What are the benefits or rooting - Moto Z Questions & Answers

This could be a general question for all Android phones.
It seems that Google is making it more difficult to root with every release of Android . If you do manage to root, sometimes you lose functionality unless you manage to find a workaround.
In years gone by, there were good reasons to root because Android was missing a lot of useful features that developers were able to implement on rooted devices but Android has improved a lot and Google has implemented a lot of the functionality that previously required root and customs ROMS.
So my question is what are the real benefits of rooting the Moto Z and rooting in general?

Still mandatory
1) Access to hosts-file for ad-blocking and other security purposes.
2) Ability to remove bloatware installed as system apps by vendor or manufacturer.
3) Use of firewalls, filters and stuff on network level
4) Granulated right management like "deny location", "deny network state" and stuff - per App.
As long as even only one of these access rights is not available on non-rooted Android, rooting is mandatory.
By the way: And at least 1)+4) was MY reason not to buy the Blackberry PRIV, which could have been perfect for me by means of design, look-and-feel, specs... if it was rootable. And that´s contrary to BB´s intentions. Sad, so sad... :>
Now Moto Z: Happy, so happy!

Also:
- Customize UI (I use battery bar, seconds in status bar, up-/downloadspeed, blurring background on expanded notification bar)
- when possible (atm only with marshmallow, not nougat or later) Xposed with a number of modules [not SafetyNet compatible... other say that, I was able to use it with suhide on my old phone]
- Viper4Android (sound equalizer for the whole system)
- Greenify
- and a few more
- works with SafetyNet

To put it simply.
fULl cOnTROOOoOL

omnomnomkimiiee said:
To put it simply.
fULl cOnTROOOoOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those are all great reasons to root. One more reason that I find gives me peace of mind is the ability to do actual backups. Titanium backup and even nandroid backups (which kind of go along with rooting) are great for making sure you don't lose any important information or settings.

Related

Getting Started With Android

Hello, I'm new to this forum, but, I have been in other forums relating to hacking 'mobile' devices. Previously, I was part of a number of different iOS forums, so, I know about jailbreaking, and troubleshooting problems on the iOS platform. I'll also share my few thoughts on Android, and my experience on Jelly Bean so far within this, embarrassingly long, post.
However, with Google's announcement of the Nexus 7, I was impressed by Android, and I was thoroughly impressed that it had finally sorted out the lagging problems. (I had used Android tablets, but they never appealed to me due to the lag which each one experienced. Jelly Bean, and, in particular, 'Project Butter', has remedied this issue - I have experienced no lag on my Nexus 7 since I received it a week ago.) And so, I pre-ordered the Nexus 7 - deciding against purchasing, a much more expensive, but, I believed, an excellent tablet, the iPad.
iOS, also, was beginning to become less interesting to use - sure, the iPad may have a larger scale of the iOS mobile operating system, but it remained largely the same. Same interface (although on a, admittedly, much better screen) same apps, same freedom - without the jailbreak. The new iPad (as advertised and sold by Apple), I thought, also did not do an excellent job on improving it's predecessor. Sure, an improved screen, and processor to power the screen - but is that worth it? (Considering another one will, inevitably, be released within a year.)
Tegra 3 was making strides. Although, one thing that saddens me about Android, and is something which definitely hinders it's ability to overthrow iOS - is the fragmentation present on the operating system. I'm not sure which apps are compatible with my Nexus 7, and which ones are not. (On a side not, piracy is also another factor which slows the progress of Android, and is perhaps a reason why some apps are exclusive to iOS in the first place - I'm looking at you Epic Games! Android certainly has the power and graphical capabilities to run the game, but Epic, like all companies must, are interested primarily on their profits. Again, fragmentation plays its part!)
Although, shifting to different mobile operating systems is rather difficult - especially since I am intrigued by modifications, and altering devices to make them fulfil my needs. On iOS, it was quite simple: There was only one thing to do - jailbreak. A process, which in itself, was extremely simple (for the most part.) It appears there are also much more iOS specialists on YouTube, who post easy to follow tutorials. Also, since iOS is a 'closed' platform, I was not concerned by viruses, and I knew what I could, and could not do.
Android, however, is open - and this, paradoxically, limits myself. There are so many modifications, I do not know which ones are good, which ones are bad, and which ones could result in bricking my, now beloved, Nexus 7. I don't want to completely mess up my device, or install random rubbish which only makes it slower. I have, almost literally, no clue on where to start. Sure, I've downloaded a few basic apps from Google Play - TegraZone - but who cannot do that without assistance?
I want to install more widgets, that amaze me, and also applications which will prove useful. (For example, a file managing app, a torrent app (no piracy! ), and other cool things.) I also, though, require a reliable anti-virus. Having previously used iOS for a number of years, I was not subject to any viruses, and, indeed, I did not have to worry about viruses - there are very few, if any, viruses on iOS. Android, though, is much more open to viruses. I need to ensure that I do not succumb to one.
However, what I am most interested in is the 'rooting' process, and the benefits which can derive from it. What extra things can I achieve by rooting my Nexus 7? What applications should I install to supplement the rooted device? (I have read of ClockWork(?)Mod, but I have not really ventured that far into applications which take advantage of rooting, since a lot of the information mentioned appears to me as gibberish, due to my noobishness .) And, perhaps most importantly, if something were to go tragically wrong - how would I recover the device. (Again, I'll make a reference to iOS, since, it is an operating system I am familiar with - you could simply restore the device through iTunes - what is Android's alternative?)
So, can you assist me in getting accustomed to the Android operating system by providing your recommended apps, and also useful tutorials which I can use to develop my understanding? I literally have no clue what half of the things in the Android section of this forum talk about - they included an abundance of vocabulary which, evidently, you need relative experience to understand. I also need require some Android experts - involved in perhaps development - to follow on Twitter!
Thanks for reading through my essay! Please, help a noob get started! I would appreciate all forms of feedback!
Note: I have downloaded the Android SDK (Although, not installed it, as of the time of writing.), and I have also got the factory image for the Nexus 7. I achieved this by briefly viewing a YouTube video. There do not appear to be that many, though. The XDA YouTube channel generally covers the news aspect of all things related to Android.
The greatest bit of advice I can give is to start here - Nexus 7 - and read read read!
There's no backup and restoring the entire system without root. When you do you can install a custom recovery. Note there is always a stock recovery that is far limited compared to recoveries such as CWM.
Android really doesn't have problems with viruses. Seriously. The only reason why it appears so is because idiots sideload apps from shady sites that contain viruses, but on iOS there is no sideloading without jailbreak.
For a file managing app, you can use Explorer (my preferance), ES File Explorer, or Astro.
Widgets are really personal preferance, I keep a music widget to quickly play music, a calendar widget, weather widget. You might want a news widget like Flipboard.
Rooting gives you full access to your device. It allows performance gains like overclocking, battery saving with underclocking. Like I said before, it opens to ability to backup/restore entire systems and individual apps with Titanium Backup. You can install customs ROMs, delete system apps (usually bloatware), remap the physical keys, use Tasker for automated tasking (pretty awesome btw). You can also edit system files, such as notification tones, ringtones, bootanimation, etc.
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium
Konflict1471 said:
Hello, I'm new to this forum, but, I have been in other forums relating to hacking 'mobile' devices. Previously, I was part of a number of different iOS forums, so, I know about jailbreaking, and troubleshooting problems on the iOS platform. I'll also share my few thoughts on Android, and my experience on Jelly Bean so far within this, embarrassingly long, post.
However, with Google's announcement of the Nexus 7, I was impressed by Android, and I was thoroughly impressed that it had finally sorted out the lagging problems. (I had used Android tablets, but they never appealed to me due to the lag which each one experienced. Jelly Bean, and, in particular, 'Project Butter', has remedied this issue - I have experienced no lag on my Nexus 7 since I received it a week ago.) And so, I pre-ordered the Nexus 7 - deciding against purchasing, a much more expensive, but, I believed, an excellent tablet, the iPad.
iOS, also, was beginning to become less interesting to use - sure, the iPad may have a larger scale of the iOS mobile operating system, but it remained largely the same. Same interface (although on a, admittedly, much better screen) same apps, same freedom - without the jailbreak. The new iPad (as advertised and sold by Apple), I thought, also did not do an excellent job on improving it's predecessor. Sure, an improved screen, and processor to power the screen - but is that worth it? (Considering another one will, inevitably, be released within a year.)
Tegra 3 was making strides. Although, one thing that saddens me about Android, and is something which definitely hinders it's ability to overthrow iOS - is the fragmentation present on the operating system. I'm not sure which apps are compatible with my Nexus 7, and which ones are not. (On a side not, piracy is also another factor which slows the progress of Android, and is perhaps a reason why some apps are exclusive to iOS in the first place - I'm looking at you Epic Games! Android certainly has the power and graphical capabilities to run the game, but Epic, like all companies must, are interested primarily on their profits. Again, fragmentation plays its part!)
Although, shifting to different mobile operating systems is rather difficult - especially since I am intrigued by modifications, and altering devices to make them fulfil my needs. On iOS, it was quite simple: There was only one thing to do - jailbreak. A process, which in itself, was extremely simple (for the most part.) It appears there are also much more iOS specialists on YouTube, who post easy to follow tutorials. Also, since iOS is a 'closed' platform, I was not concerned by viruses, and I knew what I could, and could not do.
Android, however, is open - and this, paradoxically, limits myself. There are so many modifications, I do not know which ones are good, which ones are bad, and which ones could result in bricking my, now beloved, Nexus 7. I don't want to completely mess up my device, or install random rubbish which only makes it slower. I have, almost literally, no clue on where to start. Sure, I've downloaded a few basic apps from Google Play - TegraZone - but who cannot do that without assistance?
I want to install more widgets, that amaze me, and also applications which will prove useful. (For example, a file managing app, a torrent app (no piracy! ), and other cool things.) I also, though, require a reliable anti-virus. Having previously used iOS for a number of years, I was not subject to any viruses, and, indeed, I did not have to worry about viruses - there are very few, if any, viruses on iOS. Android, though, is much more open to viruses. I need to ensure that I do not succumb to one.
However, what I am most interested in is the 'rooting' process, and the benefits which can derive from it. What extra things can I achieve by rooting my Nexus 7? What applications should I install to supplement the rooted device? (I have read of ClockWork(?)Mod, but I have not really ventured that far into applications which take advantage of rooting, since a lot of the information mentioned appears to me as gibberish, due to my noobishness .) And, perhaps most importantly, if something were to go tragically wrong - how would I recover the device. (Again, I'll make a reference to iOS, since, it is an operating system I am familiar with - you could simply restore the device through iTunes - what is Android's alternative?)
So, can you assist me in getting accustomed to the Android operating system by providing your recommended apps, and also useful tutorials which I can use to develop my understanding? I literally have no clue what half of the things in the Android section of this forum talk about - they included an abundance of vocabulary which, evidently, you need relative experience to understand. I also need require some Android experts - involved in perhaps development - to follow on Twitter!
Thanks for reading through my essay! Please, help a noob get started! I would appreciate all forms of feedback!
Note: I have downloaded the Android SDK (Although, not installed it, as of the time of writing.), and I have also got the factory image for the Nexus 7. I achieved this by briefly viewing a YouTube video. There do not appear to be that many, though. The XDA YouTube channel generally covers the news aspect of all things related to Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to Android!
I think you'll enjoy it
Ok on to your questions:
These are gonna be out of order
Reliable anti-virus: Trend Micro Mobile Security (worth the $10 )
Benefits of CWM: Backups, restores, custom ROM flashing
Benefits of rooting: custom ROMs, access to system files
Some apps to get started: Angry birds , Rom Manager, BatteryCalibration, ES File Manager, imo
Android's alternative to iTunes' restore is CWM. It's not official but its tons better then iTunes. You do it from the device and its a full, complete restore.
Ask again if I didn't answer something
Very long post BUT a few things to think about.
I have never used a antivirus software and really they are pointless just look at the apps before you download them read the comments and look at the permissions the app uses and think "does that fart noise app need to be able to send texts" of cause the answer is no so don't install it.
Other fractures can be useful like phone tracking but there are better apps that are free for this like prey.
If you root you will have full control of your filesystem much like su on Linux if you have ever used this. You could for example with root use my project to run Linux distros like Ubuntu. The nexus 7 due to being under googles power is very easy to unlock and root and if you mess something up easy to restore a backup. There are other great apps to like being able to back up apps and there data.
Just a few points and if you have more questions feel free to pm me
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
AVG or Avast antivirus are the best.
Solid Explorer is the best file explorer.
UCCW is the most customizable widget.
Taptu or Pulse are the best news readers.
Pocket.
Tapatalk forum.
MX player is the best video player.
Dropbox is by far the best cloud storage.
Photoshop.
PowerAMP is the best Music Player.
I would say that you don't need to root a Nexus Device. You got the latest OS and will always have.
The only reason you would wanna root is for some root apps.
Like Titanium Backup, AdBlocker and ROM Toolbox.
CWM is only necessary if you want to flash a custom ROM and you don't need to because you already have AOSP Jelly BEAN.
Thanks for all of the responses! And apologies for the long post! xD
I'll look through the Nexus 7 forums as XperienceD mentioned.
And by ClockWordMod - is that actually ROM Manager? I'm confused, and this is probably the most noobish question you'll get. xD
Since I don't really want to root my Nexus 7 (currently, that is) - then I would not really need to back up the data, since, there will be no risk. I'm not really concerned about overclocking my device - it's quite fast as it is. However, battery saving is quite tempting. Although, I don't see it as a reason alone to root my Nexus. And, as it is stock Google - there is no unnecessary bloat ware attached to the device.
And I can't get viruses while browsing through the internet?
I always thought that was the case, which is why I was looking for an anti-virus application.
Also, for UCCW - do I need to install a custom launcher of some sort? Is it really possible to add a widget, that appears complicated, simply through the Google Play market?
And finally, while installing ES File Explorer - I noticed that it had permission to remove shortcuts without user intervention. Is this the sort of permission I should be checking for on other applications? Since people on this forum recommended the app, I didn't really have any doubts of whether it was legit.3.
Also, how you I get toggles back on the notification bar? On iOS (sorry for the repeated mentioning of the scum ) - I had SBSettings, which was similar to the notifications available on Android. How would I add the toggles back?
Konflict1471 said:
Thanks for all of the responses! And apologies for the long post! xD
I'll look through the Nexus 7 forums as XperienceD mentioned.
And by ClockWordMod - is that actually ROM Manager? I'm confused, and this is probably the most noobish question you'll get. xD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a custom recovery which lets you backup your ROM, flash new ROMs and make other changes to your device (so in a way use it is a ROM manager)
Konflict1471 said:
Since I don't really want to root my Nexus 7 (currently, that is) - then I would not really need to back up the data, since, there will be no risk. I'm not really concerned about overclocking my device - it's quite fast as it is. However, battery saving is quite tempting. Although, I don't see it as a reason alone to root my Nexus. And, as it is stock Google - there is no unnecessary bloat ware attached to the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true if you have a nexus device the need for root is far less, and the fact that alot of apps that used to need root have become features in new versions of android, back in the days of 1.5/6 you needed root to pretty much do anything good
Konflict1471 said:
And I can't get viruses while browsing through the internet?
I always thought that was the case, which is why I was looking for an anti-virus application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure you might get windows viruses but in no way will they beable to run on your device let aloan harm it. The only way anything evil can be done is if you install the app (and in alot of cases give it root) so check those permissions!
anti-virus apps are the biggest scam (well paid one anyway) all they can really do is check a database of known bad apps and check it its there, other than that they do nothing. They are a trick from all the Windows users coming to android after having it hammered into them that you need anti-virus
Konflict1471 said:
Also, for UCCW - do I need to install a custom launcher of some sort? Is it really possible to add a widget, that appears complicated, simply through the Google Play market?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope just add the widget to your home creen, in the app launcher press the widget button and then long press on the widget you want and drag it to the home screen you want, many apps include widgets so will be installed with the app as part of it (e.g twitter) while other 'apps' are just widgets
Konflict1471 said:
And finally, while installing ES File Explorer - I noticed that it had permission to remove shortcuts without user intervention. Is this the sort of permission I should be checking for on other applications? Since people on this forum recommended the app, I didn't really have any doubts of whether it was legit.3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is likely a good reason for this (And with alot of apps if there is a odd permissions it will say in the apps description why its needed) but yes its the kind of thing you have to stop and think about
Konflict1471 said:
Also, how you I get toggles back on the notification bar? On iOS (sorry for the repeated mentioning of the scum ) - I had SBSettings, which was similar to the notifications available on Android. How would I add the toggles back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to add toggles you would either need to use a custom ROM, or download a app that will do it like this one https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.j4velin.notificationToggle&hl=en
Thanks very much for your detailed and extremely helpful reply!
I'll just do what you recommended! The Notification Toggle is an extremely impressive app, I must admit.
Since there is no point downloading a paid antivirus, should I download Avast Anti-virus (since it's free), just for precautionary measures?
Konflict1471 said:
Thanks very much for your detailed and extremely helpful reply!
I'll just do what you recommended! The Notification Toggle is an extremely impressive app, I must admit.
Since there is no point downloading a paid antivirus, should I download Avast Anti-virus (since it's free), just for precautionary measures?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well its not going to hurt and would at least prevent an app thats bad be installed if you missed it. And like I said some do have some nice other features just the "anit-virus" side of it is rather pointless
There is a huge thread with skins for UCCW.
And Power Widgets or Notification Toggles are the best Notification Drawer toggle apps.
NT has customizable icons.
If you want weather too there's some new app called Deluxe Notification Bar which shows weather and toggles.
Look in the Nexus 7 forums for no-root battery saving advice.
And if you do not want battery drain don't use Anti-virus.
I've never had any virus problems.
If you're unrooted they can't really mess with your phone.
Just stay away from creepy apps, Chinese apps (no racist), piracied apps and apps from other than Play Store and XDA.
And never play ad-supported games.
Buy ad-free versions or play offline if you don't want battery drain.
Also SwiftKey is a MUST, if you're not happy with Jelly Bean keyboard.

Custom ROM survey

Hi everyone,
We are conducting a survey on the current usage of custom ROMs and user interests and I'd like as many users as possible to answer the very few questions: https://bit.ly/2gM1Ntv (survey is closed now)
Why all this?
We believe that the current custom ROM world and choice is not very nice. We basically have a single large player and a few smaller ones providing official builds and then there are many "homemade" ROMs of doubtful trust. Newbies that care about privacy and free software are scared of homemade ROMs, don't like CM and usually have a device not officially supported by the smaller ROMs. We are thus discussing if we should start a whole new ROM (maybe robbing some hardware code from CM) or contribute to an existing one. Our focus is on security and privacy and some of our ideas might be hard to achieve inside the currently existing ROMs.
We don't want to re-invent the wheel if it's not necessary, a ROM that nobody wants to use is just a waste of time.
To know if our ideas of a custom ROM are supported by the community, we need to know what you think about custom ROMs and our ideas on it.
If you want to discuss this further or want to give your opinion on this publicly, fill this thread up with whatever you want. We don't bite.
Thank you for your time,
Marvin
Personally I would like a ROM based on CyanogenMod (since I like 90% of the ROM) with:
- microG included
- Integrated XPrivacy (but rewritten inside the ROM without Xposed)
- Ability to hide root to specific apps on-the-fly without restart (with the code included inside the ROM impossible to detect)
- Ability to simulate other phones to specific apps on-the-fly without restart
- ARMv7 to ARMv6 software emulation for apps that support only ARMv7 on ARMv6 phones (probably slow but better than anything, ARMv7 to x86 emulation already exist)
ale5000 said:
Personally I would like a ROM based on CyanogenMod (since I like 90% of the ROM) with:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem with CM base is that it is partly proprietary (contains some google libraries). Read about freecyngn for details.
ale5000 said:
microG included
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plan is a sort of "setup wizard" that allows to install microG and of course the required patches as part of the ROM.
ale5000 said:
Integrated XPrivacy (but rewritten inside the ROM without Xposed)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Three-state deny/spoof/allow is already on our wishlist as well as extending the permission model to be more fine-grained.
ale5000 said:
Ability to hide root to specific apps on-the-fly without restart (with the code included inside the ROM impossible to detect)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The idea is to have a root system that works the opposite to what some su hiding tools do: the su binary is only available to certain apps the user preselected. This will also hide it to apps that should not see it. This way we can't have a nice "grant root permissions" dialog, but these are insecure nonetheless.
ale5000 said:
Ability to simulate other phones to specific apps on-the-fly without restart
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What exactly do you want to simulate. The device name as returned by Build.MODEL? Note that it is technically impossible to simulate a whole other device in a way that can't be recognized
ale5000 said:
ARMv7 to ARMv6 software emulation for apps that support only ARMv7 on ARMv6 phones (probably slow but better than anything, ARMv7 to x86 emulation already exist)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which device is still ARMv6 nowadays? joke aside, the x86 emulation was developed by Intel (so that their processor can compete on the smartphone market), a similar software is very unlikely to be written for armv6. It might be possible to use user-mode qemu to run armv7 libraries on armv6, but this will be terribly slow and for most apps the reason to use native code is that it should be faster than Java code, which will not be the case with such an emulation approach...
MaR-V-iN said:
The idea is to have a root system that works the opposite to what some su hiding tools do: the su binary is only available to certain apps the user preselected. This will also hide it to apps that should not see it. This way we can't have a nice "grant root permissions" dialog, but these are insecure nonetheless..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although it is more secure it will kill user-friendliness and it will probably cause compatibility problems with old apps.
I sometime use also apps no longer updated and it wouldn't be nice to not be able to use them.
I think it would be better to support both modes and allow user to choose.
MaR-V-iN said:
What exactly do you want to simulate. The device name as returned by Build.MODEL? Note that it is technically impossible to simulate a whole other device in a way that can't be recognized
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My intent is just to run apps that do run only on specific phones without change the app itself, I don't think they use a type of detection hard to bypass but I don't really know.
MaR-V-iN said:
Which device is still ARMv6 nowadays? joke aside, the x86 emulation was developed by Intel (so that their processor can compete on the smartphone market), a similar software is very unlikely to be written for armv6. It might be possible to use user-mode qemu to run armv7 libraries on armv6, but this will be terribly slow and for most apps the reason to use native code is that it should be faster than Java code, which will not be the case with such an emulation approach...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that it will be really slow but it still would be better than an app that crash at startup.
PS: Also it would be nice to have compatibility with cSploit.
ale5000 said:
Although it is more secure it will kill user-friendliness and it will probably cause compatibility problems with old apps.
I sometime use also apps no longer updated and it wouldn't be nice to not be able to use them.
I think it would be better to support both modes and allow user to choose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For apps this will look as if you don't have root if you did not grant permission in advance through the system settings. The applications should not break because of this (but maybe just show you a message). Yes, it will be less user-friendly, but opening a critical hole in the security system should be nothing that is user-friendly. You usually do not have a lot of apps that require root access and to activate those manually in the system settings is not a huge problem. We would like to add features to the ROM like app data backup so that you need even less.
Well, for a normal user yes, but a normal user do not usually install a custom ROM.
I personally use a lot of apps that require root access.
Although it is probably not so easy I think it is possible to implement a dialog with tapjacking protection that ask if allow or deny root access.
ale5000 said:
Well, for a normal user yes, but a normal user do not usually install a custom ROM.
I personally use a lot of apps that require root access.
Although it is probably not so easy I think it is possible to implement a dialog with tapjacking protection that ask if allow or deny root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even with all tapjacking techniques that are possible in Android (which would include a certain delay for the root usage confirmation to be tap-able), you can still use invoke keystrokes. This would allow a privilege escalation. When talking about security, don't argue with "I know what I do", it's not about you knowing what you do, it's about attackers knowing it as well.
The only effective way to protect against any type of tapjacking/input injection is to put everything completely aside (e.g. in the settings app) and protect it by requiring the user to enter his/her lockscreen key (or use fingerprint) before being able to change anything. While the ask about permission approach might be good enough for classic permissions (contacts/calender), it is not a good idea for something like root access, because it requires extreme caution.
Can you list the apps that require root which you are using? This would help a lot in finding out how important the root feature really is.

Custom ROM advice - looking for a kid friendly solution

First off, I hope I'm posting this in the correct area
This may be a fantasy, but I will state my idea, and if you know any way of making it a reality, OR if it already exists, I would really appreciate your advice & help!
The idea is basically a super lightweight custom ROM that would work (be able to be flashed on) on a lot of different devices. (multiple android phones & tablets)
Preferably, I want it to run on the most stable version of Android
No play store, only a predetermined set of apps to be installed along with the ROM
No stock browser or any native apps that have a browser built-in
Basically, there are a few applications for this product, 2 that come to mind.
The most obvious, Kid friendly - I know about the parental controls available, I want something 'bulletproof'.
To ensure productivity and reduce distractions among employees.
I would also want a browser that is whitelist-based that can have the whitelist updated remotely, every time the browser connects to the internet, (either on startup of the app or in the background) it would check the whitelist and update itself with the new definitions. Ideally, I would want a Chrome-based browser with a built-in adblocker.
I know the lines are blurred from custom ROM to custom apps. I hope I'm not dreaming of a unicorn
(The native apps preferred would be The Camera, Messages and phone apps)
I think what you looking for is "Kids Space" from oxygenOs and colorOs 13. Now even I'm looking for the same for older oneplus devices.
You had any luck with it?

How To Guide Use german banking apps with root

I decided to root ky Pixel 6 and found out that i couldn't get around the security from germans banking apps.
simple soloution. have magisk/zygisk installed and set the root mode to "user" in the settings of magisk manager.
then go to your settings and setup a second user (wont have root) install your banking apps and enjoy the ability to use them with an rooted device
edit: this method was tested for Sparkasse app's
• S-Push Tan
• Mobiles Bezahlen
IndubidablyStoned said:
I decided to root ky Pixel 6 and found out that i couldn't get around the security from germans banking apps.
simple soloution. have magisk/zygisk installed and set the root mode to "user" in the settings of magisk manager.
then go to your settings and setup a second user (wont have root) install your banking apps and enjoy the ability to use them with an rooted device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not being critical of your choices but why would anyone chance having a banking institution or any financial app including
GPay on a rooted device? Isn't there a much greater chance of being compromised by an app or inadvertent web link? And if the banking institution sees that a bogus user was created what are the chances of recovering funds obtained through fraudulent activity? I understand why people want to root don't get me wrong, but money transfers and transactions on that device seem a little reckless to me. But I could be wrong, just curious of the thinking here.
i Understand, but if you want to have an custom DAC like Viper4Android you kinda need root. my intention isnt to do fraudulent activity, as i mentioned in the Post you dont have Root access on that second user
IndubidablyStoned said:
i Understand, but if you want to have an custom DAC like Viper4Android you kinda need root. my intention isnt to do fraudulent activity, as i mentioned in the Post you dont have Root access on that second user
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You misunderstood my concern wrt banking activity. I didn't suggest that you were doing anything fraudulent but if you were the victim of fraudulent activity would the bank still cover you with a bogus account you created? I don't know if what you did was entirely proper or not but that was not the issue I thought you might be concerned about.
As I said, I completely understand your desire to root be it V4A or DAC or even ad blocking. I just wonder the benefit vs the exposure if you are using banking apps. Without financial transactions occurring on the phone I doubt there is much to worry about other than what we are all concerned about root or not.
bobby janow said:
I'm not being critical of your choices but why would anyone chance having a banking institution or any financial app including
GPay on a rooted device? Isn't there a much greater chance of being compromised by an app or inadvertent web link? And if the banking institution sees that a bogus user was created what are the chances of recovering funds obtained through fraudulent activity? I understand why people want to root don't get me wrong, but money transfers and transactions on that device seem a little reckless to me. But I could be wrong, just curious of the thinking here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering DirtyPipe exists and has not been patched yet (plus how long it already took to even acknowledge the problem in the first place), rooting is the least of our worries when it comes to monetary transactions/banking and android.
Bear in mind that DirtyPipe is only one elevation exploit that we've heard about. And for every disclosed vulnerability there are dozens of others that nobody's aware of. The market for rooted android users is very small compared to the overall android phone-user market. Creating exploits specifically targeting rooted phones would be a waste of time and effort compared to working on privilege escalation on non-rooted devices; from a hacker's perspective you want to hit the largest volume of targets in cases like these.
I've been rooting my phones for 10 years now, and my usage of banking/fintech apps on my devices has increased consistently. Applying common sense opsec/infosec practices can negate a large percentage of the perceived risk that root access exposes you to.
On the other hand, if someone wants to target you specifically, as an individual, you're screwed, root or no root, unless you're aware of the risks that come with technology and the pitfalls of android (iOS can be perceived as more secure but when it comes to individual targeting/attacks, there are expensive tools made by some of the world's top intelligence organizations that can wreck havoc on iOS as well)
TL;DR you're never truly safe, root or no root.
Unfortunately that doesn't worked for me
I tested the following apps:
SecureGo
VR SecureGo
Mobiles bezahlen
Every App doesn't launch. Sparkasse is quitting instantly and SecureGo Apps are stuck with their logo.
On the rootet user I get the Browser-warning (of SecureGo) that my device doesn't meet the security requierements. So far so good, but on the non-rooted uses i would have expect that they're working.
Any Idea? I'm on April Build.
i dont know currently, i dont have root anymore since i had to update to the April Update. i'll update if there is something that can be done
Maybe you could confirm that these Apps launch on April build without root? That could help to research the problem a bit. Thanks!
hanni2301 said:
...but on the non-rooted uses i would have expect that they're working.
Any Idea? I'm on April Build.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe these apps are not supporting fully Android 12?
I have an app which, until recently, was freezing when the location was enabled. To be exact, when "Use precise location" was enabled. Only location access the app was not freezing, but couldn't get the coordinates.
Maye this is a similar situation here.
Cheers
Tom
hanni2301 said:
Unfortunately that doesn't worked for me
I tested the following apps:
SecureGo
VR SecureGo
Mobiles bezahlen
Every App doesn't launch. Sparkasse is quitting instantly and SecureGo Apps are stuck with their logo.
On the rootet user I get the Browser-warning (of SecureGo) that my device doesn't meet the security requierements. So far so good, but on the non-rooted uses i would have expect that they're working.
Any Idea? I'm on April Build.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I managed to get the VR Secure Go app working by doing the steps in the op plus using ice box and freezing magisk and the bank apps. I'm on April, too and I'm using radioactive kernel. Rooted stock kernel works as well on my device, but I had issues with the bank apps on some other kernels.
So to confirm, you need to freeze magisk on the rooted user and you're able to use the bank apps on the second (non rooted) user?
On which user you would freeze the bank apps? I doesn't have them installed on the rooted user.
Thanks in advance that you can definitely confirm its not the fault of April built.
hanni2301 said:
So to confirm, you need to freeze magisk on the rooted user and you're able to use the bank apps on the second (non rooted) user?
On which user you would freeze the bank apps? I doesn't have them installed on the rooted user.
Thanks in advance that you can definitely confirm its not the fault of April built.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only have one user (the rooted user). I've done the following steps:
1. Configure magisk: activate Zygisk and setup deny list for the banking apps
2. Hide magisk app
3. Freeze magisk and banking apps with Ice Box
ok, that is the normal way which is different to the approach the thread starter has chosen.
I use deny list plus hide my applist and works fine with Sparkasse, s-push and mobil bezahlen no need to freeze or use a second user profile
How do you do that, hide applist?
You can bypass it by
Download App Named Shelter from Play store.
The App will create work profile and you can bypass any bank or app you facing issue with it.
When completed create work profile you can clone Bank App and use if.
As Information, It works out of the Box with Magisk denylist,
You only need to Install Ice Box and hide Magisk Manager, even if it is using a random name, "Mobiles Bezahlen" would detect it.
Magisk + Ice Box is sufficient on latest Miui 13 as well!
Regards!
Not sure but I think island could help not sure though as I'm not rooted the app is made by greenify
Only as info, these 2 Apps, Postbank Finanzassistent and Postbank BestSign working by default on a rooted device.
I like Postbank

Question Negative aspects of bootloader unlock and root

Hi everyone! It's quite long I'm not on a Samsung phone, but due to some circumstances, here I am with an A52! While on other phones (like my previous OnePlus and Xiaomi) unlocking the bootloader and rooting the phone, changed nothing in terms of system capabilities, I remember that with Samsung phones, the process should trip Knox (I don't even know if it's still a thing) and some functions like fingerprint sensor and Samsung or GPay won't work anymore.
My question is: is this still true? I really want to root my phone, but if I have to renounce to GPay and banking apps, it's not easy to choose.
Many thanks in advance!
Knox efuse is part of the hardware... still.
Knox is still a thing. Here are some things you lose forever, even if you return to stock:
-Samsung Pay
-Samsung Pass
Here are some things you lose but can recover (KnoxPatch is highly recommended for this):
-Secure Folder
-Samsung Health
-Secure WiFi
-Smart View
-Private Share
-Samsung Flow
Things like GPay don't depend on Knox. You can recover that with the universal safetynet fix (MOD) and hiding Magisk well
Banking apps each have their own ways of detecting root, so it's just a matter of properly hiding Magisk and/or Playstore/Safetnet integrity.
You will lose OTA updates of course but those can be recovered by flashing stock and locking your bootloader again.
Thanks for the update!!
You're welcome. All Samsung's should be optimized or they run like sick horses. Be it by rooting then using the new tools/apps available or by working within the stock framework using settings, adb edits or a Package Disabler and 3rd party apps. Either way takes time and effort.
Once you start flashing firmware your taking risks that you don't need to. Android 9 or higher is relatively secure, constant upgrades/updates aren't needed. They will change the playing field, break things, causing you to have to find new work arounds and waste time. A stock Android is almost impossible to crash and burn. If you do the worst that can happen is a factory reset; no lasting damage, limited lost time with a predictable end point.
Rule #1- if the firmware is fast, stable and fulfilling its mission let it be. The current load on this stock N10+ will be 3yo in June, still fast and stable. It's still running on Pie, security simply isn't an issue. Just because it's stock doesn't mean you have to run it stupid... the Android OS can be extremely long lived with only minimal maintenance.

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