I am currently a G1 owner on the fence about rooting my phone, as are many others. One of the first issues I've come across is being overwhelmed by forum threads. Unless I have missed something (and if I did, please point me in the right direction!), everything is posted in forums here, requiring people to pour through tons of posts and pick through the right information.
Is there an official wiki or something where all the latest news, guides, FAQs, etc. are being updated? If not, I'd love to start one, but unfortunately I don't have the knowledge to do so (yet, at least). I'm thinking of a super simple, jargon-free site for users to find answers to their questions, and a simple outlined "official" process for how to begin and where to go from there.
For example, some FAQs..
Can T-Mobile/Google "cut me off" in any way if they determine I have rooted my phone?
If I change my mind later, can I go back to original firmware and leave no trace that I ever rooted the phone in the first place? Future over-the-air updates will install with no issues?
Let's say I mess up during the rooting process. Is there always a way out, or am I screwed?
How safe is storing apps on the SD card? What can happen to my phone, and how do I avoid problems?
What are the JFvX.XX firmware releases? How do they work? Are they required? Are there other alternatives?
What if a future OTA can't be hacked, will we miss out on features?
I've seen various different methods of rooting the G1, which one is the most popular and why?
etc.
This is just an idea, but there's all these questions like this that I know many people have. While these questions can easily be answered in forums, I'm looking for a more convenient solution for the community. As official answers are nailed down, it would be great to have a reference to check with rather than flooding forums with questions.
Anyway, thanks for all the hard work from the developers here. It's really exciting to follow, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for the G1!
they have one:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Dream
look first
kay11224 said:
they have one:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Dream
look first
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the link, but unfortunately this doesn't seem user friendly (it's filled with unexplained links and jargon), and seems pretty outdated. I'm thinking about info aimed the average n00b end-user here, not developers or people actively following the forums and progress made.
I'm not sure if you understand fully what you're asking. Keeping your phone updated without "actively following the forums and progress made" is a simple task right now, just wait until Google pushes an update for you. If using the search function is too hard for you, I think root access is biting off more than you can chew. All of your FAQ's can easily be found in the development section of the forums. As far as step by step guides are concerned, read the stickies, use the search function, and then ask. It's not complicated at all.
dudinatrix said:
Can T-Mobile/Google "cut me off" in any way if they determine I have rooted my phone?
If I change my mind later, can I go back to original firmware and leave no trace that I ever rooted the phone in the first place? Future over-the-air updates will install with no issues?
Let's say I mess up during the rooting process. Is there always a way out, or am I screwed?
How safe is storing apps on the SD card? What can happen to my phone, and how do I avoid problems?
What are the JFvX.XX firmware releases? How do they work? Are they required? Are there other alternatives?
What if a future OTA can't be hacked, will we miss out on features?
I've seen various different methods of rooting the G1, which one is the most popular and why?
etc.
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Click to collapse
1) as far as i'm aware no. They can remove apps from peoples phones (allegedly) but i can't see how they would know you have root, or even care. It's good publicity for the phone if anything.
2) Yup, you can easily un-root your phone and the updates should work correctly.
3) Once you have the hardSPL bootloader loaded it's pretty much impossible to brick your phone, see this thread for details.
4) Not sure about this, so i can't comment
5) the JF firmware releases are essentially hacked firmwares, created by JesusFreke, that allow us to get root access (among other things ). they are incredibly easy to install and they are required for certain things such as, multi-touch. as far as i know, there are no alternatives.
6) They will be as everything is open source. I imagine xda will have a firmware hacked within hours of it's release
7) personally, i find this way the best. nice n simple and easy to follow.
have fun
Iceucold said:
I'm not sure if you understand fully what you're asking. Keeping your phone updated without "actively following the forums and progress made" is a simple task right now, just wait until Google pushes an update for you. If using the search function is too hard for you, I think root access is biting off more than you can chew. All of your FAQ's can easily be found in the development section of the forums. As far as step by step guides are concerned, read the stickies, use the search function, and then ask. It's not complicated at all.
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Click to collapse
I am perfectly capable of handling root access. I am a Linux system administrator (among other things) by profession. I admit, this would be my first attempt at "hacking" a device and thus voiding the warranty, hence my hesitation and "noob" questions. Using the search function is not my concern here, but I can appreciate where you're coming from.
What I'm talking about, and what appears to be misinterpreted, is an information source for common end users, not developers or tech-savy users. If I have questions about rooting the G1, certainly those less technically inclined do as well. And unfortunately for them, they don't necessarily even know where to begin looking. I'm talking about people like my brother in law, for example... who probably never used a forum in his life, but wants to have multi-touch on his phone, or change his themes, or find a solution to his constant "low storage" warnings. People like him don't care about hacking into the phone and getting all this flexible access for himself. They just want to take advantage of what's already been achieved, but unfortunately require root to do so.
I agree that it is pretty simple to root the phone, but face it you have to be somewhat comfortable with technology first, even just to obtain the information.
Perhaps now isn't the appropriate time to wrap things up in a bow and give to the general G1 user base in a tidy little easy-to-digest package. As things develop further it may just naturally come about, perhaps via installers or something. I just think it would be helpful to many to have a source written for the common folk with jargon-free information... considering the more people get their hands on it, the more successful the platform can become.
And to Metlus, thanks for being receptive and answering my questions kindly without making me feel judged for asking what I assume many think is a "just search for it" type of post.
Meltus said:
1) as far as i'm aware no. They can remove apps from peoples phones (allegedly) but i can't see how they would know you have root, or even care. It's good publicity for the phone if anything.
2) Yup, you can easily un-root your phone and the updates should work correctly.
3) Once you have the hardSPL bootloader loaded it's pretty much impossible to brick your phone, see this thread for details.
4) Not sure about this, so i can't comment
5) the JF firmware releases are essentially hacked firmwares, created by JesusFreke, that allow us to get root access (among other things ). they are incredibly easy to install and they are required for certain things such as, multi-touch. as far as i know, there are no alternatives.
6) They will be as everything is open source. I imagine xda will have a firmware hacked within hours of it's release
7) personally, i find this way the best. nice n simple and easy to follow.
have fun
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Click to collapse
Great post meltus!
If and when you do decide to root g1 take your time and breathe, really isn't too hard just nerve racking the first time. I did it and im not a pro at all so you will probably breeze through it! The advancements made so far are unreal, auto browser, themes and many more make rooting well worth it in my opinion
I'm not sure if it gets any easier than this, but gizmodo today posted what looks like the easiest "recipe" yet for rooting the G1:
How To: Hack Android For Multitouch Web Browsing on the T-Mobile G1
I have a G1 that I love and except for market apps is pretty much stock. I've read the forum but most of the talk is geared for people with more technical skill and knowledge then me so I need some answers in plain english. What would you do with it (including memory cards) to get the most out of the phone and why? Thanks guys!
If you don't know why you should do something - don't do it.
However, there are things you might like to do or want, that requires a rooted phone. If (when) that's the case, this site has very good instructions on how to do that.
/Mats
I had no technical background before doing anything that is possible with "modding your phone", but I read for weeks till I felt safe enough to do it and now I've taken most of the advantages that the community has brang forward.
I loved this phone before rooting and I love it even more after. I would say research root till you feel like you can take the plunge, if you dont feel comfortable, dont do it. Just my .02
if you have no technical brackground and woul like to root your phone there is an app now that does it with very little user input. there are all kinds of great things you can do with this phone and i am not gonna tell you that you should or have to do any of them, but odds are there is going to be something that you find that makes you go "damn i wish i had rooted my phone" at that poing in time you can go find the "app that roots your phone" (search that on the main dream forum or in the development subforum and you will find it) and then you will be able to do just about whatever you want with your awesome phone.
as a warning i would suggest that before you do anything on your phone you should read the entire thread or article about the modification, and read al user comments, that way you are familiar with what to do if you mess something up.
New to the whole android OS and above all LEARNING more than anything. Finally rooted and rooted correctly. What should I do now? I Have a couple of root only apps but nothing super special. I want to take my incredible to it's full potential.
Reason for this thread being started is because there isn't really any literature out there for beginners like myself. Just a bunch of gibberish that doesn't make sense. So let's take this time to expand the android community to it's full potential. Keep the flaming to a minimum because everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
I want to send another special thanks to the Unrevoked team for their stupid easy root methods.
This was my first touch screen phone in general, let alone on the android operating system. So far I have root, an overclocked undervolted kernel, I have flashed several roms, and I take advantage of the many root specific apps like wifi tether. There are threads for people who are learning and if you did a good search you would find that they would be very useful to people like you and me. I don't want to sound like I am calling you clueless but there is so much out there that is really not that complicated to learn . This attatchment is one example. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=709220
Also I know when you first click the link it shows you confusing terminology but the point is explained in that very helpful thread. good luck.
There are a lot of searches out there yes. But that's exactly it a search query - there isn't anything that has it all in one easy to find spot. That's what I was trying to get at.
I've been through that thread MULTIPLE times and learned a ton from it. But there is NOTHING in there saying why you should or should NOT do it along with some sort of review from someone. It's almost like there is a bunch of software out there but only certain ones catch recognition. Everyone gravitates towards what the bigger names on the forums are doing. That's great yes, but you also have to remember that they use their devices for a LOT more than what most people do. So there wouldn't be a need for a full terminal app or some sort of reg editing app.
Another thing I'd like to mention is that for people like myself root really means nothing other than being able to use some apps in the market that require it and custom skinning.
If you wanted to learn the meanining of the terminology I hope this could help you.
http://www.incredibleforum.com/foru...-dummies-guide-android-terminology-lingo.html
So I've been messing around with my phone for a while now, and with the new OTA update not allowing root (I didn't take it but a lot of people have) I would really like to get involved in the process of rooting. I know a decent amount of C/C++ and I'm gonna be learning java very shortly, but I'm pretty proficient on a computer and pick up on things very quickly, but i really can't seem to find anywhere to learn more about how root exploits are found and how they work. I've got time to dedicate to this and I'm really interested in helping root the new OTA update, and in the future building a custom ROM, but I just don't know where to begin. If anyone could point me in the right direction I would very much appreciate it, and if any devs out there with previous root experience or really any android dev experience see this please shoot me a PM, id love to talk and learn more about it, and i think i could really help out in the future.
Sent you a message.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/hacking/48518-official-beginners-introduction-sdk-adk.html
I have a Note 3 on Verizon, running the 4.3....I've grown tired of this and want to explore other possibilities with the phone. I'm not savvy enough to understand all the dev tech language. Was wondering in anyone wouldn't mind linking me to a step-by-step for dummies on how to root the phone...also, once its rooted, Do I lose all apps from playstore and have to re-install special apk's? Prior to trying this, I would like to do all the necessary stuff to ensure I can restore if this becomes too complicated...worse case scenario I guess would be just going to get a HTC One M8...Need a change from Touchwiz and I have had it wit the various launchers....Themer is keeping me hanging on by a thread, but the itch for something new and customizable is too great. Please no flames, just looking for help...Thanks
Well congrats.. you made it to the Q&A. There's 100 views and no replies and I'm sure they're just rolling their eyes in terms of why you couldn't just search or bother to look at the General section where there's actually a sticky (Just saying).. If you're not tech savvy enough to learn how to root your phone then you're going to have a hell a lot of a tough time knowing all the terms when it comes to rooting.
-You can root your phone and use titanium back up to back up all your data/app or log into your google account and go to my apps and look at your dl history and dl them again
I'm confused of why you're shying away from keeping the note 3 and going to the m8 just because you're tired of touch wiz (am i reading that right?)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2518808
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2466108
And in my experience, you should use kingo root to root your 4.3 device. There's pros and cons, misconceptions, and skepticism about the app. In the end it's your decision.
And here's a wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_rooting if you want to learn more about what rooting is.
Last tip of advice is looking through all the rom threads and looking at each developers work and features if you want to explore what you can do with your phone when rooted.