What is possible without root - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi
I have "influenced" a friend buying a new phone today to get the S5 over the iPhone 6.
I have one but I also have a custom rom etc. So I never stop to think about whether or not root is an issue.
So, I need to know what I can advise them on, knowing they don't and for their own safety should never have root.
Can you still install unsigned apks?
How limited are things like titanium backup?
What would you advise I pass on in general?
Thanks

hongman said:
Hi
I have "influenced" a friend buying a new phone today to get the S5 over the iPhone 6.
I have one but I also have a custom rom etc. So I never stop to think about whether or not root is an issue.
So, I need to know what I can advise them on, knowing they don't and for their own safety should never have root.
Can you still install unsigned apks?
How limited are things like titanium backup?
What would you advise I pass on in general?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
titanium requires root access, you can install unsigned .apk if you tick unknown sources in security also the can access developer options on stock by tapping build # 10 times. chrooting linux is also possible on some stock phones(if the stock kernel has loop support) other than that I believe it is pretty much locked down.
if your friend wants more out of their phone(since you influenced them) teach them about and how to root and flash custom roms etc.

Related

[Q] Few Quick Questions On Rooting

Whats up all? I used to be a old school windows mobile flasher back in the tilt/fuze/tilt2 days. I was flashing 1-3 Roms a week
Ive had the iPhone 3gs, Nexus One, iPhone 4, HD7 and now im back to android on the Atrix.
Just asking a few questions hopefully you all can clear it up.
1. When i root the device does it delete all my already install apps/contacts etc or will everything stay the same?
2. Is it worth rooting? I really havent had any trouble with battery life or the phone as it is, plus i plan on updating to 2.3 when *if ever* they release the update. And from my understanding you have to flash back to stock to do that.
3. What benefits can you gain from rooting the atrix compared to just stock?
Thanks all!
Honestly there's not a huge advantage to rooting right this minute, but that will likely change.
Most people root in order to allow them to install third party *gasp* 'non AT&T approved apps, but you can actually do that without rooting suposedly, though I've never tried it.
You don't need root to be able to set up a wifi tether either, there's already a procedure posted for that.
The main reason to root is the ability to customize, and really its all about installing custom ROMs. With this phone having a signed bootloader there's no guarantee that this will ever be possible on this phone, although I'd put my money on someone figuring it out.
Unless you have a specific reason or need to root you can probably wait it out until custom ROMs are around and then do it.
Also, you need root access to install Titanium Backup, which is a very handy app.
Thanks for the reply!
So as for rooting will that delete all my current data? I know back when i flashed ROMS for WM it would pretty much delete everything. But jailbreaking on the iPhone was fairily easy as it didnt touch any of my apps/pics/messages
anyone?
7boo said:
Thanks for the reply!
So as for rooting will that delete all my current data? I know back when i flashed ROMS for WM it would pretty much delete everything. But jailbreaking on the iPhone was fairily easy as it didnt touch any of my apps/pics/messages
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting shouldn't change anything. It should only change a few things in /system, but that won't affect your data. When installing a new ROM, it's generally recommend that you go through a full deletion, but rooting your phone won't alter your data.
To put it in perspective, you already had root in WM, so there's no real equivalent to that there. When flashing, WM didn't differentiate between OS and user partitions, so you would always lose everything. Android does differentiate, but differences can frequently cause problems, so it's generally recommended that you wipe after installing a different ROM (re-flashing the same ROM should always be okay).
thanks man thats what i was looking for

[Q] How to remove bloatware from stock

I'm about to get the DNA and was doing a lot of reading on S-Off/On, unlock, root and pretty much, I think, know what I need to do. But, not to f-up, would like some validation and corrections from you guys.
So, once I get the phone the very fist thing I will do is unlock as it will cause everything to be deleted, so no point in setting anything up. Correct?
Once unlocked, I can setup and use phone and root later, but I want to remove all the VZ crap, so, I'll probably root right away as well.
From here, how do I remove the bloatware as I want to stay stock and don't want install any 3-rd party kernels that allow system read-write while booted yet. I'm guessing that there are probably "unbloat" zip files that can be flashed via recovery, is that correct?
I haven't research custom recoveries yet, so wont ask but any volunteered information is welcome (which one, any issues to be aware of)
Thanks for your help.
CrazyRussianXDA said:
I'm about to get the DNA and was doing a lot of reading on S-Off/On, unlock, root and pretty much, I think, know what I need to do. But, not to f-up, would like some validation and corrections from you guys.
So, once I get the phone the very fist thing I will do is unlock as it will cause everything to be deleted, so no point in setting anything up. Correct?
Once unlocked, I can setup and use phone and root later, but I want to remove all the VZ crap, so, I'll probably root right away as well.
From here, how do I remove the bloatware as I want to stay stock and don't want install any 3-rd party kernels that allow system read-write while booted yet. I'm guessing that there are probably "unbloat" zip files that can be flashed via recovery, is that correct?
I haven't research custom recoveries yet, so wont ask but any volunteered information is welcome (which one, any issues to be aware of)
Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't change any system permissions without being rooted. You will be stuck with anything that resides in system/app. There are some other methods that run an exploit without a permanent root for different phones, but HTC is very strict with what they allow. Alternatively, if you do plan to root and flash then you could use my simple guide for everything else: click here
You will have a lot more fun and better results with performance and battery if you do root and flash. With the simplicity we have now for unlocking this device you would be stupid not to go further
That was my sentiment exactly - root is required to do any modifications/bloatware removal. I might have not been clear when stated that after unlocking the bootloader I can use the phone and root later. I understand that until rooted no changes can be made to system.
Nice Full Gide you have written there, btw, uppon2.
If you delete bloatware while the phone is booted in android the changes won't stick unless you have a writeable kernel. You can use a script that will wipe the bloat in adb instead of flashing a writeable kernel.

[Q] Root for LG Destiny (LG l21g / aka lgl21g) Tracfone / Straight Talk

Hi Everyone,
Wanted to know if anyone has already figured out or through a different method, can help me root my phone.
It's an LG phone under GSM technology by TracFone for Walmart Straight Talk service. the Model is "LG l21g" or "lgl21g".
It is specifically running Android 5.0.1
I've learned it's better to follow a root process specifically made for the exact model of your phone. But since TracFones lack much in rooting fame, I'm hoping that there is a safe method used to provide basic root access to phones/devices that have the respective OS. For which in my case is version 5.0.1
I am new to rooting but not computers in general. I have searched for quite a while for a way to root my device by model. I've found nothing, and AndroidArea51 seemed to have a little success, but are not sharing a clear tutorial sadly. But I am skeptical about 1 click root apps and how they may tend root the device for a few months before unrooting automatically and then forcing the device owner to pay to root again. You know, the old regular malicious hijacking software you can't get rid of without a hard reset or what not.
I am also aware of locked bootloaders but am not sure of what it means for my request to root. Should i unlock mine if it is locked in order to root? Or is it unnecessary unless i want to flash a new rom onto my device? I've obviously read things online, but am still learning the relationships of all these things
I greatly appreciate all your time and help in anyway you can.
Thanks.
I used kingroot for a successful root on my LG destiny. Im hoping for recovery and roms soon but I don't know if any devs are intersted in our phone.
Failbringer60 said:
I used kingroot for a successful root on my LG destiny. Im hoping for recovery and roms soon but I don't know if any devs are intersted in our phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey Failbringer60,
Hope your holidays were great and thanks for your comment. I am very skeptical of software such as kingroot and iroot and others of the same nature that are usually one-click root types. Though i'm not against using it if it's the only way to root less popular devices such as ours, i would rather have a little tutorial/guide on how to use the app/software to root the device then get rid of that app and its bloatware (and any other malicious ware that comes from it) and sustain a more honest or reliable superuser app/access to more precisely control the permissions that apps from the app store demand before download and use.
I have seen in other forums where users find that these one-click root apps aren't so trustworthy after a few months, and the device doesn't adhere to them as it did before. It's these kinds of things that sort of scare me. but if you are aware of a way to use these apps to gain root access and then a way to get rid of them while keeping root on my device safely, I would be more than glad to learn.
I am very new to rooting android devices since i've never done it before. and am trying to use my knowlegde from some PC maintenince to understand these things. so i hope that you can excuse me for not fully understand some things. But i am open to any help that can be spared.
Thanks in advance
hi
try kingroot on playmarket it worked in my tablert, only takes some minutes if you are lucky
Thanks.
thewildnative said:
hey Failbringer60,
Hope your holidays were great and thanks for your comment. I am very skeptical of software such as kingroot and iroot and others of the same nature that are usually one-click root types. Though i'm not against using it if it's the only way to root less popular devices such as ours, i would rather have a little tutorial/guide on how to use the app/software to root the device then get rid of that app and its bloatware (and any other malicious ware that comes from it) and sustain a more honest or reliable superuser app/access to more precisely control the permissions that apps from the app store demand before download and use.
I have seen in other forums where users find that these one-click root apps aren't so trustworthy after a few months, and the device doesn't adhere to them as it did before. It's these kinds of things that sort of scare me. but if you are aware of a way to use these apps to gain root access and then a way to get rid of them while keeping root on my device safely, I would be more than glad to learn.
I am very new to rooting android devices since i've never done it before. and am trying to use my knowlegde from some PC maintenince to understand these things. so i hope that you can excuse me for not fully understand some things. But i am open to any help that can be spared.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I hope your holidays were great as well. I understand your reasoning for concern. I haven't been able to successfully use supersu to handle root operations. Busybox will not install correctly either for me. I have successfully achieved root access though through kingroot. I don't remember the version I used but it has been rooted for well over 2 months with zero issues. I have replaced my bootanimations without bootloops as well.
I am currently trying to romdump and pull device tree to see if I can get a KDZ created or ported. As I am trying to get twrp recovery installed. And I think the only way for that to happen is to get to 5.1. But to answer any doubt. My experience with kingroot has been okay. Also rootchecker apps confirm root as well.
Failbringer60 said:
Thanks, I hope your holidays were great as well. I understand your reasoning for concern. I haven't been able to successfully use supersu to handle root operations. Busybox will not install correctly either for me. I have successfully achieved root access though through kingroot. I don't remember the version I used but it has been rooted for well over 2 months with zero issues. I have replaced my bootanimations without bootloops as well.
I am currently trying to romdump and pull device tree to see if I can get a KDZ created or ported. As I am trying to get twrp recovery installed. And I think the only way for that to happen is to get to 5.1. But to answer any doubt. My experience with kingroot has been okay. Also rootchecker apps confirm root as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. I apologize for not being able to understand all the technical jargon when it comes to the android platform, but as i ask questions, i can pick up on it fairly quickly.
For now i take it that you are still figuring out a way to backup your android system, since the only offer the LG Destiny has, is to back up your data to google cloud. It seems that either tracfone devices took that ability away (since i think that any computer like device should have a recovery system - though i could be wrong) or it is a flaw in android 5.0.1 which is what our devices are running.
I take it that you are "romdump"-ing to kinda like create a clone in a storage space which you can turn into a recovery rom in case the device messes up - i think.
I'm glad to hear that Kingroot worked for you. I would like to try it too but i would first love to back up my system entirely so that if a noob like me does mess up, i haven't completely lost everything.
Can i ask you if you are able to delete/uninstall bloatware from your Destiny now that you have it rooted. But you say that you are not able to install supersu (which i assume is software that lets you control your device with admin rights)? Reading things online, i've come to see that kingroot has a supersu type of software, but that it's inferior or malicous or something, hence why people are trying to install supersu in replacement. I may be missing some facts there, but i'm always see a relationship between the two.
Would you lose your root access, or ability to remove bloatware and control other app permissions if you removed kingroot? Or is it supersu that retains the root access that kingroot achieved, but people are ridding their devices of kingroot because kingroot inevitably introduces its own bloatware at the price of a rooted device?
Sorry to sound all over the place. I've just seen a consistent connection between kingroot and supersu online everywhere i look. I've never seen how either of these apps work on a device once installed, but i do know that people are always using supersu right after using kingroot.
Exactly, for the LG leon user they got the update to 5.1 which enabled them to unlock the bootloader and flash a custom recovery for the ability to back up the rom. As for us Destiny users I think we aren't going to ever get anything but root for a while. And yes kingroot does install its own bloat ware. And I have removed all the stock bloatware that came with my phone.
Failbringer60 said:
Exactly, for the LG leon user they got the update to 5.1 which enabled them to unlock the bootloader and flash a custom recovery for the ability to back up the rom. As for us Destiny users I think we aren't going to ever get anything but root for a while. And yes kingroot does install its own bloat ware. And I have removed all the stock bloatware that came with my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Failbringer60,
Were you able to somehow successfully backup your Destiny's rom to use as a recovery source? I myself just went through a whole lot of folly and have practically lost my device. I believe my spoiled Destiny is soft-bricked. It will not boot past the LG logo screen. I don't think it's looping since it doesn't fade to black and return repetitively. It's just frozen on that screen. Now i'm diving deep and reading a whole lot more about such problems and solutions, and am learning much more. But sadly, the design Tracfone has left the Destiny (and most likely it's other android models alike) is quite handicapped. I've come to understand that there is absolutely no boot menu with particular options you'd normally find in flagship models, and recovery only works if, well, if the device still works (as far as i've tried everything i know). Part of that recovery would make sense if content was the only concern. Though any system based malfunction is merely a complete loss. I have yet to download and try a few pc applications that others use to connect to their android devices. But since needing exact phone/model firmware or system image backup to fix many android issues are what these pc applications use, and LG having completely omitted the lgl21g model from all their lists on their site (except for the product landing page of course), I have no idea how it would help my situation. For all I've said, i may stand corrected, since i have yet to attempt the revival of my device.
So i hope no one gets annoyed when i ask weird questions, but i'll do what i can and document my findings. If you or anyone else may know how to help me, I would very much appreciate it. If you need more info from me. let me know.
Thanks.

No Root TWRP(or other custom recovery) possible?

Hi all, so I saw a post elsewhere from a few months back detailing a process on how to get TWRP on an s6 edge without root. I was just wondering if this is something that is still currently possible, and what exactly the limitations of it are? For example, I really just want to get TWRP to install the new emojis( pretty vapid, I know lol), if I do get TWRP install will I be able to do that? Or will it still not work since the installation seems the require root access? I have quite a bit of experience with rooting and flash custom roms/kernels/mods in the past, this is just a bit out of my depth. Thanks!
Bump. I'm also interested in this, but for the purpose of a nandroid backup without affecting the system partition which breaks Samsung and Android Pay.

Question Rooting the phone

Im interested in picking this phone up but my main holdback is whether or not you can root it. Ive been living that root based adblock life and I cant go back. Non-root based adblocks just dont work as well as the rooted ones.
Has anyone rooted the phone? does magisk + adb flash work? Has anyone rooted CN phone with global rom?
You should be able to but I would be cautious.
Firstly, the service for unlocking the bootloader seems unreliable from some reports (apparently you need to use some Chinese portal for requesting an unlock file - if you don't have luck getting that or it doesn't work, you're stuck and I bet getting help from Lenovo is not easy). Secondly, unless I've missed something, I don't see proper official ROM image downloads from Lenovo for extracting/patching boot or safely reflashing the device from bootloop/soft brick, so you have to go with whatever is available around for download here or elsewhere on the net and hope for the best. Even more important since you don't have custom recovery options (like TWRP) on this device.
In summary, yes, but it looks like risky business. This device doesn't seem to be root friendly...

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