Do you regret rooting your Note 2?

[SonOfUncleSam]

So I just rooted my first android device, the Note 8. Can I remove the bloatware on there? If so, how do I do this. If not, guess the only real reason to root it was the multi-window stuff.

Thanks

The quickest (and easiest way in my opinion) and safest way is to use Titanium Backup to 'Freeze' apps. You will need the pro version of this app if you already don't have it. Basically what this does, is makes them invisible to the system to where they don't run, and they will not be available in the app drawer. If you go to the Backup/Restore tab within Titanium Backup, if you click an app, there is a 'Freeze' option - and that's how you do it! Alternatively, you can just rename the specific APK files to '[filename].apk.bak', which will essentially do the same thing. You will need to download a root browser and navigate to 'System -> App'. From there, you can choose specific programs to rename. My favorite root browser, is 'Root Explorer', another paid app.

Here is a link to an explanation on freezing apps with Titanium Backup.
How To Freeze Or Uninstall Apps That Came With Your Phone [Android]

I'm on my third Android phone and have never rooted one before. I'm wondering if it's worth it or not. I understand it's a very personal choice. Curious if some of you regret doing it and why?

Thanks!!!

Everyone pretty much covered it, but I like to root because I have FULL control over my device. I had the Thunderbolt before the Note 2 and it was also rooted. But here are a couple reasons why I rooted...

1) Blocking ads (via AdAway). You honestly don't appreciate this until you don't have that capability
2) Custom ROMs. I am actually running Cyanogenmod on my phone. I had JellyBeans before, but I don't need the features of the Note 2 (like S Pen), I simply bought the phone because it had a large screen.
3) Customizations... SO many options. You can find your own custom boot animations, change everything on the menu bar, map certain [physical] keys (ie, for your camera). There are literally limitless possibilities

Those are just three I could think of right off the top of my head... But yeah, do it! You won't regret it. As soon as the rooting capability came out for the Note 2, it was on my phone.

 

[universeand]

Another positive for rooting is that many apps offer extra features and are more capable at what they already do if you are rooted. For instance Avast anti virus only has firewall protection if you're rooted.

 

[svenEDGE]

There isn't really anything you lose out on by simply rooting, so I don't see why you would regret. That being said, root it my friend! If you enjoy working with technology, its a fun thing to do. To lots of people, including myself, rooting and doing the things that come along with it such as installing custom recoveries and ROMs, becomes a hobby. Theres a lot of benefit to be had and a miniscule amount of harm that could come as a result.

 

[Alex Podgaets]

Is it possible to check when samsung note 2 was rooted ?
My phone stop to work and I sended him to warranty repair center but they said it was rooted and for what reason i have to pay $400 to change main board.But I never did it .i suspect them did it.So how I can proove it?

 

[anon(5356006)]

Did you buy your phone used? I don't see why Samsung would lie about it being rooted, or root it themselves.

 

[MaxBuck]

No regrets, but with the true data unlocking provided by the last OTA update, I've now unrooted and returned to pure stock. Works great; I'll report on success using foreign SIMs when I travel.

 

[cnotes2019]

Any way to get a transparent notification center on the note 2? Thanks !

 

[lee heng]

ggg

 

[queenlilyan]

i have note 2 GT-N7100 and i want to root my device can you tell me the steps please.

 

[calvin2]

I'd also like to debunk your warranty comment. While it's true you technically void your warranty when you root, I've had no issues getting replacement devices, while rooted & unlocked when needed.

But, if you void your warranty then YMMV. Several times I've made duplicate support calls-the 1st tech said "we don't support that" and hung up. I'd call back later & get a 2nd tech who'd say "we don't support that but I've done it myself & here's your problem". So keep in mind that if you want to be sure that any tech you contact will work on your problem then don't void your warranty-otherwise it's a roll of the dice, man. (I'll note that I'm new to Verizon though. Perhaps none of their techs pay any attention to warranties. That's not been my experience elsewhere though.)

 

[Lodingi]

But, if you void your warranty then YMMV. Several times I've made duplicate support calls-the 1st tech said "we don't support that" and hung up. I'd call back later & get a 2nd tech who'd say "we don't support that but I've done it myself & here's your problem". So keep in mind that if you want to be sure that any tech you contact will work on your problem then don't void your warranty-otherwise it's a roll of the dice, man. (I'll note that I'm new to Verizon though. Perhaps none of their techs pay any attention to warranties. That's not been my experience elsewhere though.)

I don't think it's wise to tell Verizon you're rooted. Just flash back to stock (if necessary) and repair or replace your device.

 

[klsp19]

Would i still recieve the update from samsung if i root it?specially the update will soon to come

 

[Linda McDonald]

I am rooted (cleanrom ace 5.0) I have multi-window. The only thing I worry about is that the 4.3 is coming soon and I don't think you can update with carrier update? Would like some of the advanced pen functions. Anyway, I love this phone SO MUCH!

 

[Trees]

That's correct. You'll need to wait until CleanROM is updated to include 4.3. May want to check scottsroms for any news there.

If you want the carrier update, you'll need to move back to a stock ROM.

 

[daisyboots36]

This simply is not true. I am rooted, have custom roms & still have all my TW features. I also would like to point out tat many TW roms actually enhance many of Samsung's TW features.

I'd also like to debunk your warranty comment. While it's true you technically void your warranty when you root, I've had no issues getting replacement devices, while rooted & unlocked when needed.

One thing to consider is that you need a functional usb port on your phone to revert to stock/reset flash counter (both of these would be necessary if returning phone for service/warranty depended on it not being rooted/unlocked.)

Had the experience with a prior phone (Gnex) of usb port issues (spotty charging/connecting w PC). It was unlocked/rooted. And... I couldn't return it to stock in order to have it serviced under warranty.

That said, I have no regrets for having rooted the phone despite losing out on warranty service. But... that was me at that time (was able to pick up a second Gnex used for less than $300CDN which I could spare), and it was a Gnex (the benefits in terms of function/customization gained by rooting a Nexus phone are many, losses are none.)

Now with my Note 2, the benefits aren't as many, and it's a pretty good experience out of the box (especially if you're a frequent S-pen user.) Replacement cost is higher, and we have a new baby, thus not as much spare $ (circumstance specific to me/now) thus I'm hesitant to root and haven't... yet. And I've rooted 4-6 (lost track) android phones prior.

There are always risks; the question you need to ask is whether the benefit to you is worth those risks

Make informed decisions & have fun!

 

[NCTXGAL]

Is it possible to check when samsung note 2 was rooted ?
My phone stop to work and I sended him to warranty repair center but they said it was rooted and for what reason i have to pay $400 to change main board.But I never did it .i suspect them did it.So how I can proove it?

Bear with me, I will get to the "rooting" in a second. I do want to give the background info.

Honestly, I bought a refurbished phone from AT&T (Note 2). I have always had strange things going on with it...like the screen flickering when a call came in (but just on rare occasions), you could turn the WiFi off, but then it would connect back. Eventually, I began learning the Android operating system. I found that the developer options were on. Hummm. Well, it took 11 months to just learning the "trick" to turn them on. I began researching things further 3 months after getting this phone. Why? Two laptops and my home routers were hacked. I watched as someone took control of TWO laptops. Yes, FBI report was filed. Could this be a coincidence, the timing of this all? Could the phone been hacked through the router, or the router via the phone? The reason I ask is, Samsung over the holidays did these AMAZING customer appreciation events. I was lucky to get to attend and spent a great deal of time talking with them about the Note 2 and the problems I was having. I was convinced at that point to just buy the new Note 3. I took the new phone home and did screen shots on the Note 2 of all of my apps, so I didn't forget to add any. When I went back through the screenshots, I discovered Titanium Backup Root Pro on the phone. I have done a FULL factory restore (which I though had been done when I got the phone).

So, what I want to know is...could this former owner be sending my info/data from my phone to a cloud storage somewhere? What are the dangers? Could things have been encrypted on my phone, that I won't be able to remove? When a phone is rooted, can it be put back to a normal state or is there residual program left? What can I look for?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ohgawd]

NCTXGAL - your question appears to have gotten the NSA to delete all replies since January'14! Maybe they were the ones looking into your phone?!?!?!? It is possible for a really highly skilled and intelligent 'entity' to load a ROM that would do the things you suggest. However, it would take a well funded organization to do so, because the ROMs available to public techies would not have that ability. You very well could have a rooted phone even from a vendor, but I cant imagine anyone would be spying on an average Joe or Jane . . . . now if you are a high-power foreign national or work for CIA or maybe other reasons and the NSA really really really cares about you, then maybe. fortunately for me, i am none of the above, at least note before this post!


ALL - really informative thread - thank you for your comments and insights. I was just looking into backup options and I went down the rooting path. I've loved my Note2 for nearly 2years and its been perfect. Local backups are getting old, I wanted to get a cloud backup running before installing the 4.3 ROM from tMo. Based on all the features and options and risks and fun that can happen once you get Admin level control of the device after rooting, I decided not to root my Note2. Mainly for two reasons - I am a super techie, but I still bricked two WM6 devices (yeah,yeah,yeah...ancient history, I know) and I am totally happy with my Note2 out of the box. it has small issues, but it just WORKS, so that works for me.

MC

^\ Live long and prosperously enjoy cutting edge daily /^

 

[John Wong1993]

HI，I am come from China in LBE security team , i am very glad to see you know about LBE's permissions.Now we just intend to launch a product-related permissions in Android a key setting tool, all without you manually click Settings,Based on our 3 years of accumulated user data, permission-based understanding of our Android app。

 

[tgm1024]

BTW, Samsung has recently announced that there will be NO official Note II Lollipop from them because it failed the final test (usability) because the bandwidth wasn't high enough.

Oye.

I think this then requires the CM mod, however it's unclear if the bandwidth problem is related to TouchWiz or not (some claim it is), which could be easily removed with CM.

The reason to dump 4.4.2 overwhelmingly has to do with the adoption of their (yet-again) entirely new mechanism for dealing with SD cards. However this latest one seems solid. I detail my questions (with supporting links) in another thread that is currently being evaluated by a mod (I only have 2 posts, including this one).

It's in this sub-forum though.