Develop Bugs

Security Apps

I recently thought I had lost my phone but I had just misplaced it at home. Because I had powered it off I was unable to locate it by making it ring and I thought it had been stolen.
Unfortunately, I hadn't set a lockscreen pin or installed a security app to help locate and control my phone remotely so my phone was totally unprepared for the situation.
I hurridly set about changing sensitive passwords using my laptop then I tried to remotely install a security app called "Android Lost" and when I eventually found my phone the app was automatically installed but did not work because it needs to be run and activated.
So, I have learned my lesson from this experience and I have now set a lockscreen password PIN and installed and registered "Android Lost".
Now if I really lose my phone I am not completely helpless and I will not power it off unless it is on charge.
I hope my experience acts as a warning to others who have not taken phone security precautions.

Yeah that's basically the first thing I did with the Nexus 4, I ended up going with Cerberus which was about $4aud for a account which I can use on my two previous phones and tablet should I decide to take it away since the Nexus doesn't have USB OTG support.
Does basically everything, my most wanted feature was the invalid pin/pattern photo, where if you put the wrong pin/pattern in it'll take a photo & Email it to me.
Thankfully haven't needed to put it into action but I make sure to test it after each ROM upgrade just in case it doesn't work.

I think the app "Plan B" will work in that situation. Never tried before though.
Using "Wheres my droid" myself.

parker09 said:
Yeah that's basically the first thing I did with the Nexus 4, I ended up going with Cerberus which was about $4aud for a account which I can use on my two previous phones and tablet should I decide to take it away since the Nexus doesn't have USB OTG support.
Does basically everything, my most wanted feature was the invalid pin/pattern photo, where if you put the wrong pin/pattern in it'll take a photo & Email it to me.
Thankfully haven't needed to put it into action but I make sure to test it after each ROM upgrade just in case it doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your informative reply. I've switched from "Android Lost" to Cerberus which looks better.

Cerebus, Android lost or where's my droid?

I tried Cerberus because of all the positive comments I had seen on xda. I can personally say it is by far the best one out there. I've used seek droid, where's my droid and nearly all of them but Cerberus just seems to do more
Sent from my Nexus 4

ltylty123 said:
I think the app "Plan B" will work in that situation. Never tried before though.
Using "Wheres my droid" myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plan B doesn't work on 4.0+
I use Cerberus.

parker09 said:
Yeah that's basically the first thing I did with the Nexus 4, I ended up going with Cerberus which was about $4aud for a account which I can use on my two previous phones and tablet should I decide to take it away since the Nexus doesn't have USB OTG support.
Does basically everything, my most wanted feature was the invalid pin/pattern photo, where if you put the wrong pin/pattern in it'll take a photo & Email it to me.
Thankfully haven't needed to put it into action but I make sure to test it after each ROM upgrade just in case it doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I use Cerberus as well (got it for free quite some time back when the developer was having a "free for life" weekend special). Also, it's worth mentioning that once bought you can use it on up to 5 devices (which is great if you have multiple phones).
In addition to doing what is quoted above it also lets you do all kinds of things in the web interface. From locking the SIM to tracking the phone's location over a given time period to being able to pull up call and text logs. All of that in addition to the usual features of locating your phone (via GPS) and setting off an alarm (that is insanely, and occasionally scary, loud).
I highly recommend it to my friends and family members. Definitely think you should give it a go. If I hadn't gotten it for free I would gladly have paid for it. Never had to use it (beyond showing off its capabilities to people looking for a security app), but it gives me peace of mind knowing it just works (and does so after ROM flashing).
Also, if you have root and enable it as a device administrator it'll do quite a bit more. From locking your phone to remote wipes to uninstallation protection (of course a complete wipe from recovery will beat that, but there's only so much you can do or not do in that case).

I like the way Cerberus can take a picture of someone trying to crack the lock screen pin and email it. I wonder how difficult it is to get past a screen lock pin?

How big is the impact of Cerberus on battery life guys?

Lexus fan said:
How big is the impact of Cerberus on battery life guys?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Almost no impact at all

Anyone using avast?

I just got my Nexus 4 and have yet to setup a security app. I used Prey on my last phone and it seemed pretty good. Anyone know how it compares to these other apps?

Lexus fan said:
How big is the impact of Cerberus on battery life guys?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No impact at all. Since the app doesn't run until you manually send commands from the web interface. And even then the app doesn't really "run" per se. There's no visibility at all it's even there, minus the icon in the app drawer. (And you can even hide the app and make it so it's only accessible by dialing a certain code from the phone dialer.)

i want to install these 'lost my phone' apps but dont they really drain the battery and you have to turn on gps and location settings on? also if the thief who steals your phone will read up on how to reflash and wipe the phone? it will render these apps useless

I've been using Cerberus for some time now and it's absolutely perfect! Every part of it functions just as it's intended to and the app has practically no impact on battery life. Great stuff!

elbel86 said:
I just got my Nexus 4 and have yet to setup a security app. I used Prey on my last phone and it seemed pretty good. Anyone know how it compares to these other apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was using prey, but thanks to this thread I just switched to Cerberus - much better deal, interface, and functionality - plus a couple extra features if rooted. Totally worth the USD4.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Any one else notice our interesting tag along in our note 10+?

So, since I've got this over monster I've had a shocking number of issues. From sudden influx of crap followers online, people sending photos of some of those little people some people keep as pets.
But, it was probably a month in kept getting restarts that left my wall paper different, noticed key guard was in the running processes and Samsung wasn't able to give me much info at all.
Frequently my antivirus Would randomly flag some huge archive that would appear in Google vending folder and for some reason my weather app for my gear fit updated EVERYDAY
Today a series of unfortunate events and my phone did a factory reset shortly after a drop. I actually find that interesting because I don't know the drop or one of my...well call them gremlins. (Let's face it most of things i have attributed are probably just me going into PTSD blah blah blah... )
But today Turn process I did streamline to get Nic cards logging up and go and build to set up a good firewall get ad blockers going but I wanted to see what happened. And I go my weather app eventually.
And for some reason over in reddit they tend to think permissions like this are normal (I know Samsung's calculator is more than a calculator but mine once had almost every permission with about 800MB storage taken up.
So, This weather app seemed a little abnormal look up the IP address, looked up the company and, I looked furlough their partners for Samsung and Knox (didnt Find the one)
Just a quick assumption;
This module has the Hotspot 2.0 and REALLY likes its certificates. I noticed the option to share Your Wi-Fi with someone is always default toggle on.
If you scroll through the websites what we do you see that they are very proud that they have the edge one of the largest threat assessments for everybody when hop away from 1 of their servers , how many of them there are etc. And I Have this feeling that my device is actually just a nice little go between allowing others access to the internet while gathering their data points.
I can't actually post links but if you do their site plus this thing takes you right to the talk about their platform. Gove the data that goes through phones, that is good for anything from Cambridge analytica code level stealing countries to just figuring out how stable and great 5G is
/us/en/
what-we-do/intelligent-platform
I've seen the Address actually go by in my primary bp and add blocker but that 1 doesn't give me per app metrics so not sure what else goes to them.
Also, suddenly I think I know at least partially why they don't want flashed ROMS(?), at least yet.
I'd actually really like to know if anyone else, specifically related to 5G sees these also. Given the timing of that release device and anal FMRi weather app there. And for some reason even though I use a little cheaper company gives me unlimited data they have swapped my network several times between bigger company the smaller company. Its same towers and stuff usually so no big deal but, doesn't normally do that. (Have noticed that actually from the Galaxy store I see that quite often, but the "same" download from play store different version number less permissions)
(By the way hello this is the 1st device actually looking to rooting, prior the risk of that access to someone else was too much. Thanks for letting me join the community, I do hope I catch on quick ans don't drive any one too crazy)
(I tried to add in pictures of the weather app permissions and everything but can't post pictures either)

A drop shouldn't cause a factory reset... if it was caused by software you have an apk(s) that are trashware.
A 3rd party launcher put mine in a boot loop... twice.
If you did a recent firmware update it may have corrupted that load, reload as you did.
A virus or trojan are suspect as well. Run Malwarebytes and Trojan scanner. Some malware may not always be detected.
If you suspect a virus after a reload be careful what you load and bring into the system including the on SD card and any backups. Start with the base load and add only apps from Playstore at first. Go from there if it runs ok. Be wary of updates, one at a time, look for issues as you progress.
Same with backup data... if it's there you'll need to isolate it or dump all the data.
Use a package disabler like PD MDM to block bloatware from running and to troubleshoot.

blackhawk said:
A 3rd party launcher put mine in a boot loop... twice.
If you did a recent firmware update it may have corrupted that load, reload as you did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was worried so, as I'd never seen it i just know these things actually include that hardware backed encryption. I had worries that I had knocked that loose and might have issues with it later. (Accelerometer is off bit it seems now)
I can say likely:
1. Third party lock screen with data wipe. Not highly reviewed but was but trashy. May have accidently in the tussle woke the screen with motion and performed a wipe.
2. Package disabled. I play with what I can get away with disabling. Some Knox stuff is bit touchy.
3. I'd managed to start process of adding a second secure folder on a secondary profile. It hadn't like it but stayed working.
Or combo 2 & 3 but lock screen most likely I'd say

HungryRobotics said:
I was worried so, as I'd never seen it i just know these things actually include that hardware backed encryption. I had worries that I had knocked that loose and might have issues with it later. (Accelerometer is off bit it seems now)
I can say likely:
1. Third party lock screen with data wipe. Not highly reviewed but was but trashy. May have accidently in the tussle woke the screen with motion and performed a wipe.
2. Package disabled. I play with what I can get away with disabling. Some Knox stuff is bit touchy.
3. I'd managed to start process of adding a second secure folder on a secondary profile. It hadn't like it but stayed working.
Or combo 2 & 3 but lock screen most likely I'd say
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get a good case like the Bolt. High G impacts can cause internal damage but usually not especially if in a case.
I don't use secure folder, encryption or any screen lock especially 3rd party. Any apk you give administrator rights to lock the phone can effectively trash your OS load in a heartbeat.
Have had passwords get corrupted (rare) before and gotten totally locked out on a laptop bios.
That machine is now useless.
On Androids you can reload to recover if all else fails but a reload takes a lot of work...

SOS! Please HELP - XM10T5G Down[&up]grading..

Have the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G, which comes with Android 10 / MIUI 12 [Sort of combination of them i think], and i wanna install an older version of android only, lower than 10 [Preferably 7.0], is it possible to do at all? If so, then how exactly can i do that? if possible with exact instruction or guide to it..
Thanks ahead..
PEACE AND LOVE!

Not possible. I am really curious why would you even want that.

_mysiak_ said:
Not possible. I am really curious why would you even want that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For many reasons.. They changed it in some very bad way for my opinion.. like the auto turning on WiFi by some apps, like some apps that don't have widgets, the call recording issue and many more very annoying unreasonable changes they did on A10 on.. saw also they only allow FBE encryption instead of FDE which is much better [That i can see for huge 128, 256 or maybe 512 Gigs Storages but still it should be up to the user decision not forcing]
So you say it's completely impossible? even if flash universal / rooted ROM? no way at all?! cause man those are really annoying stuff especially to the tech Pros and/or savvy's like us, and i know that since i saw many threads and posts in other forums about those issues too.. Maybe some giving up or thinking it's advancements, but really, maybe big money involved, espionage, and many more possible reasons they doing it.. It's bad, really bad..
* BTW sorry for the multiplication threads didn't knew it's SPAMing and not very involved it forums world..
Thank ahead.

Jeff1976A1 said:
For many reasons.. They changed it in some very bad way for my opinion.. like the auto turning on WiFi by some apps, like some apps that don't have widgets, the call recording issue and many more very annoying unreasonable changes they did on A10 on.. saw also they only allow FBE encryption instead of FDE which is much better [That i can see for huge 128, 256 or maybe 512 Gigs Storages but still it should be up to the user decision not forcing]
So you say it's completely impossible? even if flash universal / rooted ROM? no way at all?! cause man those are really annoying stuff especially to the tech Pros and/or savvy's like us, and i know that since i saw many threads and posts in other forums about those issues too.. Maybe some giving up or thinking it's advancements, but really, maybe big money involved, espionage, and many more possible reasons they doing it.. It's bad, really bad..
* BTW sorry for the multiplication threads didn't knew it's SPAMing and not very involved it forums world..
Thank ahead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest I don't understand none of your points.
1. Wifi can be still turned on by apps, you just need to enable the permission (allow always vs. allow only when app is running in foreground).
2. Call recording is working in regions where it's not forbidden by privacy laws.
3. FBE is much better because it allows you to start the phone with basic service without using the password. Not sure why do you consider FDE to be superior.
4. Well, you can try to build your own Android 7 ROM from old sources, but you're going to have a fun time adapting to vendor partition/proprietary files created for Android 10 or 11. Also using several years old code which is not supported or patched anymore is quite interesting approach to security.

_mysiak_ said:
To be honest I don't understand none of your points.
1. Wifi can be still turned on by apps, you just need to enable the permission (allow always vs. allow only when app is running in foreground).
2. Call recording is working in regions where it's not forbidden by privacy laws.
3. FBE is much better because it allows you to start the phone with basic service without using the password. Not sure why do you consider FDE to be superior.
4. Well, you can try to build your own Android 7 ROM from old sources, but you're going to have a fun time adapting to vendor partition/proprietary files created for Android 10 or 11. Also using several years old code which is not supported or patched anymore is quite interesting approach to security.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe it's regional or SROMs based issue, but the vendor of the app said it's not allowed on Android 10 and on, and i did confirmed the permission to turn on WiFi automatically, but maybe there's some other settings that i missed and that guy was wrong, i'd love if you can show how to enable it globally and/or to just the auto file sync i use, cause i tried many times even with manual syncing [by clicking the Sync button when WiFi is off, it started and turn it off automatically on Android 7.0.. Of course also for time interval based sync]..

Jeff1976A1 said:
Maybe it's regional or SROMs based issue, but the vendor of the app said it's not allowed on Android 10 and on, and i did confirmed the permission to turn on WiFi automatically, but maybe there's some other settings that i missed and that guy was wrong, i'd love if you can show how to enable it globally and/or to just the auto file sync i use, cause i tried many times even with manual syncing [by clicking the Sync button when WiFi is off, it started and turn it off automatically on Android 7.0.. Of course also for time interval based sync]..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
App info, permissions.

_mysiak_ said:
App info, permissions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi.. Thanks for your reply.. i did that already before, but still it doesn't work.. i use FolderSync, that currently in my old Android 7.0 device, does syncing when i click Sync from within the app, while i was totally offline [Data and Wifi] so it turned on the Wifi connection [Specific home network], and also on Scheduled i inserted the Allowed Networks SSID [Which BTW when i turn on WiFi manually and it does sync it with GDrive, it say on top 'Unknown SSID' for case it matters {Had the feeling that it very much does}], I also switced it on in Data and WiFI limit it does on that Security app, which i guess is kind of firewall, and BTW i remember like 5-6 years ago i had the Lenovo A8 "Golden Worrier" has that same kind of Security app built in with firewall and all that, but still manually at least, as i checked, it doesn't turn on the Wifi via FolderSync app.. Got a strong feeling it's due to that Unknown SSID stuff or that Security app.. Could it be?..

Jeff1976A1 said:
Hi.. Thanks for your reply.. i did that already before, but still it doesn't work.. i use FolderSync, that currently in my old Android 7.0 device, does syncing when i click Sync from within the app, while i was totally offline [Data and Wifi] so it turned on the Wifi connection [Specific home network], and also on Scheduled i inserted the Allowed Networks SSID [Which BTW when i turn on WiFi manually and it does sync it with GDrive, it say on top 'Unknown SSID' for case it matters {Had the feeling that it very much does}], I also switced it on in Data and WiFI limit it does on that Security app, which i guess is kind of firewall, and BTW i remember like 5-6 years ago i had the Lenovo A8 "Golden Worrier" has that same kind of Security app built in with firewall and all that, but still manually at least, as i checked, it doesn't turn on the Wifi via FolderSync app.. Got a strong feeling it's due to that Unknown SSID stuff or that Security app.. Could it be?..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FolderSync doesn't turn Wifi On automatically, this feature seems to be missing in the app. But I've just tested with Tasker and it is able to turn Wifi On and Off, so it's not a problem of Android version.
For Allowed SSID feature in FolderSync you must enable permanent location access.
Btw. I see no point in turning Wifi Off at any point, it uses so little power that there is next to none benefit in doing it. If you insist on some kind of automation, use Tasker in a fully controlled manner.

_mysiak_ said:
FolderSync doesn't turn Wifi On automatically, this feature seems to be missing in the app. But I've just tested with Tasker and it is able to turn Wifi On and Off, so it's not a problem of Android version.
For Allowed SSID feature in FolderSync you must enable permanent location access.
Btw. I see no point in turning Wifi Off at any point, it uses so little power that there is next to none benefit in doing it. If you insist on some kind of automation, use Tasker in a fully controlled manner.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well your first argument is actually not tru, FolderSync does turns on Wifi automatically as i do for like 4 years with my older Galaxy s6 [Great dev BTW, Samsung's first 64 bit device i thinks] running now Android 7.0, and also the other day and im sure if ill try this right now it will actually turning on WiFi from off mode and also automatically closed it when done syncing, but no matter what i did it doesn't doing it on the XM10T5G, and it both updated to the latest FolderSync version the one with those tiles.. so it must be something with the operation system.. again it's some kind of Andro/MIUI OS so it has to do with one of them..
About the SSID, i did confirmed the location access all the time [not just when it's used] on the Security app, is there any other place that i should enable location or any other settings that may be relating to this?..
And really? you don't see the point in using Wifi? It's much more faster, secure, and reliable than data.. of course i don't care if it'll be 4G or 5G even better to sync, but obviously not any connection, but thanks for the Tasker Tip, i'll try that.. i've heared that somewhere i think from the gut of FolderSync..
And BTW, the call recording is legal in my country, so i did also many years but here only after trying several apps i found Cube ACR working good.. And also, some apps ask you if you confirm that Call recording is legal in your country but of course if you flash custom or different ROM, the system obviously can never tell..
Peace..

Jeff1976A1 said:
Well your first argument is actually not tru, FolderSync does turns on Wifi automatically as i do for like 4 years with my older Galaxy s6 [Great dev BTW, Samsung's first 64 bit device i thinks] running now Android 7.0, and also the other day and im sure if ill try this right now it will actually turning on WiFi from off mode and also automatically closed it when done syncing, but no matter what i did it doesn't doing it on the XM10T5G, and it both updated to the latest FolderSync version the one with those tiles.. so it must be something with the operation system.. again it's some kind of Andro/MIUI OS so it has to do with one of them..
About the SSID, i did confirmed the location access all the time [not just when it's used] on the Security app, is there any other place that i should enable location or any other settings that may be relating to this?..
And really? you don't see the point in using Wifi? It's much more faster, secure, and reliable than data.. of course i don't care if it'll be 4G or 5G even better to sync, but obviously not any connection, but thanks for the Tasker Tip, i'll try that.. i've heared that somewhere i think from the gut of FolderSync..
And BTW, the call recording is legal in my country, so i did also many years but here only after trying several apps i found Cube ACR working good.. And also, some apps ask you if you confirm that Call recording is legal in your country but of course if you flash custom or different ROM, the system obviously can never tell..
Peace..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see no point in turning wifi OFF.
Anyway, good luck finding/building your perfect Andoid 7 ROM.

_mysiak_ said:
I see no point in turning wifi OFF.
Anyway, good luck finding/building your perfect Andoid 7 ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again security and energy reasons.. Think about it..
Anyway i barely know how to flash ROM, so i'm very far from building a custom one.. But at start you said it's impossible to install / flash an older Android ROM to it [XM10T5G], so you say it's possible with custom ROM?

Jeff1976A1 said:
Again security and energy reasons.. Think about it..
Anyway i barely know how to flash ROM, so i'm very far from building a custom one.. But at start you said it's impossible to install / flash an older Android ROM to it [XM10T5G], so you say it's possible with custom ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again - not possible, such ROM doesn't exist.

Question Quick Switch Adapter

Can anyone tell me details of what can be transferred from an old phone to a new P6P using the provided quick switch adapter? Can it transfer all apps and their data or only the ones with Google backup capability?
Thanks in advance!

The "ordinary" transfer won't restore your app settings, like your passwords/logins/in-app data.
Google One Backup is supposed to do that, even though it never worked for me. In the end I had to use swiftbackup whilst having root to have a decent backup/transfer experience.
--
There is some sort of auto-login system that some apps support, so Google logs you in automatically into the app once you first open them after transfering all your stuff, but that has nothing to do with the transfer/backup. Sadly, only very few apps support that.

Morgrain said:
The "ordinary" transfer won't restore your app settings, like your passwords/logins/in-app data.
Google One Backup is supposed to do that, even though it never worked for me. In the end I had to use swiftbackup whilst having root to have a decent backup/transfer experience.
--
There is some sort of auto-login system that some apps support, so Google logs you in automatically into the app once you first open them after transfering all your stuff, but that has nothing to do with the transfer/backup. Sadly, only very few apps support that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, that's what I was afraid of. I can't believe that Google doesn't want to create a proper backup or transfer solution. So bad. I guess SwiftBackup it is...

mko000 said:
Can anyone tell me details of what can be transferred from an old phone to a new P6P using the provided quick switch adapter? Can it transfer all apps and their data or only the ones with Google backup capability?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been into android since the T-Mobile G1 days and I'm a firm believer in setting up a new phone from scratch. Did my wifes from her OnePlus 7 Pro and the screen would freeze every 4-6 hors. Did a FDR and it's been running great for the last 3 days. Your always going to get bits and pieces from the last OS that don't belong on your new OS when transferring from another phone.

ggrant3876 said:
Been into android since the T-Mobile G1 days and I'm a firm believer in setting up a new phone from scratch. Did my wifes from her OnePlus 7 Pro and the screen would freeze every 4-6 hors. Did a FDR and it's been running great for the last 3 days. Your always going to get bits and pieces from the last OS that don't belong on your new OS when transferring from another phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This makes more and more sense now a days!

Google wants to sell the cloud as much as possible. I restore GoogleOne backups from the cloud and I'm usually satisfied with the results.
I used to start from scratch but I stopped at some point several years ago. I just want my phone to work the way I'm used to. I don't use the stock launcher anyway, I use Nova Launcher Prime. Later on, I integrate elements from the new Android version and widgets/capabilities into my current Nova setup.

I never used the quick switch adapter and Google's transfer tool. I always root my phone and use Titanium Backup to restore my apps. Although, on Android 12, I think I'm gonna go for Swift Backup which I've heard good things about!
I'm still using my 4 XL for now, not sure if I want to jump on the 6 Pro with an unofficial alpha version of Magisk :/

Ghisy said:
I never used the quick switch adapter and Google's transfer tool. I always root my phone and use Titanium Backup to restore my apps. Although, on Android 12, I think I'm gonna go for Swift Backup which I've heard good things about!
I'm still using my 4 XL for now, not sure if I want to jump on the 6 Pro with an unofficial alpha version of Magisk :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd advise you to wait at least for the first or second rollout of bug fixes if you are keen on root, as of now there are a lot of software quirks that might be firmware related; if you root now, upgrading to the next monthly update might be a nightmare. As far as I can see right now, every successful root requires a full factory reset (not the bootloader unlock reset!). And every "update" will aswell (maybe the community will find a way around that, but we don't know right now).

ggrant3876 said:
Been into android since the T-Mobile G1 days and I'm a firm believer in setting up a new phone from scratch. Did my wifes from her OnePlus 7 Pro and the screen would freeze every 4-6 hors. Did a FDR and it's been running great for the last 3 days. Your always going to get bits and pieces from the last OS that don't belong on your new OS when transferring from another phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
100% on board with this. Whenever I clean flash (new phone or new OS update) I start from scratch. Download or sideload all my apps anew. Takes several hours to set up but well worth it in the long run.

Morgrain said:
I'd advise you to wait at least for the first or second rollout of bug fixes if you are keen on root, as of now there are a lot of software quirks that might be firmware related; if you root now, upgrading to the next monthly update might be a nightmare. As far as I can see right now, every successful root requires a full factory reset (not the bootloader unlock reset!). And every "update" will aswell (maybe the community will find a way around that, but we don't know right now).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I've been reading as much as I can about root and it's not super fun right now. It remains to be seen if we can update monthly without wiping. Otherwise, that would be a MAJOR pita.
I'm gonna be traveling in about 2 weeks and I was hoping to bring my 6 Pro with me. My 4 XL is perfectly fine but not sure the battery will last while traveling. We'll see.

Why can't I have it all?

Today is one of the days per year that I have a full Saturday without my family around to bug me. As I sit here wasting my day trying to figure out how to "have it all", I have to "vent". I don't understand why this is so difficult. It's not about the money, I would write a check with several zeros if someone could find a solution for me. All I want, is a phone that Google and Apple can't track, but is still functional for my needs.
LineageOS with Micro is ALMOST that solution. But, every day something doesn't work like it should. I need to be able to schedule texts and send MMS messages that don't sacrafice quality. What do you user for that? Google Messages. Well, I don't want to sign into Google so none of those features work. In fact, even if I do sign in, none of those features work. Ok, I'll try Textra. Nope. Won't work with MicroG because it "needs google service". I have tried around a dozen messaging apps, but either they don't schedule texts or they don't send MMS.
I drive 1,000s of miles for work in different vehicles in unfamiliar areas. I listen to many podcasts and take lots of phone calls on the road. So, given the amount of travel and variation of vehicles I drive, having a physcial GPS or using a phone mount isn't practical. Using my phone as a handheld GPS isn't smart. What's left? Android Auto. Ok, I've tried using a separate phone for Android Auto, but then phone calls don't come through. I've almost crashed trying to juggle those.
What am I working on today? I've been using Brave Browser, but I also use 1password. 1password functionality is broken on 90% of the sites I visit on Brave, so I downloaded Firefox. 1password works great, but my corporate security app routes everything from Firefox through itself, and breaks everything. It doesn't happen with Brave and I can't delete my work app. So Brave wins that battle.
So I thought -- why don't I just install LinesageOS with gapps, create a brand new google account to login with, and never use that google ID anywhere else. But after some research and asking on different message boards, THAT doesn't work either.
At this point, how does someone in my shoes not just say f#*k it, you win Google/Apple, and go back to a stock OS?

faknit said:
have to "vent"
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Kinda know this feeling.
faknit said:
want, is a phone that Google and Apple can't track
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How about Librem? Or at least iodeOS?
faknit said:
Google Messages
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Why in the 1st place?
faknit said:
What's left? Android Auto
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Well, other than that, perhaps Osmand?
faknit said:
you win Google/Apple, and go back to a stock OS?
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NO WAY, over my dad's cat!
I do understand and share your frustration but giving up is not a good choice here.
Sometimes less is more, I don't use MicroG at all and people keep pestering me since years to get Whatsapp, Signal, Threema, Telegram, Slack, Discord and all that ****. Nah, stop being stupid and just keep using email, SMS or jabber.
Unless another Noah posts free tickets for Ark 2 on whatsapp, I am perfectly fine, I guess

A little late on my reply! Figured I'd still throw this out there.
I can't use Librem & iodeOS because of work requirements. I have to use their applications for email/messaging etc. Unfortunately the apps also detect/block Custom ROMs so I have no choice but to root so I can use magisk.
Literally the only reason I want Google Messages (which, for what I want requires chat features enabled) is to schedule messages without losing other functionality. QKSMS works great, but you can't share videos. Several others that are recommended won't work without Google services. There was one that worked really well but crashed every couple hours and would only work after uninstalling.
Android Auto, I could care less which application I use TBH, but nothing else will do what I need. I need the map to display on the cars screen so I'm not staring at my phone. A second phone isn't an option because 1. I'd lose it 2. Work won't pay for a phone because they suck and I can't afford 2 plans. Same excuses for a dedicated GPS. A phone mount is difficult because of the sheer variety of vehicles I drive, and I usually don't know what I'll be driving. So I'd have to take several styles of mount on every trip.
All that said --- I vented and I feel better. I'm just dealing with the problems.

faknit said:
Work won't pay for a phone because they suck and I can't afford 2 plans
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That sounds familiar. A previous company insisted on iphone which I despised but I tried anyway for a month, ever since I hate everything crapple even more
But wait, can't solve issue 1... issue 2: Hotspot on company phone? Muahahahaaa