I have a application (Good Enterprise mail client) that will not run on my phone since it is rooted. I have heard that a few other application like this out there. Is there a way to hide the fact my phone is rooted from these types of applications?
Thanks in advance
OrionNE
OrionNE said:
I have a application (Good Enterprise mail client) that will not run on my phone since it is rooted. I have heard that a few other application like this out there. Is there a way to hide the fact my phone is rooted from these types of applications?
Thanks in advance
OrionNE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i thought about creating an application to do this. the concept is very simple.
the only way they check to see if your device is rooted, usually, is whether or not a file is present at /system/bin/su.
they usually dont even test to see if the /system/bin/su file has root permissions or properly functions. only if the file exists with that name, su, in that directory, /system/bin.
simply rename your su file to any other name, example: jk.
next time you need su access, simply type jk in the shell instead of su, and you'll get root access.
also, if you are curious, grab my root checker application from the market, advanced mode will tell you all the details which can be gathered about the root configuration on your system.
you think it would be helpful to have an application which would make it convenient to hide root?
Super user has an option called ghost mode. It hides the icon. To get it back, you type in a specific number pattern in the dialer.
Via My HTC Evo 3D On The Now Network From Sprint.
Theres no way to hide it from goog though, right? So as to be able to rent movies from market legally?
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
Related
Hello All!
This is a quick "guide" to get you going on your new Droid X2. The X2 can be easily rooted using Gingerbreak. To use the exploit make sure you have USB Debugging enabled and install the Gingerbreak apk courtesy of Chainfire. For more information of how it works visit Chainfire's page here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1044765.
Root X2 using Gingerbreak
Instructions- Ensure you have your SD card inserted and mounted, enable USB debugging and Install gingerbreak apk. Click on Root Device. Your phone will reboot and you will have Superuser installed when your phone is rooted.
Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?rdan1eqfk7ce0wz
Host File to block Ads*Added 6/3
Here is a host file that will block ads within apps. I have slightly modified this host file so that it doesn't break zynga games and a few others. Adfree blocks nearly everything (which is good), but can break the functionality of some games and apps.
Instructions-Use root explorer, mount the system in R/W and place the file in system/etc *Make a backup of your existing version
Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?a1nynz5bni766ad
GPS Mod*Added 6/3
Here is a modded gps.config file to lock in GPS faster. It changes the GPS satellite location to the US instead of North America.
Instructions-Use root explorer, mount the system in R/W and place the file in system/etc *Make a backup of your existing version
Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?sonmbwj9c30m8s9
Froyo Malware Exploit "Patch"*Added 6/3
This tricks an older and current froyo exploit into thinking it has already ran. All you need to do is place a blank file (created in linux) with the name of "profile" and place it in system/bin. I have created a zip file with the profile file inside. I had to place it within a zip file since you cannot upload empty files to mediafire.
Instructions: Extract the zip and use root explorer (mount R/W) to place the profile file in system/bin.
Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?pkl6zhq94w1jqbo
Spare Parts for X2*Added 6/8
Here is a stripped down Cyanogenmod spare parts for our phones if anyone would like it. It doesn't have all the crap the market version comes along with. You can use this to speed up window and transition animations and lock the launcher in memory.
Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?amd9s9bacgyadba
We do not have an SBF for our phones yet if you choose to remove the apps you will not be able to restore at this time.
Safe List of apps to remove/Freeze (recommended to freeze, but I removed mine and have had no issues)
DO NOT REMOVE AUTHENTICATING APPS!! IT WILL BREAK CONTACTS FUNCTIONALITY!! IF YOU USE AN APP OR WIDGET THEN DONT REMOVE IT!
I will add more to the list as I find them
Amazon Kindle
Amazon MP3
Backup Assistant
Backup Assistant Client
Blockbuster
City ID
DLNA 0709.69
DLNAsystemService
Emergency Alerts
Help Center
Homescreen tips
IM 3.0.4.6
IM presence
Lets golf
My Verizon (May have force closes after removed but will be fine when rebooted)
News 2.2.2
NFL Mobile
NFS Shift
Quickoffice
Rich Location
Skype
Slacker
Tasks 1.0
VCAST Apps
VCAST Music
VCAST Videos
Voice Commands - Will remove dialer voice searching functionality (VSuite.apk)
Voicemail - Remove the visual voicemail
VZ Navigator
New Added *6/3
BlurTasks.apk
Cmas.apk
PerformanceManager.apk
StatusWidget.apk
StickNotWidget.apk
WeatherWidget.apk
WorldClockWidget.apk
Which application did you use to remove the default apps? My DX2 is now rooted with busybox but the android application manager still locks the default apps.
Thanks!
phys1x said:
Which application did you use to remove the default apps? My DX2 is now rooted with busybox but the android application manager still locks the default apps.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use titanium backup to freeze the apps or use Root Explorer (mount R/W) to remove the apps. Remove the corresponding odex file with the app (if it has one) as well.
When I removed the apps I just made a folder on my SD card and moved them there in case I needed them.
The only 2 apps that broke contacts atleast for me was the yahoo contacts and authenticator. I have frozen all the other ones with no problems.
Ahh, this is a good list, thanks for the heads-up. I've been wanting to uninstall some of this bloat, but wasn't sure which ones were safe to remove.
What is Rich Location, anyway?
I think NFS Shift and Lets Golf are probably safe to uninstall as there's no trick to uninstalling them and I couldn't imagine them being tied to OTA update eligibility.
Heelpir8 said:
I think NFS Shift and Lets Golf are probably safe to uninstall as there's no trick to uninstalling them and I couldn't imagine them being tied to OTA update eligibility.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA Premium App
Hello all,
So I'm still pretty new to this! I had a HTC Hero and finally decided to root it because my contract was up and thought her why not. Anyways I put CM6 then 7 on the phone and loved it.
Anyways I just bought an X2 and I wan't this Motoblur put into the grave faster than my mother in law! I was wondering if I use this exploit gingerbreak will I be able to recieve the OTA of gingerbread when it is released? Also will gingerbreak allow me to get rid of motoblur?
Giving yourself root access won't keep you from receiving the OTA, but there's a chance something might go wrong-- or so Motorola warns. Gingerbreak has an "unroot" option, however, so just do that before updating and things should go fine. And, unfortunately, you can not simply remove Motoblur. You have home/launcher replacements like LauncherPro and ADW Launcher though, and those help speed up the phone on the home screen. Root also gives you the chance to remove unwanted apps like the ones above, which can be quite helpful in speeding up the system as a whole.
On the bright side, blue blur is a helluva lot better than old blur.
thanks for this! Im using bloat freezer and it seems to be working!
Updated OP
Plz dnt forget bout ur fassy nitro lol we love u more over there haha
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Bubbadogg14 said:
Plz dnt forget bout ur fassy nitro lol we love u more over there haha
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh don't worry! I have some new stuff coming for the fascinate!
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA Premium App
I've ran Gingerbreak twice now, and superuser hasn't appeared. Any suggestions?
Edit: i was looking for it in the apps browser. I didn't realize that it would not show up. I did find it when I tried to add it to the home screen by adding a shortcut to the application.
Edit2: how do you view the apps in ti backup as .apks? i see the newly updated apps to be frozen, but i don't see the corresponding .apks in the ti backup. is there a way to view the apps as .apks?
nitroglycerine33 said:
Host File to block Ads*Added 6/3
Here is a host file that will block ads within apps. I have slightly modified this host file so that it doesn't break zynga games and a few others. Adfree blocks nearly everything (which is good), but can break the functionality of some games and apps.
Instructions-Use root explorer, mount the system in R/W and place the file in system/etc *Make a backup of your existing version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any way to do this without root explorer? I already have Astro and found the hosts file but I can't even copy it.
silly question but i can assume that you can use the host ad block, gps lock and malware fixes on any rooted droid and not just the x2, correct?
h_10 said:
silly question but i can assume that you can use the host ad block, gps lock and malware fixes on any rooted droid and not just the x2, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
correct. I would only use the GPS lock on a US only device though.
cmar618 said:
Is there any way to do this without root explorer? I already have Astro and found the hosts file but I can't even copy it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to have something to mount the system at Read/Write. Astro does not have permissions to do this.
Awesome , used titanium *root and nuked all the crap.
thanks for the guide
Great, great post. Helped me so much on my very first android device. I do have a question about IM Presence. What the hell is it? LOL
Oh, and I used Bloat Freezer to freeze this stuff. I'm not really hurting for the 100 megs and I don't feel all that confident removing stuff yet. So if anyone curious, Bloat Freezer works great.
My company has a policy for our company email application (Good) that doesn't allow the application to run if a phone is rooted. Brilliant, the application is password protected and has remote wipe capabilities, but that still isn't enough for them! Which means I'm stuck carrying two phones around. I would like to either hide superuser/su/root from the phone when I'm not needing the escalated rights, or just block it from seeing it completely. Therefore I need your help. Any thoughts/suggestions work arounds would be much appreciated.
I'm currently running (about to upgrade to a new ROM, but not sure which):
Samsung Galaxy S Captivate
MODEL #: SAMSUNG-SGH-I897
FIRMWARE: 2.2
BASEBAND VERSION: I897UCJI6
KERNEL VER: 2.6.32.9
BUILD #: COGNITION.V2.3B8
One last thought if I can get this accomplished. I might be that I might be looking to get the new Samsung Infuse 4g (AT&T), since I'd finally be consolidating to 1 phone.
bump this thread!
I'm really hoping someone has some kind of answer for me here.
Okay maybe I'm being over simplistic, but why can't you use a different mail app? Or if you can't do that go into outlook rules and redirect your email to another account, use K9 as your mail app change your identity in K9 so it looks like any emails are coming from your work account, and set the reply to email address in K9 to your work address.
That's what I do to access my work email.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Yeah I hate to say this, but if it were that easy I would have done it already. We don't allow auto forwarding of all mail externally. We also don't expose any email externally without 2 factor authentication via OWA. Therefore automating an app (like touchdown) to pull down the mail is practically impossible. The company is being so gracious by "allowing" us to give up our corporate blackberries and use our personal phones with the "Good" application. This gives them the control and sense of security (albeit false) by enabling the password, password changes, and remote wipe capabilities. Therefore they don't allow rooted phones. SUCK!
You know, this would be a good feature to get around the movie rental block on rooted phones as well...
Find out how it's checking for root. Is it searching EVERYWHERE for su? (If it were, i'd hate your developers, because that's just stupid. Waste of phone power.)
I'd imagine they're either asking for permissions (you'd know if they were) or they're searching to find the su binary.
I'd suggest you find a way to move SU from where it is right now, and make sure all apps that need it know where to look for it.
I think it's just looking in the paths, because I am able to rename/move the su binary from within the terminal emulator, and suddenly the root-checking apps work again. However, other apps which require su will break.
I think the solution would be to create an app which does nothing but this:
1) Rename/hide the su binary
2) Launch the requested 3rd-party app (in this case, the enterprise e-mail app)
3) Once the app activities have been destroyed, restore the su binary
That might work, as long as the 3rd-party app doesn't require root.. ^_^
--W5i2
weasel5i2 said:
I think it's just looking in the paths, because I am able to rename/move the su binary from within the terminal emulator, and suddenly the root-checking apps work again. However, other apps which require su will break.
I think the solution would be to create an app which does nothing but this:
1) Rename/hide the su binary
2) Launch the requested 3rd-party app (in this case, the enterprise e-mail app)
3) Once the app activities have been destroyed, restore the su binary
That might work, as long as the 3rd-party app doesn't require root.. ^_^
--W5i2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if it would be possible to create an app to do this automatically whenever a certain app is loaded (e.g. when the email app is launched, a background process automatically renames su, and then when it's closed, the background process kicks in again to rename it back to su).
Actually, now that I think about it, Tasker might be able to do that...I'll look into it...
EDIT: Yup, managed it with Tasker. Install Tasker if you haven't already (there's a week trial available here: http://tasker.dinglisch.net/), and load up the app.
In the "Profiles" tab, hit the + button at the bottom to add a new profile and give it a descriptive title (e.g. "hide root"). It'll then ask you to select a context, select "Application", and then choose the app you want to hide root from and click the tick. It'll then ask you to choose a "Task". Select "New task". Give it a name (e.g. "hide root") then click the "+" in the window that appears. Choose "Misc", and then "Run shell". The first command to run is something like this:
Code:
mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
This will remount /system as RW (i.e. allow you to write files on the system partition). The command may vary slightly for your phone, the parts that are likely to change are "mtdblock3" and possibly "yaffs2". The correct parameters can be found by running the command "mount" in either terminal emulator on the phone or over an adb shell, and look for the /system entry. You should probably make sure you get the right command here, it's probably a bad idea to mess with remounting without the right command.
Enter that command and tick the "use root" box, then press the tick at the bottom.
Do the same again, only this time the command is:
Code:
mv /system/bin/su /system/bin/mu
(again, tick "use root").
Now click the tick at the bottom of the "Task Edit" window. You should now be back at the profiles list, with the name of the app you want to hide root from on the left and the task you just made on the right with a green arrow. Press and hold down on the task and you'll be given the option to "Add Exit Task". Select this. Choose "New Task" and call it something like "show root". As before, add an action to the task, go to "Misc" and then "Run shell". This time, the command is:
Code:
mu -c 'mv /system/bin/mu /system/bin/su'
Don't tick "use root" this time. Click all the ticks to get back to the profile list. You should now see your profile with the app name on the left and two tasks on the right, one with a green triangle, one with a red. Make sure the box at the top right of the profile is showing a green tick (if it's a red circle with a line through it, tap it once), then tap the green tick at the bottom left of tasker. the su binary will now be automatically renamed when you launch that app, and renamed back when you leave it. (you can add more than one app, and you can add more apps later). I tested this with terminal emulator, typing "su" gave "command not found". I then left terminal emulator and loaded Titanium Backup, which worked perfectly, indicating su had been restored correctly. (I think if you use a task switcher and leave the app running in the background, you may have issues). The first time you exit the app, you will get a superuser (or SuperSU, if you use that) prompt for permission. After that you won't.
If you need to disable the root hiding, just tap the green tick beside the profile name in tasker, it'll turn into a red circle with a line through it and it will no longer be active.
Hi,
There is an app called hide my root. The problem is you would have to ensure you run it when needed. And it does work. At least I was not able to launch apps needing root.
Hope that assists a bit.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium HD app
use TouchDown
nposix said:
use TouchDown
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OP can't use TouchDown because it doesn't support 2-step OWA authentication.
Seems like the proper solution here is to hide the su/superuser.apk/etc files from specific apps, not rename them/etc (which breaks root access for everything on the device, even if only temporarily).
I don't think that this is straightforward to accomplish via namespaces, unless you want to go cloning the whole bin/data directories (if you did that then you could bind-mount them in a namespace only visible to particular apps. Most of the namespace functionality applies at the directory level only.
Another approach would be to just put some code in the kernel that checks uids against some kind of blacklist and just hides the file, just as any rootkit would.
I was wondering if there is any way to modify an apps permissions on BAMF or by using any root app. I believe cyanogenmod offers this feature and I was curious I'd BAMF or a general app could do this as well. Thanks.
Also I'm aware that you can use sdk tool to do this if you feel like extracting if to your computer but if possible Id like to find an app that can do this and save a little time.
there are two apps that i know about, lbe privacy guard, and permissions, or permission dog. cant remember that last name. i personally use lbe and find that it works in most cases such as denying an app access to messages or contacts and such and network access. permissions work the same way i think but it requires a reboot to apply affects and i think it denies a category throughout all apps, not just a certain one
My Roger EVO 3D came pre-installed with an app called "Wi-Fi Calling". Does anyone know what this is?
I think it may be a Rogers app (the icon is red and white), but I can't tell for sure. It doesn't appear on the market from what I can tell.
I'm asking because despite the fact I have turned the app off (via a checkbox within the app itself), the app regularly account for around 5% of my battery usage.
saltorio said:
My Roger EVO 3D came pre-installed with an app called "Wi-Fi Calling". Does anyone know what this is?
I think it may be a Rogers app (the icon is red and white), but I can't tell for sure. It doesn't appear on the market from what I can tell.
I'm asking because despite the fact I have turned the app off (via a checkbox within the app itself), the app regularly account for around 5% of my battery usage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the app is not stock on the Sprint version of the HTC EVO 3D.
some apps are coded poorly and will continue to run services in the background even though they coded the app to give you an option to turn the app off. if this is the case with the WiFi Calling app and you don't plan on using it, your best bet would be to move the apk out of the /system/app or /data/app directory to somewhere else like the sdcard.
the solution i present assumes you have root and are nand unlocked. removing the apk is the *safest* method, imo, to make sure the application is uninstalled and not consuming resources.
The android package manager, which manages all the devices applications, monitors /data/app and /system/app for application .apk files to be added/removed and will process the application .apk file as soon as it detects a new file or the removal of an existing file.
Hence, moving the apk file out of /system/app or /data/app to the sdcard will essentially cause the packagemanger to uninstall the application and the icon should be removed from your application launcher/tray.
If you ever do need the app again you can simply move the app .apk file back to /data/app or /system/app and the packagemanager will load it up.
i only have the sprint version of the evo 3d, so i'm unfamiliar with this app, but hopefully my suggestion solution and the description of how the packagemanager operates will help!
Thanks for the info.
Since I'm running the GSM version of the EVO 3D, I'll have to wait for a reliable root method before I can get rid of this app.
That's the one think I'm missing from my old X10 - root access (and Titanium Backup specifically).
saltorio said:
Thanks for the info.
Since I'm running the GSM version of the EVO 3D, I'll have to wait for a reliable root method before I can get rid of this app.
That's the one think I'm missing from my old X10 - root access (and Titanium Backup specifically).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was hoping you wouldn't reply saying you're not rooting .. but since you did .. the only other solution i've heard of .. and it states in it's description, it doesn't require root, is an application which loads at startup and allows the user control over blocking/allowing other apps from starting up.
after a quick google search, i think this is the app i've heard about:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.vesperaNovus.app.StartupAuditor
author thread: http://androidforums.com/application-announcements/54838-new-improved-startup-auditor.html
it does cost money and i have not purchased it but i've heard from some people that it works .. so take that for what its worth! i think the android market has a 15 min return period from app purchase to end of return period time allowance.
root would be the preferred method, but as a non root alternative, this is the best solution i can think of. good luck!
It's not that I don't want to root. It's that there currently isn't a root method available for the GSM variant of the EVO 3D.
I'll just wait and live with it until then.
Hi,
I came to the same conclusion that the WIFI-Calling app is still running even when turning offf the feature. And, yes, it doesn account for some batery usage when looking at battery stats.
I am trying to find a way to have the battery last for a full day of slight use. (doesnt last a full day for me with only 5 msg, 3 short calls and some internet browsing).
This app is unkillable with SystemPanel;(
wtf is rogers doing with its apps is crap.
Rooting the phone is not something I consider for the moment.
Will try the suggested app.
thanks,
StartupAuditor fails at preventing the WIFICalling app from starting
Same for Android Assistant
This WIFICalling app is still there eating a big chunk of the CPU time
;(
Is there any way to save the data on the Superuser app? As my list of apps for root increases, going through ever single one to ensure it retains its access when flashing another ROM is becoming troublesome.
I fired up Titanium to do what I usually do with other apps, but I can't find it.
Can't find that or the Touch Keyboard. Is the Keyboard built into sense? Maybe that's why I can't find that part?
oohaylima said:
Is there any way to save the data on the Superuser app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Off the top of my head, Superuser, as is common for many Android apps, stores its data in a sqlite database stored in the standard /data/data directory.
Superuser uses a more unqiue name, I'm not sure why, something such as com.noshufou.android.su .
Hope that helps!
edit: updated the full package name. was reading a blog post by the author of Superuser who talks about it: http://androidsu.com/2011/06/a-word-about-superuser-and-security/
Hell yeah it does! Good lookin out pimpin.