To root or not to root.

[tmettler5]

It's been a few years since I've had an Android phone. All my past phones I've rooted, for various reasons. Most of them involved custom kernels, themes, and Cyanogenmod. What are some of the best reasons to root, and best reasons to stay stock?

If I root, I'll need to return my phone to Verizon and order one from Google, or wait and hope someone unlocks the bootloader. Either way I'm returning it for the 128GB version.

Thoughts?

 

[scsa20]

The main reason I root my device is for Adaway so I can block ads with the HOSTS file at a global level (no ads in apps, yay!). Heck, I already have the bootloader unlocked, don't care if it breaks Android Pay (don't use it anyways other then to store my rewards cards information) and waiting for cf to work his magic on getting root working on this sexy device.

Down side of rooting is that you don't get the updates that gets pushed out unless you do it yourself (that and no Android Pay if that's something you use like I said above).

In terms of keeping the Verizon version or getting the Google Play version, if it was me, I'd get the Google Play version (which is what I did, second time I've gotten a phone outside of Verizon so they can't control my device). Although I'm sure after enough time someone could probably crack the bootloader but you never know.

 

[wtherrell]

I root for many reasons. Prominent among them is the ability to change the colors of the UI. White backgrounds are hard on my eyes and so over the years I have used CMTE, Layers, TBO, and now Substratum to change to darker backgrounds. Some apps have a dark mode you can use without root, but many do not. Root opens up a whole new dimension of customizations not only in appearance but also in performance.

 

[ringochan]

In terms of keeping the Verizon version or getting the Google Play version, if it was me, I'd get the Google Play version (which is what I did, second time I've gotten a phone outside of Verizon so they can't control my device). Although I'm sure after enough time someone could probably crack the bootloader but you never know.

If I root, I'll need to return my phone to Verizon and order one from Google, or wait and hope someone unlocks the bootloader. Either way I'm returning it for the 128GB version.

Thoughts?

I must be missing something. Why do smart people like you guys still buy Google phones (Nexus, Pixel) from Verizon?

 

[MichaelMcC]

I must be missing something. Why do smart people like you guys still buy Google phones (Nexus, Pixel) from Verizon?

Probably because of the discounted 2 year or monthly payment option. Some smart people still have smaller budgets or wives who wouldn't understand laying out $800 - $1000 to replace a phone just because you want to root. Those people hope someone will figure out a way to unlock and root. I've got the money but my wife would go ballistic

Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Premium HD app

 

[herandy]

With all due respect, buying a google phone without rooting and tinkering with it is like going to michelin starred restaurant to pay $100 for a glass of water. Oh, and my reasons are the freedom of customizability and custom kernels, custom kernels can make your phone twice as fast with even better battery life if done right.

 

[scsa20]

I must be missing something. Why do smart people like you guys still buy Google phones (Nexus, Pixel) from Verizon?

I didn't got it through Verizon. I said I got it through the Google Store (thus the outside of Verizon part). Screw getting phones through Verizon. Hate that they forced locked down bootloader's.

 

[Nitemare3219]

With all due respect, buying a google phone without rooting and tikering with it is like going to michelin starred restaurant to pay $100 for a glass of water. Oh, and my reasons are the freedom of customizability and custom kernels, custom kernels can make your phone twice as fast with even better battery life if done right.

That was true with Nexus phones. The Pixel is being marketed as something else entirely. I think we'll be hard pressed to see any real gains from devs here. Google is putting a lot of work into these phones. I trust the minds at Google this time moreso than the devs on here.

 

[wtherrell]

That was true with Nexus phones. The Pixel is being marketed as something else entirely. I think we'll be hard pressed to see any real gains from devs here. Google is putting a lot of work into these phones. I trust the minds at Google this time moreso than the devs on here.

I'm not impressed with the "minds" at Google.
For me to pay that kind of price, I need, at least 5.75" screen, front stereo speakers, higher degree of water proofing. Also, to echo a famous quote : "White UIs must die!" And those bezels! Ugh!
Google assistant is nearly useless to those of us who prefer not to publicly audibilize our searches. So all I would gain would be a snappier OS and a first rate camera. Too many cons outweigh the pros. I wish Google and the sort of folks that they appear to be targeting all the best. I also hope there is much Dev activity for it.

 

[tmettler5]

I must be missing something. Why do smart people like you guys still buy Google phones (Nexus, Pixel) from Verizon?

Ease of access, availability, no need for an application for financing, the expectation that someone will crack the bootloader, buying in a no tax state.

 

[Nitemare3219]

I'm not impressed with the "minds" at Google.
For me to pay that kind of price, I need, at least 5.75" screen, front stereo speakers, higher degree of water proofing. Also, to echo a famous quote : "White UIs must die!" And those bezels! Ugh!
Google assistant is nearly useless to those of us who prefer not to publicly audibilize our searches. So all I would gain would be a snappier OS and a first rate camera. Too many cons outweigh the pros. I wish Google and the sort of folks that they appear to be targeting all the best. I also hope there is much Dev activity for it.

-I do wish the screen size was larger considering it has on-screen buttons, and that massive chin... no reason it couldn't have been 5.7" again.
-Stereo speakers would have been nice too. No idea why they couldn't copy the iPhone and HTC 10 considering the speakers are in the same position. Maybe a dev will actually make this happen if the earpiece is capable.
-I actually love the UI.
-Everyone hates the bezel. I think they did it to keep a larger battery in the phone, and to probably make it look like an iPhone to the masses.
-Google Assistant is great. I never really used voice commands much, but I have been forcing myself to use them more. They are incredibly quick, efficient, and convenient. No reason to not use them even in public dude. Who gives a damn what people think about your searches. You're never going to see the same people in public anyway.

The snappy OS and first rate camera are things that Android has absolutely needed in a phone. The Pixels bring the best of ALL the basics. And no phone has really done that with Android before. OEMs get too caught up in adding gimmicks and "features" and end up slowing down the phone, hampering basic usability (i.e. what we use our phones for 90+% of the time).

 

[Reechings]

-I do wish the screen size was larger considering it has on-screen buttons, and that massive chin... no reason it couldn't have been 5.7" again.
-Stereo speakers would have been nice too. No idea why they couldn't copy the iPhone and HTC 10 considering the speakers are in the same position. Maybe a dev will actually make this happen if the earpiece is capable.
-I actually love the UI.
-Everyone hates the bezel. I think they did it to keep a larger battery in the phone, and to probably make it look like an iPhone to the masses.
-Google Assistant is great. I never really used voice commands much, but I have been forcing myself to use them more. They are incredibly quick, efficient, and convenient. No reason to not use them even in public dude. Who gives a damn what people think about your searches. You're never going to see the same people in public anyway.

The snappy OS and first rate camera are things that Android has absolutely needed in a phone. The Pixels bring the best of ALL the basics. And no phone has really done that with Android before. OEMs get too caught up in adding gimmicks and "features" and end up slowing down the phone, hampering basic usability (i.e. what we use our phones for 90+% of the time).

I do hope they tweak it later to allow typing to the assistant like Allo but I guess then it's not a whole lot different than typing in the search bar anyways.

 

[wtherrell]

-I do wish the screen size was larger considering it has on-screen buttons, and that massive chin... no reason it couldn't have been 5.7" again.
-Stereo speakers would have been nice too. No idea why they couldn't copy the iPhone and HTC 10 considering the speakers are in the same position. Maybe a dev will actually make this happen if the earpiece is capable.
-I actually love the UI.
-Everyone hates the bezel. I think they did it to keep a larger battery in the phone, and to probably make it look like an iPhone to the masses.
-Google Assistant is great. I never really used voice commands much, but I have been forcing myself to use them more. They are incredibly quick, efficient, and convenient. No reason to not use them even in public dude. Who gives a damn what people think about your searches. You're never going to see the same people in public anyway.

The snappy OS and first rate camera are things that Android has absolutely needed in a phone. The Pixels bring the best of ALL the basics. And no phone has really done that with Android before. OEMs get too caught up in adding gimmicks and "features" and end up slowing down the phone, hampering basic usability (i.e. what we use our phones for 90+% of the time).

Good points. I'm glad you trust the uncaring public. I, however, don't. I guess I am just slightly paranoid that way. Also there are many situations where it might disturb other folks to have me gabbing on my phone. Sure, assistant is neat but just not worth it to me. Still, I find myself checking on the availability of the 128gb model as if I am irresistibly drawn to it. My heart wants it but my head is saying no.

 

[nikitis]

There's every reason to root, and only one reason to not root.

Reasons to root:
Kernel modifications to increase battery life. (Sure the Pixel can go 2 days easily on one charge, but why not make it 3?).
Filesystem access. The heart of any computer should at the very least give you filesystem access. It boggles the mind why phones won't give this option when this is a computer that you carry with you every day. Maybe you want to write your own apps, hide personal files somewhere outside of the visible directories like Downloads.
Breaking down barriers carriers put forth to limit you in a walled garden. Whatever it may be. Video codecs for example. Open source media servers that aren't approved on the app stores, I can go on and on.

Only reason to not root:
Android Pay. I absolutely love this ability. I personally think that you SHOULD be able to use this option while rooted. Using SU app, and encryption of your card should be enough to protect your card information. (Don't say it can't because it can.) Rooted apps cannot work unless you give them access via the SU app as added security, and even if they manage to grab your encrypted card information because you allowed some program you've never heard of root access and it steals your encrypted account information, it would take them 1 million years to brute force decrypt it if using a high enough encryption scheme on it. You can just change your virtual account on a whim, and do so ever 6 months, cancelling your old account in case it was ever grabbed making the old one null and void for the hacker if he does eventually get lucky and break it. Your account will never get owned if these practices were followed.

Blatently not allowing you choice to use something like android pay is big brother coddling you like a baby. I'm a grown ass man, and know how to secure my ****. If you don't know how to, then you shouldn't be doing it as your the reason Google puts these sort of restrictions on phones like mine.

 

[ringochan]

Probably because of the discounted 2 year or monthly payment option. Some smart people still have smaller budgets or wives who wouldn't understand laying out $800 - $1000 to replace a phone just because you want to root. Those people hope someone will figure out a way to unlock and root. I've got the money but my wife would go ballistic

Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Premium HD app

You are actually confusing me more. I checked both Verizon and Google Store's pricings and financing options and saw they are pretty much the same.

Verizon -- $0 Down (for qualified customers) $36.24/mo for 24 months; 0% APR Retail Price: $869.99 -- sim locked maybe?, and locked bootloader.

Google Store -- $869.00 or $36.21 / Month x 24 times, thru Google Store Financing -- sim free, and unlockable bootloader.

I didn't got it through Verizon. I said I got it through the Google Store (thus the outside of Verizon part). Screw getting phones through Verizon. Hate that they forced locked down bootloader's.

Exactly!:laugh:

Ease of access, availability, no need for an application for financing, the expectation that someone will crack the bootloader, buying in a no tax state.

...

---------- Post added at 11:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 AM ----------

There's every reason to root, and only one reason to not root.

Reasons to root:
Kernel modifications to increase battery life. (Sure the Pixel can go 2 days easily on one charge, but why not make it 3?).
Filesystem access. The heart of any computer should at the very least give you filesystem access. It boggles the mind why phones won't give this option when this is a computer that you carry with you every day. Maybe you want to write your own apps, hide personal files somewhere outside of the visible directories like Downloads.
Breaking down barriers carriers put forth to limit you in a walled garden. Whatever it may be. Video codecs for example. Open source media servers that aren't approved on the app stores, I can go on and on.

Only reason to not root:
Android Pay. I absolutely love this ability. I personally think that you SHOULD be able to use this option while rooted. Using SU app, and encryption of your card should be enough to protect your card information. (Don't say it can't because it can.) Rooted apps cannot work unless you give them access via the SU app as added security, and even if they manage to grab your encrypted card information because you allowed some program you've never heard of root access and it steals your encrypted account information, it would take them 1 million years to brute force decrypt it if using a high enough encryption scheme on it. You can just change your virtual account on a whim, and do so ever 6 months, cancelling your old account in case it was ever grabbed making the old one null and void for the hacker if he does eventually get lucky and break it. Your account will never get owned if these practices were followed.

Blatently not allowing you choice to use something like android pay is big brother coddling you like a baby. I'm a grown ass man, and know how to secure my ****. If you don't know how to, then you shouldn't be doing it as your the reason Google puts these sort of restrictions on phones like mine.

More reasons to root:
o backup and restore apk and data anytime.
o nandroid backup for ability to test things.
o custom roms for obvious reasons.
o exposed anyone?
o ability to upgrade to new os versions even after phone makers stopped supporting the devices.
o to satisfy the addictive urge to flash every week!

The SafetyNet is a great threat for most of us here. Some apps, including Android Pay, won't run anymore. If more apps start utilizing the system, we won't be able to enjoy our phones and everyone will be migrating to the Appleland:crying: