[Q] Is it worth it to root? - Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini, Mini Pro, Xperia Pro, A

I'm still waiting for my SI number to come up, and I'm starting to get a little impatient. I'm considering going ahead and using flashtool, but if I go to that much trouble, why not just go ahead and root?
Here is the reason for my question: I rooted my x10mp to upgrade to 2.2 since there weren't going to be any more official updates. That gave me some capabilities (like apps2sd) that weren't available on 2.1.
So, what can I gain by rooting my 2011 xmp?
dave

bigdfmartin said:
I'm still waiting for my SI number to come up, and I'm starting to get a little impatient. I'm considering going ahead and using flashtool, but if I go to that much trouble, why not just go ahead and root?
Here is the reason for my question: I rooted my x10mp to upgrade to 2.2 since there weren't going to be any more official updates. That gave me some capabilities (like apps2sd) that weren't available on 2.1.
So, what can I gain by rooting my xmp?
dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are your phone x10 mini pro or xperia mini pro?
xmp is the one that getting ics not x10mp :silly:
btw to answer your root question. nothing really.
i only root just to use v6supercharger, market enabler to install some apps that cant be installed "this item cannot be installed in your country" (because i live outside US), titanium backup, and link2sd for moving apps/data/cache to sd. thats about it.

My old phone is the x10 minipro. My current phone is the 2011 minipro. Edited my first post for clarity, thanks.
dave

probably not
of course, this depends what you want to do with your phone... imho, if you have not decided to root your device for other reasons then it is not worth to root it for getting ICS: If you use stock ROM + a small amount of other apps and feel happy about it you probably don"t need root. ICS would give you a little icing on that gingerbread

IMO, definitely YES!
Definitely, it's worth!
Just root, no other mods, to just install some useful apps and achieve control over which you bought: your connections (droidwall...), your CPU and battery (cputuner...), backup (titanium...), adblocking (adaway...), autostart (autorun manager...), or just VIEW how is your system made (root explorer...).

I played with all of that stuff on my x10mp, but I don't really play with this phone as much. I forgot about adblock, though. That's a good enough reason to root for me. Thanks!
dave

Well
Well
You will be able to do a lot of things
u can remove unwanted system apps (i use AntTek app manager)
u can modify system files
u can use apps that needs root (like root browser ,market enablers ,etc)
if you find yourself in need to do any of the above
then root
otherwise don't
it doesn't make a lot of difference
specially if you are on ICS

Got my XMP rooted and flashed to ICS. Took me a couple of hours to do it, but part of that time was spent figuring out my antivirus software on the computer. Ran a repair with PCC and lost root, so I had to do it over again, which took me about 45 minutes. Thought I'd try to run a repair on SUS, but I was afraid I'd wipe out root again, so I skipped that step.
Got some root-only apps, reinstalled most of my old apps, did some housecleaning. Everything looks good and it seems to run just fine. Now I just need to do the same for my girlfriend's XMP.
Just a couple of things: I lost my calendar info with the upgrade, though I tried to back up everything. Also, I'm wondering about skipping the repair with SUS or PCC.
dave

If you like to tinker with stuff then go for it.

Related

++Update to Android 2.1 and backup ++

Update to Android 2.1 and backup
Many person they have Sony Ericsson x10 with 1.6 not rooted not debranded and soon the new framework coming at the end of October as the stupid sonny Ericsson release that may be it will be later than October.
Am bought a lot of software and I have two questions:
1-how can I take a copy of my current software (just in case if I have problem with Éclair 2.1, I want to take copy of my Andoid 1.6) which is the best software to do that note my device not rooted not debranded?
2-i know how to backup my application and there is a lot of application do that like mybackup as listed the best one, But is there any software make restore with link to market ,it's meant if I was bought one application from the market and in the future this application will release update and I want to update I can’t do that with out make this application listed in market under download list, so how can I do that to return all my application (after update framware) to listed in the market and which software i need to use?
Please don't forget my device not ROOTED not DEBRANDED
Many thanks to all persons answer me
Hi there, about the first question I really wouldn't know how to do it, the guys trying to crack it know better than me for sure, but I'm not quite sure it's even possible...
Now I didn't post to tell you I don't know how to help you...lol
about the second question, when you purchase an app from the market it stays in the downloads section even when they're not installed marked as purchased so you can redownload and reinstall at any time, so don't worry about them, they'll be waiting for you on the other side...lol..
Also I really recomend you root your device with universal androot and use titanium backup for the backup on top of the non root program of your choice for we don't know if it'll be easy to re-root after the update...
hope I've helped and don't hold your breath for the update....lol
rmourar said:
Hi there, about the first question I really wouldn't know how to do it, the guys trying to crack it know better than me for sure, but I'm not quite sure it's even possible...
Now I didn't post to tell you I don't know how to help you...lol
about the second question, when you purchase an app from the market it stays in the downloads section even when they're not installed marked as purchased so you can redownload and reinstall at any time, so don't worry about them, they'll be waiting for you on the other side...lol..
Also I really recomend you root your device with universal androot and use titanium backup for the backup on top of the non root program of your choice for we don't know if it'll be easy to re-root after the update...
hope I've helped and don't hold your breath for the update....lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just i have hint:if am used any backup software not titanium, after am install new framwork like eclair,if am restore the backuped application,it's return to listed in the market ander download list or not?this is my gaol

[Q] Need some questions answered :)

Hey there, since yesterday I'm a proud owner of this nice phone with android and as I'm crazy about tweaking and stuff I want to get the best out of my phone.
Question 1.
What can I achieve by getting Android 2.1 on my phone?
Question 2.
Is it possible to make a decent backup/flash backup of the branded stuff that comes with my phone? If yes how could I achieve this?
Question 3.
If it's possible to safely backup (to be able to keep waranty intact somewhat) can I get the upgrade for 2.1 NOW? Because I still don't have it (slow ass T-Mobile doing it by serial number or something)
Question 4.
Rooting, is it a good idea? What can I achieve with rooting my device (I know it gives me root access but what can I do further if I have root access?)
Question 5.
If I ever brick my device, is it still possible to get the original firmware on it?
Those are my questions for now :0 Hope you people can help!
jeffroiscool said:
Hey there, since yesterday I'm a proud owner of this nice phone with android and as I'm crazy about tweaking and stuff I want to get the best out of my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question 1.
What can I achieve by getting Android 2.1 on my phone?
Better performance, A little better theme than 1.6, better touch response, better battery life, access to Android 2.x only apps, somewhat improved bluetooth, live wallpaper and few more..
Question 2.
Is it possible to make a decent backup/flash backup of the branded stuff that comes with my phone? If yes how could I achieve this?
Root your phone and use titanium backup..
Question 3.
If it's possible to safely backup (to be able to keep waranty intact somewhat) can I get the upgrade for 2.1 NOW? Because I still don't have it (slow ass T-Mobile doing it by serial number or something)
You can back up normal data (and also apps from market in android 2.1) like contacts, messages, settings etc through Se back and restore utility.
For backing up system apps, or upgrading to 2.1 out of turn, you need to root your phone, that will theoretically void your warranty.
Question 4.
Rooting, is it a good idea? What can I achieve with rooting my device (I know it gives me root access but what can I do further if I have root access?)
Wonderful idea, only if you are familiar with system tweaking and somewhat familiar with linux. And you are willing to take risks.
for example -
a) You can simply install some very useful root only apps like titanium backup, root explorer, app2sd etc to manage your phone contents.
risk associated: very low to moderate
b) you can even change basic framework and theme of your phone, remove bloatware that comes with phone and use terminal emulator to have (almost) full fledged linux console. etc
risk associated: Moderate to High
c) When it comes out, you can even get custom roms on your phone
risk associated: Very high to Fatal
Question 5.
If I ever brick my device, is it still possible to get the original firmware on it?
Depends on how bad the phone is messed up, at the end all depends on your knowledge of using the right methods and right tools.
If you can get the phone to recognized by SEUS/PC Companian/Flash tool you can (hopefully) repair/reflash it with firmware.
Hope it helps..
Yeah it helps, I'm not afraid to toy with my new phone and I do have linux experience. The only thing I want to be sure of is if I can reset everything in case of a brick or something if I ever need to send the phone back to Sony
So if I use the sony ericsson updater my phone gets fully restored to their stuff? (Well not if I edit my serial-number to get 2.1 quickly so theoraticly they can always find out I fiddled with it I guess.
So what I'm actually planning to do is:
1. Have a backup ready for the thing above
2. Get Android 2.1
3. Root Android 2.1
4. Remove safe to remove Bloatware
5. Get a custom theme going. As I'm seeing so far the HTC Theme was ported somewhat? I definiatly want a good homescreen. How 1.6 is now sucks.
6. Have a method of EASILY organizing all my applications I'm going to install after doing the above.
7. Install apps
8. Customize to taste.
So to get 2.1 now I would need to edit that serial which I can do if I get rooted first which probably requires Exploid because SuperOneClick was 2.0+?
Rooting 2.1 is SuperOneClick thingy.
Removing safe stuff with Titanium Backup.
Get that theme and start tweaking.
Finding good homescreen/launcher tools.
Get my apps again (Appbrain ftw)
jeffroiscool said:
So to get 2.1 now I would need to edit that serial which I can do if I get rooted first which probably requires Exploid because SuperOneClick was 2.0+?
Rooting 2.1 is SuperOneClick thingy.
Removing safe stuff with Titanium Backup.
Get that theme and start tweaking.
Finding good homescreen/launcher tools.
Get my apps again (Appbrain ftw)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, you can use generic product code, or generic build.prop you can even find generic FW with flashtool on this forum.
PS: for 1.6 rooting Exploid works wonders..
I'm currently on a rooted stock 2.1...06.
i can't seem to find the Google Maps in the market.
my maps' version is at 4.4, but it says on appbrain that the latest is 5.3.1 for all android versions...
http://www.appbrain.com/app/google-maps/com.google.android.apps.maps
how can i update this?
i already tried searching for it, but found nothing.
also could not find gtalk and gmail...
any ideas?
try different os
Hey,
you can use different os like froyo final by owian or gingerbread 13, as your phone is already rooted. Try froyo u will really enjoy it, as i did ;-)

Possible new way to root by Chainfire

Chainfire released a new root tool that uses an exploit in Gingerbread called "Gingerbreak". This might be an easier way to root the Play/Arc/Neo/Pro and it might also work on phones with locked bootloaders.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1044765
Confirmed working
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1045204
could anyone confirm it working on the Play? honestly i got so many important applications and data and i dont want to lose them
regards
I ran Gingerbreak on Xperia Play.
Superuser installed but showing nothing in apps.
Installed titanium backup but not showing in app list.
I guess it didn't work.
Any ideas?
works great for me, maybe a reboot is required ?
Can anyone confirm weather running Gingerbreak will wipe the sd?
I ran it on a blank sd because I don't want to try with my primary sd.
this simple way of rooting works great for me, and I am a total newbie. All apps are there and i was able to remove some apps finally that came with the xperia like the chinese keyboard
DeadlyDazza said:
Can anyone confirm weather running Gingerbreak will wipe the sd?
I ran it on a blank sd because I don't want to try with my primary sd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sd card will not be formatted
Titanium won't work on my play.
I purchased pro for my hero, and i can install, but the application is just not available in the app draw.
'My backup root' installs and works fine but i just can't find how to remove the bloatware with it.
I do have root access so what can i use to get rid of what's app, postcard etc ??
gingerbreak v1.2 works great doesnt wipe anything its just a simple .apk to install
edit: yea so none of the gingerbreaks are working for me anymore it keeps getting stuck at running exploit this may take a few minutes, left it for 2 hours and still nothing this getting old fast im going back to my X10 for now till something is out there guaranteed to work everytime peace
Didn't work on my xperia play.
Installed it to phone, formatted my sd card and when i run gingerbreak it get's stuck on running exploit with my sd card unmounted.
In another thread someone said that if you go to storage and manually mount the sd card it will reboot and work.
But.......this again did not work for me.
Going to try the manual root.
Ive used this one mine one thing I noticed, it runs for about 20 seconds and unmounts the SD card and seems to do nothing for up to 10 minutes but seriously leave it and have a brew come back and it will be done.
DeadlyDazza said:
Titanium won't work on my play.
I purchased pro for my hero, and i can install, but the application is just not available in the app draw.
'My backup root' installs and works fine but i just can't find how to remove the bloatware with it.
I do have root access so what can i use to get rid of what's app, postcard etc ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use a root file explorer and just delete the .apk's you dont want from /system/app/ or try an app called "system app remover" (or somthing like that) its free in the market
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
worked fine for a uk PLAY. was purchased in a carphone warehouse store. and as far as im aware its bootloader was locked. installed it, ran it, done, boom
i wonder if after rooting via gingerbreak it's still possible to obtain any update from sony Ericsson and install it ?
Can someone confirm This plzzzz
Gingerbreak not working on teh vzw Xperia Play 2.3.2 (r800x) sadly.
cant seem to root waiting for about 30 min still on runing exploit, im using android 2.3.3
It doesn't work on the 2.3.3 build as of yet only on 2.3.2...
Regards Dousan...
Possible work-around for 2.3.3 (locked bootloader)
Since this posted in the Arc sections has been confirmed working on Arc's with a LOCKED bootloader, those who want may give it a try.
DO NOT DO THIS if your bootloader have been unlocked, it will brick your device!!!
1. Use flashtool to downgrade to the .181 generic firmware
2. Root the device using GingerBreak1.2
3. Update to .145 (2.3.3) using FOTA
root should/may be retained. That is at least as it seems on the Arc.
Again:
DO NOT DO THIS if your bootloader have been unlocked, it will brick your device!!!
Original thread in Arc forum:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1115542
NielDK said:
Since this posted in the Arc sections has been confirmed working on Arc's with a LOCKED bootloader, those who want may give it a try.
DO NOT DO THIS if your bootloader have been unlocked, it will brick your device!!!
1. Use flashtool to downgrade to the .181 generic firmware
2. Root the device using GingerBreak1.2
3. Update to .145 (2.3.3) using FOTA
root should/may be retained. That is at least as it seems on the Arc.
Again:
DO NOT DO THIS if your bootloader have been unlocked, it will brick your device!!!
Original thread in Arc forum:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1115542
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this actually work cause I've had the ota update waiting for a little while and I'm on the generic UK .181
Sent from my R800i using XDA App

[Q] About rooting asus prime

Look, I know that some of these questions may have been already answered , but others probably not. I'm not a lazy one... I've looked up on the internet already but some of them are kinda too specific.
I've never rooted a phone or a tablet before and this is my first android device.
I know that rooting can be dangerous, but i wanted to use the transformer prime to take handwritten notes using adonit jot stylus. As far as I know, in order to be able to properly write with it, you need to use this app: touchscreentune
Unfortunedly, the app requires root access. Note that I tried by myself to write with the adonit in my transformer and the results were not good.
So it looks like I need to root, but i dont need any custom roms, etc..Just the minimum enought to get that app working. I heard that there is a few clicks tool to do this easily.
I'm not experienced when it comes to mobile devices. On the other hand, i'm a computer science/engineering student and i'm at least "experienced" in what comes to computers .
So you know my problem and you know my background as a computer/tablet user. Now help me, please:
1. In a scale from 1 to 100, how risky do you think it is rooting for me?
2. If I root my tablet it voids warranty. If i unroot it, is there any traces left? i.e Will i be able to use the warranty after a root-unroot? (What do think is the probability of loosing warranty after root and unroot?)
3. Does the tool (viperMOD ?) work with the most recent android and firmware versions (I think yes, but just to make sure)
4.Do you think my reasons to root are legit and do you advice me to root?
5.Can you point me an updated tutorial (I've seen many tutorials but I don't know if they are updated) on rooting the prime?
6.If i change the touch screen setting and then unroot, will it keep the settings?
I know that they are a lot of questions, so if you only know the answer to some of them, please reply... I will appreciate it a lot.
Well, thanks, and btw hi xda developers forum and sorry for my english.
And I want root my prime! But I'm noob and I'm afraid to do this. I need root prime for CPU Clock to 1.6ghz and i need root for apps! Help
1. 1.... not a big deal...root it.
2. Probably will if you send it in with it rooted. You can unroot with Viper.
3. viper works with all of them.
4. I advice you to root, theres plenty of apps that require it and you'll feel cool.
5. Use vipermod. best easy root there is. (if you installed asussync, make sure you kill it on your comp)
6. probably not as it asks everytime you unlock screen for permission
Why root:
1. Change bootanimation
2. you'll be ready when roms and kernels are released
3. you'll be able to install a recovery, so you'll have more control of your device, so if anything EVER happens you can make a backup and restore it
4. You can overlock to 1.5ghz or 1.6ghz (stock is 1.3ghz)
5. Very coop apps like Ram Manager or Task Control need root
6. You can install Ubuntu/Backtrack and actually use Ubuntu (currently only chroot)
7. You can install mods like change the icons ect. (not adviseable until we get a recovery)
8. If you ever wanted to sell your prime, the fact that its rooted (or hacked) it would be more valuable)
9. so many more...
10. so many more more
BTW, if you want to return it, and you want to unroot it, you can. Just make sure every unroot it the SuperApp is not there. If it still is, theres plenty of tutorials to do it. you'll need adb though. (learn adb, simple commands to control your phone from the pc)
you can always just wait till roms come out. you'll be more enticed to do it then.
With the viper unroot the superuser app remains there?
I have slastop instaled in my computer. Ill make sure it isnt open when i root.
Im not interested in roms. But being able to run ubuntu would be cool. But it would be much better if it was native.
One thing im wondering is if the tablet has a hardware problem and i cant turn it on, then i wouldnt be able to unroot, would i?
ive never tried it but it should remain there.
not splashtop im talking about the AsusSync.
Im sure native will be available once the unlocker tool is released...any second.... (announced by february)
chances are nothing will happen like that, unless you start to edit stuff
hasnt happened to me, and i know it has to someone that edit their build.prop

Old Versions .... ???

Is there any site or source on the web that provides downloads of old versions of Android Market apps? This would be for apps that are now updated or no longer available on the Market? I am looking for a site similar to "OldVersion.com" which has some old/classic PC software (but this would be something for android apps instead)?
Thanks if anyone knows of a source or sites.
CustomShortcut gone?
The app that I am looking for in the above post was a free one called CustomShortcut APK. I now have it on one of my two phones (the other phone had it but was lost and replaced). I have tried looking for a developer page for this app but no luck as everything seems to point back to android market as the source link for download.
Does anyone know of a way or source for me to get this APK back on my other phone? Is there a way to copy it from one phone to the other? I am assuming that it was removed from the market because it may not be compatible with ICS but I am not running ICS. The application was made by appli.club.
Are you rooted? If so use root explorer to look for the .apk in the /system/app folder and copy or email it to the other phone and install it.
85gallon said:
Are you rooted? If so use root explorer to look for the .apk in the /system/app folder and copy or email it to the other phone and install it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No sadly I am not rooted. Is that how this could be done? I have an HTC phone (Sensation) and I like my "sense" gui. Don't want to wipe it out by rooting (that is what would happen, right?) If access to the apk is possible with rooting, then I guess my question would be, does anyone else here have CustomCut on their rooted phone? (Or possibly know of any website that would have those apk's available for download). I would be willing to pay if someone would take the time to send me a replacement copy.
just google for any app you want like this:
"title" "versionnumber" "apk" "download"
for example:
android market 2.9 apk download
mojosingle said:
No sadly I am not rooted. Is that how this could be done? I have an HTC phone (Sensation) and I like my "sense" gui. Don't want to wipe it out by rooting (that is what would happen, right?) If access to the apk is possible with rooting, then I guess my question would be, does anyone else here have CustomCut on their rooted phone? (Or possibly know of any website that would have those apk's available for download). I would be willing to pay if someone would take the time to send me a replacement copy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting will not wipe out your phone or change it other than giving you super user privileges. That way you will have access to get to the system apps folder.
I notice apktop keeps old versions around. But part of the reason I like Titanium backup is because I have a fail safe if a new update to an app is bad, as I can just restore from the last backup the older version.
85gallon said:
Rooting will not wipe out your phone or change it other than giving you super user privileges. That way you will have access to get to the system apps folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I am not really too concerned about it wiping out my phone, but I thought I had read many posts here talking about once you root your phone the native skin from the manufacturer is eliminated (for HTC that would be the "Sense" user interface). Can you please confirm? Is this not true? HTC Sense will remain exactly the same after rooting my phone?
The other thing that has made me cautious is that my phone runs perfectly now and I see so many threads on the xda boards here and over at various android forums that start off with "My ____ app is not working right since I rooted...." Just a little daunting for a newbie like myself.
spunker88 said:
I notice apktop keeps old versions around. But part of the reason I like Titanium backup is because I have a fail safe if a new update to an app is bad, as I can just restore from the last backup the older version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for the site suggestion. I have been trying to search for the CustomShortcut APK over there but no luck ...so far (the site search is not that easy to use). I have even tried to seach the site externally using google but, unfortunately, still no luck.
Wait for someone else to confirm on the htc, but nothing changed on my droidx. I just had superuser privs. All of the "this app quit working" is when people flash custom roms. You don't do that when you just root. But you have to be rooted in order to do things like that. Lol.
Rooting gives you the power to do that if you want to.
When I rooted my droidx, I did it just so I could have the power to do other things if I wanted. I am still on factory rom. But I am able to get to parts of the phone that are off limits if I wasnt rooted. I made it where I could tether, later I got rid of bloatware, etc.
85gallon said:
Wait for someone else to confirm on the htc, but nothing changed on my droidx. I just had superuser privs. All of the "this app quit working" is when people flash custom roms. You don't do that when you just root. But you have to be rooted in order to do things like that. Lol.
Rooting gives you the power to do that if you want to.
When I rooted my droidx, I did it just so I could have the power to do other things if I wanted. I am still on factory rom. But I am able to get to parts of the phone that are off limits if I wasnt rooted. I made it where I could tether, later I got rid of bloatware, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks once again for the reply. Now that you mention it, I remember reading the terminology "flashed" rom and thought they were similar or the same thing as rooting. One other question, once a phone is in a rooted state, if I was to go in and copy the APK for my replacement phone and put it on there could I then "unroot" lol ...sorry if this is not a word... so that my phone was no longer open? I had read somewhere (perhaps I heard it on a TWIT or Android podcast) that when your phone is in root state that anyone (ie: potentially bad software) has easier access to your phone's vunerable areas.
mojosingle said:
Thanks once again for the reply. Now that you mention it, I remember reading the terminology "flashed" rom and thought they were similar or the same thing as rooting. One other question, once a phone is in a rooted state, if I was to go in and copy the APK for my replacement phone and put it on there could I then "unroot" lol ...sorry if this is not a word... so that my phone was no longer open? I had read somewhere (perhaps I heard it on a TWIT or Android podcast) that when your phone is in root state that anyone (ie: potentially bad software) has easier access to your phone's vunerable areas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you can unroot. As for easy access after you are rooted to vulnerable areas, they can only get access if you let them. If an app wants super user privileges, you will get a pop up from su(the super user apk) telling you that some app is wanting privileges. You can grant or deny access. The only things on my phone that have ever given me a pop up are things that i downloaded and know need su access. Wifi tether, root explorer, adfree, etc.
I have found a site that keeps older version of an android app. It's called Android Drawer.
Hope it helps

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