Recommended Apps to get before/after unlocking/rooting?

[ConTejas]

Hey guys - I spent a good bit of time last night configuring my desktop pc (long story) so that I could start the process to unlock/root my nexus. I only got as far as backing up my device with Jerry's BWM. Was planning on using Wug's toolkit but I think I'm going to use mskip's toolkit on XDA based on some info in another noob post in this section of AC. My last question before I get that ball rolling tonight after work is which apps you'd recommend getting before and/or after unlocking/rooting/flashing and briefly why. I will certainly read their full description on the net. I've read so much I think it's become more confusing than it really is once you get going. I have a few in mind so far (RM, OTA Rootkeep, TiB). Thanks.

 

[2defmouze]

There's some discussion about that starting at this post, if that helps: http://forums.androidcentral.com/ve...-your-current-daily-driver-2.html#post1702476

 

[bakerbert]

all of these will be for after you root
AdFree (get rid of adds) free and awesome
Zip Themer (great tool to help with customizing your phone)
Root Explorer (access and editing to all of your files)
Light Flo (Take control of your led notification)
Set CPU (allows you to control your CPU)
If you decide to use Franco's kernel you can download his app and get about the same thing from set cpu and a little more.

I sure i can add to this list, but off of the top of my head these are the ones i use the most (that require root).

Good Luck and welcome to truly unleashing your phone, you will not be sorry

 

[ConTejas]

There's some discussion about that starting at this post, if that helps: http://forums.androidcentral.com/ve...-your-current-daily-driver-2.html#post1702476

Thanks. I've definitely been in that thread before. I guess I should emphasize the point of this thread is strictly relating to unlocking/rooting for a noob. MUST HAVE apps before and/or after unlocking/rooting rather than "what apps do you use daily and/or think are generally cool and useful" type of thread.

 

[2defmouze]

Thanks. I've definitely been in that thread before. I guess I should emphasize the point of this thread is strictly relating to unlocking/rooting for a noob. MUST HAVE apps before and/or after unlocking/rooting rather than "what apps do you use daily and/or think are generally cool and useful" type of thread.

Oh I see... kind of... Idk, I unlocked/rooted my nex a few minutes after I got home with her, lol.. and before that my bionic was rooted since october or so... so yeah not sure what you need. If you mean in terms of a backup app to use before unlocking.... I believe there is a method to root before you unlock the bootloader that you can look up, and that would be useful because if rooted you can use TiBu or other backup apps to backup all your stuff, then move it off the sd card before you unlock, since unlocking will wipe everything including the sd card. I'm not sure if any backup apps do not require root.

 

[zero neck]

The main thing is after you are unlocked and rooted, either flash cwm in fastboot or use rom manager to flash it. Then, learn the ropes of using recovery mode and making backups/flashing stuff.

Apps are arent really needed. But rom manager is convenient to flash recovery that first time, and to make backups that you can name yourself.

TIB for data/backup of apps, but when you unlock you're going to erase all your apps.

Zegna app list - you can get this before you root - this makes a backup of your apps, but only a market link to them basically - so if you use this app, make a backup, move it to your cpu or to dropbox or something - then after you unlock/root etc, you can get the app back from marktet and load up that list and it will provide you with links to get your apps back (faster than searching for everything).

 

[ConTejas]

Oh I see... kind of... Idk, I unlocked/rooted my nex a few minutes after I got home with her, lol.. and before that my bionic was rooted since october or so... so yeah not sure what you need. If you mean in terms of a backup app to use before unlocking.... I believe there is a method to root before you unlock the bootloader that you can look up, and that would be useful because if rooted you can use TiBu or other backup apps to backup all your stuff, then move it off the sd card before you unlock, since unlocking will wipe everything including the sd card. I'm not sure if any backup apps do not require root.

LOL yeah I understand it's all old memories for many of you. Guess I'm just ready for a new hobby of sorts, and these "new" toolkits make it all seem more appealing to the less than tech savvy android users like myself. My mom thinks I'm tech savvy though

As far as I'm aware, this is the only way to backup without rooting, and I've done it. The .ab file seemed rather small though at ~290kb, so I hope it worked fine.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/an...a-backup-wonder-machine-no-root-ics-only.html

Could you answer a dumb question for me? I picked up an app AirDroid which seems pretty cool. The only thing I'm really worried about losing are a bunch of pics, mostly of my bully as a growing puppy. The /sdcard pictures folder only has a few I emailed and downloaded. I can find the many others I literally took with my gnex. I can't download the sammy usb drivers I believe I need on my work computer...and I didn't try on my home pc I just setup with all that stuff (.net framework, mtp, wmp11, sammy drivers). With my BB...I could see all my pics on my work pc by simply plugging it in. No dice with the gnex. I know the BB didn't have mtp and had a removable sdcard, so I guess that's the issue? Do I need to be in PTP mode (usb debugging too?) on my home pc to get the pics taken with my gnex?

Otherwise, I think I'm good to go...maybe a bit more reading on flashing. Looks like the key unlock/root apps are mentioned in the sticky's and toolkit(s). Thanks.

 

[ConTejas]

Also, this is all I see of the device on my work pc, and was all I saw on my home pc but I don't think I looked after using Jerry's ICS BWM which when my pc was fully ready to pair with my gnex. These folder are all empty.

 

[2defmouze]

When you're plugged in to your computer.. Look for folder called DCIM.. That's where all your taken pics are stored

You can back it all up to your computer and simply bring it back over after you unlock.

No idea about that backup utility you linked to. I'd just say read the thread and ask questions there, if it sounds like it's what you're looking for and works then go for it, lol.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[ConTejas]

The main thing is after you are unlocked and rooted, either flash cwm in fastboot or use rom manager to flash it. Then, learn the ropes of using recovery mode and making backups/flashing stuff.

Apps are arent really needed. But rom manager is convenient to flash recovery that first time, and to make backups that you can name yourself.

TIB for data/backup of apps, but when you unlock you're going to erase all your apps.

Zegna app list - you can get this before you root - this makes a backup of your apps, but only a market link to them basically - so if you use this app, make a backup, move it to your cpu or to dropbox or something - then after you unlock/root etc, you can get the app back from marktet and load up that list and it will provide you with links to get your apps back (faster than searching for everything).

Awesome! Thanks man. Zegna app list is the sort of thing I need. I took wrote down a list of my apps and took screenshots of my homescreens (and app drawer), but this will definitely make it easier. I'm just hoping I can see stuff in folders like I should be able to when I get home to move it to my pc lol. Anticipation is killing me. Actually overshadowing the do or die Flyers game.

 

[ConTejas]

When you're plugged in to your computer.. Look for folder called DCIM.. That's where all your taken pics are stored

You can back it all up to your computer and simply bring it back over after you unlock.

No idea about that backup utility you linked to. I'd just say read the thread and ask questions there, if it sounds like it's what you're looking for and works then go for it, lol.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I'm the last post in the thread asking about it, but nobody like you guys checking it out I guess. Very much appreciating the responses. So..if this pc (work) is reading my gnex, is this not a sammy usb driver issue? Why are all these folders empty? I didn't need to do anything special for my BB. Appreciate that though man hadn't a clue which folder

 

[sicario666]

I'm the last post in the thread asking about it, but nobody like you guys checking it out I guess. Very much appreciating the responses. So..if this pc (work) is reading my gnex, is this not a sammy usb driver issue? Why are all these folders empty? I didn't need to do anything special for my BB. Appreciate that though man hadn't a clue which folder

Oh yuck. Blackberry. That's a bad word Mr! Lol. Are you mounted as USB storage?

Dropped from LiquidNexus1.35 via Xparent Tapatalk2

 

[ConTejas]

Oh yuck. Blackberry. That's a bad word Mr! Lol. Are you mounted as USB storage?

Dropped from LiquidNexus1.35 via Xparent Tapatalk2

Ha! Tell me about it. I had an OG but broke it and thought I'd only be dealing with a BB Storm !a buddy gave me for a few weeks waiting for the Bionic. We all know how that went. As you can imagine, I'm beyond impressed with this device after using that POS. How do I know if I'm mounted as USB storage? All I in the usb options is mtp and ptp...

 

[2defmouze]

Lol came from a BB Tour before I got my bionic in September and fell in love with the world of android... I know the pain lol.

Looks like missing or incorrect drivers could be the issue in that pic. I believe Cyber Warrior's How To... Thread at the top of the forum here had a good part about the necessary drivers you need and where to get them, and how to check if you indeed have them all set up right. Toward the bottom of the guide if I remember right.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[ConTejas]

Lol came from a BB Tour before I got my bionic in September and fell in love with the world of android... I know the pain lol.

Looks like missing or incorrect drivers could be the issue in that pic. I believe Cyber Warrior's How To... Thread at the top of the forum here had a good part about the necessary drivers you need and where to get them, and how to check if you indeed have them all set up right. Toward the bottom of the guide if I remember right.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Pain is a good word lol.

Ok good. That's what I was hoping to hear because I know my home pc is all set with the stuff in Cyber's thread (plus other stuff I had to find and download since I have a bare bones version of XP). We'll see what happens then. I'll quit bugging you guys...for now Thanks again everyone.

Oh and zero you wouldn't be sending me on a wild goose chase for that Zegna app, right? Searched the market and google...no dice except Apple store stuff and "mens" fasion lol. Anyway, found other apps to do the same thing and Dropbox is uploading my pics as we speak. Can't believe I'm so late on that one...pretty awesome!

 

[dogin]

I must be dense, but have read the rooting posts etc and ready to go on my Nexus 7 but I still do not know how to backup or what to backup before the rooting process. I read above about an program that will list my apps so I can find and reload those. Does everything else come up on its own like the OS and main screens etc? Is it similar to a clean install of an OS on a PC? If so does the OS just come up when u reboot?? Thanks

 

[supreme83]

I'd recommend "call log back up and restore", "sms backup and restore", and assuring gmail has your contacts backed up or doing a manual export of contacts. Depending on the device, you may be able to attain root and install Titanium Backup and backup apps and app data