Switched to Android today

[Alain_A]

I see two videos in your post. One for rooting, one for unrooting. I have used neither of these, so can't say if it will work or not. Sorry. (If you had a question about the Nexus 5, I may know more)
Hopefully others will chime in, or post your question in the S4 thread

I don't have a specific question. I was wondering if someone tried it and if it work like the video shows

I am used to install leaks when I was with blackberry..I am new to android device and they call that rooting.Is rooting like installing leaks to BB device

I am running a note 3...It is always good to know these things just in case if needed

 

[jdk2]

I don't have a specific question. I was wondering if someone tried it and if it work like the video shows

I am used to install leaks when I was with blackberry..I am new to android device and they call that rooting.Is rooting like installing leaks to BB device

I am running a note 3...It is always good to know these things just in case if needed

I didn't view your videos but be sure you understand that Knox Counter and the ramifications of doing so before making any changes to your Note 3. I don't believe there's a way of returning the phone to an untampered state for warranty purposes at the present time. When the phone first came out, you were able to restore it. That changed with recent updates. Be careful.

Rooting is similar to installing leaks on a BB. Just the process is a little different from the beginning as you need to unlock the bootloader and root before adding a leak (ROM).

 

[Alain_A]

I didn't view your videos but be sure you understand that Knox Counter and the ramifications of doing so before making any changes to your Note 3. I don't believe there's a way of returning the phone to an untampered state for warranty purposes at the present time. When the phone first came out, you were able to restore it. That changed with recent updates. Be careful.

Rooting is similar to installing leaks on a BB. Just the process is a little different from the beginning as you need to unlock the bootloader and root before adding a leak (ROM).

the second video says it does reset at zero for knox...I will not be the one trying tho.


I don't think I'll ever root for now cause the phone is good to me as it is. like. I am learning by what other people does just in case if needed in the future.

 

[anon(4903109)]

PS: I got the phone yesterday and all seem to be working out pretty well.

I immediately noticed that I was unable to setup any lockscreen shortcuts on stock Android. This is okay with me though because I can root and install Xposure framework etc. Now here's my next question regarding this...

If I root the device without the custom ROM, I will not be able to (by default) OTA update with Google. Now I've read in some places that it was possible to "temp unroot" to achieve the system update and reroot upon upgrade. This is a fine solution but I fear it's only temporary (if it still even works). Am I better going with CM11 monthlies or some other "almost stock" ROM?

 

[yfan]

If I root the device without the custom ROM, I will not be able to (by default) OTA update with Google. Now I've read in some places that it was possible to "temp unroot" to achieve the system update and reroot upon upgrade. This is a fine solution but I fear it's only temporary (if it still even works). Am I better going with CM11 monthlies or some other "almost stock" ROM?

While root does kill OTA, it is easy enough to install either in OTA file or a full system image through custom recovery and then either keep root through SU root survival mode or simply reroot after the update.

You may not even have to do that since usually there are rooted versions of the Google system image within 24 hours (if that long) on XDA for you to flash, especially for nexus devices. No custom ROM needed.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[Speedygi]

While root does kill OTA, it is easy enough to install either in OTA file or a full system image through custom recovery and then either keep root through SU root survival mode or simply reroot after the update.

You may not even have to do that since usually there are rooted versions of the Google system image within 24 hours (if that long) on XDA for you to flash, especially for nexus devices. No custom ROM needed.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

This is exactly what I'm going to try to do on my S4 to convert it into a Google play edition...

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[xceeder]

This is exactly what I'm going to try to do on my S4 to convert it into a Google play edition...

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Hey pal sorry for posting here but could you tell me how to start a topic I can't find it in settings I'm using tapatalk pro

sent from my Nexus 7 using tapatalk pro..

 

[Speedygi]

Hey pal sorry for posting here but could you tell me how to start a topic I can't find it in settings I'm using tapatalk pro

sent from my Nexus 7 using tapatalk pro..

You must go to forums and then select the particular forum you want to start the thread in and then start it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[xceeder]

You must go to forums and then select the particular forum you want to start the thread in and then start it.


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Thank you so much

sent from my Nexus 7 using tapatalk pro..

 

[Speedygi]

Thank you so much

sent from my Nexus 7 using tapatalk pro..

No prob.


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[xceeder]

No prob.


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Aaww it won't let me I wanted to make a topic about posting quadrant benchmarks on the nexus 7 but it said its not allowing any more posts and again I'm sorry I don't mean to hijack this thread..

sent from my Nexus 7 using tapatalk pro..

 

[jj14x]

I immediately noticed that I was unable to setup any lockscreen shortcuts on stock Android.

If you still want to do this, Go to settings/secutity - check "Enable widgets"

If I root the device without the custom ROM, I will not be able to (by default) OTA update with Google. Now I've read in some places that it was possible to "temp unroot" to achieve the system update and reroot upon upgrade. This is a fine solution but I fear it's only temporary (if it still even works). Am I better going with CM11 monthlies or some other "almost stock" ROM?

If you are going to stay on the stock ROM, you may be able to install OTA updates. There are different scenarios

1. If you are on stock recovery, and are completely stock (no custom kernel, no xposed framework, no modifications to system files - but you can use root apps like adaway or titanium backup etc) you can take OTA as usual
2. If you are on custom recovery, and are stock everywhere else (no custom kernel, no xposed framework, no modifications to system files - but you can use root apps like adaway or titanium backup etc), you can get the OTA zip file from xda (usually available within hours of when OTA first starts reaching people), download onto your phone, reboot into recovery, and install from there.
3. If you have made any system changes,you will need to get back to stock - by either reverting changes back (uninstall Xposed, put original system files back), or flashing the stock image (you can do this without losing your data if you do it right), and then follow steps in #2 above)

You certainly have the option of downloading the entire image and flashing that - but all your data will get wiped out with this approach.

There may be other scenarios, but #3 covers pretty much all of them.
You will lose root after the update in almost any case, but reflashing the supersu binary takes less than a minute, and that gets you root. (you do not need to unroot to get system update).

 

[Joseph Bonito]

Well, I've tried 3 Android phones in the last 8 months or so and each time have returned to my iPhone 5. My ideal phone would have elements of both Android and iOS, and for me at least that means having an iPhone with Android-like tweaks. That's why jailbreaks were helpful (see below). The three Android phones, in order, were a Galaxy S4, a Moto g, and a Nexus 5 (which I've had for a week and plan to return).

Here's what I like about Android:
1. Incredible customization options.
2. Large screen size (not so much on Moto g).
3. Seamless integration with Google services.
4. Google Now
5. The new "Cover" and "Themer" apps are truly cool and quite useful.
6. Unlocked Moto g and Nexus 5 are positive steps toward true competition among carriers.
7. Wireless charging on Nexus 5 way cool.
8. Automation via Tasker is very helpful.

Here's what I didn't like about Android:
1. Incredible customization options--spent untold hours trying to get things to work and look to my liking. For all of it's "un-openness" iOS requires fairly minimal tweaking.
2. Didn't play well with Apple's iMessage (which is Apple's fault, I know, but it's a big deal when everyone else in the immediate and extended family are on Apple devices).
3. Google Now, which I really liked, didn't fit my style of doing things like Siri does. For example, it's very easy for me to press the home button and say "Tell my wife..." to send her a text and it's done (and the text goes to her iPhone, iPad, and MBA). Nothing comparable--yet--with the Android phones I've tried (though the "always listening" feature of the Moto X seems promising).
4. Bloatware on Samsung was painful. Nexus 5 is a joy compared to it.
5. Less seamless integration with Apple services (but doable).
6. I love the standard Apple earpods but they don't play well with Android (and that's an Apple thing, I know).

As it happens, the iOS 7 jailbreak is out and I installed it today. It's fairly stable, and most of the apps I like work with iOS 7. I love AndroidLock XT and f.lux and am waiting for the Forecast widget to be updated. I hate playing "whack a mole" with Apple and jailbreaks, but it is, at least for me, the best compromise. I do look forward, though, to see what Android becomes over the next year or so.

Joe

 

[jj14x]

Here's what I didn't like about Android:
1. Incredible customization options--spent untold hours trying to get things to work and look to my liking. For all of it's "un-openness" iOS requires fairly minimal tweaking.
2. Didn't play well with Apple's iMessage (which is Apple's fault, I know, but it's a big deal when everyone else in the immediate and extended family are on Apple devices).
3. Google Now, which I really liked, didn't fit my style of doing things like Siri does. For example, it's very easy for me to press the home button and say "Tell my wife..." to send her a text and it's done (and the text goes to her iPhone, iPad, and MBA). Nothing comparable--yet--with the Android phones I've tried (though the "always listening" feature of the Moto X seems promising).
4. Bloatware on Samsung was painful. Nexus 5 is a joy compared to it.
5. Less seamless integration with Apple services (but doable).
6. I love the standard Apple earpods but they don't play well with Android (and that's an Apple thing, I know).

Good first post! I am a little confused you by most of your 'cons' though...
1. How is that a negative? iOS "permits" minimal tweaking - if that is what you want, just umm... don't tweak Android? Things work just fine on Android without any tweaking
2, 5, 6, - not really Android negatives, are they? It is hard to keep one foot in Apple devices and the other in Google devices - for max benefits, gotta pick sides
3. You can launch google now (swipe up from home, or say "ok google" and tell it to send a text to anyone you like - dictate it.
4. Agreed - but not a negative of Android really... (negative for Samsung perhaps?) - and a lot of folks apparently like some of the Samsung features

Good thing is that there are choices. iOS is one of them. In the end, use whatever works best for ya

 

[rob damiani]

Have you considered the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition?

So I decided this morning that I was finally make my switch from Apple to Android. I'm enjoying Android in general but I fear I may have chosen the wrong phone to do it with.

This morning I purchased the note 3. The phone is definitely packing the specifications that I'm looking for... But Samsung really gives me the same feeling of being "locked down" in a sense.

So I'm having a bit of buyers remorse. I've watched further reviews and weighed my options. It seems the nexus 5 would be my best choice.

I want full flexibility, latest updates, root access, a good camera, no ****ty bloatware and smooth buttery performance.

Do I have to worry about the nexus line when it comes to rooting? Will I constantly be playing cat and mouse to keep my updates coming?

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[rob damiani]

Easy fix for the iMessage issue; have your iPhone friends delete your current SMS conversation thread, have them toggle iMessage "off" wait 15 seconds and then they can toggle iMessage back "on".

Here's what I didn't like about Android:

2. Didn't play well with Apple's iMessage (which is Apple's fault, I know, but it's a big deal when everyone else in the immediate and extended family are on Apple devices).

 

[rob damiani]

If you like Samsung phones but don't like Samsung software like TouchWiz just purchase the Google Play Edition of the phone like I did.

Samsung makes great hardware and has a lot of features. But you pay for it by being forced to use their custom skin, called Touchwiz. It is baked into the OS and you can't really "uninstall" it.

I love Samsung because they include things like removable batteries and SD. But I hate Touchwiz so much I can't buy their stuff.


Then you want the Nexus 5. It has all those things.


No. It is quite easy to root compared to other phones.

But the whole reason I chose Nexus was because I won't have to root. On other phones, the main reason I wanted to root was to get Vanilla Android back and free myself from their vendor skin pollution. The Nexus is pure by default, so there is no real reason to root.

I did finally root just so I could tether without T-Mobile knowing about it. If it were not for that, I would have no reason to rot at all.


Updated a rooted phone can be a hassle. Generally if you are not running stock-everything you need to flash updates manually. I have had lots of issues getting OTAs to work on rooted phones before.

Fortunately, Nexus is the template for Android. So it will always (always) get updates before anyone else. My sister's Note 3 is just now getting to 4.3. I have been on 4.4.2 for a long time now.

 

[JeffDenver]

If you like Samsung phones but don't like Samsung software like TouchWiz just purchase the Google Play Edition of the phone like I did.

1) They are expensive. Like twice-as-expensive-as-a-Nexus expensive.

2) That hardware button is still there, and I have grown to hate hardware buttons.

3) Although it is an improvement over the OEM version, the GPE is not actually supported by Google...which means that updates will be entirely at Samsung's discretion. It will not get updates as fast or as long as actual nexus phones.

As much as I love SD and removable batteries, I don't love them enough to pay twice as much for the phone. If I was going to go that route at all, I'd probably just buy one on contract and root/ROM it or something.

 

[JeffDenver]

Here's what I didn't like about Android:
1. Incredible customization options--spent untold hours trying to get things to work and look to my liking. For all of it's "un-openness" iOS requires fairly minimal tweaking.

...assuming you are ok with the choices Apple has made for you. You seem to be ok with it though. The "openness" matters if you want to go in a direction other than the one Apple has decided for you.

2. Didn't play well with Apple's iMessage (which is Apple's fault, I know, but it's a big deal when everyone else in the immediate and extended family are on Apple devices).

My solution was to get friends and family off of Apple devices. Took a few years but it worked. Now everyone can talk to each other.

3. Google Now, which I really liked, didn't fit my style of doing things like Siri does. For example, it's very easy for me to press the home button and say "Tell my wife..." to send her a text and it's done (and the text goes to her iPhone, iPad, and MBA). Nothing comparable--yet--with the Android phones I've tried (though the "always listening" feature of the Moto X seems promising).

You are pressing a button and giving the phone a command....Google Voice does the same thing on my phone. I use it every day. All Android phones with Jellybean or better have this functionality. It works exactly like SIRI does. You just tap the "voice search" icon and you get this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiQX-_Y0gms - The new GEL desktop (on the Nexus 5) and the Moto X can even do this without tapping any button at all. Just using your voice.

So far I have no really seen any advantages with SIRI. Maybe I am missing something, I don't know. But a lot of her answers seem unnecessarily cutsey to me. I am told Steve Jobs actually did not like SIRI much for this reason too.

4. Bloatware on Samsung was painful. Nexus 5 is a joy compared to it.

Thats a Samsung thing, not an Android thing. And I totally agree, which is why I avoid non-Nexus phones now.

5. Less seamless integration with Apple services (but doable).

Apple does that on purpose. They do not want you using non-Apple hardware with their services. I am frankly surprised they allow as much as they do.

As it happens, the iOS 7 jailbreak is out and I installed it today. It's fairly stable, and most of the apps I like work with iOS 7. I love AndroidLock XT and f.lux and am waiting for the Forecast widget to be updated. I hate playing "whack a mole" with Apple and jailbreaks

...and it will always be that way with Apple. They want the control. Not just to protect your from yourself (though I am sure that is part of it) but to ensure you pay for stuff they sell rather than get it for free.

This is an inherent advantage Google will always have. They have no incentive to lock you down or put you in Jail. They are not making money on hardware or services...they are making money off ads. Android is just a means to an end for them. For Apple, their hardware is the end itself. So it matters a lot to them that you spend.

Your post really comes down to 2 things:

1) You use Apple hardware and services, and Android will not play with them as seamlessly as Apple products will. This is deliberate and will never change. So unless you decide to sever your connection with Apple hardware and services, you will always be stuck on Apple hardware. Android is never going to be able to use Apple services and peripherals better than Apple does.

2) Many of the downsides you listed are not Android problems, but vendor problems. Nexus phones don't have them.

 

[jmiesse134]

Yes

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