hi, i recently acquired my sweet DROID 3, its my first smart phone and i would like to know the very specifics of rooting it.. im very tech savvy so dont hold the info back, i know how to root it (thanks to google) but am just very wary on what all i can do with a rooted phone (compared to an unrooted one) all replies are welcome. thank you
also, if i were to root, what apps (stock apps) should i get rid of to further enhance the performance of my phone?
Sorry if the title is misleading guys, if you want to know the easiest way to root your droid go to redmondpie.com
Custom firmware is the biggest reason to root. Others would include free tethering and removing pesky bloatware.
Honestly until you start playing with bootloaders and stuff it is hard to mess up a rooted phone. The worse you will have to do is a factory reset.
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App
accophox, i am aware of the benefits of rooting, and i know the steps to take, but in what order? and do you know the easiest way to get rid of all those crappy stock apps?
Another newbie here....
I know the usual answer to this question is to search around this site and learn before we try these things. However, if someone could direct me to some general guide for new people for initial backing up I'd really appreciate it. It's really hard to keep all the jargon straight with all these great answers. So many assumptions are made with your abbreviated descriptions, just want clarification. This is maybe the silliest of questions and apparently the answer is obvious to most people on here because I can't find the answer.
Question:
Is there is a mostly bulletproof way of saving an image of my current D3 so that if I brick it then I can fully recover where I am now (or just back to factory once I use titanium backup)? Is that what 'safestrap' or clockwork recovery does?
I want to know if I can backup my current un-rooted state and restore it with very little risk. After that then I will just learn from poking around on here. What I THINK I want to do is this (if someone is still reading this far I will forever be in your debt if you let me know if I'm missing a step).
1. Fully backup unrooted phone in current state.
2. One-click root (I've been tempted to just do that but am afraid of doing any such thing until backup is done)
3. Buy titanium backup to always be able to restore my apps and data independent of the system files.
4. Try to debloat, see if that gets it to snappy enough...if not...
5. Probably install liberty rom...if this disables things like my corporate exchange sync then do the walk of shame back to step 1....
I really want to play with this thing, I'm willing to deal with the glitches and learn what you know....just need to know if there's a point of no return!
nathanb131 said:
I know the usual answer to this question is to search around this site and learn before we try these things. However, if someone could direct me to some general guide for new people for initial backing up I'd really appreciate it. It's really hard to keep all the jargon straight with all these great answers. So many assumptions are made with your abbreviated descriptions, just want clarification. This is maybe the silliest of questions and apparently the answer is obvious to most people on here because I can't find the answer.
Question:
Is there is a mostly bulletproof way of saving an image of my current D3 so that if I brick it then I can fully recover where I am now (or just back to factory once I use titanium backup)? Is that what 'safestrap' or clockwork recovery does?
I want to know if I can backup my current un-rooted state and restore it with very little risk. After that then I will just learn from poking around on here. What I THINK I want to do is this (if someone is still reading this far I will forever be in your debt if you let me know if I'm missing a step).
1. Fully backup unrooted phone in current state.
2. One-click root (I've been tempted to just do that but am afraid of doing any such thing until backup is done)
3. Buy titanium backup to always be able to restore my apps and data independent of the system files.
4. Try to debloat, see if that gets it to snappy enough...if not...
5. Probably install liberty rom...if this disables things like my corporate exchange sync then do the walk of shame back to step 1....
I really want to play with this thing, I'm willing to deal with the glitches and learn what you know....just need to know if there's a point of no return!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, there really is no way to back up your phone without rooting it in the first place. If you do mess up badly, like bricking it, you can always use a program called RSD (found in the Droid 3 Android Development section) to restore the stock ROM.
If you aren't 100%, a ROM is basically the OS of your phone. Think of it as different versions of Linux (which is exactly what it is).
Second, as stated earlier, by simply rooting your phone, it's hard to mess it up. Rooting merely gives your phone additional permissions. Unless you start deleting stuff in Titanium backup, you are fine.
Third, One Click Root is very idiot proof. But I will run you through a very brief guide: Download and install the driver for your respective computer's OS here and download the latest version of Pete's One Click Root. http://www.psouza4.com/droid3/ Then, enable USB debugging by going under settings-> Applications-> Development, and checking the box. Assuming you have the correct drivers installed on your computer, you should plug your phone in and allow it to recognize the device and such. After it's all done, open up Pete's One Click Root and simply click Root My Phone. Let it do it's thing, then you are done.
Fourth, I never use Titanium Backup. To make a perfect back up of your device, download Rom Manager from the app marketplace. Then download the droid 3 bootstrap at http://goo.gl/b4b6L visit that link on your phone and make sure you have "Unknown Sources" checked under application settings on your phone. Open up Rom manager and Click the top option to get the correct version of ClockworkMod Recovery for your phone. Once that is done, open up the bootstrap application you just installed and click the top option (bootstrap recovery) wait for it to say Success! then click the second option. Your phone will reboot. Using the volume buttons on the side of your phone as up and down and the power button to select options, scroll down to Backup and Restore on CWM menu that popped up (it's blue). Select Backup. Note: Make sure your battery is at least 75%. Allow it to do it's thing, it will take a while. When it is done, click Reboot Now. You now have a perfect backup of your current system.
Fifth, Debloating your phone is kind of risky, at least in my opinion. A safer option is to install an app called Script Manager and download and run the script found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1238472 Instead of removing your bloat, it simply renames it and prevents it from starting up. It also comes with an option to reverse the changes if you want bloat back.
Finally, I would recommend following this guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1278056 to installing Steel Droid V3. Steel Droid is a simple Rom that doesn't require you to wipe all your data and is still pretty neat. I would run the script I mentioned earlier AFTER flashing to Steel Droid though.
Looking back, that is a **** load of text. I typed it all for you so I hope you get some use out of it
Have fun customizing your phone!
It may sound a little mean but go start reading threads. If someone tells you step by step, great you've done it but do you have any idea what you've done. All the info is in these threads. Its ridiculous how much I've learned reading every thread I can since I joined in august. When you don't understand what it is you're doing, that's when you goof **** up and post help me threads
Sent from my XT860 using xda premium
Thanks. You guys are awesome!
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App
Slayer621 - a thousand thanks for the baby steps! Best walkthrough I've seen and exactly what I needed to know!
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App
No problem! Just make sure you are careful. Don't do anything without checking on these forums for the possible outcomes. Deleting a seemingly useless file could make your phone a paper weight!
Related
Hello everybody. I've never unlocked, rooted, or done any modding to a phone before... I'm also not much of a unix/linux guy, but have SOME familiarity with it.
OK, so.....
I've been doing some reading around this forum & am still confused about some things, and also have some questions I haven't found answered. I apologize if these have been asked/answered elsewhere, but I have tried searching.
1. Some terms are used in this forum that I am unfamilar with: adw, adm? jig?
2. After flashing to froyo, everyone has the same Android Device ID? So, how do you restore your own ID, I haven't seen this answered anywhere.
3. I've seen people mentioning phone batches... what is this info needed for? Mine is batch 1009 if that matters.
4. OK, so if you screw something up & brick your phone... you can use ODIN w/JF6 to fix this? There is no way to be unable to un-brick your phone, as long as you have ODIN & JF6?
5. I've downloaded the GalaxyS OCR software, but you still need to use another program to flash your ROM file over? Am I understanding this correctly?
6. Where do I get the ROMs for froyo.. and what is the easiest software to use for flashing the rom? I see people mentioning Cognition a lot, but they also mention some others like Axura. Is there a definitive comparison of the various ROMs someplace that I am missing?
Thanks in advance everybody!
Hello everybody. I've never unlocked, rooted, or done any modding to a phone before... I'm also not much of a unix/linux guy, but have SOME familiarity with it.
OK, so.....
I've been doing some reading around this forum & am still confused about some things, and also have some questions I haven't found answered. I apologize if these have been asked/answered elsewhere, but I have tried searching.
1. Some terms are used in this forum that I am unfamilar with: adw, adm? jig?
Adw is a launcher
Not sure on adm
Jig is a device some have put together and used to recover from brick
2. After flashing to froyo, everyone has the same Android Device ID? So, how do you restore your own ID, I haven't seen this answered anywhere.
There is an app on the market android id changer. I believe you need to be rooted. Download app, click save id. When you load a froyo rom some will automatically use the saved id, others may not. In the case that it does not get same app load id, click change. Phone still reboot id will be changed
3. I've seen people mentioning phone batches... what is this info needed for? Mine is batch 1009 if that matters.
You should be fine. I am the same batch
4. OK, so if you screw something up & brick your phone... you can use ODIN w/JF6 to fix this? There is no way to be unable to un-brick your phone, as long as you have ODIN & JF6?
Odin will save you from just about everything. Couple things, only works on pc. Download drivers for the phone prior to flashing anything. Make sure your phone is recognized by the pc. Attempt to get into download mode. Pull battery, sim, external sd. Put battery back in. while holding volume up and down plug in usb while connected to pc. Screen should show orange guy with shovel. If works just pull battery to get out of that screen
Attempt to get into recovery. Volume up and down and per at the same time. When at &t screen comes up, let go of all three. A screen should come up with blue letters
If you can not get into either of these I would not flash
5. I've downloaded the GalaxyS OCR software, but you still need to use another program to flash your ROM file over? Am I understanding this correctly?
Yes
6. Where do I get the ROMs for froyo.. and what is the easiest software to use for flashing the rom? I see people mentioning Cognition a lot, but they also mention some others like Axura. Is there a definitive comparison of the various ROMs someplace that I am missing?
Roms can be found in the captivate development section. There are several froyo roms.
You install roms using free app, rom manager. Download app, open, top option says flash clockwork recovery, click and scroll to captivate. This puts an update zip on your sd card. Power phone off. Get into recovery, three button combo you tested before. Navigate in recovery using volume up and down, select with power. Scroll to reinstall packages. You may get butted back to the same screen, click reinstall packages, will take you to a green recovery screen. Reboot phone.
Find the rom you want and download, can be done directly on phone. Move file to the root If your sd card. Power off remove sim and external sd. Make sure your battery is fully charged. Open rom manager app. Click install rom from sd. Navigate to file, select clear cache and data. If you want to backup your current state there is an option to do so. Click ok, put your phone down, be patient. Couple minutes later you will be booting into your new rom.
Hope this helps
Thanks in advance everybody![/QUOTE]
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Personally... I don't know if everyone should be trying to install custom ROM's on their phones.
Alot of people have too many issues figuring out how to root, sideload enable, and then download ROM Manager to install a custom ROM. Then when things go south they don't know how to restore their phone and end up having to warranty it.
Doing any of the above will immediately void your warranty.
But... with all that said I'm running a "stock" Eclair OTA JH7 right now with a few tweaks - and I really can't say I'm missing all the "Froyo goodness" at the moment.
I've rooted and allowed non-market apps with CLShortfuse's One-Click Root program.
Then I downloaded a Lag Fix (RyanZA's OCLF) from the market... and the phone has been screaming along just fine.
And of course.. GPS still doesn't work - but at this point I'm used to it.
No issues with headphone's not working, or terrible battery drain, or the other myriad of issues you will find by installing the latest and greatest. So... rather than start in with the latest popular ROM - I'd just Root and apply a Lagfix and see how it goes from there. If at that point your really comfortable with flashing a ROM - go for it.
avgjoegeek said:
Then I downloaded a Lag Fix (RyanZA's OCLF) from the market... and the phone has been screaming along just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, so I've dipped my toe in & rooted the phone using TGA_Gunnman's "GalaxyS_One-Click_Root_All_Models"
According to the program, I'm rooted. Phone rebooted into that recovery mode & I chose "Reinstall all packages".
Phone rebooted as it's supposed to. Went into Market, all seems good, but I can't find this OCLF you mention. Searched on RyanZA, OCLF, and also "lag fix" but don't get any results... ??
Also, The AT&T programs are no longer listed under my applications manager, were they uninstalled by default? I still see a couple of AT&T apps when I go to view all applications, but can't find these apps to uninstall in the app manager section.
Thanks!
Bill
OCLF I believe had been taken off the market but I would not suggest using that program for anything other then rooting your f device
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
So it has... whats the deal?
Not sure why it was removed but I only used it as an easy way to root. The lag fix on that app was an ext 2 lag fix that is obsolete. If you are willing to apply a lag fix and want froyo read the cognition, perception, auxura, etc threads in development and decide which one you want.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
If you just want your phone to work, I'd suggest just doing one of the lag fixes and staying as "stock" as possible. There's a one-click root/unroot for the captivate for rooting. The rest is up to you. But, for me having exchange support for work is a must and Froyo works perfectly with my company's exchange set up.
If you're a "tinkering" type of person, then go for some custom stuff! I believe best way to learn is just go do it. Read through the development section for a week or so (post your questions in this section though... devs seem to be a little snippy lately) and have fun. Odin has saved me from bricking my device a few times. Like was said before just make sure you download and test working usb drivers and can that you can access your device from windows.
Good luck!
Billbo1970 said:
2. After flashing to froyo, everyone has the same Android Device ID? So, how do you restore your own ID, I haven't seen this answered anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ARG! I flashed Perception build 5 without backing up my original device ID. What is the importance of the device ID?
If I go back to the my stock ROM backed up with ROM Manager, will it still have my original device ID?
loonieryan said:
ARG! I flashed Perception build 5 without backing up my original device ID. What is the importance of the device ID?
If I go back to the my stock ROM backed up with ROM Manager, will it still have my original device ID?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe perception 5 generates a random one.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
mcord11758 said:
I believe perception 5 generates a random one.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
K, thanks, but that still doesn't answer my question regarding the significance/importance of the device ID. How is it used and what is it used for?
loonieryan said:
K, thanks, but that still doesn't answer my question regarding the significance/importance of the device ID. How is it used and what is it used for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The market and some games access it. So with leaked froyo, when everyone has the same id it causes issues because there can be like a thousand people with the same id trying to download at the same time.
As far as the games,i never had a problem do I can not say which ones and what the issue was
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Billbo1970 said:
OK, so I've dipped my toe in & rooted the phone using TGA_Gunnman's "GalaxyS_One-Click_Root_All_Models"
According to the program, I'm rooted. Phone rebooted into that recovery mode & I chose "Reinstall all packages".
Phone rebooted as it's supposed to. Went into Market, all seems good, but I can't find this OCLF you mention. Searched on RyanZA, OCLF, and also "lag fix" but don't get any results... ??
Also, The AT&T programs are no longer listed under my applications manager, were they uninstalled by default? I still see a couple of AT&T apps when I go to view all applications, but can't find these apps to uninstall in the app manager section.
Thanks!
Bill
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T applications are system applications and therefore do not show under the default application manager view. If you are still "stock", you would do Settings>Applications>Manage Applications>Press Menu button>Filter>All. This will list all the applications on the phone. Be careful what you try and remove if you do this. Remove the wrong system app and your phone will dump. Most system apps won't let you remove them this way, you would have to use ADB or Titanium Backup to remove.
Search and read. Good Luck!
iirc batch 1009 doesnt have download mode.
you should flash the one click that enables the 3 button download mode before you do anything...
then make a jig so that you can recover if anything ever messes up...
then go nuts and flash 10x a day.
Ah thanks for the info, that shows them. So, I havne't done a thing other than root the phone so far. I've been trying to find the 'lag fix', but haven't been able to. I have however found a lot of posting on how the lag fix makes the phone much faster, but also drains the hell out of the battery. Any opinions on that? That's really all i wanted right now, a faster phone & get rid of some AT&T apps. One of them seems to run all the time (I use my wifi a lot), is it safe to kill AT&T Hot Spots, or will I lose wifi connectivity if I do that?
Bill
Billbo1970 said:
Ah thanks for the info, that shows them. So, I havne't done a thing other than root the phone so far. I've been trying to find the 'lag fix', but haven't been able to. I have however found a lot of posting on how the lag fix makes the phone much faster, but also drains the hell out of the battery. Any opinions on that? That's really all i wanted right now, a faster phone & get rid of some AT&T apps. One of them seems to run all the time (I use my wifi a lot), is it safe to kill AT&T Hot Spots, or will I lose wifi connectivity if I do that?
Bill
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only lag fixes out there come with custom roms or kernals. Battery life depends on the rom but common sense would dictate if you are driving 100 mile per hr it will take more gas then going 50
I do not think you will have any issues killing at&t hot spots. It is gone from all custom roms so it can not be too important. Do not mess with anything google especially gtalk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Thanks for the info! Well, I've bought the paid version of Titanium Backup & just backed up the phone; and I have Odin w/the correct ROM file, so I may start delving a little deeper into the phone now.
Any suggestions on a ROM for someone that just wants to speed up the phone a bit & lose the ATT bloatware? Don't really care if it's 2.2, I can wait for the official to come out & be ROM'd up by the geniuses here
Bill
Billbo1970 said:
Thanks for the info! Well, I've bought the paid version of Titanium Backup & just backed up the phone; and I have Odin w/the correct ROM file, so I may start delving a little deeper into the phone now.
Any suggestions on a ROM for someone that just wants to speed up the phone a bit & lose the ATT bloatware? Don't really care if it's 2.2, I can wait for the official to come out & be ROM'd up by the geniuses here
Bill
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do not care about 2.2 a good starter rom would be cognition 2.16. You can get it here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=786532
Click on get cognition here. It will bring you to a page with a bunch of links. Personally I would use the 2.16 without hsupa. If you never use bluetooth then it does not make a difference. This rom uses the voodoo lagfix. The only downfall is that everyone had moved to 2.2 roms do if you post questions in that thread I am not sure you will get much back.
If you are going 2.2 I would read and try this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=856877
Perception is also an option but from what I am reading I would not flash the latest update until it gets worked through some.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
mcord11758 said:
Personally I would use the 2.16 without hsupa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's huspa?
Billbo1970 said:
What's huspa?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am probably not the best to explain this but it is a faster upload and download capability that us not standard on the Captivate. Meaning if you have it, and the data in your area is strong, you should have a faster download/browser experience
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Let me say I had an EVO and used Unrevoked to root it and all I did was use that for wifi.
So now I have an unrooted Nexus. I am in a position that I want some of the custom things but have not rooted and a lot of this technical stuff floors me at this point and I do not want to brick my phone.
Can anyone tell me what it means to install via recovery, how to do a backup and what deoxxed (I know it is spelled wrong) is?
I want to put a custom home screen, I like the blue market I see and I like the clear MMS that is posted, but the install instructions just confuses me.
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I really am wanting to customize my Nexus 4G.
steveh552 said:
Let me say I had an EVO and used Unrevoked to root it and all I did was use that for wifi.
So now I have an unrooted Nexus. I am in a position that I want some of the custom things but have not rooted and a lot of this technical stuff floors me at this point and I do not want to brick my phone.
Can anyone tell me what it means to install via recovery, how to do a backup and what deoxxed (I know it is spelled wrong) is?
I want to put a custom home screen, I like the blue market I see and I like the clear MMS that is posted, but the install instructions just confuses me.
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I really am wanting to customize my Nexus 4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out the One Click Root thread in the Nexus S 4G Development section. See if that helps a little more. Your probably going to get flamed for posting this in this section, but oh well. Read that and try to get rooted first. Then if you need more help after that feel free to shoot me a PM and ill try to help you more. Read different threads as well, just search XDA for root NS4G. Hit me up if you need some help with anything.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App
steveh552 said:
Let me say I had an EVO and used Unrevoked to root it and all I did was use that for wifi.
So now I have an unrooted Nexus. I am in a position that I want some of the custom things but have not rooted and a lot of this technical stuff floors me at this point and I do not want to brick my phone.
Can anyone tell me what it means to install via recovery, how to do a backup and what deoxxed (I know it is spelled wrong) is?
I want to put a custom home screen, I like the blue market I see and I like the clear MMS that is posted, but the install instructions just confuses me.
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I really am wanting to customize my Nexus 4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went through the exact same thing. If you start reading more threads it will start coming to you. When you root, you need the drivers (adb and fastboot) installed on your computer, they come with either pdanet or sdk which you can find the download links to with a quick search of the forums. Find the stickied section of NS4G dev section and those should have all the files you need. Cwm is Clockwork Mod Recovery. It is flashed after unlocking the bootloader using a command prompt. After rooting and flashing cwm, you boot into recovery(cwm) and follow the instructions from a root guide to flash your new rom. I think BuglessPete has a great tutorial on root and flashing a rom. Find that and you're good to go. Don't get discouraged. It is NOT as hard or complicated as it seems. You will be surprised at how simple these guys have made it for us newcomers. Make sure you give them a thanks.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App
So it was a day from you know what. I got rooted first this morning, I did the first update that I wanted which was the blue market, epic fail. I spent the whole day trying to get my market to work again, no go. I had not backed up (stupid me) and when put that new market in it was a FC galore. I tried downloading other market apk's including the market that is due to be released and none would install. I ended up flashing the phone with Oxygen ROM. Now I have to get the phone back to the way I like it, lots of apps to download (not sure why they did not restore since I am set to back up/restore from google servers) and go from there.
I will be doing more I am sure, lots of reading to do. Thanks to the two of you.
Okay, so here I am all proud (and a little surprised) that I made the jump from a WM device to the REVO . . . excited about the opportunity to take advantage of the open source android architecture, and skim off some of the great work being done by apparently some of the leading chefs (is that a WM term?).
But now that I'm here, I'm thoroughly confused by it all and a little gun shy because I'm clearly a generation behind what's going on.
My situation is I have a stock REVO with ZV7 - never rooted . . . a "virgin-bread". I'm interested in rooting it and playing around a bit. I found my way through spl unlockers and custom ROMs okay on my WM device but there's just too much new stuff going on here:
WTF is a nandroid, a superuser, an ASOP? What's in a Revotoolkit? Do I back up my factory ROM before or after I root? How and why do I install recovery? What does clockworkmod do? Okay, you get the point?
So here's my question: Where TF is the dummy's guide to rooting this device? I know there's a lot of "download this, click on this .bat" stuff out there but I'm looking for the super-one-click that explains it all . . . slowly. Is that out there somewhere?
I know you kids are in the proverbial candy store this week with GB just out and all so I'll say thanks in advance to any of you who could help me do a little catching up.
There is a one click root process that installs super user and such, and I plan on working on it tonight to try to get it to install clockwork recovery at the same time and make it so it sticks. Of you want to Getty on irc tonight there are several guys on there that can help you out.
Sent from my VS910 4G using xda premium
I may not be the most knowledgeable, but I've been following the progress as it has occurred and I'll do my best to answer each of your questions.
Nandroid, from what I am aware, is the term for a backup of your current rom that you can create through CWR, or 'Clockwork Recovery Mod'. This is a mod that changes your recovery from the less useful stock recovery to the more useful CWR, which can be used to install new things to your phone and backup or restore roms.
Super user is the program that is put into place through rooting that allows you to selectively grant 'root access' to various programs. When the program wants access, it will pop up with a 'super user request' and you can allow or deny it. This root access will let certain apps do more, and for some apps, it is required for any functionality at all. (Such as root explorer, a file explorer, that will normally display the files on your phone in a read-only manner, but with root access, you can read and write files.)
AOSP stands for Android Open Source Project, and is used to refer to elements that are the standard google code or some variation of it for a given element. These pieces tend to be faster and more stable than the custom lockscreens or dialers that some phones will use.
Revotoolkit is the app that allows a rooted user to install CWR (Clockwork recovery) onto their device, and it exists in large part because (from what i understand) the revolution's file system is a bit different from other phones, so we are not able to use the app ROM Manager which many other phones can use to install CWR and switch ROMS easily and such. Attempts to use rom manager result in non-functional phones, iirc.
In order to back up your stock rom, you will need CWR, and that requires root access to install, so you will back up the stock rom after you root the phone. This is a good idea, as if anything goes wron with your installation of a new rom or other component (theme, boot image, etc.) you can restore your backup and have the standard ROM again, but still with root access.
As above, you install recovery through the revotoolkit app, and you do so in order to be able to install custom roms and backup your existing rom, as well as being able to install themes or other 'flashable zips' that are made to be installed to a rooted phone through CWR. as noted above, installing recovery requires root.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask, and i'll do my best to help! Everyone here is quite helpful and friendly, and we're glad to have another person on the revolution!
p.s., I am sure people will help correct me if any of this is unclear or incorrect
All that, and the big thing is that there is usually always someone who can help you in this community. While I myself cannot frequent it every night until 1am like I used to, there is still a community of helpers in IRC towards the evening where people can help you navigate and make sure you don't brick your device in all these processes.
In answer to the backup question, you can only backup after you root, because you have to be rooted to install the recovery that allows you to backup.
You started with an oddball in the Android world here. Nothing is the same for this particular phone when it comes to the modding community, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. We seem to have less issues and more stability. Because it's a smaller and distinct community, you get more help. Not as much of the "it's called search, use it" crowd.
Also, do a settings - about phone and make sure you're running the latest update (Android 2.3.4) - if you are and your phone is stock, then you are golden for modding. If not, wait until it gets to your phone, then start modding - it will save you some headache.
As for modding - if you have Microsoft on your phone, your not experiencing the true Android experience. Microsoft sucks on Android. If for no other reason, that's the biggest one to mod this phone.
Your missing out on Navigation, decent speech searching, and speech to navigate, etc, etc. And Verizon maps... bah! No one should pay for navigation.
Guys: Thanks. The info above really goes far with helping me wrap my head around it. I'm going to follow some of the the spider holes and see where they take me.
With regard to the forum member's willingness to help each other out, that's something I noticed right away since late August - which is when I picked up the phone and started lurking. You guys really do a great job of keeping it productive and the senior folks - obviously - are extremely responsive.
Thanks again. I'm planning to stick around and I'm looking forward to contributing a little further downstream.
I too am new at this and got my revolution 2 months ago but did not know about this site until 2 days ago but my phone did an update yesterday, so one click dont work on my phone. But I am willing to wait and work with any to help root my phone......thanks alot guys
doctorhook said:
I too am new at this and got my revolution 2 months ago but did not know about this site until 2 days ago but my phone did an update yesterday, so one click dont work on my phone. But I am willing to wait and work with any to help root my phone......thanks alot guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a root method in the development section. Check it out!
Sent from my VS910 4G using xda premium
Thanks MT. I'll probably take a crack
at this late tonite and feed back.
Sent from my VS910 4G using XDA App
i have a bionic and stupid me let my grandson get his hands on it. he installed safestrap and eclipse 2.2, as he said that was a better o/s. he said with safestrap you can just reboot back to the original. i found a few things i didn't like and told him to put it back to original which he had a problem doing so i reinstalled the eclipse.
i started to read how to do it and disabled safestrap and tried to get back to original o/s. when it completes it gets stuck at the droid screen.
i read a thread in the dev. forum and it gave a link to getting back to stock and there are a couple spots i get stuck on.
it says to use rsd lite, get the drivers, and use the motofail tool. i understand the procedure for rsd lite and how to install the fmz zip. where i get confused is where and how to i install the drivers to the phone and how to use the motofail program. also, would i have to disable safestrap to start?
any help would be appreciated.
I can walk you through it. Do you use google talk on your pc?
eye__dea said:
I can walk you through it. Do you use google talk on your pc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no i don't use that program. i cant stay on computer at this time but i do appreciate the offer. if the steps were written i could follow them and i usually make out well. its just that the post i read says get the drivers and use the motofail but they dont tell you how to do that part, they only tell you how to use the rsd lite with the o/s file
Since you dont have time, use this... http://androidforums.com/bionic-all-things-root/480176-how-flash-5-5-893-5-9-902-rsdlite.html
I was going to try and help restore your stock system thru safestrap.
This will wipe root and safestrap.
The drivers go on your pc and motofail is used to root.
thanks for the info. cleared up the questions i had (as far as i can tell). appreciate your help.
Anytime. PM me if you have issues.
eye__dea said:
Anytime. PM me if you have issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
everything went perfect. phone is back to stock. learned 2 things. first is not to let my grandson touch my phone and second how to fix it. should have learned the first one when he bricked my samsung tablet.
just one other question. can you explain the purpose of rooting a phone and is it worth doing?
again thanks for your help.
From addictivetips.com " Android is based on Linux and comes locked with only standard user access given to its user. Root access – also known as Superuser access – is the access level on Linux-based devices that lets their users perform administrative tasks including updating the system, installing applications at the core level without using the standard ‘.apk’ installation files, accessing the system partition, modifying protected system files and changing their permissions etc."
You will be able to delete or freeze verizon bloatware. Flash custom ROMs. Edit certain files within your system. And more...
Disclaimer: It can void your warranty.
You can customize more of your phone when you root. Custom boot animations and custom task bar are just 2 examples.
You can also backup your system and any apps that you buy. I highly recommend backing up any app you buy.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using XDA
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions &
Read the Forum Rules Ref Posting
Thanks ✟
Moving to Q&A
Does that method work if I am on .905 as well?
Thanks
As the title says, I'd like to root, but with somewhat limited knowledge on the phone and it's processes, and no knowledge of scripting/coding, I want to avoid taking too much risk.
I've been stock with the D3 since I got the phone in 2011, found out we aren't getting ICS, and we aren't getting unlocked by Moto. (pissed off!) >.<
The way I see it I have 2 options, 1) stay stock until my contract is up in march and get a new phone, or 2) Give root a go, and Have ICS ported to me via a Custom Rom, and do more research as I go. (I like being hands-on when it comes to learning).
As to my phone, I am running 906 OTA Stock as it gets .. -_-' I'd like to root using
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1686911 <-- ovelayer's method in this thread. (thank you Ovelayer, I can't seem to find that button so I'm just acknowledging you here since I'm new to this kind-of thing).
I just need some clarification
in his thread it says to dl the 1-click .exe, then the Motofail root tool? or is that also a way to root? I got confused with that.
Afterwards, I dl safestrap once I'm rooted? or should I just dl it and put it onto my phone all at once?
Apologies for the noobness. I'd rather be a noob asking questions than a retard who goes ahead and does things and finds out he screwed up too late.
Rooting is done to get superuser permissions within Android so you can install some advanced apps and modify system files which can all be done from within the stock ROM. Rooting then flashing an unofficial ROM is a little more advanced and something I haven't done yet so I can't help you much there. I'm waiting for something a little more stable since my Droid 3 is my main phone. You can read Hash of Codes site (the developer of ICS/JB for the Droid 3) on how to safestrap:
http://blog.hash-of-codes.com/how-to-safestrap/
To root use Motofail. I know it says its for the Droid 4 but the original Droid 3 root exploit was patched with the latest OTA so we have to use the Droid 4 method called Motofail:
http://vulnfactory.org/blog/2012/02/11/rooting-the-droid-4-a-failed-bounty-experiment/
DróidScìon said:
As the title says, I'd like to root, but with somewhat limited knowledge on the phone and it's processes, and no knowledge of scripting/coding, I want to avoid taking too much risk.
I've been stock with the D3 since I got the phone in 2011, found out we aren't getting ICS, and we aren't getting unlocked by Moto. (pissed off!) >.<
The way I see it I have 2 options, 1) stay stock until my contract is up in march and get a new phone, or 2) Give root a go, and Have ICS ported to me via a Custom Rom, and do more research as I go. (I like being hands-on when it comes to learning).
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My D3 has Maverick as non-safe for daily driver and the latest Hashcode for fun. I find that to be the best combination. Once Hash finishes the camera and JB is working reasonable well, JB will be my DD.
I also have an SGS3, TF300T, and a Spica, all of them rooted.
once rooted, make sure you use safe strap. It makes roms easy to try out before having to settle
Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk
Alright, so it appears I have been rooted, and still looks like I'm in .906 OTA. It was pretty easy using Motofail, actually. So, now I have Superuser and Titanium Backup(free, for now) on my D3.
Now, you guys mentioned Safestrap? Can you guys give me a suggestion on which one to use? There appear to be a few of them. 1 is SAFESTRAP v2.10 Recovery (Kexec) and the other is a Tweaked version of Safestrap v1.08e (Non-Kex) which one is better, or a better question, whats the difference between the 2?
DróidScìon said:
Alright, so it appears I have been rooted, and still looks like I'm in .906 OTA. It was pretty easy using Motofail, actually. So, now I have Superuser and Titanium Backup(free, for now) on my D3.
Now, you guys mentioned Safestrap? Can you guys give me a suggestion on which one to use? There appear to be a few of them. 1 is SAFESTRAP v2.10 Recovery (Kexec) and the other is a Tweaked version of Safestrap v1.08e (Non-Kex) which one is better, or a better question, whats the difference between the 2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Safestrap 1.08 is the 'normal' ssafestrap
Safestrap 1.08e/f/g is an advanced safestrap with extra features like touch etc but not by hashcode
Safestrap 2.10 is the latest which allows the new kernel with the kexec ICS/JB to be used.
2.10 It appears to also work fine with normal roms so i'd use that
DróidScìon said:
As to my phone, I am running 906 OTA Stock as it gets .. -_-' I'd like to root using
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1686911 <-- ovelayer's method in this thread. (thank you Ovelayer, I can't seem to find that button so I'm just acknowledging you here since I'm new to this kind-of thing).
I just need some clarification
in his thread it says to dl the 1-click .exe, then the Motofail root tool? or is that also a way to root? .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were stock 906, there was no reason to run the 1-click.exe - that's only for people who rooted their phones and deleted bloatware to get the phone back to stock, or people whose phones are bricked somehow. Coming from stock, just running Motofail was enough to root.
I will concur with everyone here that running rooting, installing and running Safestrap, and installing a custom ROM - and leaving your rooted stock alone - is the best way to go. It will be a lot easier to unroot later on if you want to sell the phone, etc.
Alright, Safestrap 2.01 is installed. According to Hash's Blog, I should create a backup when in the Recovery Menu since its my first time accessing the Safestrap Menu. Can I get a little more detail as to how I do this? When I select backup, it asks if I want to backup from Internal SD or External? I'm assuming Internal, but I just want to err on the side of caution and ask those who already know.
DróidScìon said:
Alright, Safestrap 2.01 is installed. According to Hash's Blog, I should create a backup when in the Recovery Menu since its my first time accessing the Safestrap Menu. Can I get a little more detail as to how I do this? When I select backup, it asks if I want to backup from Internal SD or External? I'm assuming Internal, but I just want to err on the side of caution and ask those who already know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't matter. Choose which has enough space.
DróidScìon said:
Alright, Safestrap 2.01 is installed. According to Hash's Blog, I should create a backup when in the Recovery Menu since its my first time accessing the Safestrap Menu. Can I get a little more detail as to how I do this? When I select backup, it asks if I want to backup from Internal SD or External? I'm assuming Internal, but I just want to err on the side of caution and ask those who already know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's asking where to backup TO, like the post above me, choose wherever has space. Backups are about 1GB. You may wish to move it to your computer after if you don't have much space on your device. You can always stick it back on your external sd via card reader if needed, but it's really hard to brick while using safestrap
Also one of the most common errors for noobs on safestrap is, the first time you engage safe mode, you must flash a rom. Since its using a different partition for system, it's currently empty and if you switch to safe and try to boot you will get a black screen as you are booting an empty partition. All gingerbread roms are stable but there are no ics roms that are fully functional, although one is in the works
Sent from my XT860 using xda premium
I saw that, and before I rooted, I did a Factory Reset on the phone and formatted my SD card. So I have 11+gig free on Internal and 15+gigs on External.
Now, I just need to learn to Flash RoMs (probably more to it than just hitting a button that says flash .zip) and find some info on the "must-have" apps for a rooted phone.
Well guys, I've successfully installed CM9 Kexec ICS Sept 5th update from Hashcode on my Droid 3! Now, another big question, How will I restore stuff like contact and account info? I've read somewhere around here that Restoring Data from my google account is a bad idea?? Are there other ways of doing so without Titanium Backup, or should I just go ahead and buy the Pro Key? (currently limited funding)
DróidScìon said:
Well guys, I've successfully installed CM9 Kexec ICS Sept 5th update from Hashcode on my Droid 3! Now, another big question, How will I restore stuff like contact and account info? I've read somewhere around here that Restoring Data from my google account is a bad idea?? Are there other ways of doing so without Titanium Backup, or should I just go ahead and buy the Pro Key? (currently limited funding)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your contacts are on your google account they will show up.
What other account info do you mean?
You should go ahead and restore contacts. just go to Settings>Accounts and Sync>Google, then turn contacts sync on.
Endoroid said:
Also one of the most common errors for noobs on safestrap is, the first time you engage safe mode, you must flash a rom. Since its using a different partition for system, it's currently empty and if you switch to safe and try to boot you will get a black screen as you are booting an empty partition. All gingerbread roms are stable but there are no ics roms that are fully functional, although one is in the works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must have made another noob mistake. Everything went well, up until my first startup with the new OS (cyanogenmod9). It has been at the startup screen for over 15minutes right now. I must say, it is one awesome startup screen, with the blue effects and all, but I would love to get to the desktop/homescreen, haha.
If you guys have any advice I would greatly appreciate it. This is a Droid 3, it was rooted a couple hours ago, I did the safestrap as described, created a backup file, etc. My only guess is I jumped the gun by trying this OS on my Droid3 and it may still be under development? FWIW to you, this is the first I've rooted or modded a smartphone in my life, from 0-full speed in a couple hours is what I was shooting for using everyone elses experience.
thanks
Make sure you wiped the data/user settings in Safestrap. You lose your apps & settings but those items from a previous install can cause that type of boot issue.
Sent from my XT862 using xda app-developers app
Phibernaut said:
Make sure you wiped the data/user settings in Safestrap. You lose your apps & settings but those items from a previous install can cause that type of boot issue.
Sent from my XT862 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks. since my last post I used a more detailed how-to, and wiped 3 different areas for data. Now, i had only a black screen (with power, barely lit) and it never even got to the cool blue screen.
I'm currently in safestrap after pulling my battery again, just trying to figure out how to revert back to my standard OS (rooted) and try a ROM like MavRom since it's suppoedly fully capable and stable. I'd love ICS, but I just want a working phone right now
---------- Post added at 10:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 PM ----------
good news is, I did enough steps correctly, that I was able to startup in my unsafe mode, and my normal rooted system is functioning fine. That makes me very happy.
This duel boot thing is pretty cool, reminds me of having bootable thumb drives on my old linux system with different OS's. I hope i can get a seperate OS working, however, that fits my needs for a day to day functional phone, without all of Verizon's crap on it
Once rooted use titanium backup to back up apps and data.
Only restore with the same ROM though, the following is in increasing order of risk
restore app only to exact same ROM+version
restore app+data to same ROM+ver
restore app only to update of same ROM
restore app+data to updated ROM version
play chicken with a bus on a highway
restore apps to different kernel e.g. CM7 backup => restore to CM9
check to see what a gun firing looks like down the barrel
restore app+data to different kernel
restore app+data to an older ROM or kernel
do anything at all with system apps+data if you don't know what you're doing