Develop Bugs

Why should I root?

Okay, this may be a bit of a noobish thread, but rooting is a thing I don't have much experience or knowledge in. I've been using an M8 for a few months and I'm just trying to figure out how to make it a more personal experience. I have downloaded Tasker but I still need to look at guides and FAQ's on it before I start playing with it. Back to the thread title, why should I root? I know I can play with ROM's, kernels, and what not when I root. But I'm still unfamiliar with what I'm actually doing when I do that. I'm not 100% sold on changing the ROM on my M8 because I was watching a video for Cyanogen on an M8 and you lose the double tap to unlock functionality and the video stated that most ROM's will lose that functionality. I happen to use it quite often so I'm a bit leery of letting it go. So more specifically my question is, what can do I with rooting? What do different kernels do? What can I do with rooting if I don't change the ROM or kernel? I'm hoping I can find out if rooting is something I want to do or not with my phone. Any help is greatly appreciated.

If you root, you can use tasker... For starters. ?
No one can answer this. Except you. If there are things you want to do that require root, then root. If not, don't. Not much else to say on it really.

KJ said:
If you root, you can use tasker... For starters. ?
No one can answer this. Except you. If there are things you want to do that require root, then root. If not, don't. Not much else to say on it really.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's pretty much exactly why I want to know what all I can do with rooting and what those things actually do. So I can decide if rooting is something I want to do.

adaway is the major reason why i root, and xposed.

Well there is only so much you can do on a device without making changes to its system. Kinda like a computer, Windows & Linux. How many things can you install and/or change without Administrator Privileges / Super User?
Heck these days you need Administrator privileges for updates on some games. Almost anything cool will HAVE to make some changes to the system in order to work properly.
Xposed Framework
Titanium Backup
Root explorer - <Name already says it all.
Six axis controller - You need root in order to connect your PS3 remote to your phone in order to play games with a controller.
Tasker - Like mentioned before.
Ad block Plus - Who really wants to look at ads the whole day?
Greenify - To hibernate all those excessive apps and save up some battery juice.
Better Batter Stats / GSAM with Root Companion - Get some detailed info on your what drains your battery(Wake locks etc)
WiFi Tethering - Pay for it through Carrier or Free with root?
Has the writing to external issue been fixed with latest android phones? If not you'll probably need Root to make changes to the permissions in order to write to external SD card.
The questions really isn't right... It's not "Why should I root? " it's "Why shouldn't I root? " Like I mentioned above you can't really do anything to the device if you don't have the permission/authority to do so and some of the best stuff out there needs to make changes to the system. When last did you install an awesome program on your computer without having to grant it administrative privileges
That list I gave is small one in a huge list of cool things you can install and/or do if you're rooted.
Then of course next it'll be... Why should I go with S-OFF
Completely stock - Human - you only do what they want you to do.
Rooted - Demi-God - you make your own choices on what you want and what you don't.
S-OFF - God Mode. Enough said.

Being able to disable data at the firewall for everything except those apps that actually need Internet access is a godsend if you don't have a large data plan. I use DroidWall, but Android Firewall is coming along as well.
Then, add in Adaway, being able to completely remove CarrierIQ, and disable unnecessary services, it's more a question of why wouldn't you root? However, I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to my phones.

Thanks for the replies guys, I've got some things to look into now. Is there an easy to understand guide anyone can link to help me better understand what I can do with rooting? Knowing certain apps/tasks and what not is great for looking into, but I would like to gain a better understanding of what all rooting is capable of so I can come up with ideas of my own to try. I still really have no idea what different kernels do, and reading descriptions doesn't help me much right now with my limited understanding. Thanks again guys.

I think most of the benefits of rooting have already been stated, but what about the trade-offs?
Well, there are simply no trade offs unless you use an app that won't work with root, like Barclays Bank UK. Unless you use any app that won't work with root...
About double tap to unlock, you will only lose it if you use any aosp Rom, you will still have it if you use a stock based rom like ARHD or Venom

metllicamilitia said:
Thanks for the replies guys, I've got some things to look into now. Is there an easy to understand guide anyone can link to help me better understand what I can do with rooting? Knowing certain apps/tasks and what not is great for looking into, but I would like to gain a better understanding of what all rooting is capable of so I can come up with ideas of my own to try. I still really have no idea what different kernels do, and reading descriptions doesn't help me much right now with my limited understanding. Thanks again guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A pretty comprehensive guide and explanations of everything for the M8 that you want to know before rooting/modding/flashing/etc. :good:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=52484527

metllicamilitia said:
Thanks for the replies guys, I've got some things to look into now. Is there an easy to understand guide anyone can link to help me better understand what I can do with rooting? Knowing certain apps/tasks and what not is great for looking into, but I would like to gain a better understanding of what all rooting is capable of so I can come up with ideas of my own to try. I still really have no idea what different kernels do, and reading descriptions doesn't help me much right now with my limited understanding. Thanks again guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here are some helpful videos on how to root, unlock bootloader, gain s-off, and receive ota updates while rooted. All these videos helped me and will help you too .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkGyPgONJaI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N88nHyCktW0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPPT5J8xG6w

Personally I wouldn't bother rooting unless you have a specific must have or must not have problem with the M8.
Every phone i've had now i've rooted, unlocked etc, and I always go back to the same thought, why did I bother.
Personally I think it just has you wiping and reinstalling all the time and not getting on with things. Flashaholic I think is the term lol.
I also think my M8 functioned better stock. Smoother and with better battery life.
Personal opinion though. When I get my Z3, i'll be leaving it stock, ready for the M9 lol.

HtcOneJon said:
Personally I wouldn't bother rooting unless you have a specific must have or must not have problem with the M8.
Every phone i've had now i've rooted, unlocked etc, and I always go back to the same thought, why did I bother.
Personally I think it just has you wiping and reinstalling all the time and not getting on with things. Flashaholic I think is the term lol.
I also think my M8 functioned better stock. Smoother and with better battery life.
Personal opinion though. When I get my Z3, i'll be leaving it stock, ready for the M9 lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually still running stock right now, and taking OTA updates. I just refuse to give up my control of iptables and the HOSTS file. If there was a non-root way to setup these things, I would probably not bother either. On my last phone, a Galaxy S2 Skyrocket, I rarely messed with the OS once I get everything setup the way I wanted it. It was running stock firmware the whole time, just with DroidWall and Adaway running on it.
The only thing I did that deviated from that was backing up applications and restoring on new devices. For example, I wanted to preserve my progress in Alchemy, so I backed it up with Titanium Backup, moved the Tibkp file to my new phone, and restored the data. No having to manually redo everything
IOW, root doesn't have to mean "total makeover".

[Q] Lollipop or KitKat with root/bootstrap

Lets just say we get root before L is released for the AT&T Note 4. What would you do? Hold off and hope for a bootstrap so you can put a custom variation of L or any other rom, or just bite the bullet and take the update knowing you may never have root again? I think this is a dilemma that a lot of us will be facing soon.
CAN A MODERATOR MOVE THIS TO GENERAL SECTION?

Root is more important. I'd rather have adblock and tibu than lollipop.

papashex said:
Root is more important. Id rather have adblock and tibu than lollipop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I absolutely agree! Xposed, tibu, and Adaway!

With some user experience with a locked phone.
If you ever want to root never update officially as any chances of safely rooting becomes exponentially harder than before the update.
Stay away from those tempting lolipops when they arrive...

papashex said:
Root is more important. I'd rather have adblock and tibu than lollipop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thought until I actually searched.
Adblock plus is a non-root version that works just as well (you just have to set your wifi and APN to proxy localhost port 2020) and there are about a billion backup alternatives...
Honestly stock rom is so smooth I might just upgrade and forget about it, custom roms always need tweaking and have some little thing I can't get perfect that bugs me.

v3ngence said:
That's what I thought until I actually searched.
Adblock plus is a non-root version that works just as well (you just have to set your wifi and APN to localhost proxy port 2020) and there are about a billion backup alternatives...
Honestly stock rom is so smooth I might just upgrade and forget about it, custom roms always need tweaking and have some little thing I can't get perfect that bugs me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree with you. Without an unlocked bootloader, we would just get stock Touchwiz roms anyways.
I've had many rooted Samsung phones over the past few years so I know the song and dance. The only difference between stock and a custom rom is the custom rom will be debloated, possibly have baked in extra features (which are usually alternatively achieved with xposed modules) and possibly a theme.
Take those things away, and it performs no different than stock Touchwiz. Believe me, any perceived performance difference is pure placebo. I've done many of my own tests to confirm this.
But to sum up my rant, I'm completely happy with this phone without root. It's overrated to be honest.

What version of adblock doesn't require root? Can you put up a link?

Just want to get rid of the bloat they stuff down our throats. I hate it and that really irritating ATT logo. I doubt I'll miss Lollipop, just as I never missed any of the updates that came after I rooted my Note 2 on day one.

WizeGuyDezignz said:
I completely agree with you. Without an unlocked bootloader, we would just get stock Touchwiz roms anyways.
I've had many rooted Samsung phones over the past few years so I know the song and dance. The only difference between stock and a custom rom is the custom rom will be debloated, possibly have baked in extra features (which are usually alternatively achieved with xposed modules) and possibly a theme.
Take those things away, and it performs no different than stock Touchwiz. Believe me, any perceived performance difference is pure placebo. I've done many of my own tests to confirm this.
But to sum up my rant, I'm completely happy with this phone without root. It's overrated to be honest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that a custom rom seems less and less needed. I've been OK with the stock rom so far but do wish we had a root for xposed and be able to write to microsd
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

The only big drawback for me and not having root is the SD card lockdown. I mean really, it is external storage and any app I chose should be allowed to wright to it when I request it.

adblock plus website...
adblock works without root by routing apps through it this does not require root.
If you have root it automatically changes the settings etc but if you don't it tells you what settings you have to manually input to get it to work just the same no root required but root preferred.

I'm in the middle... I've always rooted my phones... Just like the different customizations, but with this phone, I'm completely happy with it as is.. I just put different themes on it to spice up whatever I feel I want... But I'd at least like the option to root, if I wanted, but to answer the question, of L comes out before root is acquired, I'm definitely upgrading

Really rather have root but if it doesn't then I wouldn't mind. So far I'm really enjoying the note 4. I'm not even seeing TouchWiz stutters everything is smooth and even the stock keyboard which I usually change anyway I'm liking more and more.
But I do have to agree don't get me wrong the devs I respect for all their time and work, but I'm not into stock custom rom. It also feels nice to just use the phone for what it is. With me I was always tweaking and doing so much I never really fully enjoyed the phone.

I'd rather have root. I was wondering if I'm going to keep the note or use my rooted and safestrapped s5. But something about the note makes it hard to put down.

AndroiderM said:
What version of adblock doesn't require root? Can you put up a link?
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Click to collapse
I like this one:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stulchik.adblock.reklama&hl=en
JudgeDredd67 said:
The only big drawback for me and not having root is the SD card lockdown. I mean really, it is external storage and any app I chose should be allowed to wright to it when I request it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was a minor annoyance for me, the camera app defaulted to sd storage and I can save pics but not edit or delete, so I just changed default storage to phone.
Also it's nice to have a really clean, organized sd card IMO I didn't like all the app data folders...

v3ngence said:
I like this one:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stulchik.adblock.reklama&hl=en...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I get this when I click on it:
"This item isn't available in your country" (usa)
You wouldn't by chance have a link to an apk I could side load?
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

Dumbo53 said:
Unfortunately I get this when I click on it:
"This item isn't available in your country" (usa)
You wouldn't by chance have a link to an apk I could side load?
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually found out it was causing network lag, so I switched to the real ABP: https://adblockplus.org/en/android-install
But it works the same way, the app tells you how to set up your wifi proxy, but you can just add proxy "localhost" port 2020 to your apn and its works on 4g too!

ViperAudio would be nice

Hello just got my note 7 via Verizon ROOT HELP

Hello i just came from apple and would like to know an easy step by step guide to rooting..
i was a pro at jailbreaking but when it comes to rooting i can tell its a different ball game
would it also be possible to root on an imac ? and my carrier is Verizon in the USA

Vic35 said:
Hello i just came from apple and would like to know an easy step by step guide to rooting..
i was a pro at jailbreaking but when it comes to rooting i can tell its a different ball game
would it also be possible to root on an imac ? and my carrier is Verizon in the USA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out the tutorials for installing custom recoveries (TWRP) and rooting your phone in the other forum category:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-7/development
As far as I know you'll need Windows to run ODIN and Samsung USB Drivers, I could be wrong though. Just read through the stuff.

Your bootloader is locked. It's impossible to root atm.

azzicles said:
Check out the tutorials for installing custom recoveries (TWRP) and rooting your phone in the other forum category:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-7/development
As far as I know you'll need Windows to run ODIN and Samsung USB Drivers, I could be wrong though. Just read through the stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
all those look like ALIEN writings to me...
is there a way to root like apple iphones ? where its clear and simple ?
a better explanation maybe would help
if someone can help me root my note 7 i can compensate

Vic35 said:
all those look like ALIEN writings to me...
is there a way to root like apple iphones ? where its clear and simple ?
a better explanation maybe would help
if someone can help me root my note 7 i can compensate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, your bootloader is locked. So the simple answer is no.
Sent from my Galaxy Note 7.

in simple words, the bootloader is like the main gate to the internals of your phone, if locked, as on snpadragon based note 7, it is very, very difficult to root, the exynos note 7 are all open, there is at the moment only one method to root a snapdragon note 7, but I think it works only for AT&T

sucks and my 14 day return period is over ... now what

Now you learn the lesson... Never, ever, under any circumstance, buy a phone until you have verified it can be rooted. There had been an exploit for root with the SDs but Samsung fixed it in the replacement devices. You will hear people telling you root might still be attained and they are right but don't pin any hope on it.
Most people have been where you are and I number among them. The only thing you can do is sell the device, hope for root, learn your lesson. I'm sorry.

One difference is a lot of customizations are available In the basic Android software.... You may not have to root to get the features you want such as Free Hotspot (FoxFi), free music, peer to peer downloads etc...
May I ask what features you want on your phone that are only available if you "root" it??

3 minit battery, Viper4android and titanium backup are what I'm missing. ????

Braca Ganon said:
One difference is a lot of customizations are available In the basic Android software.... You may not have to root to get the features you want such as Free Hotspot (FoxFi), free music, peer to peer downloads etc...
May I ask what features you want on your phone that are only available if you "root" it??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree 1,000% @Braca Ganon. There are more apps available today that allows you to access the same features as root so rooting isn't really a necessity as it once used to be. I've rooted every phone I've owned but I have no need to with this phone. Even on my Note 5 I saw no need to root. I was able to debloat carrier apps( Package Disabler Pro), use hotspot( FoxFi and PdaNet combo), change themes and icons( Samsung Theme Store) and much more, Plus, if you do decide to root, you can kiss Samsung or Android Pay goodbye. I also saw some had issues with the Iris Scanner after rooting as well. I personally love the fact that whatever feature I want to use on my phone I can do so with no FCs or trial and error. Custom Roms are based on the Devs likes and dislikes so what you think is a cool feature or function the Dev of whatever rom you are on may think its not and remove it. Once that happens, its more than just adding an .apk to priv-app or system apps, changing permissions and rebooting. It's more involved. This world is light years ahead of an IPhone jailbreak. No disrespect but a 70 year old woman can jailbreak an IPhone. LoL. Op read up on the benefits of root and what you think you need it for. You may be able to get the best of both worlds and still enjoy all the features and functionality the Note 7 has to offer. Samsung has done an excellent job coming into the times as far as root is concerned. They are making it so we don't have to root and can enjoy the benefits and features of these insanely expensive devices. I suggest you use the phone for a bit to its full potential and if you still think you need root then go for it but I'm almost certain you will realize you won't need it. Ultimately, its up to you.

Anyone know how to hack pokemon without root ? This was my Main reason of rooting

travisw0204 said:
I agree 1,000% @Braca Ganon. There are more apps available today that allows you to access the same features as root so rooting isn't really a necessity as it once used to be. I've rooted every phone I've owned but I have no need to with this phone. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no app or combination of apps which can globally remove all ads everywhere on your phone without root. For me removing ads by itself is more than enough to make root an absolute necessity. Nor can any non root app allow you to modify your build.prop as you see fit. Nor can any non root app allow the full functionality that Ti performs. I can go on here for quite a long time but where I'm going is that if you had at one time rooted your phones and don't need it now you hadn't been using the power of root. Root access and what you can do with it has not changed. Nor does any app without root access now do anything an app couldn't do 5 years ago because root access is root access and the lack now is no different than the lack then. Manufacturers have done things like added a close all but everything they have added altogether as a group is only a fraction of what you can do with root.
Whether a person needs or wants root depends on the person but there is no substitute for root and there never will be in the current paradigm. I applaud offering up such fixes as are available on the market. It may be for the OP these are enough but they will not be a substitute for root. As he appears to be new to Android I don't want him to walk away from here thinking that root isn't needed. It may be and it may not be but if you want to make android your bich it absolutely must be had.

I want to root it to play pokemon go ....
Is there a non root version of that hack?

krabman said:
There is no app or combination of apps which can globally remove all ads everywhere on your phone without root. For me removing ads by itself is more than enough to make root an absolute necessity. Nor can any non root app allow you to modify your build.prop as you see fit. Nor can any non root app allow the full functionality that Ti performs. I can go on here for quite a long time but where I'm going is that if you had at one time rooted your phones and don't need it now you hadn't been using the power of root. Root access and what you can do with it has not changed. Nor does any app without root access now do anything an app couldn't do 5 years ago because root access is root access and the lack now is no different than the lack then. Manufacturers have done things like added a close all but everything they have added altogether as a group is only a fraction of what you can do with root.
Whether a person needs or wants root depends on the person but there is no substitute for root and there never will be in the current paradigm. I applaud offering up such fixes as are available on the market. It may be for the OP these are enough but they will not be a substitute for root. As he appears to be new to Android I don't want him to walk away from here thinking that root isn't needed. It may be and it may not be but if you want to make android your bich it absolutely must be had.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Adguard to remove ads globally from my phone and it works better, to me anyways, than Adaway or anything equivalent but this is just my usage. Everyone's MMV. As far as using the power of root, I was one of the biggest believers in root. However, I was tired of the trial and error associated with it while running other Custom Roms( notice I keep saying I as this is just my experience). There is nothing more frustrating than going to use a feature and get a FC because either it was removed or the files associated with it were removed. Then you have to go into the archives of a stock rom and try to restore what was deleted and hope it works. At one point I just ran a fully stock rom with root and that worked for me but we both know how useless that is when you're rooted. At the end of my post I suggested to the Op, since he is new to Android, to use Android without it for a bit and see how he fares. If he still finds root is necessary than go for it. I would never tell anyone what to do with their device but you and I both know that root is becoming more of a hassle these days because of all the added security. As a newbie, this can scare the crap out of someone but ultimately it is the Op's decision.
---------- Post added at 05:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:26 AM ----------
Vic35 said:
I want to root it to play pokemon go ....
Is there a non root version of that hack?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't play Pokemon Go. I also didn't know you needed root to play that game. I thought it was merely an app.

Vic35 said:
Anyone know how to hack pokemon without root ? This was my Main reason of rooting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pokemon go can be played without any root... when the gps hack was available root WAS NOT required... it was a separate app through a different developer... it worked great for about a week, then niantic cut it off..
Once again I'm asking the OP why HE WANTS ROOT... He's coming from iphone...
Im not stupid enough to ask the Android central community as a whole why they want root... Ain't nobody got time for that

Braca Ganon said:
Pokemon go can be played without any root... when the gps hack was available root WAS NOT required... it was a separate app through a different developer... it worked great for about a week, then niantic cut it off..
Once again I'm asking the OP why HE WANTS ROOT... He's coming from iphone...
Im not stupid enough to ask the Android central community as a whole why they want root... Ain't nobody got time for that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I say half of pokemon go players are on a jailbreak / root playing from a fake location..
If someone can get me a non rooted version hack i can compensate you

I'm
Vic35 said:
I say half of pokemon go players are on a jailbreak / root playing from a fake location..
If someone can get me a non rooted version hack i can compensate you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I read up on the newest hacks... it seems there's apps that don't require jailbreak but I don't know of any Android apps.. keep searching google. Someone will come up with an android hack before long... the first big hack was an android app
They will absolutely release a hack app for Android... just keep searching google

http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-note-7/how-to/root-complete-stock-ph1-setup-root-t3461232 I have rooted my Verizon Note 7 using this method.

Mibuix0r said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-note-7/how-to/root-complete-stock-ph1-setup-root-t3461232 I have rooted my Verizon Note 7 using this method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That only works on pre-recall PH1 Note 7's, you can't root the new Note 7's with PHE.

Anyone go back to stock from rooted?

I have been finding myself only using Magisk for EmojiOne, but noticing I don't use Emoji like I used to anymore and am thinking since I only use Substratum with a Center Clock mod and have stopped using it for Dark theming, maybe going back to a stock based setup would be fine. I can use the Andromeda thing with Substratum which is an extra step but can do my center clock and possibly emoji one via substratum... not sure what else I would want root for... Updating is a touch of a pain for me. What do yo guys think, and have any of you gone back to stock?

I went back to stock just because I didn't want to have the uncertainty of being rooted.
Nothing wrong with rooting but I love this phone the way it is.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

For myself Rooting was a necessity. The devices sold in the past had so much Crapware.
It was nice to get the latest and greatest ROM and tweak the device to run faster because at that time they were just plain old slow.
Today, depending on where you bought a device devices are very fast. It seems to me that every ROM has an issue that influences the character of the device.
If your device comes from a carrier such as Verizon you should Root it to get rid of their crapware.
It seems their attitude is you only have the right to buy their device not the ability to control, I mean really you think you own it or something? ( yes I'm a VZW hater)
What was the question?

kdkinc said:
For myself Rooting was a necessity. The devices sold in the past had so much Crapware.
It was nice to get the latest and greatest ROM and tweak the device to run faster because at that time they were just plain old slow.
Today, depending on where you bought a device devices are very fast. It seems to me that every ROM has an issue that influences the character of the device.
If your device comes from a carrier such as Verizon you should Root it to get rid of their crapware.
It seems their attitude is you only have the right to buy their device not the ability to control, I mean really you think you own it or something? ( yes I'm a VZW hater)
What was the question?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, I agree 100%. I can simply disable gMail and Calculator, the only 2 APPs pre-installed on my Pixel 2 XL that I don't need. I use Inbox by Google for eMails and a Calculator Widget for that. Aside from the EmojiOne and CenterClock, I don't even dark-theme anymore, especially not on this device with the "black crush" all the OLEDs have an issue with. I was rooted fro KCal, but am finding the Boosted setting works just fine and oddly my Blue Tint has weakened since my first few days where it was really bad. Almost like the display is wearing in and getting better? It's still there, but just not as much as that first fresh opening, so warming up the display isn't needed much for me now either.
I like to see where people's heads are at with each device, and this is one the extra input is nice to read.

I'm actually on the fence about rooting. Just received my phone this weekend and I can't decide. Going to unlock bootloader before fully setting up, but I have been playing with it a little. I've always rooted and ran custom ROMs as well as adaway. With PureNexus on my N6 I stopped flashing for over a year except the occasional ROM update. I simply like Android in it's simplest form.

I will always root, no matter what. The only downside is like you said, having to mess with getting OTAs in an unnatural way. However, seeing as how I flash all factory images, I get them sooner than those waiting on an OTA to hit their phone. Plus once you have all the tools ready to go, it literally only takes a few minutes to flash an update.
I always root because I usually run stock. And while stock on a Pixel 2 XL is damn near close to perfection, it will never be what "I" consider perfect. Which means I have to mess with the /system files to get things "perfect." I've modded the stock launcher, which I couldn't do if I was rooted. I've switched out fonts. I've changed the navbar, status bar, and quick settings. And of course, there's always AdAway which requires root. Granted some of those things can be achieved with third party apps, but I'd rather get it done "internally" whenever possible.

I used to have it for years, then more and more companies (Google and banks) made their apps check for root, and I tired of the cat and mouse game with SuperSU and Magisk. So I unrooted over a year ago. Didn't miss it at all until yesterday, when I wanted to do something with Tasker that requires root. But what I wanted to do falls into the category of "it would be nice" as opposed to "I have/need to do this", so I remain unrooted. I haven't really missed it much.

I am stuck without root since I have the Verizon model which was given to me free from work so I cannot complain too much. I have always rooted and messed with ROMs. The only thing I would need root for with the 2 XL is ad blocking with Chrome. I am trying the Samsung browser and ABP which work pretty well together.
If I didn't have the noise cancellation mic issue on my 6P I think I would have given up root a long time ago...

I rotate between stock and rooted daily lol
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I am sort of glad I found this thread. I'm not a XDA regular but I've been following root guides from here since my Razr Mazz HD. I chose the Pixel in part for the ease of getting root and for Project Fi. Now that I have the phone, I'm not sure I want to root. I've never had a phone with quick updates before. I LOVE AdAway, but is it really worth the tradeoff? AdGuard is just as good if you don't use your VPN slot but if you DO use a VPN and need it.... not rooting forces me to choose between PIA and AdGuard. But do I even need a VPN anymore with Project Fi? Probably... Firefox with uBlock works pretty well too but doesn't work on apps. Oh the decisions.

Ruraltech said:
I am sort of glad I found this thread. I'm not a XDA regular but I've been following root guides from here since my Razr Mazz HD. I chose the Pixel in part for the ease of getting root and for Project Fi. Now that I have the phone, I'm not sure I want to root. I've never had a phone with quick updates before. I LOVE AdAway, but is it really worth the tradeoff? AdGuard is just as good if you don't use your VPN slot but if you DO use a VPN and need it.... not rooting forces me to choose between PIA and AdGuard. But do I even need a VPN anymore with Project Fi? Probably... Firefox with uBlock works pretty well too but doesn't work on apps. Oh the decisions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you like it the way it is, then I'd just leave it. It's a great device on stock. However, having root, AdAway, TiBu, kernels, and mods, is a lot of fun as well. As long as you know adb and fastboot fairly well, rooting and flashing monthly updates is pretty easy :good:

I was rooted from the get go!!

I'm going to try to live without root for a bit but already hating not having AdAway. I just know I won't keep up with updates if I have to do them. I sure wish AdAway didn't need root

Ruraltech said:
I am sort of glad I found this thread. I'm not a XDA regular but I've been following root guides from here since my Razr Mazz HD. I chose the Pixel in part for the ease of getting root and for Project Fi. Now that I have the phone, I'm not sure I want to root. I've never had a phone with quick updates before. I LOVE AdAway, but is it really worth the tradeoff? AdGuard is just as good if you don't use your VPN slot but if you DO use a VPN and need it.... not rooting forces me to choose between PIA and AdGuard. But do I even need a VPN anymore with Project Fi? Probably... Firefox with uBlock works pretty well too but doesn't work on apps. Oh the decisions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not regretting going back to stock from rooted as the only things I no longer have is center clock and emojione, which I 'could' get using Andromeda / Substratum but heard you have to reconnect to the computer anytime you reboot the phone and decided that's just not worth it for me. I am interested in ad blocking if possible without Root for Chrome. Only Ads that get in my way are via "News" and articles I touch from the Google Feed. Sadly many lately are blatant click-bait, page-hopping crap and slideshows that I refuse to go past the first page on.
Edit: Well, just ran across something known as DNS66 and have that up and running without Root and sure enough, it's blocking Ads on everything, even in Chrome without issue.

sharkie405 said:
I will always root, no matter what. The only downside is like you said, having to mess with getting OTAs in an unnatural way. However, seeing as how I flash all factory images, I get them sooner than those waiting on an OTA to hit their phone. Plus once you have all the tools ready to go, it literally only takes a few minutes to flash an update.
I always root because I usually run stock. And while stock on a Pixel 2 XL is damn near close to perfection, it will never be what "I" consider perfect. Which means I have to mess with the /system files to get things "perfect." I've modded the stock launcher, which I couldn't do if I was rooted. I've switched out fonts. I've changed the navbar, status bar, and quick settings. And of course, there's always AdAway which requires root. Granted some of those things can be achieved with third party apps, but I'd rather get it done "internally" whenever possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whats your few minute process? Do you only have a few apps to restore with data?

plisskenn said:
Whats your few minute process? Do you only have a few apps to restore with data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash without wiping data.

plisskenn said:
Whats your few minute process? Do you only have a few apps to restore with data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See below. ?
jrbxx7 said:
Flash without wiping data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using XDA Labs

First thing I did with my unlocked XL 2 was to unlock the bootloader. I then rooted once Magisk was available. I root so I can do pain-free full TiBu of my apps and for AdAway. Even though I have corporate email on my phone, the Magisk Hide bypasses their restrictions in the email app.
I'm actually kind of shocked we don't have more ROMs for this phone, though I'm not a Dev and don't know how complex it may be. If more Devs release custom ROMs, I'll be trying some out for sure.

I never buy android phone unless it's bootloader-unlockable and root-able
Too many handicap applied without root.
I hate dns/vpn based adblock, it cluttering my status bar and notification. So, yes, i need root for adaway,
Google limit Tethering frequency option for my country (No 5Ghz) so, yes, i need root to enable it,
I like the ability to background play youtube, and see youtube without ads, so yes, i root my phone for that. Sure, no root option is available, but lot of problem with google account cant sign in, and this and that.
I like the ability to use Brevent, Edge Sense Plus, Greenify etc without the need of plugging my phone to PC and do adb command. So, yes, i rooted my phone for that.
The phone will never be 100% yours, unless you have total control over anything inside it
So,
There's no way am back to stock. Especially with xposed working so well right now.

otonieru said:
I like the ability to background play youtube, and see youtube without ads, so yes, i root my phone for that. Sure, no root option is available, but lot of problem with google account cant sign in, and this and that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming you are using Magisk, how did you get YouTube Red without subscribing? (You can PM me if you don't want to hijack this thread...)

[Q] Xperia Play in 2019. Recommendations on Custom ROMs, SDs and emulators.

I've recently come into possession of practically new Xperia Play. And while I know it's specs are less than ideal nowadays, I figured there must be something that can be done to it in order to turn it into a relatively good console. So, I wanted to ask you all if this is possible. I've rooted and put on Custom ROMs on phones before, but never on something this... old?
To be clear, playing games is basically the one and only thing I want to do with this Xperia Play. If I can get to GBA emulation I'd be thrilled, but I can understand if something like that is impossible. Overall, I just wanted to ask you about your recommendations of Custom ROM and Kernel, which SD of which Class and Capacity should I get for it (because I know I'll have to use that in addition to making that SD internal storage somehow, I appreciate advice on that as well), and which consoles can I "reliable" emulate and play in it.
Thanks to everyone for your time.

hello, i just got one myself and from the research I have done it seems its more than capable of emulaiting GBA games. that being said the whole process of "jailbreaking" the device is still a little hazy for me. im trying to find the ost recent guide on how to do so but no real luck so far. iv rooted/jailbroken/modded several systems in my life time but never something like this.....hybrid.... to I consider it a hand held console or an android device (probably the later).
cant wait to have it up and running!!!
EDIT: apparently this is a taboo question. youre just meant to test them all and see which one fits you best... see...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2157425

SwisSwiss said:
hello, i just got one myself and from the research I have done it seems its more than capable of emulaiting GBA games. that being said the whole process of "jailbreaking" the device is still a little hazy for me. im trying to find the ost recent guide on how to do so but no real luck so far. iv rooted/jailbroken/modded several systems in my life time but never something like this.....hybrid.... to I consider it a hand held console or an android device (probably the later).
cant wait to have it up and running!!!
EDIT: apparently this is a taboo question. youre just meant to test them all and see which one fits you best... see...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2157425
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My recommendation is to follow that FAQ link and figure out how to unlock the bootloader, then root the phone. Then just use Root Explorer or some other app to delete unnecessary system apps to free up the internal storage. Don't bother with custom roms and kernels unless you really want to and feel comfortable with it, it just makes it more difficult to deal with. While the device is old, the emulators has improved, so it's not necessary to put custom rom to have a good experience.
The main problem with this phone is lack of internal storage. I recommend to not sign into Google account and not use the Playstore, by the time it updates Playstore and Google Play services, it takes up the entire's phone space (not that there's even enough space to do so) and slow down the entire phone. Just sideload apps.
For the Verizon model R800x, if I remember correctly you can't officially unlock the bootloader, but it run stock Android, instead of the skin version and is pretty light weight. I would just root and delete the bloatware apps. It's possible to install CWM recovery after rooting. I did remember using a third party kernel for R800x device, but I don't remember how I unlocked the bootloader if I did. I rather not care about it now because the R800i GSM version is much more recommended. I remembered the kernel and custom roms were unstable with the R800x, so except for rooting, I really don't think it's worth the time do go to such a depth with this device at this point.

eksasol said:
My recommendation is to follow that FAQ link and figure out how to unlock the bootloader, then root the phone. Then just use Root Explorer or some other app to delete unnecessary system apps to free up the internal storage. Don't bother with custom roms and kernels unless you really want to and feel comfortable with it, it just makes it more difficult to deal with. While the device is old, the emulators has improved, so it's not necessary to put custom rom to have a good experience.
The main problem with this phone is lack of internal storage. I recommend to not sign into Google account and not use the Playstore, by the time it updates Playstore and Google Play services, it takes up the entire's phone space (not that there's even enough space to do so) and slow down the entire phone. Just sideload apps.
For the Verizon model R800x, if I remember correctly you can't officially unlock the bootloader, but it run stock Android, instead of the skin version and is pretty light weight. I would just root and delete the bloatware apps. It's possible to install CWM recovery after rooting. I did remember using a third party kernel for R800x device, but I don't remember how I unlocked the bootloader if I did. I rather not care about it now because the R800i GSM version is much more recommended. I remembered the kernel and custom roms were unstable with the R800x, so except for rooting, I really don't think it's worth the time do go to such a depth with this device at this point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for the reply and insightful information ekasol. glad tzo hear i wont have to play around with custom roms, im not afraid of the idea but if i can keep it simple would be better. its an 800i so we should be clear too open the bootloader.

SwisSwiss said:
thank you for the reply and insightful information ekasol. glad tzo hear i wont have to play around with custom roms, im not afraid of the idea but if i can keep it simple would be better. its an 800i so we should be clear too open the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you already managed to root the phone you're good to go, but if you haven't customize it too much, hold off for now. I'm making a comprehensive guide that will cover all the basics, tips, and useful apps that make this device run great. I saved a lot of firmware and files that are difficult to find anymore. Guide will be done soon, in one or two days.
edit: check here https://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-play/general/2020-guide-rooting-xperia-play-tips-t4041221

eksasol said:
If you already managed to root the phone you're good to go, but if you haven't customize it too much, hold off for now. I'm making a comprehensive guide that will cover all the basics, tips, and useful apps that make this device run great. I saved a lot of firmware and files that are difficult to find anymore. Guide will be done soon, in one or two days.
edit: check here https://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-play/general/2020-guide-rooting-xperia-play-tips-t4041221
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fantastic timming, getting the play in 2 days.