as bootloaders. I'm aware of the OEM Unlock/Lock feature. Is there anything else new like the OEM Unlock that I should be aware of before I take the leap to root? I initially intended to root my Pixel 5 right away. The timing of it's arrival was actually great for me but poor for my ambitions of rooting in that it arrived about five days early and I ended up breaking my own leg and ankle two days before it was initially scheduled to arrive and thus ended up postponing my plans to root since I did not want to tinker with all this stuff while taking copious amounts of medically prescribed painkillers. Thanks for any answers, advice or other help.
I'm not sure about the Android 12 beta program but as long as you follow the rooting guides step by step, you should be alright.

Question Pixel 7

I'm wondering if it pays to get the Pixel 7, considering all the problems that i've been reading about.? Would it be a good idea to root this phone, if i get one? Thanks for any feedback.
stock runs great and you can disable what apps you don't want. i hadd no problems with it so far. so its not neccesary to root if you dont want to but it fun to try diffrent roms.
I just moved from a oneplus 6 (5 years!) to a 9 Pro and then the P7. Each step was a marked improvement. Only kept the 9 Pro for a week as it's app throttling was too severe and I really don't like flashing custom ROMs on current handsets. I see none of the issues typically seen in Pixel 7 reddit posts. Maybe a little warm during charging but less than most rapid charge devices. I disabled Wellbeing and and google home, otherwise prefect out of the box and remains so. Get a case. The new pixel is like holding onto a smallmouth bass.
The difference between QHD and refresh rate is minimal except for the reduced battery life with the Pro, so I am happy with the 7 and will keep it a long time.
I preordered mine, and have not had one issue since getting it. To me it's the perfect phone. All phones will have some issues with some units, but overall I think it's worth the investment.
grunt0300 said:
I'm wondering if it pays to get the Pixel 7, considering all the problems that i've been reading about.? Would it be a good idea to root this phone, if i get one? Thanks for any feedback.
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Feb patch has been pretty stable. January was poo poo. Pixel 7 itself? awesome, recommend it. Software clean camera immaculate. Recent feb patch also stabilize the phone and its battery life.
I had a Pixel 6 and it was a real PITA. Stock ROM was buggy and overall I just did not like the device. Anyway I got a Pixel 7 and for me it's a much more nice device. I guess I will keep it for quite a long time. Usually I buy a new/used flagship device every six months. But I'm tired of that behavior pattern.
I tried various custom ROMs and Graphene OS on my Pixel 7, but I did not really like the ROMs/OS so I went back to stock ROM, and for me that is the best thing at the moment. It's very smooth, fast and problems/bugs are rare. I'm still in love with the Pixel camera system btw.
My Pixel 7 stock ROM setup/stuff I did
Used Pixel Flasher to flash the stock ROM and to root with Magisk. Pixel Flasher is awesome, making things way more easy if you understand the concept (for monthly updates it's great too)
Flashed Kirisakura Kernel to have at least some tweaks and it runs great (used Franco Kernel Manager to flash the kernel)
Debloated the system (getting rid of useless Google Apps stuff) using Android Debloater
In Magisk having the Powerhint Module (for the kernel), Safety Net Fix, and Sui for App Ops
App Ops by Xingchen & Rikka for privacy (editing system/user app permissions with more detail)
Adaway (systemless hosts file / Magisk) with extra hostfile sources for adblocking and privacy
Custom DNS provider for privacy
The P7 is a great phone. I'm not sure what "all the problems" are that you mentioned. Arguably the finger print sensor still isn't the greatest, but it works well enough and the phone also has face unlock if you want to use that.
I had a P6 prior to the P7 and the P7 is noticeably better than the P6. Honestly it surprised me when I got the P7 because I wasn't really expecting any differences. (I took advantage of the Google pricing and trade in values and upgraded for $20 plus tax - I wasn't really looking to upgrade from the P6, but couldn't pass up on that deal. Now I am very happy that I did upgrade).
Prior to the P6, I rooted every phone I owned for the last decade or so. I didn't feel the need to root on the P6 and I haven't felt the need to root the P7. Honestly at this point, rooting would cause me more heartburn than solving problems for me. Perhaps other people are different, but there isn't really anything that I need that requires rooting.

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