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Guide for Newly Rooted Android Users A ff ꝏ ꜳ ꜳ R Rꝏꝏ, ꜳ ꜳ ꝏ ꝏꝏ ꝏ Aꝏ .

Guide for Newly Rooted Android Users - Rescue Rootrescueroot.com/storage/RootedAndroidGuide-RescueRoot.pdf · Guide for Newly Rooted Android Users ... By rooting your phone you've

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Guide for Newly

Rooted Android Users A free guide provided by the team at Rescue Root, the easiest way to root

your Android device.

1

First Few Steps From Root .................................................................................................. 3

Simple, Easy, Neat Apps ...................................................................................................... 4

Where to Find Apps ............................................................................................................ 4

F-Droid Free Open Source App Repository ............................................................................ 4

Ch1: The Bare EssentialsCh1: The Bare EssentialsCh1: The Bare EssentialsCh1: The Bare Essentials .................................................................................................... 6

Manage Root User Apps Responsibly ................................................................................... 7

Superuser App ............................................................................................................ 8

Superuser Elite ............................................................................................................ 8

Super SU .................................................................................................................... 9

Super SU Pro ............................................................................................................ 10

Busybox ................................................................................................................... 10

Ch2: Before You Get StartedCh2: Before You Get StartedCh2: Before You Get StartedCh2: Before You Get Started .............................................................................................. 12

Things To Set Up Before You Begin ................................................................................. 13

Titanium Backup Pro ................................................................................................ 14

My Backup Pro ........................................................................................................ 15

Google Account ....................................................................................................... 15

Root Management ......................................................................................................... 17

Terminal Emulator.................................................................................................... 18

File Managers and Explorers ................................................................................ .18-19

Ch3: A Few More Things We Can Do With Root AccessCh3: A Few More Things We Can Do With Root AccessCh3: A Few More Things We Can Do With Root AccessCh3: A Few More Things We Can Do With Root Access ......................................................... 20

A Rooted World of Apps................................................................................................. 21

Get Rid of Ads.................................................................................................... 22-23

Unmonitored Data Tethering ..................................................................................... 24

Speed up and Optimize ........................................................................................ 25-28

2

Improve your GPS speed ...................................................................................... 25

Speed up your internet connection ......................................................................... 26

Manage your CPU and Battery consumption ....................................................... 26-28

Change default look and feel ................................................................................. 29-31

Ch4: Custom Recoveries, Kernels and ROMsCh4: Custom Recoveries, Kernels and ROMsCh4: Custom Recoveries, Kernels and ROMsCh4: Custom Recoveries, Kernels and ROMs ........................................................................ 33

A Bold New World Of Customization ................................................................................ 34

Custom Recoveries ............................................................................................. 35-39

Custom Kernels ....................................................................................................... 39

Custom ROMs .................................................................................................... 39-42

Ch5: RooCh5: RooCh5: RooCh5: Rooted Apps That Deal With Custom Recoveries, Kernels and ROMsted Apps That Deal With Custom Recoveries, Kernels and ROMsted Apps That Deal With Custom Recoveries, Kernels and ROMsted Apps That Deal With Custom Recoveries, Kernels and ROMs ............................... 43

Root Is Also Found On The Other End............................................................................. 44

ROM Manager ......................................................................................................... 45

Kernel Manager ....................................................................................................... 45

Mobile Odin ....................................................................................................... 46-47

Parting words ............................................................................................................... 48

3

The The The The FFFFirst irst irst irst Few StFew StFew StFew Steps eps eps eps FFFFrom Rootrom Rootrom Rootrom Root

So, you've just rooted your Android phone. Now what? Explore the newly unlocked possibilities, of course! This is your A to Z guide, the newest eBook on the scene for you, outlining the latest trends, sifting through the apps, and going under the hood, overclocking to boost performance – the current leading resource on Android rooted.

You are now rooted! Simply put, you have entered the status of being a true Android device user. Think of it as one bold step in becoming a black belt. Getting root access on your device is but a gateway to many opportunities.

A whole new level of Android awaits you after you take that first step. Many people don’t know what to do when they finally get root access. There are those who simply rooted and don’t know what it really is for. There are also cautious people, who would want to know what they get for all the trouble of getting root access on their device.

Whether you are rooted or not, this book will be you’re A-Z guide to the world of root access. Everything you need to know about messing with everything under the hood of your device. What are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

4

Simple, EasSimple, EasSimple, EasSimple, Easy, Neat Appsy, Neat Appsy, Neat Appsy, Neat Apps

The most popular apps with the best support make you feel like you're getting a new phone. Mind

the gap, please; there have been some traffic jams since the last rush of publications for a new

Android release.

Jelly Bean, Ice Cream Sandwich, Honeycomb, and Gingerbread entice with the possibilities of your

own wild variations; this is your A-Z guide for trendy, dependable recipes from installing custom

ROMs in a flash to the best part of owning a rooted phone: the apps! Thankfully, you have this

eBook, helping you every step of the way with practical magic and context. Read on for the newest,

most popular apps supported on your rooted Android phone.

Where TWhere TWhere TWhere To Find Appso Find Appso Find Appso Find Apps

Blogs can help you match apps with your phone and Android

version, as well as provide leads for the trending new mods as

manufacturers roll out open source releases. You'll find leaked

software and open-source app repositories among the chatter on

developers' forums such as xda-developers.net.

Of course, the Play Store also matches up compatible apps with your

device. The Play Store has a filtering system that prevents your

phone from seeing downloads for apps that your device or country

does not support.

Take note that some apps may not be available directly from the Play Store, and might only be

available through the developer blogs and forums, as well as on 3rd party Android markets.

FFFF----Droid Free Open Source App RepositoryDroid Free Open Source App RepositoryDroid Free Open Source App RepositoryDroid Free Open Source App Repository

F-Droid is one of the trendiest open source “competitors” to Google Play! If

you are the type that likes to use free and open source programs, then you

should take a look at their repository. A lot of useful productivity and rooted

tools exist here, with ongoing development from open source advocates.

5

Some of F-Droid's highlights:

• aNetMon: Network event logger

• androidVNC: remote desktop viewer

• Angulo: angle-measuring tool

• aagtl: geocaching utility

• Ardroid: remote control for Linux's Ardour Digital Audio Workstation – no longer will you be

stranded at your computer while jamming or when recording synthesized music live.

6

7

Manage Root User Apps ResponsiblyManage Root User Apps ResponsiblyManage Root User Apps ResponsiblyManage Root User Apps Responsibly

These apps grant and manage the Superuser (also called the root user) permissions you've accessed by rooting your Android phone. A Superuser app provides a list to keep track of which root-only apps you've installed and have given root permission to.

There are two ways to manage permissions. The most common way of granting permission is giving permanent permission, where your root apps are always allowed or denied access as soon as you enter the root app. You can also set it to always ask first, which is seldom used, but is great for those people who love full control of their device.

This eBook begins with the Superuser apps often embedded as an essential part of custom ROMs (custom ROMs are covered later) and may sometimes come along with certain root methods. Certain root methods just asks you to install the Superuser app of your choice after enabling root. After you install a Superuser app, you'll be ready to start exploring the world of rooted apps.

8

Superuser App

Superuser is recommended by blogs like Lifehacker and is often

bundled into custom ROMs. With Superuser, you choose which

apps have access to root (try typing “su root” into your terminal

and you'll find the ubiquitous pound emblem).

Superuser gives you all the security that Linux is famous for and

helps you act with the minimum permissions you need at one time,

which is the Linux design philosophy for security.

The best part is, all this security and responsibility is easily

accomplished in one click! If you have granted permission to a root

app, it is also very easy to deny that permission at any time. Elite adds more security, but we’ll get

more of that later. The newest version of Superuser has an OTA survival mode and an Unroot

option. Both options don’t always work, and may depend on the ROM and the model of the device.

Over the air updates or any other updates for that matter, usually remove root and Superuser.

By rooting your phone you've unlocked the root permissions, but with Superuser you still have the

control. This app is an essential element to help you quickly get up and running rooted applications.

Superuser Elite

Superuser Elite provides more security in maintaining your root permissions.

After all, giving the wrong app a root level access can potentially break your

device. It also opens up some advanced features making Superuser a more

convenient tool.

Extra FeaturesExtra FeaturesExtra FeaturesExtra Features

• Modifying Files: A database stores the permissions for all the root only apps installed on

your system

• The elite version of Superuser allows setting timeouts for apps that have the permissions.

This adds a new layer of root access management.

• Ability to require a PIN code before allowing root access for added security from automated

scripts.

• Ghost Mode allows you to hide the Superuser app from the app dock. This prevents others

from making changes in the settings. You can access the app through a code that you can

enter through the phone dialer. The code can be changed at any time.

• Toast Notification allows you to edit where the screen you want the notifications to appear.

9

• Elite allows you to backup apps and preferences in case you wipe your phone in the future.

ReviewsReviewsReviewsReviews

Reviews for the latest version of Superuser 3.1.2, released on June 30, 2012 expressed consistently

positive chatter this winter for the easy update process, even while updating the embedded

Superuser app on custom ROMs like Sandvold's ICS beta.

You won't have access to the amazing apps only available to root users without installing this free

app. It will be unobtrusive with its ghost mode feature, which allows it to run in the background,

without an icon in the tray at the top of your screen. This is ideal, so you can go on exploring new

apps without accidentally giving them root access: this app only pops up when you want it to.

Next is another Superuser app that goes a step beyond Superuser by providing recovery tools and a

task manager that can detect processes. If you've just rooted your Android and you miss having the

Linux terminal or Windows task manager backing you up, read on.

SuperSU

SuperSU provides many similar features to Superuser, but we're covering it as

well because, like Superuser, it is bundled into many custom ROMs and,

unlike the Superuser app, it provides a few extra options for backup and

operating system recovery that will give you some confidence. With this app

you can get more advanced and fine tune performance or even install a totally

new operating system on your phone. If the original Superuser app is giving

you problems, you can give this a try.

Extra FeaturesExtra FeaturesExtra FeaturesExtra Features

• Here are some of SuperSU's enhancements:

• Ghost Mode goes without notifications, which can bog performance

• Deep Process Detection: This makes sure you know everything that goes on within your

rooted environment.

• Recovery and repair features will be most effective when you install SuperSU right after

rooting your phone.

• Works only when you need to through a wake up prompt.

• The SuperSU binary is based on the original Superuser binary for compatibility. Users can

temporarily unroot to get under the radar of some apps that hate root access when detected.

10

• Superuser or SuperSU: This support forum thread is for the Galaxy Nexus, but it will go into

more advanced features like installing custom ROMs while keeping the SuperSU as the

permission controller.

• This also allows temporary unrooting, with about the same chances of succeeding as the

original Superuser app.

While you can configure SuperSU for maximum automation, freeing you to upgrade your Android, it

can also make a big impact with its time-saving layout. You'll also have a process detector that can

help you manage performance as well as which apps are using the root user permissions.

App developers will also welcome integration between SuperSU and ADB, the Android debugger you

may remember from your root install!

Open Source Community SupportOpen Source Community SupportOpen Source Community SupportOpen Source Community Support

The Android open source community is very open to helping you out if you have problems with

getting root to work. The developers of the app are dedicated into helping you get things going.

• The SuperSU developer provides detailed instructions on how to switch back and forth from

SuperSU to Superuser, so with either choice you'll find a supportive open source community.

• The XDA developers also host a fervent support forum for SuperSU.

SuperSU Pro

The Pro version adds more features like logs with color-coded input, output, and error messages, as

well as an additional measure, a PIN login for the SuperSU app itself. SuperSU pro also offers OTA

survival mode for seeing you through manufacturer updates. The SuperSU OTA survival mode is

more successful on most attempts than the original Superuser app. Still, it is not a 100% done deal.

Busybox

Busybox is a system tool that allows your phone to perform more complex

actions. These actions are not natively available for your device, but it can

certainly improve your rooted experience. Many sites agree that BusyBox is

the Swiss Army Knife of Embedded Linux.

Much like Superuser, most new custom ROMs have Busybox installed

already. Certain root methods may have installed Busybox for you already. If

Busybox is not part of your phone yet, Stericson has developed a pretty good Busybox installer in

the Play Store. With his BusyBox app, Stephen Erickson has hand-compiled for Android a

replacement for the GNU Core Utils.

11

Most of the commands read the same as GNU Linux shellutils, fileutils, and textutils for the

command line – they also behave like the GNU Core Utils that form the core of GNU Linux, or the

layer right above the BIOS. BusyBox is actually a tiny, ultra minimal 800kb operating system, but

since it usually purrs along automatically in the abyssal zone of the operating system, this ebook will

simply shine some light on it and move on. If you have a rooted phone, you'll need this app to

enable some root only apps.

Not all root apps require Busybox, but it is a handy tool to have around when necessary. You would

definitely be happier having it all the time and not using it rather than scrambling for it when the

time comes and you do need one. One of the most notable root apps that require this tool is

Titanium Backup. We will know more about that later on.

12

13

Things To Set Up Before You BeginThings To Set Up Before You BeginThings To Set Up Before You BeginThings To Set Up Before You Begin

So now you are rooted, you have your root permission tools, your command tools and you are raring to go and do some messing around in your root directory. The thing is, you are not yet ready. Preparation is a key step to any battle, and every art.

Before you go and start actually modifying your user experience with Android through root, you need to make sure you have a way back. Backups are going to be your best friend especially when you mess up and have to start over.

There are several ways to make backups of your device. There is a method that involves flashing a ClockworkMod with nandroid backup, and then there are methods that involve root applications. You can check the bonus section for more on nandroid backup. For now, let us see what your root can do.

14

Titanium BackupTitanium BackupTitanium BackupTitanium Backup ProProProPro

In a Twitter poll by the developer of the Superuser app, TitaniumBackup was

voted the #1 Favorite of the Top 9 Root-Only Apps. The active development

is one of its best features: its last update was September 27th, 2012 for

Android Jelly Bean. It's also earned an impressive 5/5 Star rating on the

Google Play Marketplace. Lifehacker dubbed it “Best Backup Android” from

Lifehacker and it received “App of the Year 2011” on mobiflip.de.

With Titanium Backup, you can backup and restore your apps, data, and

market links. Although it earns its namesake by delivering a total backup to email or cloud in just

one click, this app has everything but the kitchen sync. After the jump you'll find some of the

highlights.

Here are some of the functions that make this app unique:

• Removes clutter – it can freeze and even uninstall some unwanted apps in your device, such

as bloatware from the manufacturer.

• Automatic update manager that keeps track of your apps. A Market Doctor feature will mend

your links to point to the Google App store, where the updates can be relied on.

• Cache Cleaning: Android apps share a “Dalvik” cache – this means that cleaning the cache

will often boost performance or fix some problems related to the Dalvik cache. This cache is

a temporary space used by the Java Virtual Machine.

• Sync to Google Drive, Dropbox, or Box.net.

As a backup tool, this app serves as one of the most comprehensive backup systems available on

rooted devices.

• Scheduled backups – this app supports unlimited scheduling of backups, making sure you

always have a backup of your apps in the most timely and recent manner.

• Selective Backup and restore – Titatinum Backup is built to backup both the app itself and

its data.

o Data – Data backup and restore allows you to keep save games, actual data and

preferences. This is the most important detail to backup.

o App – The app itself can be backed up and restored at any time. This is very useful if

you are about to try an update that you are not sure you want. You can restore back to

the previous version if you are not satisfied with the update.

15

• Multiple backups – you can have multiple backups for every app in case a backup goes bad,

or it backs up a non-working version of the app or data.

• Encrypt backups – a very important detail about backups is encryption. You don’t want your

app data stolen for many reasons.

Another aspect in which Titanium Backup outshines the competition is that it automatically installs

UNIX basics like BusyBox. If you've ever seen Hackers or were mystified by Neo using a command

line in The Matrix, that's all the preparation you'll need for this section.

Titanium Backup will install BusyBox for you in the off chance your Buysbox is not working, and

automatically keep it upgraded. Muck like BusyBox, this app is like a Swiss knife. You can definitely

do more with it if you care enough to poke around.

My Backup ProMy Backup ProMy Backup ProMy Backup Pro

While Titanium Backup is more like a nuts and bolts kind of back up app, My

Backup Pro is for those who are a lot less adventurous. This app is purely

dedicated to backing up your apps and their data, including a bunch of stuff

that you would seriously want to back up, such as contacts, calendar entries,

SMS, MMS, System Settings, Home Screens, Call Logs and even Browser

Bookmarks. It makes a full backup of your entire phone’s day to day data.

An emerging new feature is being able to remotely back up your device from the browser. This is

great in case you feel you might lose data, or you have lost your phone. While being able to track it

down would be much cooler, this service is definitely welcome.

Google AccountGoogle AccountGoogle AccountGoogle Account

Something for you to consider is your Google Account. Now, I

know at some point, be it before or after you got your Android

device, you have been made aware that this phone requires a

Google account. You need it if you want to get 99% of the

Apps you want on your phone.

Some people don’t know it, but Google can actually back up a

large amount of data for you at no extra cost. Google can help

you back up your entire contacts library, your calendar

entries, your photos and even your bookmarks. If you use

Chrome, it can back your internet history at a deeper level.

My advice is if you are going to use a Google centered device anyway, make sure to make good use

of this feature. Your backups are kept in the cloud, and if you lose your phone, or simply lose data,

16

you can get it right back after signing in.

17

Root ManagementRoot ManagementRoot ManagementRoot Management

Ok, we now have your data secured in the best way possible. Let’s start taking down some apps you may want in your device to be able to manage your rooted life easier. I will list down a few recommendations. There will always be an alternative at some point or another. Choosing the best one for you will always depend on your mileage.

18

Terminal EmulatorTerminal EmulatorTerminal EmulatorTerminal Emulator

If you're curious you can go under the hood with the Terminal Emulator, which

provides many classic commands. You can also explore BusyBox commands with

Terminal Emulator. One tip: type “ls” to see what commands you have available

for each directory.

File Managers and ExlporersFile Managers and ExlporersFile Managers and ExlporersFile Managers and Exlporers

As you go through the many tweaks, optimizations and new files that make your phone into the best

science experiment every, you will need to have direct access to the root directory. Changes may

involve replacing or removing system files, or simply fixing access permissions. Whatever it is you

may need to do, you need a stable and reliable file manager to make sure you don’t mess up.

Root Explorer

This is the most basic and most recommended root manager in the market. It is

so well known and used that developers even bundle this app with your

installation. Root Explorer is probably the last app you'll need to complete the

basic set up of your rooted phone – a graphical, user-friendly interface for

managing files. With Root Explorer, you'll have total access to your system

files.

• Set folder and file permissions

• Create and extract .zip files

• Send/receive files through email, Bluetooth, and more

Root Explorer also comes with a Text Editor and adds the always-useful “Open With” feature, so

you'll only have to use the Terminal Emulator when you want to.

If you took the time to check the Play Store for this, you would notice that Root Explorer is not

free. While it remains as one of the top choices in root directory file management, there are others

out there with a lesser price tag, or even free.

X-Plore File Manager

While Lifehacker and Brighthub both praised Root Explorer last year, and while

it remains a popular option, one of the hottest root-only apps on appbrain.com

is the X-Plore File Manager. You'll have total superuser access to your

Android's files like with Root Explorer, but with X-Plore you'll also get support

for cloud storage: Picasa, Google Drive, Dropbox, SugarSync, Box.net,

Skydrive, WebDav, and Yandex.disk.

X-Plore also innovates by working seamlessly with .zip files: with X-Plore, you can open them just

19

as easily as a folder. App Developers can also unzip .APK app files.

Solid Explorer

If X-Plore File Manager is not giving you the best experience, maybe you

should give this a shot. This App mays till be in beta stages, but it is free,

working really well and is shaping up to be fast, stable and very capable file

explorer with specialized root controls.

It does everything you can do with X-Plore File Manager, with a little bit more

every update. It also offers a different look into the whole file system, in case the other explorers

don’t look so easy to use for you.

There are certainly more of them out there, you just have to look. Discovering and testing out new

things is half of the fun. Being rooted, you perform a whole lot of trial and testing in the lifetime of

your device. Remember that everything is an adventure, and make sure to have fun!

You've successfully rooted your phone and laid the groundwork for rooted apps. You've:

• enabled Superuser,

• backed up your progress so far,

• chosen a graphical way to manage files and access the terminal

Well, as far as the basics are concerned, we’re done here. You have set

up everything you need to make sure you are prepared to take the next

steps forward.

From this point onward, everything is your call. There is no clear step to

take, and the branches of things to do are enormous. It’s up to you where

you want to start, what you want to do, and what you want to avoid.

As far as this primer goes, we’re just getting started. While I can’t and

shouldn’t dictate the next steps you should take, I would like to give you a few tips on where you

might want to begin your journey.

20

21

A Rooted World of AppsA Rooted World of AppsA Rooted World of AppsA Rooted World of Apps

With root, you can do a fairly large amount of things to customize your experience of the Android operating system. Previously, one would have to know a fair bit of programming and knowledge of the Linux operating system to be able to make changes using root access.

Thanks to the efforts of many talented developers, we have a lot of applications that can easily do the things you want by simplifying and automating the process of messing with the root directory.

Consider making donations or actually paying for these applications when you have the chance to, in support of their endeavors. This will encourage them to further improve the existing apps and even make new apps that will make your Android experience even better.

22

Get Rid of AdsGet Rid of AdsGet Rid of AdsGet Rid of Ads

One of the greatest annoyances of the internet, and now the mobile phone, is Ads. Ads are like the

eyesore that just has to be there so that you can talk with their beautiful sister. To enjoy the free

apps and websites we use, we need the Ads to be there to pay for it without taking any cash from

our pockets.

AdFree

This app provides new possibilities for banishing ads. The AdFree app

creatively uses Superuser permission to add a list of known ad servers to

the /hosts/ folder, which is root access only. Because any hosts of

adware are blocked by a virtual machine, the ads won't even download, so

your web browser won't bog. This app is essentially a collection of scripts

for moving files in the root-access only files; you could do this yourself.

On most phones it will install in one click, and you could easily configure

it by changing the source code and repackaging.

While the beautiful app GUI (graphical user interface) will update itself and configure itself, it could

behoove you to know a little bit more about some of the settings. Theoretically, you could do all

this yourself using only Apache and a few terminal commands. Here's the lowdown on what will

happen if you uncheck that green box.

• Run TCPdumpRun TCPdumpRun TCPdumpRun TCPdump: TCPdump captures information and analyzes “packets” or requests from

DNS's (domain names). This will let you add your own hosts by looking at the logs – for

example, if you find the DNS for a pesky ad on Angry Birds, a post on XDA-developers.net

would be welcome.

• Use Custom IP/Use 127.0.0.1:Use Custom IP/Use 127.0.0.1:Use Custom IP/Use 127.0.0.1:Use Custom IP/Use 127.0.0.1: 127.0.0.1 is the same as the “Local Webserver,” called local

host. If installing AdFree results in pages that partially load, or if sophisticated apps like

MedScape crash, the developer writes in the forum to try typing in a random IP in the

Custom IP textbox.

• Mongoose Tiny Web Server:Mongoose Tiny Web Server:Mongoose Tiny Web Server:Mongoose Tiny Web Server: The Custom IP and Local Webserver selections also enable you

to set up Mongoose, a tiny web browser that's less than 1kb and bundled with AdFree.

Adding Mongoose to your Android's world of imaginatively-named software could give you

more options than simply using local host – some apps need their own mini web server or

they'll reconfigure the built-in Apache web server incorrectly.

• Updates and Support:Updates and Support:Updates and Support:Updates and Support: The developer's website is a thread on the XDA Developers' forum.

After the jump, you'll find a link you to a custom hosts file uploaded on the XDA

Developers’ forum: it's been compiled from three different adware lists, plus research from

individual forum members. Although the title reads, “How to filter ads on your G1,” you're

23

sure to find specific information for your phone, from the HTC Desire to the Droid

Incredible.

Many phones have a different “symlink” (symbolic link) to the hosts folder /system/etc/; this app

can create its own symlink in the /data/data/hosts folder. If you want to add your own blacklist, fire

up your terminal emulator and copy the additional hosts file to /system/etc/ folder. You could also

copy the hosts file to a folder that “symlinks” (symbolic link) to /system/etc/, like /etc/hosts/ or

others.

Lifehacker recommends this app, and the developers seem ready to tackle major bugs – this app is

beloved by a large online community on the XDA Developers’ forum. However, there are also some

other open source alternatives.

AdAway

AdAway is a trending app last updated in August 2012 that saw an

exponential increase in downloads in September. Because AdAway uses

a slightly different process for blocking ads than AdFree, according to

some comments and forum posts, it's able to wipe the ads from Angry

Birds.

AdAway offers users the ability to choose their own sources of hosts

files. In addition to custom blacklists and whitelists, AdAway also

provides a unique redirection list. If you're reading this ebook in China,

AdAway's project page provides a list of sources to get around blocked DNS requests. Sources

include Google, Facebook, and more.

AdAway can also take logs of all the DNS requests made to your phone – if you feel like you're the

only one on a forum still being pestered by a tenacious ad, consider searching through the logs and

try experimenting with adding hosts to the blacklist.

24

Unmonitored Data TetheringUnmonitored Data TetheringUnmonitored Data TetheringUnmonitored Data Tethering

Most if not all devices since Froyo includes a way to tether the data from your phone to any

wireless device. Newer versions of Android also allow you to tether via Bluetooth and USB

connections.

The problem is that the default method is often monitored by the carrier. Some use it to collect data

on your use for tethering; some use it to even charge you separately for tethering your data. There

would even be instances where tethering is blocked by the carrier.

Since you are now a member of the rooted community, these things shouldn’t be a problem for you.

WiFi Tether

WiFi Tether, probably thanks to the generic name, is one of the most

popular apps in the tethering department. It enables your device to tether

the data straight from your carrier. It may not work on older devices with

kernels that don’t support Netfilter. Thankfully, most stock ROMs have

this kernel installed.

Let’s list some features this tethering app has:

• Full timed control: you can set device to tether the data for only a limited amount of time.

This saves battery and reduces the risk of you forgetting to turn it off.

• Security: WiFi Tether allows you to encrypt your data connection through WEP,

WPA/WPA2. You can even change the SSID of your device.

• Ease of use: Rather than fumbling through the dock or settings to enable the tether, you can

easily start tethering thanks to the one click widget that comes with the app.

Barnacle WiFi Tether

The popularity of Barnacle WiFi Tether relies on its open source nature.

Since it is open source, any good developer out there can contribute to fix

any bug that comes along, or even add new features that may come in

handy for the user. Barnacle is very easy to use, with no extra features.

The advantage of Barnacle is the ability to tether with any kernel, which

makes this compatible with any phone. Thanks to open source, if a phone

is not yet supported, it will only be a matter of time until it is.

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Speed up and OptimizeSpeed up and OptimizeSpeed up and OptimizeSpeed up and Optimize

What we want from our smartphone is pretty much the same thing we wanted from our PCs. We

want it fast, stable and smooth. With Root access, you can change things that the manufacturer has

set. Many times, these new changes will be for the better.

Just remember, with every step in the rooted world, you have to be careful with land mines. Things

can go south pretty quickly if you don’t tread carefully. Well, enough with the warnings, let’s speed

things up!

Improve your GPS speedImprove your GPS speedImprove your GPS speedImprove your GPS speed

Faster Fix

This is one of the most popular GPS optimizing tools out there. This is great for

devices like Samsung phones that have slow GPS lock on problems. It

synchronizes your GPS database with the country you are in so it knows

where to start looking first for GPS satellites.

The app interface is very fast and very easy to use. In fact, after installing it

once, in theory, you can uninstall it since you are not likely to use it again,

unless of course you are the type that travels to other countries.

GPS Aids

This is a more complex and comprehensive tool in improving your GPS lock

on speed. Rather than simply synchronizing servers, this app downloads

the data from those servers to your GPS data so you no longer spend

that time for the GPS to download the satellite data for your area.

The app also offers some comprehensive tools to measure your lock on

speed and find out just how well your device connects to satellites. This

was specialized for Galaxy phones and variants, but can work on other

devices as well.

26

Speed up your internet connectionSpeed up your internet connectionSpeed up your internet connectionSpeed up your internet connection

Internet Booster

If you frequent XDA developers, you would probably come across a

tweak that replaces certain lines of code or settings of your device that

alters how your device handles and connects to the internet.

The technique used here is a known Linux tweak that has existed before

Android. This is especially useful for stock ROMs, since more prominent

ROMs like CyanogenMod already utilizes these tweaks.

This app can significantly boost your internet speed after patching.

Mileage still varies depending on actual network type, as well as the ROM installed in the device

and the existence of the tweak in your phone.

Manage your CPU and Battery consumptionManage your CPU and Battery consumptionManage your CPU and Battery consumptionManage your CPU and Battery consumption

SetCPU

One of the most powerful apps you can use to manage both your

speed and your battery life is named SetCPU. This app is the most

comprehensive app for CPU frequency, voltage and usage control.

When you slide the dials for the max and min CPU frequencies, this

app adjusts multidimensional governors written into the kernel at

compile time. This sensitive app may turn off additional cores if

they're not being used, or rapidly dial the CPU up after passing a

certain threshold, then gradually scale the CPU back down – this last

governor, “on demand”, is the default for many kernels.

The governors available to this app vary between different kernels and different devices. This app

also supports profiles, which allow you to customize how this app manages your CPU power and

usage. It is like creating your own, fully customized “governor”.

Things you can do with the Profiles feature

• Select a condition that will activate a profile. Available conditions are screen off, charging,

battery level, in-call, and setting timeout limits.

• CPU settings can change based on the time of day. SetCPU's developer provides several

example profiles.

• Set a profile's priority. When multiple conditions are met, SetCPU chooses the highest

27

priority.

Managing Managing Managing Managing VoltagesVoltagesVoltagesVoltages

SetCPU also gives you the ability to change your Android's voltage settings. Because power

consumption decreases quadratically with voltage, even a slight adjustment in voltage can

dramatically reduce power consumption. This provides undervolting for your phone, or slightly

lowering the voltage of each available CPU frequency, SetCPU's developer writes. The voltage tab

may not be available for some kernels.

While voltage can bring a simple, big change in power consumption, finding ideal voltage settings

can require some experimentation and patience. Because higher voltages can create more heat,

increasing voltage settings could be dangerous.

SetCPU reports that most often your phone will simply crash if you've selected a voltage that's

unstable for your phone. Remember to always make a backup before you tweak, and read up on your

device’s capabilities in blogs and forums before you select the voltage you want.

Benchmarks and Stress TestsBenchmarks and Stress TestsBenchmarks and Stress TestsBenchmarks and Stress Tests

This app provides information about your phone, battery, CPU, kernel, and memory status. In

addition, you can also run benchmarks and stress tests. For benchmarks, the developer

recommends selecting the “performance” governor (or setting the max and min CPU speeds to be

the same).

Background processes could interfere with the test, so this information will only accurately compare

between phones with the same ROM and kernel. If the benchmark is lower, the machine is running

faster!

Stress tests allow you to check for the stability of voltage settings or extra-high overclocks by

reaching the thermal limits of your phone. Be prepared for some trial-and-error; with Titanium

Backup you can confidently explore the limits of your phone's capabilities without fear of losing

data.

No-frills CPU Control

This is another CPU control app that is built to be as simple as possible.

SetCPU covers a lot of customization in CPU management already, but a

lot of users feel lost and unable to fully utilize the SetCPU settings.

No-frills CPU Control does exactly as the name implies. It allows you to

simply set the frequency range you want your device to use, select a

governor, and I/O scheduler. That’s it. It is a small program that runs in

28

the background and is relatively safe due to the “smart valve” feature.

The best part is that it is free, and as the developers say, it will always be free!

Autokiller Memory Optimizer

Are you the type that has panic attacks when your phone’s

memory (RAM) is almost full? Do you like to have plenty of

available RAM? Or are you the type that likes optimizing the data

stored for every App making sure you can multitask effectively?

If you have yes for even just one of those questions, then you

would want to try out the Autokiller Memory Optimizer.

Special features:

• Frees up memory and speeds up system processes.

• Improves battery consumption by auto removing running apps from memory

• No messy ads

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Change default look and feelChange default look and feelChange default look and feelChange default look and feel

Android is the king when it comes to customization and changing the look and feel of your device.

Without root, Android is already pretty flexible, allowing you to download specialized and themed

replacement applications for launchers, messenger and even for the browser.

With root access, you can change so much more, such as the default icons and colors of your

device.

Metamorph

Metamorph is an app that allows you to install theme packages that

change the default look of system apps. People can download or

create their own theme package and install it through the app thereby

changing what the stock feel looks like.

Things you can change:

• Notification bar color and look

• Icons of system applications

• Icons of notifications such as Wi-Fi, new messages and battery icons.

• Change the look of the date and time

• Emoticons in the messenger

• And many more!

With Metamorph, you don’t even have to do all the work. Even if you don’t know how to make a

theme package, you can make requests online or simply download pre-made themes. If you are a bit

picky, however, and want to change the icons individually yourself, you can give Ninjamorph a try.

Ninjamorph

Ninjamorph was built by the same developer who created Metamorph.

Rather than installing a theme package, you can use different elements of

other themes and mix it up. Ninjamorph allows you to see and replace

icons individually from the device, so you can really make a custom

tailored look and feel for your device.

It can change the same details as the Metamorph, so you are limited to

system default icons and images. Originally, you can’t change apps that

30

have been installed from the Play Store, but the latest version of Ninjamorph now allows you to try

and change Play Store apps after installation. Compatibility with some apps is still a bit sketchy, so

you would have to just try if it would work on that app or not.

Font Changer

One of the other things you can change with root is the fonts that are

used by your device. Some may not like to have the default font that

comes with their device, and some would also love to create their own

fonts for their phone for better personalization.

Changing fonts require changing some system files, which you can

only access through root, or through some system installed

applications like the one found in Samsung’s devices.

Font Changer becomes the apps that you need to be able to changes

these fonts.

Special features include:

• Ability to replace individual fonts

• Change the screen density to make fonts larger or smaller

• Localization support for English, Russian, Polish, Korean, Bulgarian, and Spanish languages.

• Importing your own fonts and font packages found in other applications

Font Installer

This is another font changing application that has pretty much the same

popularity as Font Changer. This app is actually an app that is already

included if you choose to download ROM Toolbox instead. Those that want

to use only the font installer can download this app instead of the full

package.

Unlike Font Changer, there are premade fonts that can be selected from

the app immediately, which is very convenient. It also allows you to install

your own fonts just like Font Changer.

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Changing system sounds

Changing the system sounds is not quite as simple as using an app to do it. While there are apps

like Lock and Unlock Screen Sounds and System Sounds Replacer, those apps are very limited and

change the sounds to very limited choices.

To effectively change your system sounds into any sound, you must first convert the sound you

want into an “.ogg” file. When you have created a compatible file, you need to use your chosen file

explorer that can access root such as Root Explorer. Navigate to this folder:

/system/media/audio/ui

You should be able to access those folders by starting from the root directory. There you will find a

large list of sound files representing several actions or choices that your Android device uses.

Simply replace any file with your own sound file. Make sure to use the same exact file name for the

system to recognize it. Just copy that same permissions found on the original file.

Important: Never forget to make a backup of the system files you are replacing, in case something

goes wrong or you want to put it back to normal. That goes for all the files changed within the

system. It would be beneficial to make a Nandroid backup before you do any system level changes.

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You've now tuned your Android device into your personal device, as well as kept it in tip top form.

So far you have:

• Boosted performance by clearing the cache of the Java Virtual Machine that runs android

apps as well as managed CPU frequencies and set Governors to maintain perfect performance

and battery life.

• Shared your 3G Wireless with your other gadgets by setting up a Wi-Fi hotspot

• Created files in the root-access only file system that will block malware and adware DNS.

• Backed up your data from the start

• Changed the look and feel of your device

• Sped up and optimized some Android system processes like RAM and GPS

Are you ready to go a little deeper? This eBook’s next chapter is devoted to recoveries and custom

kernels, which will then be a gradual transition into installing custom ROMs in a flash.

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34

A Bold New World Of CustomizationA Bold New World Of CustomizationA Bold New World Of CustomizationA Bold New World Of Customization

We have delved into rooting and actually managing certain aspects of our ROM, or the firmware that is installed in our device. Think of it as making Administrator changes on your PC. You made it faster, and look just the way you want it to.

Going a step further, a larger form of customization and ROM management awaits us. Beyond simply rooting a ROM, you can actually change the ROM and the rules that govern its use. Think of it as similar to having Windows XP built into your laptop when you bought it, then installing Windows 7 or a custom Windows XP Black. You are basically changing the whole operating system of your device.

There are three things you usually flash into your device. These are custom Recoveries, custom Kernels and custom ROMs. The goal of this chapter is to simply introduce these concepts to you to introduce you to a whole new level of Android control and customization.

Some of you may have acquired root through installation of custom ROMs and Recoveries already, so you may be familiar with most of the stuff this chapter will deal with. Then again, you may want to read on as there might be something here that you never learned about before you got here. Delve into this chapter and enjoy!

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Before you take your first steps into flashing and playing around with custom recoveries, kernels

and ROMs, we would want to make you familiar about a few tools and terms pertaining to the

experience. We want you to look less of a ‘noob’ when you place a question in the blogs and

forums.

Custom RecoveriesCustom RecoveriesCustom RecoveriesCustom Recoveries

Custom recoveries expand upon the normal recovery

system found on the device by default. Stock recoveries

allow you to clear cache and even wipe the entire device

and return it to the factory settings. Your stock

recovery is also used in applying official updates from

the manufacturer.

With a custom recovery, you are greeted with several

new options. We will go through the options of CWM or

ClockworkMod 6. ClockworkMod is the name given to

the most popular custom recovery. In fact, it may be

the only recovery you encounter in flashing custom ROMs.

• Reboot System NowReboot System NowReboot System NowReboot System Now

This simply takes you out of recovery mode and reboots the device back to normal

operation. This option exists on stock.

• InstallInstallInstallInstall Zip from SD CardZip from SD CardZip from SD CardZip from SD Card

This allows you to flash custom ROMs and Kernel zip files that you download from the

forums or blogs. This is a very important tool that you will have to be very familiar with if

you will be flashing custom ROMs in the future.

This option is further divided into:

o Apply /SDcard/update

� This is an option found in the stock recovery. It flashes an official update file

downloaded into the /SDcard/update folder. You won’t be using this much

unless you are on stock recoveries and updating android officially.

o Choose zip from SDChoose zip from SDChoose zip from SDChoose zip from SDcardcardcardcard

� This is the option that you would use the most. With this option, you are

taken into the sd card directory and made to choose the zip file you want to

36

flash.

o Toggle signature verificationToggle signature verificationToggle signature verificationToggle signature verification

� Simply toggles signature verification. The ROM or kernel will dictate if this is

necessary

o Toggle script assertsToggle script assertsToggle script assertsToggle script asserts

� Simply toggles script asserts. The ROM or kernel will dictate if this is

necessary

• Wipe Data/Factory ResetWipe Data/Factory ResetWipe Data/Factory ResetWipe Data/Factory Reset

This is pretty much the same as the stock option of restoring to factory settings. The only

difference is that it is the only safe way to wipe a custom ROM. If you wipe using the options

found in the settings app while on a custom ROM, you are likely to encounter a boot loop.

Basically, your phone will not work anymore and you would have to flash the ROM once

more.

• Wipe Cache PartitionWipe Cache PartitionWipe Cache PartitionWipe Cache Partition

This option is also found on stock recoveries. This just wipes the cache partition rather than

the entire device memory. It is a useful tool when troubleshooting a ROM. Troubleshooting

usually starts with wiping cache and Dalvik cache.

• Backup and RestoreBackup and RestoreBackup and RestoreBackup and Restore

This takes you to a menu of several options to backup and restore your device. This is called

“nandroid backup” and “nandroid restore”. Now, I promised you earlier in this book that we

will talk about this in the end, so here you go.

A nandroid backup is not as simple as the backups done by apps like Titanium backup. The

backups done by apps are dependent on individual app data. Basically, they backup the data

of each and every available application.

Nandroid backup does something a bit more advanced. It takes a full system backup of your

device. It is like taking a photo of what it is at that moment and saving that moment. If you

play emulators, this is like a “save state”. It is saving not just the data, but how the data is

arranged in the precise way it was during the nandroid backup.

In a way, it is a much better backup because not only does it back up the data of every app

and every setting; it also backs up the ROM itself at that point. If you mess up your ROM at

any point, or your data gets corrupted, flashing a nandroid backup is like going back in time

37

to a more suitable and working state of your device. It is indeed a valuable tool.

The three options available from this menu is

o BackupBackupBackupBackup

� Just a normal nandroid backup

o RestoreRestoreRestoreRestore

� This option allows you to choose a restore file of a previous nandroid backup

o Advanced RestoreAdvanced RestoreAdvanced RestoreAdvanced Restore

� Same as restore, but after choosing which nandroid backup you wish to

restore, it gives you the additional option to decide which of the parts of that

backup you want to restore. This is useful if you only want to get a specific

set of data back.

• Mounts and StorageMounts and StorageMounts and StorageMounts and Storage

This is basically a group of options to manage individual memory and storage partitions

o Mount or Unmount the /systMount or Unmount the /systMount or Unmount the /systMount or Unmount the /system, /data, /cache, /sdcard or /sdem, /data, /cache, /sdcard or /sdem, /data, /cache, /sdcard or /sdem, /data, /cache, /sdcard or /sd----extextextext

� These options allow you to mount or unmount any storage partition depending

on the need of the ROM. You won’t have to deal with this section often. You

just need to know where it is when you do need it.

o Format the booFormat the booFormat the booFormat the boot, system, data, cache, sdcard or sdt, system, data, cache, sdcard or sdt, system, data, cache, sdcard or sdt, system, data, cache, sdcard or sd----extextextext

� This option allows you to format each type of memory space individually. You

won’t need to deal with this much, as most installations will require a full wipe

if any wiping is really needed.

� Some troubleshooting may require you to format certain partitions as well.

o Mount USB StorageMount USB StorageMount USB StorageMount USB Storage

� This is a useful tool when you forget to transfer the file you want to install on

your SD card. You won’t have to use an SD card reader nor do you have to

boot the device back up to normal just to transfer a file from your PC to your

SD card. This option allows you to do all your file transfers even while on the

recovery.

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• AdvanceAdvanceAdvanceAdvancedddd

This lists quite a few handy options that you may have to use during the course of your

android life. It would be good to familiarize yourself with these options.

o Reboot RecoveryReboot RecoveryReboot RecoveryReboot Recovery

� This option allows you to restart your recovery without having to turn off the

device and booting it again into recovery. This may come in useful when a

reboot is required in between installations.

o Wipe Dalvik CacheWipe Dalvik CacheWipe Dalvik CacheWipe Dalvik Cache

� This is the same option that is found in your Titanium Backup program. It is

one of the two types of data that you routinely wipe right after installation of a

new ROM or to clear some issues encountered during the life of a custom

ROM.

o Wipe Battery StatsWipe Battery StatsWipe Battery StatsWipe Battery Stats

� This wipes the battery stats of the device as well as recalibrates the battery. It

is useful when you are encountering issues with your battery draining quickly,

due to the misrepresentation of battery capacity.

o Report ErrorReport ErrorReport ErrorReport Error

� This option creates a log of recent activities of the recovery. It is used to

report any errors encountered by the recovery so that the developers will

know what went wrong and potentially find a way to fix it.

o Key TestKey TestKey TestKey Test

� This just allows you to test if the keys or buttons of the device are properly

working.

o Partition SD CardPartition SD CardPartition SD CardPartition SD Card

� This option is useful for those who want to migrate some portions of the

external memory card’s memory space as a part of the internal memory. This

is very useful for devices that have low internal memory. This provides an easy

method of partitioning the device with preset values for the partition.

� Be careful as this option also wipes your external memory card.

o Fix PermissionsFix PermissionsFix PermissionsFix Permissions

39

� This just restores the permissions settings of system files back to default. It is

very useful if you ever made any changes to permissions that you forgot about,

and if these permission errors are causing problems to the device.

Now you should be ready when you deal with custom recoveries. You won’t need to bug the

developers and ask which option is for which. It is mostly self-explanatory, but it would be nice to

have this eBook handy when you need to review.

Custom KernelsCustom KernelsCustom KernelsCustom Kernels

Kernels are part of the ROM. It is like a bridge

program that sits in between your hardware and

your software. It is a program that can dictate how

much power and performance the hardware will

provide so that the software will run properly.

Custom Kernels are closely related to overclocking

and underclocking. If you remember our Root Apps

like SetCPU, then you should remember about the

minimum and maximum frequencies you can set on

your device, as well as which governors are

available for you to use.

In order to overclock, underclock or set custom governors, your Kernel must allow you to do so. If

the Kernel only permits overclocking up to 1.4 GHz, then you can only select up to that much in

SetCPU. If the kernel has instructions for Smartass governor, then the Smartass governor will be

available in apps like SetCPU.

Flashing custom kernels often require you to have a custom recovery first. Kernels vary between

devices, and each kernel must be tailor fitted for each hardware type. You can’t just go around

randomly flashing kernels not made for your device.

Custom Kernels may also be picky when it comes to ROMs. Certain ROMs may be incompatible

with certain kernels, so you may have to do some trial and testing, or simply read from the

experience of others who have already tried.

Custom ROMsCustom ROMsCustom ROMsCustom ROMs

ROMs are basically a package of things that make your phone work. It has built in applications,

kernels, operating system and system tweaks that make a phone run. When you first got your

phone, it was running a Stock ROM, a ROM created and provided by the manufacturer.

Custom ROMs are ROMs that have been created by a developer or developer community to run on

Android devices. These are ROMs that are not officially sanctioned by the manufacturer and is

40

never supported directly by the manufacturer. With Custom ROMs, your support comes from the

developer and the community built around the ROM.

Custom ROMs have different types. The type of ROM will often determine the compatibility,

stability and features. Custom ROM types are separated into the following:

• Stock based ROMsStock based ROMsStock based ROMsStock based ROMs....

Stock based ROMs are custom ROMs developed by making tweaks and edits to the stock

ROMs that came with the device. It may or may not have a theme, but it will perform

differently from the original ROM, usually running faster and smoother thanks to the many

tweaks and optimizations applied to the ROM. These ROMs are often the most stable ones,

especially if it was based on an already stable stock ROM.

Stock based ROMs often retain special features of the ROM it was based on, such as in the

case of the Galaxy S3 stock based ROMs that still have the “Direct Call” and “Smart Stay”

device specific features. These proprietary features are often left out of other types of ROMs

unless they are somehow ported from the original ROM.

• AOSP (Android Open Source Project) ROMsAOSP (Android Open Source Project) ROMsAOSP (Android Open Source Project) ROMsAOSP (Android Open Source Project) ROMs

These types of ROMs are based on the Android Open source Alliance

codes. They are based on the normal way Android is supposed to look

and function, which is normally only seen on Nexus devices such as the

Nexus 7 and Galaxy Nexus.

These ROMs do not have any manufacturer specific features, and only

retain features available on the base version of Android it is compiled

in. These ROMs aim to provide the pure android experience even to

non-Nexus devices.

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• AOKP (Android Open Kang Project) ROMsAOKP (Android Open Kang Project) ROMsAOKP (Android Open Kang Project) ROMsAOKP (Android Open Kang Project) ROMs

These ROMs are based on the code developed by the

AOSP. They steal the code and modify it so that it runs

differently from the Pure Android experience while being

based on it at its core.

It seeks to improve the basic code used on the AOSP

ROMs and make it run better than the pure experience

while still looking like the stock Android.

Androidcommunity.com reports that the team has

released over 30 builds since last year, showing that this

project has highly active development. It also has over

180,000 users.

• CyanogenMod CyanogenMod CyanogenMod CyanogenMod and CyanogenMod and CyanogenMod and CyanogenMod and CyanogenMod based ROMsbased ROMsbased ROMsbased ROMs

CyanogenMod is essentially a type of AOKP. It is also based on AOSP code, but is heavily

modified to look completely different from AOKP. In effect, this AOKP has developed its own

identity and is considered its own type of ROM.

This ROM makes use of code from other developers in the open source community. It

integrates the best tweaks and features to make a power-packed ROM. Think of it as

Frankenstein in ROM form.

It is one of the most popular and beautiful custom ROMs that is supported on the most

Android phones. You can use flashy features like themes or a beautiful built-in DSP (direct-

signal-processing) equalizer that also includes a waveform graph you can reshape with the

touchscreen.

CyanogenMod also provides many privacy features.

Phone goggles can set filters on outgoing phone

traffic, avoiding accidental phone calls and SMS

messages. Filters can be organized by Work, Mobile,

Business, etc.

This ROM is often popular among developers and

performance enthusiasts, and the widely-available

CyanogenMod kernel can be compiled from source.

This kernel provides extra governors beyond what

Jelly Bean and other ROMs offer.

The developer community has liked it so much that several custom ROMs that are based on

CyanogenMod code have been released. These derivatives of the CyanoganMod ROM are

optimized even further with the latest tweaks or the developer’s own tweaks. These derivative

custom ROMs are often heavily themed to look different from the original look and feel of the

42

CyanogenMod to create their own original look and feel.

• MIUIMIUIMIUIMIUI and MIUIand MIUIand MIUIand MIUI Based ROMsBased ROMsBased ROMsBased ROMs

MIUI is read as “Me, You, I”. It is actually a derivative of

pure Android that has become closed source. These ROMs

are developed by an independent company named Xiaomi Xiaomi Xiaomi Xiaomi

Tech. Tech. Tech. Tech. They are the company that made the Mi-One and Mi-

Two smartphones. MIUI is the official custom Android

operating system these devices run.

The MIUI ROM is like a mixture of iOS and Touchwiz,

making a unique Android experience. Its code is actually

based on a mix of AOSP and CyanogenMod as well as

several tweaks and apps found from open sources or

developed exclusively by the MIUI team. Despite that fact,

MIUI uses a lot of their own unique system apps for services

like calendar, contacts, dialer and messenger.

It doesn’t have an app dock. Instead, it keeps all apps on the home screen, much like the

implementation of iOS. The difference is the availability of Widgets, Live wallpapers and a lot

of special MIUI interactive themes. MIUI is all about theming and customization of the device.

MIUI has limited device support, which makes it kind of like an exclusive club of devices.

Despite the limits in official support, a lot of independent developers do their best to manually

port the MIUI releases to other devices.

Devices that are supported officially by MIUI also get to have MIUI based custom ROMs,

which is kind of like the Stock based ROM where MIUI elements are clearly kept and made

even better with customized optimizations and tweaks.

Now you know even more about your Android device, and the massive community that develops and

supports it. If you plan to install custom recoveries, kernels and ROMs in the future, you are much

less of a noob than someone who has not read this eBook.

Remember that this is just basic information to introduce you to the world of Android customization.

Always make sure to read the developer forums or blogs carefully before making any changes to

your device. Heed their warnings and follow their instructions carefully, and you should do fine.

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44

Root Is Also Found On The Other EndRoot Is Also Found On The Other EndRoot Is Also Found On The Other EndRoot Is Also Found On The Other End

Now that you have learned about custom recoveries, kernels and ROMs, it’s time to go back to rooted applications. Rooted applications discussed in this chapter all deal with what you previously learned. These applications are meant to make your life with customization easier when dealing with custom recoveries, kernels and ROMs.

Take note that these apps only substitute normal means of installing these customizations, just in case the normal methods are too difficult for you to do. If you can, you should learn about how it needs to be done normally in case these applications fail to work for you.

Have fun installing ROMs!

45

ROM ManagerROM ManagerROM ManagerROM Manager

With over 3 million downloads, this is a must have rooted app if you

don’t want to manually manage your ROMs. You'll be able to make

backups, and you can easily install official and custom ROMs in one

press from the web, SD Card, or from QR Code.

ROM Manager is linked to an online database of custom Recoveries

and ROMs. It can help you install a working version of

ClockworkMod on your device if the ROM manager has the device in

the database. If it detects a compatible ClockworkMod for your

device, it will be able to install it for you as long as you have

BusyBox and Root.

Incidentally, the creator of ROM Manager is also the creator of the original ClockworkMod

recovery. You will notice that many of the options of ROM manager are consistent with the

functions of ClockworkMod sans the ability to connect to the internet and update ROMs and

recoveries automatically from a database. Additionally, you can download and install custom themes

using the ROM manager by using QR codes. You can also download themes manually and install it

either by ROM manager or ClockworkMod.

If working with ROM Manager fails, you can always perform installations and updates manually from

the custom recovery menus.

Kernel ManagerKernel ManagerKernel ManagerKernel Manager

Kernel Manager is similar to ROM Manager, except it's for custom

kernels only. Kernel Manager makes it easy to find, download, and install

the custom kernels that are available for your phone. Kernel Manager's

Team Win is one of the first developers to compile a list of customized

kernels for a comprehensive list of Android phones. Visit this post on the

XDA-Developers forum for a Q&A with the development team from

earlier this year that may list your phone or install Kernel Manager lite

and see what the automatic custom kernel fetcher will haul in.

Unfortunately, the app is no longer being updated with the latest kernels or with the latest devices.

This app is now only useful for older devices looking for Kernels already supported by the last

update of Kernel Manager.

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Mobile ODINMobile ODINMobile ODINMobile ODIN

You’ll only ever encounter the term ODIN if you are a Samsung phone user. ODIN is the name of

the program used by Samsung employees to flash and develop ROMs for the devices they sell. Final

versions are pushed through Samsung Kies or OTA and are normally not available for regular users

to flash on their own.

Sites like Sammobile.com collect leaks and ODIN flashable versions of the ROMs and make them

available for download. If your Samsung device is on a custom ROM, rooted or otherwise messed

with, ODIN is your only way back to stock ROMs.

Mobile ODIN is the app version of the Windows tool ODIN. It basically allows you to flash stock

ROMs directly from the App. You only need to keep the files in your SD card and flash them

directly from the app.

Why use Mobile ODIN instead of the original ODIN?

Unique to new Samsung devices is the flash counter. The flash counter makes a record of how many

times you have used ODIN to flash anything into your device. As you can guess, if the flash counter

reads anything other than zero, your warranty is void and you would not be able to get Samsung

support anymore.

Mobile ODIN allows you to flash anything on your device without increasing the flash counter,

allowing you to go back to stock without giving Samsung any hint that you have broken the terms of

your warranty.

Special features of Mobile ODIN

• Boost Performance by Clearing the CacheBoost Performance by Clearing the CacheBoost Performance by Clearing the CacheBoost Performance by Clearing the Cache

The Dalvik cache is the Java Virtual Environment that all apps share in common; this is one

easy way to boost performance that starts to lag.

• EverRootEverRootEverRootEverRoot

EverRoot allows Mobile ODIN to automatically root your device after installing a stock ROM.

As you know, flashing Stock ROMs normally removes your root access. This makes sure you

won’t have to deal with that hassle.

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• Inject SuperuserInject SuperuserInject SuperuserInject Superuser

No doubt, Superuser is an indispensable tool for a rooted device. This feature allows Mobile

ODIN to install Superuser right after rooting the new ROM you just installed through Mobile

ODIN.

• Inject Mobile OdinInject Mobile OdinInject Mobile OdinInject Mobile Odin

Similar to Inject Superuser, this feature automatically reinstalls Mobile ODIN to your device

after flashing a Stock ROM. Normally, the apps are wiped from memory and only stock Apps

remain after flashing.

48

Parting wordsParting wordsParting wordsParting words

I hope you enjoyed your journey after root with this eBook. May you always stay true to Android and find happiness in making the device you bought truly your own. Android is a tool for the masses and the device is built for the people. Once again, welcome to the rooted world!