Hi! I'm a total cell newbie, so pardon.
I want to root my phone just so I can actually put apps on my SD card. There's a few bits I want to understand first:
I've read that I am not going to want to accept OTAs. I've also read that some phones automatically accept OTAs. Since I don't plan to change my ROM (and I am not entirely sure what ROM refers to... is my "TouchWiz" a ROM?), how can I be sure that my default software isn't going to go trying to install OTAs without asking me?
Is a bricked device actually completely worthless? There's no way to get it back into a working state at ALL, or just no way to get it working without help from your carrier? And what is a "soft brick"?
If I manage to root my phone with the CASUAL one-touch program, how do I unroot if I were interested in doing so?
Please either avoid or explain any jargon you may use in your reply. For instance, if you refer to opening an app.... please just do the courtesy of saying it's an app rather than just assuming I know. If you use an acronym, assume I have no idea what it stands for. It took me forever to figure out what an OTA was, and I still don't quite understand what a ROM is... and that's the extent of my acronyms.
Thanks.
Wow, a lot of demands. Why not start here, as it should answer many of your questions. Threads are stickied for a reason.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024207
Mandolin Bee said:
Hi! I'm a total cell newbie, so pardon.
I want to root my phone just so I can actually put apps on my SD card. There's a few bits I want to understand first:
I've read that I am not going to want to accept OTAs. I've also read that some phones automatically accept OTAs. Since I don't plan to change my ROM (and I am not entirely sure what ROM refers to... is my "TouchWiz" a ROM?), how can I be sure that my default software isn't going to go trying to install OTAs without asking me?
Is a bricked device actually completely worthless? There's no way to get it back into a working state at ALL, or just no way to get it working without help from your carrier? And what is a "soft brick"?
If I manage to root my phone with the CASUAL one-touch program, how do I unroot if I were interested in doing so?
Please either avoid or explain any jargon you may use in your reply. For instance, if you refer to opening an app.... please just do the courtesy of saying it's an app rather than just assuming I know. If you use an acronym, assume I have no idea what it stands for. It took me forever to figure out what an OTA was, and I still don't quite understand what a ROM is... and that's the extent of my acronyms.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Touch wiz is a style of ROM if you will.
Touch wiz roms for Samsung.
Motor blur roms for Motorola.
Sense roms for HTC
Aosp roms for nexus phones.
When you have a "touch wiz ROM"
It builds from the stock base code basically. They add freatures and themes and basically ROMs are endless to what they can do.
My phone never tells me about OTAs.
I believe the only time they do this is when on a stock rooted ROM is when something bad could go wrong
Never had any problems on custom ROMs however.
Next,
Bricked devices are very rare and only happen out of stupidity or carelessness in most cases.
Google will tell you how to fix. But I wouldn't worry about it.
As a very frequent flasher of ROMs I have experienced many of times a soft brick. Or a phone in boot loop.
This is when the device powers on but will not boot up. ( stuck on boot animation or splash screen are most common.)
ALL OF THESE ARE FIXABLE.
You can always wipe in a recovery and normally that fixes it.
Soft bricks normally happen from not wiping or bad download.
Also remember you have Odin as a last resort.
Also you can read the sticky threads in android development to figure out how to unroot
They will give you a better explanation on how to do so.
All this is answered by xda and Google.
They are what taught me what I know
They will teach you as well over time.
PM me if you have any other questions
Hit the thanks button so I feel important!
Haha
God bless the American people.
Related
I tried searching for a how-to on this but apparently I'm searching inclined.
From what I can gather is it as simple as just dumping the zip onto the root of your SD card and doing:
3. Make sure phone is off then hold Power button and Call Button.
4. The menu opens quickly press the power key over the hboot option.
5. Follow onscreen instructions to install the update. the phone will reboot a few times.
you dont even need to search. go to the development section and then look at the top few, it will have very detailed instructions.
I guess I should have elaborated more and said I don't have my phone rooted and really don't want to go that route. I was just getting confused because everything i was finding on here was people running root but I came across a few things where people said the 2.1OTA Leak was just a straight upgrade, so that is my confusion.
Are you asking how to install the 2.1ota leak? Just flash it onto your phone?
Curious, why do you not want to root your phone?
Root is much more flexible, and there are roms that are based off that leak. If you're worried about your warranty, it's going to void it either way, lol.
Good luck !
rheally said:
Are you asking how to install the 2.1ota leak? Just flash it onto your phone?
Curious, why do you not want to root your phone?
Root is much more flexible, and there are roms that are based off that leak. If you're worried about your warranty, it's going to void it either way, lol.
Good luck !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but if you have root you can do the downgrade back to 1.5
Android22 said:
but if you have root you can do the downgrade back to 1.5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh right, I forgot about that, duh It just seems like root would be a better choice.
But to each his own.
rheally said:
Are you asking how to install the 2.1ota leak? Just flash it onto your phone?
Curious, why do you not want to root your phone?
Root is much more flexible, and there are roms that are based off that leak. If you're worried about your warranty, it's going to void it either way, lol.
Good luck !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah that is my question, can 2.1OTA just be flashed or does your phone need to be rooted?
I just feel like with root I'll be more likely to kill the phone but I'm going to check into it more again.
If you flash the 2.1 OTA leak onto your phone you CANNOT root your phone. It hasn't been figured out yet.
Root really isn't that hard to do. There are several threads over in the development forum.
rheally said:
If you flash the 2.1 OTA leak onto your phone you CANNOT root your phone. It hasn't been figured out yet.
Root really isn't that hard to do. There are several threads over in the development forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah I was just reading the thread on going from stock 1.5 to rooted 2.1. Can you give me some of the major benefits of rooting? I'm trying to find really practical stuff, not just the "Well it's cool cause it's like being root in Linux".
And just to clarify you can just flash to 2.1OTA? I'm skeptical of doing that now because I was reading some people think 2.1OTA has a time sensitive date on it.
Future developments will likely be easier to impliment if you root. The ability to run different (and potentially more stable) ROMs. Support for future software not designed for the Eris. Post rooting you can also make Nandroid backups and as long as you don't somehow screw your bootloader you can actually fix your phone.
Also, and this is pure speculation, should Verison decide to discontinue support for the Eris entirely, non-rooters may have issue getting new Android versions since they're limited to signed code.
EDIT: there is also little reason NOT to root. It does everything that you can do unrooted and more. All this plus the fact that you may never be able to root again but could always unroot at your leisure.
Marisa said:
Future developments will likely be easier to impliment if you root. The ability to run different (and potentially more stable) ROMs. Support for future software not designed for the Eris. Post rooting you can also make Nandroid backups and as long as you don't somehow screw your bootloader you can actually fix your phone.
Also, and this is pure speculation, should Verison decide to discontinue support for the Eris entirely, non-rooters may have issue getting new Android versions since they're limited to signed code.
EDIT: there is also little reason NOT to root. It does everything that you can do unrooted and more. All this plus the fact that you may never be able to root again but could always unroot at your leisure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you point me to a good nandroid tutorial? tried searching for one but if you know of a good one I'd appreciate it.
I was trying to find a nandroid guide when I did it the first time, but once I discovered that Amon_RA's recovery has it built-in, I decided to wing it and see what happened. It was a lot easier than I expected to be honest.
Reboot your phone into recovery (VOL UP + Power), you should have a short list of options, one of which should be Backup/Restore. Trackball into it and select to make a backup. Let it do it's thing, should take a few minutes. Congratulations, you've made a backup of your phone. You can make as many as you like, they're given names based on the date and time they're created, but you can rename without harm (barring a few characters keep it A-Z a-z 0-9 and you should be good)
Restoring to that backup is as easy as entering the same menu but picking restore instead. You need to have made a backup first in order to restore something.
NOTE: I've written all this by memory, and while it should be fairly accurate, I can't turn my phone off currently to double check that the wording is all correct.
I'm a bit confused on the Amon thing. I found the the link here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=648025
Do I just dump that IMG file onto the root of my SD card and that's it? Will it know to always use his recovery or do I need to do more?
I have an application that I write to make going from 1.5 to root a lot easier with a gui application. It will be released very soon for everyone to use. Take a look at my thread for more info. Link is at the top of my signature.
Sent from my Eris using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
frankspin said:
I'm a bit confused on the Amon thing. I found the the link here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=648025
Do I just dump that IMG file onto the root of my SD card and that's it? Will it know to always use his recovery or do I need to do more?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you followed Ivan's guide to the very end, you already flashed Amon_RA's recovery to your phone. To enter it, shutdown your phone and then hold volume up and the call end button (power), you should boot into the recovery.
Marisa said:
If you followed Ivan's guide to the very end, you already flashed Amon_RA's recovery to your phone. To enter it, shutdown your phone and then hold volume up and the call end button (power), you should boot into the recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AWESOME! Thank you I am doing it right now.
NM: got it
Well I got 2.1 on but I did something wrong and can't load rooted 2.1. I get "signature verification failed" message when I load the zip file.
TeamWin Recovery Version: 2.5.0.0
I encrypted my device about two weeks ago. Today I tried flashing a new rom, which was Android 4.1.2. When it prompted me for my encryption password, I entered it correctly but it wouldn't accept it. I tried flashing another rom, which was 4.3, it accepted the encryption password but got bootlooped. My old device was on 4.3 to my belief. When I tried wiping /data in recovery it says it cannot mount /data. Help please?
Flash back to stock and decide if you want encryption or a device you want to flash.
That Won't Help.
imnuts said:
Flash back to stock and decide if you want encryption or a device you want to flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried Google and that already. Sarcasm will not fix my problem so if you don't have a solution please move on and stop spamming.
...
Can anyone help?
So you used Odin and flashed your phone back to stock? No where in your post did you mention anything like that, or even allude to the fact that you flashed back to stock with Odin. If you want help, post better information, or figure it out yourself. Also, you can't have a device you want to be flash happy with on ROMs and an encrypted device. The two don't work, so you choose one or the other, not both.
Um...
imnuts said:
So you used Odin and flashed your phone back to stock? No where in your post did you mention anything like that, or even allude to the fact that you flashed back to stock with Odin. If you want help, post better information, or figure it out yourself. Also, you can't have a device you want to be flash happy with on ROMs and an encrypted device. The two don't work, so you choose one or the other, not both.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...How can I fix this. I flashed it using my recovery.
imnuts said:
So you used Odin and flashed your phone back to stock? No where in your post did you mention anything like that, or even allude to the fact that you flashed back to stock with Odin. If you want help, post better information, or figure it out yourself. Also, you can't have a device you want to be flash happy with on ROMs and an encrypted device. The two don't work, so you choose one or the other, not both.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know how to do this or is this something you can't fix?
Read droidstyles thread at the top of this section. It has all of the information you will need to flash back to stock.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
*Sigh*
This is why XDA annoys me. The "Recognized Developers" waste their time and other forum members time about how what they typed wasn't good enough for them. They could save a lot more time just asking questions that would help them understand the situation rather that be a nanny and tell the user how they didn't type up to their expectations, what they can do to make them satisfied, and then not respond for another 30 minutes.
ninten7 said:
This is why XDA annoys me. The "Recognized Developers" waste their time and other forum members time about how what they typed wasn't good enough for them. They could save a lot more time just asking questions that would help them understand the situation rather that be a nanny and tell the user how they didn't type up to their expectations, what they can do to make them satisfied, and then not respond for another 30 minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You screwed yourself by saying I wasn't be helpful and to stop the sarcasm. You want help, don't bite the hand that feeds you. Flashing back to stock is a very simple process and well documented here and in other Samsung device forums. If you can't figure it out on your own, pay someone to do it for you, and then leave your phone stock. Rule 1 of modifying your phone should always be know how to recover, which you apparently do not. And posts like the two you've now made in this thread are not how you get help, and will most certainly turn everyone else that may have offered it away as well, since you're apparently too good to do any work on your own and criticize people when they aren't spoon feeding you.
Um
imnuts said:
You screwed yourself by saying I wasn't be helpful and to stop the sarcasm. You want help, don't bite the hand that feeds you. Flashing back to stock is a very simple process and well documented here and in other Samsung device forums. If you can't figure it out on your own, pay someone to do it for you, and then leave your phone stock. Rule 1 of modifying your phone should always be know how to recover, which you apparently do not. And posts like the two you've now made in this thread are not how you get help, and will most certainly turn everyone else that may have offered it away as well, since you're apparently too good to do any work on your own and criticize people when they aren't spoon feeding you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He/she didn't bite the hand that fed them because you didn't help at all lol. I agree with this users statement and the only other complaint I have is how you need to make 10 posts before being able to post links but that I understand.
Hello there people!
As you all know every Android user finally goes for the thing called "Rooting" so yes I'm an beginner over it and read alot of discussions but still couldn't find Convincing discussion so I need complete procedure about the Stock ROM and how to back it up in order to Step backward towards it just in case if something strange happens. YES I'll flash a Custom ROM so i'll take the guide as well.
THANKYOU.
Hi there. One thing you will find out about quickly, is that many methods to modify your phone are very specific. Not only to what manufacturer, but what model, what update it is on, if it was purchased from a carrier or unbranded and unlocked, and whether or not there are any warranty issues to consider. Most of the time you can return the device to exactly as your received it and sometimes there is something that is triggered that can not be reset that will show you've modified the phone. So, let us know what you have and we can get you pointed in the right direction to get started.
es0tericcha0s said:
Hi there. One thing you will find out about quickly, is that many methods to modify your phone are very specific. Not only to what manufacturer, but what model, what update it is on, if it was purchased from a carrier or unbranded and unlocked, and whether or not there are any warranty issues to consider. Most of the time you can return the device to exactly as your received it and sometimes there is something that is triggered that can not be reset that will show you've modified the phone. So, let us know what you have and we can get you pointed in the right direction to get started.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the "Quatro Z4" of the Qmobile company i.e Unbranded but that doesn't mean the unbranded stuff can't get rooted. Yeah I am seeking perfect rooting options and Recovery options with perfect Stock rom Backup.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2542825
This guide has everything you need to root and to use the ClockworkMod recovery which will allow you to make a full backup of your current system (these backups are called Nandroids)
I haven't had a chance to look around to see if there are any roms for it yet, but that guide should be a good head start. I would recommend reading through the thread first to make sure there won't be any surprises.
es0tericcha0s said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2542825
This guide has everything you need to root and to use the ClockworkMod recovery which will allow you to make a full backup of your current system (these backups are called Nandroids)
I haven't had a chance to look around to see if there are any roms for it yet, but that guide should be a good head start. I would recommend reading through the thread first to make sure there won't be any surprises.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't get you mate? What exactly do I have to do?
I'm not sure what you are having trouble with...? The link I gave you breaks down the steps you need to get started pretty simply...
Hi,
I just got my HDX und now i want to install custom recovery and root the device. I have just a few questions before i do so an got no exect answers by searching the forum:
1. If I do a backup with custom recovery can I go fully back to stock?
2. Is there some sort of Factory Image to download to override custom revocery?
3. Can I Undo and go back to stock recovery If i have to send the device back to Amazon?
I just want to know if I can totaly revert all changes bevore I change something.
thx
maroc84 said:
Hi,
I just got my HDX und now i want to install custom recovery and root the device. I have just a few questions before i do so an got no exect answers by searching the forum:
1. If I do a backup with custom recovery can I go fully back to stock?
2. Is there some sort of Factory Image to download to override custom revocery?
3. Can I Undo and go back to stock recovery If i have to send the device back to Amazon?
I just want to know if I can totaly revert all changes bevore I change something.
thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are new to this device you probably should read the first post here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2786190.. And the answer to all your questions are technically yes. If you do not brick or break your tablet anywhere along the way and providing that you are willing to do all homework necessary and then some before attempting to do anything.. You probably need to read through all the threads about brick devices to know what things not to attempt that will cause you to break your device.. Remember all the information is here if you learn how to use this forum and remember each section of the forum has several pages of threads of information.. You have a whole lot of reading to do if you do not want to end up another of this devices victims lmao
Don't get me wrong. I own a nexus 5 and the nexus 7 (2013) (rooted, custom kernel, exposed etc.) but due to the open system and bootloader so as the asop makes it easier to handle it. I already read the warnings but the Windows supported root tool should be a easy way.... not?
Okay obviously
maroc84 said:
Don't get me wrong. I own a nexus 5 and the nexus 7 (2013) (rooted, custom kernel, exposed etc.) but due to the open system and bootloader so as the asop makes it easier to handle it. I already read the warnings but the Windows supported root tool should be a easy way.... not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is not a problem getting it rooted you may have read the warning but you're not understanding it.The problem is not rooting the device. The problem is what people are deciding to do with their root access . And it may be my imagination or may not but this seems to be a favorite tablet for mommy and daddy to buy the kiddies.. Then they come here not knowing how to do their own research and find the easy way to root their device , There n fine there again not a real problem it's what they are doing ...BRICKING! There again not really a problem for me but when they come to this forum acting like somebody owes them something or somebody better step up and hurry hurry come help them fix their device before mommy and daddy find out ... Burying perfectly good information that I like to access under redundant questions because they are too lazy to do their own homework .. Repeatedly asking the same questions over and over again that have already been answered over and over again they just refuse to read the information and expect others to first to come to their special lil thread and inform them like this is kindergarten again . And somebody should be holding their hand because mommy and daddy bought them a special kindle fire..THAT IS LOCKED DOWN.. With no fast boot capabilities currently working there is a lot of talk about it but no consistent.... Repeat there is not a one click fix for this device ....... unlike most other tablets like I said one of your questions asked if you can just flash and fix ... At this time NO. If you really know what you are doing and you are not afraid of or can afford to turn your tablet into a paperweight.. There are ways to get your system flashed too repair mistakes or goofy behavior (even return to stock) but not from BRICK STATE. Long story short your 1 Click Easy Way to root.. Through ignorance, laziness , and the comprehension level of a fruit fly .. For this device in the wrong hands might as well be a sledge hammer ... Repeat in no way is a Nexus 5 ,at the moment remotely similar other then android base, to this tablet... Is what you should have gotten from the thread that I posted a link to... flash and modify at your own risk and Responsibly.. Nobody here is responsible for anything you do to your tablet. Or responsible for coming to rescue you if or when you screw it up... Please read all the brick threads to save everybody lots of famed face palms and headaches... Us and yourself trust me.
Thanks. I know it can be depressing to tell people "you question or problem was answered just two days ago, just read and collect the right information you need" I don't want to change necessary files like build.prop or do things where there is an exact warning to do so because it's not really stable...
The warning pinned to this forum just got me unquestioning if there are serious problems in every usually customisation (root, custom recovery, gapps) so doing just that could probably brick the tab because maybe the closed system makes everything risky and unpredictable in contrast to a vanilla android device.
well
maroc84 said:
Thanks. I know it can be depressing to tell people "you question or problem was answered just two days ago, just read and collect the right information you need" I don't want to change necessary files like build.prop or do things where there is an exact warning to do so because it's not really stable...
The warning pinned to this forum just got me unquestioning if there are serious problems in every usually customisation (root, custom recovery, gapps) so doing just that could probably brick the tab because maybe the closed system makes everything risky and unpredictable in contrast to a vanilla android device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well for example I am only a mechanic I'm 42 years old I am not well-versed in computers but android have been a hobby of mine for about five years .. But I have very little problems following directions. And I have been able to accomplish anything I wanted to do with many many phones and tablets including this one... So if you're willing and have the understanding that this thing is very fickle and likes to actup
Where other devices would not be problems... It can be a very nice device for the right person and a very big headache for the wrong one. There are currently a lot a bugs with pretty much anything that you try to do with this thing if not done with absolute precision and patience. And perseverance. I currently own three different HDX tablets with several other Samsung.. And I switch frequently. I do have Google on my HDX but I do not depend on them for all of my Google needs. Remember at least for now while these things are locked up tight they are pretty much only an Amazon media device along with if you are willing to brave and yada yada yada you may get some Google services working like many of us have. Enjoy all of my HDX thoroughly but I also have a understanding of the current limitations.
*Okay, before I explain what is going on with my phone I just want to say I am good with phones and understand them I just have trouble sometimes with them, which everybody does, but everything I know I learned on my own.*
* PHONE DETAILS- LG OPTIMUS Q LGL55C, ANDROID VERSION 2.3.4*
*Before we start, my port on my phone where the charger goes into is completely fried,(We will not get into that discussion... Lol), So no USB work.*
I have a LG Optimus Q lgl55c. I know a lot about root, and as you can assume since I said that, my phone is rooted. I successfully rooted my phone, that was no problem, but I started to look into more about what the phone is actually capable of. I looked into it and did some research. What I found out is I can go deeper with my phone and have a better user friendly experience with it. ROM's!!!! We all know and love them, but what I actually learned about is unlocking the bootloader. I know this is a long thread but I am sure one of you tech geeks can help me. Well as you read above my USB port is not functioning so I can not unlock the bootloader from a PC. Also the reason why I am bringing this up before I get into the main subject is because I have no idea if this has anything to do with my biggest problem. I have no clue what version my bootloader is right now, so I do not want to use the ez-unlock app which only supports certain versions of bootloader( I do not want to brick my device ). My first topic question- "Is there any way to unlock my bootloader without a PC and have a slighter chance of getting bricked?"
On forth to the main problem!!!!!
ROM's are the best thing in my opinion on mobile phones. I did some research and learned about flashing ROM's to change the OS and also flashing custom recoveries such as ClockWorkMod. What I did, since I can not use USB, was I researched some ways to install or, more commonly know as, flash ClockWorkMod onto my phone.The most common way I found was to install ROM Manager from the Google Play Store and flash it onto your device from there. I did all of that correctly but when I click reboot to recovery or go there manually I always get the stock recovery boot screen. I also tried the rename the files method, but the files that I was suppose to rename was no where to be found. I have tried so many things. I really want to flash ROM's onto my device. So my next question is- "Does this have anything to do with my bootloader being locked?" "Am I doing something wrong?" "Is it possible to do without a PC?" -and last but not least-"Does those missing files have anything to do with it?"
So basically my main problem is-
Is it possible, if yes, am I missing anything I have not done?
Reply ASAP, Yours Truly AndroidDisectorGeek!