Root [FAQ]

[jaimin100]

SoMe GeNeRal Knowledge for Android


1. Basics of Unix-like system

su, root, rooting - what is it, why we need it
sh, bash, busybox - what BusyBox is, basic list of commands from BusyBox, bash, sh


su

Also referred to as substitute user - a command for changing the account in the current terminal (usually black screen with blinking cursor). Default account is root account. So if you insert into terminal 'su' and hit enter, you will become root user.

root

Root alias superuser or poweruser is special user account for system administration. Similar to windows having its administrator account, unix-like systems have a root account. With this, you can do anything and if you run a command to delete the whole system, unix will just do it! No asking, no confirming. So, watch your steps!

rooting

Rooting is just enabling power of root for applications and other purposes.

Superuser app

After rooting is done, you will see a new app called superuser in app drawer. This app can delegate applications to use su (root) feature. When an app asks this from first use, a popup window will appear asking if the application should be allowed to use root permission.

sh, bash

is a command-line interpreter or shell that provides a traditional user interface for the Unix operating system and for Unix-like systems. So simply, it is some interface, which can execute command(s), which you have entered. Many shells exist, but in scope of android you can (as far as I know) use only sh (standard - Bourne-shell) or bash (compiled in BusyBox or separately on XDA). Both are basically same, but bash has much more features and it is more comfortable.

user/root shell

How do I know if I'm root or normal user? It's simple. Root's shell is ended with # (usually it's shell looks like "bash-3.2# _&quot and user's ends with $ (usually bash-3.2$ _). In terminal emulator you also can have only [path]($|#) (for root for example "/etc # _&quot

BusyBox

also called "The Swiss Army Knife of Embedded Linux" is a tool which brings into Android basic tools known from unix system, but is much more smaller than standard tools is. But this "packing" has limited functions in comparison to standard tools in unix-system (missing special modes of tool, color output and so on). Many application use this. For example busybox grep (filtering of text) is needed for application called Market enabler.

BusyBox commands

list of commands is really wide, so it's not possible explain all, so I pickup only top few. (hint: if you want what some command do, just search on google for "man <command_name>" for example man mv or enter command here

1. cd - change directory - same like in windows. You can switch directory. example: cd /sdcard
2. ls - list of files in actual directory (have few switches like for example: ls -l /sdcard/*.png (detailed listing)
3. cat - print file into standard output (like more in windows) Example: cat /sdcard/data.txt
4. vi - editing of file. But on limited phone keyboard (no keyboard) it is little harder Read more about vi
5. cp - copy of one or more file. Example: cp /sdcard/bike.jpg /sdcard/media/bike-wallpaper.jpg
6. mv - moving/rename files, Example: mv /sdcard/bike.jpg /sdcard/media/renamed-moved-bike.jpg
7. rm - delete file (rm -R for recursive, or for delete whole folder), Example: rm -R /sdcard/wallpaper-bad/*
8. find - search for files, Example find / -name "best-chopper-ever.avi"
9. mkdir - make directory - creates directory, Example: mkdir mynewdir
10. chmod - changes access of files
11. less - similar like cat, but you can scroll in it and it doesn't produce any output. Example: less /sdcard/funnytext.txt


Please, take due note that main pages are documentation of unix tools. For BusyBox's tool help, just enter BusyBox <command_name> -h.

2. Android platform and its specifics
adb shell
Android SDK
Tools for Android adb shell - Terminal Emulator, ADB shell from Android SDK and how to use it



ADB (shell)

ADB - Android Debug Bridge is a versatile tool that lets you manage the state of an emulator instance or Android-powered device. It is a client-server program that includes three components:

A client, which runs on your development machine. You can invoke a client from a shell by issuing an adb command. Other Android tools such as the ADT plugin and DDMS also create adb clients.
A server, which runs as a background process on your development machine. The server manages communication between the client and the adb daemon running on an emulator or device.
A daemon, which runs as a background process on each emulator or device instance.


Generally, it can be compared with standard cmd prompt in windows (you can write commands which will be executed locally, for example in Terminal Emulator) or it can be just like SSH in unix-like system (you connect to terminal through adb client (in Android SDK) and commands will be run remotely.

Android SDK

Android software development kit is a complex set of tools for developing apps on Android. It includes a fully usable emulator of Android OS on your PC, where you can do everything. You can install/delete apps, browse web page in embedded web browser, play games or make your own application in Eclipse (widely used IDE for development). Of course, with emulator you can use also GPS or camera.

Android SDK tools

Fully emulated Android device
Android Development Tools Plugin (Eclipse IDE)
Android Virtual Devices (AVDs)
Hierarchy Viewer
layoutopt
Draw 9-patch
Dalvik Debug Monitor Service (ddms)
Android Debug Bridge (adb)
Android Asset Packaging Tool (aapt)
Android Interface Description Language (aidl)
sqlite3
Traceview
mksdcard
dx
UI/Application Exerciser Monkey
monkeyrunner
Android
zipalign



Tools for work with Android adb shell
You have two ways to connect into ADB service - locally and remotely.

Locally - for local access you will need some application which can connect to local adb shell.

Terminal Emulator (free) - probably most commonly used app from market, which works and looks like standard unix shell.
ConnectBot (free) - same as Terminal Emulator, but it can be also used for connecting via SSH or telnet

Remotely- For remote connection you need phone configuration adjustment:

Home desktop -> [menu button] -> Settings -> Applications -> Development -> USB debugging [ON].
Also you need connect your phone via USB (or finds on market some widget/app, witch enable using ADB also via wi-fi)


adb tool from Android SDK
After downloading Android SDK, extract the archive anywhere (in example I extracted it in c:/AndroidSDK). Then follow instructions on developer.android.com for installation of SDK Platform-tools (contains adb). After installation click on start menu and in Run... (in Windows7 in search bar) enter 'cmd' and press Ok or [enter]. Then write in cmd line:
Code:

cd c:\AndroidSDK\android-sdk-windows\tools [enter]

now you can enter following command to connect to phone's adb shell if you don't have more connected device (virtual or real-one)
Code:

adb shell

If you have more then one, you need explicitly say which one should be used for connection. So list connected devices with
Code:

adb devices

which shows you serial number of connected devices. Than use
Code:

adb -s <serial-number> shell

3. Custom recovery

What is custom recovery
Tools which custom recovery provide - NAND backup/restore, formatting of SDcard, partitioning (ext1,ext2, ext3), wiping, flashing of Custom ROM, ...
Is it safe to install? - potential problems, backup/restore of original recovery
How this whole thing works - installation description (not how-to install, just explanation of what is done during installation)



What is custom recovery

Recovery is an image (binary data) stored in internal memory. This image contains something like a "program" or "tool", which can boot-up independently from the Android system. This tool is part of phone system, and in PC terminology recovery can by compared to BIOS with some added features. This recovery state can be reached on all phones, but if you don't have a custom recovery, it will do a so-called HW reset and automatically restart itself into standard boot mode.

Tools which custom recovery provides

USB-MS Toggle :mounts sdcard as mass storage

It just mounts your phone as USB-mass storage (USB disk) so you can access it through your PC

Backup/Restore:

Absolutely GREAT feature. With NAND you can copy an image of your actual system (phone's memory). It means that you can backup the whole system with all configuration, customization, wallpapers, system's tweaks... just everything. This image will be written to your SD card which you are then free to copy around and back up on your computer

Flash Zip From Sdcard

This tool is designed for installation of custom ROMs or tweaks. If you are instructed to install via custom recovery, then you should use this menu. Never unzip the file because it contains meta-information about itself with some validate-checks so if you edit it, or unpack and pack back, it won't work. And remember to place the file in the root (main folder) of your sdcard.

Wipe Menu:

Wipe data/factory reset: wipes data & cache
- wipes user data (contacts, apps, configuration, ...) and cache (caches of applications)
Wipe cache
- wipes cache only
Wipe Dalvik cache : Wipes Dalvik cache in all possible locations if moved by apps2sd
- wipes Dalvik cache
Wipe SD:ext : Wipes Apps2sd ext partition
- if you used Partition SDcard option, you can wipe it here
Wipe Battery Stats (remember to fully charge your phone before doing this)
- If you think, that your battery life is too short, you can try delete battery stats. Than let phone fully charge. (more)
Wipe rotate settings
- wipe sensor settings (acceleration, ...)
Wipe .android secure : Wipes froyo native .android_secure on sdcard
- wipe information about moved apps

Partition Sdcard:

Partition SD: Partitions sdcard for apps2sd (this formats card so all data will be lost)
- will create ext2 partition (you will be asked for size of ext2 and cache)
Repair Sd:ext
SD:ext2 to ext3 : converts apps2sd ext2 partition to ext3 (requires kernel support for ext3)
SD:ext3 to ext4 : same as above but ext3 to ext4 (requires kernel support for ext4)


ext2 - file system for the Linux kernel (no journal, fast but not recovery of I/O error)
ext3 - file system for the Linux kernel (journal, slower than ext2 because of journal, but provides recovery on I/O error)
ext4 - file system for the Linux kernel (journal, enhanced version of ext3)

Mounts:

Gui automatically mounts folders

4. Custom ROM (generally)

What is a Custom ROM?
Is it safe to install custom ROMs? - potential problems
What do I need to install?
What can custom ROM provide - kernel, update, performance, customization, theme, ....
what is ...

o deodexed, zipaglined, png-optimized
o JIT, HW:acceleration, VM.Heap Size, stagefright
o apps2sd + dalvik2sd
o custom kernel (recompiled, ...)

What is a Custom ROM?

Custom ROM is a modification of the manufacturer's ROM or ROM compiled from Android sources. "Change/s" ranges from adding/removing default applications up to including kernels, cpu over/under-clocking, enable/disable features (ROOT, HW acceleration, ...), themes (frameworks, color, ...), keyboards and many other features.
A Custom ROM is usually distributed as a signed ZIP package that includes an installation script for custom recovery. This ZIP is flashed via custom recovery tool.

Is it safe to install a custom ROM?

Yes, it is. If you are not satisfied, you can just restore your old ROM using a NAND backup. And yes, you can also use backup tools like Astro or Titanium Backup to backup your apps and restore these in your new ROM (NOTE: In this case it's strongly recommended that both ROM should have same or very similar source/base ROM).

What do I need to install one?

1) Rooted phone
2) Installed custom recovery
3) Signed .ZIP file of ROM compatible with recovery
#) RECOMMENDED: NAND backup of your actual ROM

What does custom ROM bring

Custom ROM brings almost every feature you can imagine.
ex:
OS optimization for games, long battery life, calling, texting, playing videos,...
awesome look - changed icons, colors, animations, wallpapers, menu, ....
reconstructed framework - restart button, reorganized menu, shorts, gestures, etc
allow tweaking - overclok/underclok your device, ROOT, ....

It's really not possible describe here every possibility what you can do/get with custom ROM.

what is ...

png-optimized -

png files takes less memory, are loads faster

JIT -

just-in-time compilation also known as dynamic translation, is a method to improve the runtime performance of computer programs, but it takes some time to convert into it on start.

HW:acceleration -

using of HW acceleration for rendering GUI. Increases battery consumption.

VM.Heap Size -

maximum memory an application can consume

stagefright -

In Android 2.2 new media framework that supports local file playback and HTTP progressive streaming

 

[jaimin100]

A2SD+

A2SD+ is an extension of Android 2.2 Froyo’s native support for installing apps on the SD card, but it virtually installs every app to the external storage. You can more or less expand your internal storage with the size of the partition you create on your memory card — because you need to partition your SD card to use A2SD+. It’s great if your Android phone has a limited amount of internal storage space. Most Android ROMs have built-in support for A2SD+.

ADB

Android Debug Bridge is a tool that comes with the Android SDK that allows you to control and interface with your Android device. It is located in the tools folder when you unpack the SDK. Visit http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=ADB for a list of commands

AOSP

AOSP is short for Android Open Source Project, and when the term is used in ROM descriptions, it usually indicates that the ROM in question is based on the Android source code provided by Google itself, and not on some other ROM project or a company’s firmware.

apk (file extension)

The file type for Apps used by Android, you can rename it to .zip and open them.

ARM

A type of processor architecture ARM architecture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

BFS

Brain **** Scheduler
It has been reported to improve responsiveness on light-NUMA (non-uniform memory access) Linux mobile devices and desktop computers with fewer than 16 cores.

Bloatware

Software or 'apps' that you don't need, but come preinstalled to a device's /system partition, meaning that you cannot remove them unless the device has been rooted.

Bootloader

The bootloader executes code before any operating system is launched. On Android devices, the bootloader is usually locked because manufacturers want you to use the version of Android they’ve provided. With a locked bootloader on Android phones, custom ROMs cannot be flashed.

Brick

When your device is rendered unusable from improper flashing or physically damage such that it becomes like a useless piece of brick.

BusyBox

BusyBox is an app on your phone that will give you access to additional Linux/Unix based commands. You may need BusyBox installed to perform some root level tasks, and some other apps that require root access may need BusyBox installed as well. BusyBox is self-dubbed “The Swiss Army Knife of Embedded Linux.”

CFS

Completely Fair Scheduler
It handles CPU resource allocation for executing processes, and aims to maximize overall CPU utilization while maximizing interactive performance.

Compcache (compressed caching)

virtual swap, setting aside a certain percentage (usually 25%) of your RAM as 'compressed' swap. Compcache compresses the data that would normally go to swap, then moves it back into RAM, and reverses the process when moving it out of the 'compressed' swap.

CyanogenMod or CM

CyanogenMod, often abbreviated CM, is a custom version of vanilla (more or less unmodified) Android. It’s the most popular custom ROM for Android – a community effort, and many other ROMs are based on CyanogenMod. Among other things, it adds a bunch of extra customization features and options.

Dalvik & Dalvik cache

Dalvik is the cryptic name of the virtual machine (VM) in Android, and it’s the basis for running apps (with the .apk filename extension) on the platform. Before Android apps are launched, they’re converted into the compact Dalvik Executable (.dex) format, which is designed to be suitable for systems that are constrained in terms of memory and processor speed.

The Dalvik cache is a simply the cache used by Dalvik, and it’s the result of Dalvik doing optimizations of running apps. Some Android ROMs allow you to move the Dalvik cache to your SD card, in order to free up internal storage.

Data2SD / D2EXT / D2SD

If a ROM supports data2SD, D2EXT, or simply D2SD, it means that the /data folder on your Android phone’s internal storage can be moved to your memory card instead. That’s a good thing, because it will free up precious internal megabytes and leave more room for apps and games. Some say that having the data stored on your SD card is slightly slower, though.

D2ext is a short way of saying “data to the extended file system”. It requires that you have created a partition on your SD card.

Deodexed

When a ROM has been deodexed, it means that its apps have been prepared so they can be modified. Deodexed ROMs feature apps that have been repackaged in a certain way. Android applications, .APKs, contain .odex files that devs supposedly use to save space. These .odex files are extracted from the application packages and put in the /system/ folder on your phone, to speed up boot processes and to allow parts of applications to be preloaded.

However, this makes hacking and modifying those apps difficult because parts of the apps have been extracted to another location. Deodexing means that all pieces of an application package are put back together into one file, and it makes sure that a modified .APK won’t conflict with some separate odexed parts located somewhere else. Developers of custom ROMs choose to deodex their ROM packages, since it lets them modify various .APKs, and it also makes theming possible after the ROMs have been installed.

DSPManager

This is an equalizer app that Android devs like to include in their ROMs.

DVM

Dalvik Virtual Machinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalvik_(software)

EXT2/3/4

This refers to ext2, ext3, and ext4 partitions on your SD card. They’re extended file systems for Linux that can be used by Android, usually in order to preserve internal storage space. Many custom Android ROMs require that you have an ext2, ext3 or ext4 partition on your memory card. Ext2 is the oldest type of extended file system, and ext4 is the newest. Some say that ext4 will put an unnecessary strain on your memory card, because it writes to it so much, and I think the ext3 file system currently is most common.

So what exactly is a partition? It’s a part of a hard disk, or a SD card in this case, that’s separated from the other parts. Think of partitioning as dividing your SD card into two sections that have different purposes.

Fastboot

Fastboot is essentially a boot menu that you can do stuff from before Android is launched. “Fastboot is a protocol used to directly update the flash file system in Android devices from a host over USB.”

Firmware

A phone’s firmware is basically its operating system. A “firmware update” means that the operating system, the software that controls the phone, is updated. “Stock firmware” means that the firmware is unmodified: it’s the version of the operating system the phone’s manufacturer delivers.

Flash and flashing

To flash a custom ROM, or a firmware, simply means that you install it. So, flashing is the process of installing a new version of the Android operating system, or just parts of it, like the radio. Flashing new ROMs is done via the Recovery Mode, usually with ClockworkMod Recovery.

GPU

A graphics processing unit is a specialized microprocessor that offloads and accelerates graphics rendering from the central (micro-)processor.

HBoot

HBoot is loaded immediately when your phone is switched on, and it’s mainly responsible for checking and initializing the hardware and starting the phone’s software. It can also be used for flashing official software releases, as well as a few other things. HBoot can be compared to the BIOS on a computer.

I/O Scheduling

Input / Output Scheduling is a term used to describe the method computer operating systems decide the order that block I/O operations will be submitted to storage volumes. I/O Scheduling is sometimes called 'disk scheduling'.

JIT

Just-in-time compiler Just-in-time compilation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kernel

The kernel is the central component of most operating systems: it’s a bridge between applications and the actual data processing done at the hardware level. The Linux kernel was initially created by legendary Finnish computer science student Linus Torvalds in 1991. Android kernels are often customized, optimized and modified for different purposes, such as over-clocking the processor or extending the battery life. Custom ROMs usually include a new kernel.

logcat

An Android built-in debugging log

mount

It is to link(mount) a partition/filesystem to any location.

NANDroid & NANDroid backups

NANDroid will let anyone with root access make a complete system backup. It lets you create a backup of every piece of information on your phone, and it can be restored later whenever you want. NANDroid backups are usually performed before flashing a new ROM, in case anything goes wrong, or if you want to return to your previous setup later. NANDroid backups are created from the Recovery Mode, often with ClockworkMod Recovery.

port (porting)

The process of making a certain application/mod/software compatible with another device/version

Radio

It’s the radio on your phone that handles communication, the radio that sends and receives voice and data. Flashing (installing) a new radio can improve your reception, and bring other benefits. A radio is flashed via Recovery Mode, just as a full Android ROM.

Radio interface layer (RIL)

Android provides a Radio Interface Layer (RIL) between Android’s telephony services and the radio hardware. Developers and enthusiasts enjoy messing around with every part of Android, and some of them modify the RIL, just like Android itself, the kernel and the radio, to make it better.
RC1, RC2 et cetera

When it comes to Android ROMs, RC means Release Candidate. It’s a candidate for the final release of a ROM, and they can be considered ROM betas.

RAM

Random Access Memory (RAM) is temporary data storage that the CPU uses during calculations. The more RAM a device has, the more calculated results the CPU can store - which means less time the CPU has to do the same thing over and over again. In other words, the CPU can check RAM to see if it has already made a particular calculation in the recent past. If it has, it can use the pre-computed results instead of wasting processing time recomputing the same calculation. In short, more RAM means a more efficient (and faster) device.

Recovery

You can think of the Recovery Mode as Android’s equivalent of the BIOS on your computer. Not quite, since Hboot may be more similar to your PC’s BIOS. It’s a boot menu that is shown without Android being loaded, and it gives you access to certain features such as doing complete backups of your phone (Nandroid backups) and installing custom ROMs. ClockworkMod is the most popular Recovery Mode, and it’s installed with the app ROM Manager.

Root

When someone mentions root, it usually just refers to having root access on an Android phone – also called being a root user, or a superuser. Root access is explained under superuser, and in the introduction to this dictionary.

S-OFF (security off)

On the HTC Desire and several other HTC Android phones, the company has implemented a form of “security.” It’s called @secuflag, and it controls whether your phone has its NAND or flash unlocked. S-ON (security on) will read-lock your /system and /recovery partitions, blocking you from performing certain root level actions directly from Android.

You can disable this security measure with S-OFF (security off), although you risk bricking your phone in the process (worst case scenario).

SDK

Software Development Kit. You can find the Android SDK at Android SDK | Android Developers

SuperUser

Android is a Linux-based operating system, and in Linux, there is something called root access. When you root your Android phone, you will get superuser access. The superuser, or root user, is sort of a special user account for system administration. SuperUser is also the name of an app, which lets you grant or deny superuser privileges to other apps.

]Swap

virtual RAM. With swap, a small portion of the hard drive is set aside and used like RAM.

Terminal and Terminal Emulator

Terminal Emulator, sometimes just referred to as Terminal, is an app that lets users access Android’s built-in Linux command line shell. The application emulates a Digital Equipment Corporation VT-100 terminal, and it’s mostly useful for programmers and for those with root access.

Tethering

Using a wireless device (e.g. an Android phone) to share it's wireless data connection to another device (e.g. laptop). With an Android device, the wireless data connection can usually be shared via WiFi, Bluetooth or USB connection.

Tweak

an optional application or script that alters the behavior of the hardware and/or software

[bUV / Undervolt / Undervolting[/b]

reducing the stock CPU voltage to run at less voltage

Vanilla/Stock

A clean, unmodified version of something. In the context of Android ROMs, vanilla refers to the stock ROM that came pre-installed on the device.

Widget

An application that lives (in other words, is always running) on the homescreen instead of being 'run' like a regular app. Common examples are calenders and weather widgets.

Wipe

Usually refers to wiping data and cache partitions of the device.

Zipaligned

Zipalign is a tool that optimizes the way an Android app (.APK) is packaged. It enables Android to interact with the application more efficiently, and in doing so, it has the potential to make the app and the entire Android system much faster. Zipaligned applications are launched more quickly, and they use less amounts of RAM. So, thumbs up for zipaligned Android ROMs.

 

[jaimin100]

Rooting and Custom ROMs

What Is Rooting?
Source: Androidpolice

Getting root or rooting your phone is the process of modifying the operating system on your device to grant you complete control over it.
This means you can overcome limitations that the carriers and manufacturers put on your phone, extend system functionality, and even upgrade it to a custom flavor of Android.
The name root comes from the Linux operating system world, where the most privileged user on the system (otherwise known as Administrator on Windows) is called root.
Installing a ROM may require rooting first, but just rooting can be done in only a few minutes, keeping your stock OS otherwise completely intact.

Warning: rooting your phone does run the risk of potentially bricking it (i.e. your phone could become nonfunctional) – so do your homework before attempting anything.

Benefits Of Rooting

Full Control Over Android

You have access to alter any system files, use themes, change boot images, delete annoying stock apps, such as Google Apps, and other various native applications that consume precious RAM (Footprints, Voice Dialer, etc).

Back Up The System

On most rooted Android devices, you can backup your entire system to an SD card, much in the same way you can image a hard drive. This is great if you’d like to try a new ROM, as you can back up your phone, wipe it completely, flash the new ROM, and if you don’t like it, you can just restore from your backup and your phone will be exactly how it was before you wiped it.

These options are usually found in a Custom Recovery or via a 3rd party application called ROM Manager. (Note that this app is not compatible with all devices)

Save Space On Your Phone

Move cache data and/or dalvik-cache to SD card
Rooting allows you to save things like browser cache to your SD card to free up space. Its not too complicated a process, but does take a bit of skill.

Move installed applications to SD card
Moving and storing apps on internal memory can significantly slow your device down. If you root, you can avoid that completely.

The easiest way to move applications to your SD card would be to flash a custom ROM that just does it for you (using an app called Apps2SD)

Run Special Applications

Super User – allows you to approve or deny root access to any application
Memory Managers – kills tasks you wouldn’t be able to otherwise
Move Cache for Root – move cache for browser, market, maps, street view, and gmail onto SD card
Startup Managers – Clean up android system from system startup to boost system power and memory from the get go
SetCPU for Root Users – Overclocking your rooted device lets you speed up your phone’s processor when you are using it and lets you slow it down when it goes into "sleep" mode. It can either be a battery hog or battery saver.



Install Custom ROMs

They’ve gone far beyond simple tweaks and can now give your phone an entirely new look and feel. There are ROMs that can make your phone fly by replacing the kernel with hyper-optimized versions or even overclocking the CPU. The possibilities are nearly limitless and attempting to cover all of the features of all the ROM’s available for all of the phones out there would be pretty much impossible.

Custom ROMs


A stock ROM is the version of the phone’s operating system that comes with your phone when you buy it.

A custom ROM is a fully standalone version of the OS, including the kernel, apps, services, etc – everything you need to operate the device, except it’s customized by a someone.

So what does the "customized" part mean? Since Android is open source, developers are free to take stock ROMs, modify them, strip them of garbage(bloatware), optimize them, add things, and pretty much do whatever their imagination and skills allow.


Why You Want Custom ROMs
Update Frequency

Using a custom ROM usually results in more frequent updates that fix bugs and introduce new features because the developer behind the ROM doesn’t have the same procedures and red tape that the manufacturer+carrier combo does.

A quality update can be released faster because it doesn’t involve the approval of a whole department.
A ROM developer usually gains a loyal community which beta tests his updates in real life situations and provide feedback, or even fixes bugs – that’s the beauty of open source software.
Finally, most custom ROMs out there are updateable over the air (OTA) and without reinstalling anything.


Better Performance And Efficiency

Custom ROMs are oftentimes faster, more efficient, and use less memory because

the developer ripped out useless garbage(bloatware), such as carrier installed apps or
the developer optimized the kernel. For example, an undervolted kernel can provide a much better battery life than the stock one.

Upgrading To A Better/Later Version Of Android

You can upgrade to a version of the OS that has not yet been released for your device, or never will be. This is possible in 2 situations:

A leaked or AOSP version of the new OS showed up online, giving the developer access to the sources and starts porting it for your device.
A ROM from another phone was ported by the developer to work on yours. For example, G1 and MyTouch 3G users may never see Android 2.1 officially released on their phones, but Cyanogen, one of the most respected Android developers, was recently able to create a custom ROM running 2.1 for those devices.

Ability To Install Apps To The SD Card

Most custom ROMs nowadays come with the ability to install applications to the SD card, called Apps2SD (or A2SD).
This is currently not possible on stock Android 2.1 and below but is natively supported by Android 2.2 and later.
If you have run out of space on your phone (which I have repeatedly on my Hero), Apps2SD is a killer feature to have.

The Downsides Of Custom ROMs

Of course, there are dangers of using custom ROMs which you should be aware of.

Something Could Go Wrong

First of all, something may go wrong with the flashing process (that’s the process of installing the ROM) and leave your phone in a bricked state. The chances of this are pretty low nowadays, and most of the time you can restore it back to normal.

Try to go for the ROM that has been tested by time and has lots of positive feedback.

Clean Wipe

In order to install a custom ROM, you need to perform a clean wipe.
But if you're just applying an update of the same ROM, doing a clean wipe is usually not required.

This means you will lose all existing data, so you have to back everything up first via a NANDroid backup and via 3rd party apps like Titanium Backup or MyBackup

Potential Problems

Custom ROMs could have bugs… but then so do the stock ones.

However, in case you do find a bug, you actually have a 2-way channel of reporting it – post in the ROM forum and you will more than likely get an answer back and your bug acknowledged.

You May Void Your Warranty

It’s possible that custom rooting will void your warranty because you will "break the seal" on the bootloader by installing a custom one which on some phones apparently can’t be undone. Because of that, the manufacturer might be able to tell that the phone has had a custom ROM installed and not honor the warranty, in case you need to use it.

Now, in most cases, the benefits of the custom ROM outweigh the possibility of your warranty being denied.

 

[jaimin100]

FAQ
Root.? What use..?
Please do it for us to have access to the system .We just liken it to " administrator " rights in Windows .

Do the same ROOT ( Android ) in the hack ( Symbian ) and jailbreak ( iOS )?
Hmm ... yes. But there is little difference when it comes to Jailbreak and just hack.
In android because, you do not need to root to be able to install games and applications that are not from the Android Market (Jailbreak) and you also need to be able to root for installing games and applications that have not signed your own certificate / digital signature (Hack).
Go to settings -> applications -> and check the Unknown Sources.


Will the warranty who do I root?
Technically, yes. Because if you read my warranty statement / letter, stated there that the warranty covered the damage to your unit due to "unauthorized modification" or "improper installation of applications."

In the HTCs and other manufacturers like Sony Ericsson / Sony Mobile, you first need to unlock before being able Bootloader root. It is also one of the reasons to lose the warranty of your phone.


Eh ' I mean , easy to learn the technician if you are already root ?
The phones that can not be passed to unlock the bootloader and flash kernels unsecure, it noted
BUT
If you have passed previously mentioned, the technician will know it immediately.


If root I just made my phone , I can update the official firmware using the PC Suite or OTA ?
As long as you have not installed a custom rom , you can still update your phone via OTA / PC


Will the root update I did the official FW ?
Yes, but in some cases losing.Case to case basis ...


I lost my apps as you love me official FW update ?
Depend very much.
With FOTA (Firmware Over-The-Air) because that requires no more Wipe / Factory Reset mawawalang so no apps on your phone.
If I use 3rd party software for PC to flash the official update, please require it please Wipe and erase my apps installed on phone.
My advice please before update, please backup your apps you by Titanium Backup (requires ROOT) or any backup utility.


I can then root again?
Yes , if available exploit ( rooting app / tool) for you phone and OS version .


I suppose you update ROM from Custom ROM version 2.2 to 2.3 ? Will the root? Will the apps ?
Root, no.
Apps to the phone, depending on the developer with instructions to complete wipe before / after I flash my new ROM version of the backup first so all the apps for sure.
You can also use the NAND-Backup if you already have.


After you like to update f - force- close view my other apps I restore from Titanium Backup, what do I do?
You just reinstall my apps.


Why do I always eat my load ?
settings --> wireless & networks --> Mobile Networks --> DISABLE Packet Data / Mobile Data
settings --> accounts & sync --> DISABLE Background Data


I quickly depleted my battery ?
settings --> accounts & sync --> Disable Background Data
settings --> applicatons --> manage applications --> try to force stop some 3rd party apps that you don't need.
settings --> wireless & networks --> Mobile Networks --> Use 2G Networks Only
settings --> display --> Disable light/brightness sensor
More Sensors Enabled, More widgets, Brighter screen/wallpaper, Live Wallpaper, Overclock = more battery consumption


How fast to full charge but also rapidly depleted ?
settings --> about phone --> status --> battery status --> FULL (Make sure that ie the set
.)
calibrate your battery (If you rooted and installed a new ROM
)

 

[jaimin100]

Rule of Thumb / Principles

Don't be lazy. Read first before asking questions.

Don't be afraid to try new things with your Android but always be cautious of your actions. Devs are not responsible if you brick your device.

Backup! Backup! Backup before doing any modifications to the system.

Flashing IS safe - so as long as you follow the instructions to the letter.

If you don't know what an app / mod / tweak does, don't flash or install it immediately. Take some time to read feedbacks and do some research.

If you accidentally deleted a file (system / data), you cannot restore it by performing a hard reset. A hard reset will only revert the phone's settings to default.

High benchmarks are good but it all boils down to real-life performance.

If you want to show-off, use a performance governor and an overclocked setting. If you want to save battery, use a conservative governor and an underclocked setting.

Cached applications will not consume battery because they have no running processes. They'll just sit there and wait until you call for them again so it launches faster. A killed app will have to be initialized and started up before it launches, hence, consuming more battery.

In the event that your system needs more RAM than what is available, it will start killing apps starting from those that you don't actually need.

If you're still losing a considerable amount of charge even with idle apps, use a battery monitoring application to check for wakelocks and buggy apps.

Avoid task killers.

You are using a smartphone. You can do more with your smartphone. You cannot complain if it loses charge in half a day if you maximize its use.

Charging the phone heats up the battery. Using the phone while charging will definitely heat it up even more.

Not all phones are created equal. Some phones can handle higher clock speeds (overclocking) and lower voltage values (undervolting) while others cannot. If you do go into changing clock speeds and voltage settings, do it in small steps.