Root but keep OTA and/or warranty?!

[tom814]

Hi,

This is my first post - please go easy on me! I'd really appreciate any help from anyone who can offer a couple of minutes to a new Android user.

I'm hopefully getting a Nexus 7 2013 Wifi soon - my first Android device since ditching Apple. I've been reading up about its features and the benefits of Android. I like the idea of what rooting can offer, especially the Xposed Framework mods, backup capabilities and potential for more straightforward OTG/peripheral support. I'm not (yet) looking to install custom ROMs, etc, just run stock OS with the benefits I've mentioned - I may graduate to custom ROMs once I'm more comfortable in Android but definitely not yet.

However, I've read conflicting information about whether rooting hinders OTA updates and voids the warranty.

So, my questions are:

1. If I use towelroot to gain root access [looks the most straightforward method to me] to my new device, is my bootloader unlocked?
2. If my bootloader is intact, is my warranty also intact?
3. If I use towelroot to obtain root access and go ahead with xposed mods, will I still receive OTA Android updates?
4. Will towelroot + Root Checker + Xposed Framework (and modules) + SuperSU + Titanium Backup be all I need for what I've outlined?
5. Am I missing anything obvious in my thinking?

I'm aware I'm new and haven't got any Android expertise but I'd really appreciate any help in guiding what I should or shouldn't be doing. I'm not trying to become an Android developer, just get a few more features in the easiest/safest way possible.

Thanks.

 

[Willy_P]

My 2013 Nexus 7'has been rooted and running CyanogenMod 11. I just finished returning it to stock so that I will be able to get Android 5 OTA sometime in the next several weeks. The benefits of rooting are not what they used to be and a growing number of people are questioning the advisability of rooting.. I would leave the tablet stock, at least until you get the Android 5 update. You can do a lot of UI customizing with launchers such as Apex and Nova.

 

[GDKat]

My 2013 Nexus 7'has been rooted and running CyanogenMod 11. I just finished returning it to stock so that I will be able to get Android 5 OTA sometime in the next several weeks. The benefits of rooting are not what they used to be and a growing number of people are questioning the advisability of rooting.. I would leave the tablet stock, at least until you get the Android 5 update. You can do a lot of UI customizing with launchers such as Apex and Nova.

This is exactly what I am contemplating as well. I would really like to know how you returned your N7 to stock if you don't mind listing the steps or at least what method you used. I really want to try xposure and some tweaks but would like to return to stock afterwards to receive lollipop OTA.