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Root Root access On/Off functionality

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deltaforce

Android Enthusiast
Hope I am not making fool of myself.

I am reading a lot about rooting Galaxy S4 Play edition (I9505G) and eventually install CM, since Samsung doesn't look like going to give any more updates. Plus, I want write access on external SD card. Once I am done with whatever I wanted to do, I don't need root access (as long as the apps can do the job, say Titanium Backup). In such case, is there any functionality that I can keep root on when I need and root off when I don't need?

I am not into pirated apps or anything so I am not making myself vulnerable to malware (unless it gets in via website or something). Still if I understood correctly, keeping phone rooted opens me up for malware, right? Hence the precaution.

So is such thing possible?

Thanks in advance.
 
Well, remember that you "install" root...you're adding programs and processes to your device to give you root and not just enabling a switch that turns root on and off.

Given that, turning it on and off isn't really a straightforward proposition...unless you also consider that the SuperSU (or SuperUser) app is the vehicle that one uses to grant or deny root access.

You can also use that app to rescind root access to a process that you've previously granted access for.

Does that help and or make sense?

:)
 
@scary alien Thanks. I assumed that it may not that easy as flipping a switch but then I am a user, not a developer, may not know everything. That said, I think there is something like this in CM, if I am right.

@Jfalls63 Thank you for the warning. I have thought it through for a while and although I admit that I am scared of messing up with the phone or data steal by a malicious app, a few things I really would like to have. For e.g.
- there are many legit apps but their permissions are hard for me to digest, or lets say I don't use those features of the apps. I would like to control these permissions. This is biggest pet peeve of mine for some of the apps but haven't found alternative apps that do exactly that or that well.
- I would like to have a firewall. I am just too used to firewall on PC and not having it on android gives me a little uncomfortable feel, esp when odd websites open up. Although android firewall doesn't look as straight-forward, would like to learn something new
- Thirdly, I want to block all ads if possible. I am among the cord cutters so YouTube is almost our sole mode of TV entertainment. In that case, ads really drive me mad, although 15 seconds, I still don't want it.
- Then comes ext SD card writing access. I have tried a lot to get this sh!t worked out without rooting but failed so far. Whats the point of SD card if I can't write on it in android system? Supposedly, google sorted this out in Lollipop but can't figure out on my phone (5.0.1).
- Titanium Backup. Just had a hard disk crash but glad had a backup. Would like to keep phone backed up too. Sometimes I do keep data on the phone that isn't backed up anywhere else to work on the go.
- Finally, update if its worth getting. Galaxy S4 is the only phone in that range that hasn't gotten 5.1.1 yet. Not that I will use almost all features but if there is a feature that I would like to have, would prefer to have it via some ROM. I still haven't gotten stagefright (or whatever that is, MMS hack) patch!!.
And so on, so forth...

Again, thanks for the warning.
 
Personally I'm a root junkie. The discussion I linked to opened my eyes to what I should be doing. Never used firewall on phone till latley.
 
deltaforce said:
@scary alien Thanks. I assumed that it may not that easy as flipping a switch but then I am a user, not a developer, may not know everything. That said, I think there is something like this in CM, if I am right.
Click to expand...

Yep, that sounds right :) (it's been forever since I've flash a CM ROM, but I've read/heard that there is indeed such a feature--which is baked-in the CM--i.e., I don't believe you actually have to install root on a CM ROM since they are inherently rooted (although I think the OnePlusOne phones running CM are not necessarily rooted from what I've also read)).

Someone more CM-savvy/-knowledgeable than me will have to confirm that ;) :).

Cheers!
 
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