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I bought a smartphone for the first time, and I'm still wondering if I should root or not, and which consequences it'll create.
I'm new to android (and smartphone in general) so I might not understand how everything is working, I hope to get someone to help me understand things here.
For the past week, I've read a lot of forums (xda and others) to try to understand all I'll need to do.
Being new to Android and smartphone, I have a LOT of questions, please take time to read and sorry it's so big
Just answer the one you know the answer. thanks.
TL;DR at the bottom
what I understood :
- The steps to root (unlock bootloader, write TWRP, flash SuperSu or Magisk)
- How to use adb and fastboot
- I can make a backup and restore using adb (though, I get only a 3Mb file, with or without the -apk -system, or other flags, etc.). (I'm using "adb backup -apk -all -obb -system", I don't need -shared as I don't have MicroSD inserted)
- I got my Honor 6x on android 6 Emui4, and the phone wasn't encrypted. I used adb backup, and HAD the choice to whether encrypt or not the backup using a password. the backup was 20MB with all pre-installed apps. (only??)
- the phone updated to Android 7 (+ 3 security updates) Emui5. I'm now on BLN-L21B432C371
- I tried adb backup again, now I'm FORCED to use a password, "because the device is fully encrypted so you need to encrypt the backup too". So, I guess Huawei forced disk encryption when I updated.
- The disk encryption password is the same than the unlock password (gesture/pin/pass)
- unlocking the bootloder will factory reset, and I'll have to re-create a phone's profile, set a new password, set all the settings etc., unless I use adb to restore a previous backup.
- If I unlock the bootloader (to install twrp to it), I guess that the encrypted disk key will be set to a default one (because no more profile set, but disk is still physically encrypted, right?)
- Unlocking the bootloader breaks DRM feature, and netflix prevent installation on root devices due to that situation.
- I Installed Netflix before unlocking bootloader, and made a adb backup, hopefully it'll restore netflix after rooting.
- I can use TWRP to do full backup/restore or NANDRoid image.
- flashing the official ROM (Honor 6X Firmware (BLN-L21, Android 6.0, EMUI 4.1, C432B130) from Honor website replaces the TWRP recovery to default, and remove root.
- TWRP doesn't allow dload flashing method to reflash a full ROM from SD, we need to replace the recovery with another one first. (which? one, not sure, honor doesn't provide one on their website) Edit: found boot and recovery for Honor 6X BLN-L21C432B371 here.
- Relocking the bootloader will re-factory reset and restore the recovery, removing twrp/root.
What I'm not sure:
1- now that my adb backup REQUIRES a password, I can't check the backup's content to see if it contains contains my apps and apk and system settings, and wonder if I'll have to re-setup and reinstall my apps, or if they really are part of the backup and will be restored automatically. My new backup is now only 3MB, but I deleted pre-installed games. (probably why it was 20MB and now it's 3MB)
2- when bootloader is unlocked, the phone will no longer be protected/encrypted (using a "default_password" instead)? not sure I understood that either. I'll have to re-read few times and read more sites.
3- TWRP can access /data/ (using default key), so the phone is not secured anymore
4- "ADB backup -apk" backups the APK or the cache+data of that APK? it contains only the manually added apk, or also the pre-installed apps? maybe that's why my backup is shorter now, I only have netflix and VLC installed from gogplay. Netflix is 20MB, how can it create a 3MB backup only? even the apk is bigger, I'm sure the backup is wrong and missing data.
5- If I restore my previous adb backup done before unlocking bootloader when the disk was still encrypted, will it restore/replace my current (new/different) fingerprints and password with the one from the backup? should I re-create the user using the same password from before the backup to be sure it matches?
6- If the password is restored from adb, will it create issues with default_password and encrypted disk password from unlock password?
7- The guides provides a specific TWRP version (twrp-3.1.1-0-berlin.img for emui5), but a new one has been released (3.2.1), I can safely use the new one instead, right? It doesn't tell if there's a specific emui target version.
8- is there new version of SuperSu? is SuperSu specific to device model? is SuperSu specific to TWRP version? Supersu website says to install the version done FOR the phone model, but doesn't provide a list of compatible models/version.
9- I found how to backup an installed app to apk, not sure if it's complete and reinstallable.
10- If the phone is stolen, it can be flashed (dload official ROM) and sold same as new? whatever adb/dev/root states, right? that's why phones are still stolen even if protected and encrypted.
What I don't understand:
A- What's the difference with SuperSu and Magisk. which one should I use? is that just a matter of reinstalling/overwriting one with another to try it? (Magisk can toggle Root access, and tools refusing to launch if rooted can still be used? nintendo app, netflix?)
B- Can I re-lock the bootloader? will it re-apply user's encrypting password or still use the "default_password" ?) (fastboot relock?)
C- if the disck enc password can't be reapplied, I've read it can be done with root access. not sure I'd go that way, seems a little too over my head.
D- I read the link about default_password, but didn't understand why it's using a default password and TWRP doesn't ask for password to read /data/ if encrypted (or maybe now it has been updated, the info I read are always old)
E- Should I always set the USB mode to charge only and disable usb debug for security reason ? (plugging the phone on computer let anyone browser the content, even if the phone is locked with my fingerprint)
F- Is APKMirror website files are safe to use/install ? If I can't restore netflix after unlocking the bootloader, I hope to reinstall the apk manually. I'm not sure how to check the official md5/sha1 (they provide one, but where/how to compare it to official one?)
G- APK of netflix on that website have "arm" and no arm version. My phone use Kirin, I'm not sure which version I should install...
H- TWRP FAQ is more confusing than resolving, it talks about issues with backup/restore of images, based on different device and android version. It's confusing.
I- TWRP backup/restore doesn't conflict if the disk encrypting key is different? (or maybe it can't be changed and use a default_pass if rooted)
J- It could be useful to know the package name to backup with adb. I found a website with a tool to install to see package name directly from the phone>application menu, but I forgot the website url...
K- What are .obb files?
L- How does the phone work once rooted? Where is located SuperSu in the boot chain compared to Android OS ? Do I have to do something in SuperSu, or it just triggers root rights at boot to allow access to all phone's folders automatically? Can I disable root easily? Can I delete SuperSu from TWRP (replace with empty or dummy)?
M- Can I backup the official recovery (using fastboot ?) before replacing it with TWRP recovery binary?
N- Can I backup the official "thing?" where superSu is installed with TWRP to delete supersu back to clean state?
I might have more questions later (like which android app to use, etc.)
someone recommended me:
Browser : Brave or armorfly
file manager: Xplore or Astro
Access manager : 3C Toolbox
Firewall : Lostnet Firewal (not free? 1$ is fine I guess)
tools : OSMonitor (ahh, seems it doesn't support android7+, so It's not for me..., please suggest another one for Honor6x/Kirin/Android7)
tools : LuckyPatcher (patch and remove ads in apps). Is it safe to use? It doesn't add spyware to patched apps to sniff passwords and accounts?
TL;DR:
1 My current concern is : should I root or not?
2 Are there a lot of apps which refuse to run if rooted? (netflix, nintendo, more?)
3 should I stick to rooting guide's provided file version or install newer official ones? (guides are old and not maintained by their writers)
TWRP Berlin 3.1.1-0 + superSu v2.79-201612051815?
OR
TWRP Berlin 3.2.1-0 + SuperSu v2.82-201705271822?
OR
updated TWRP with older SuperSu?
4 Security wise, I'm not fully understanding what option I should enable or disable to prevent someone from accessing my files if I lose it/got stolen.
I thought I'd do it this evening, but I'll postpone it to few days and hope to get some answers by then.
thank you for all help you could provide (even if small or partial answers)
edit:
I'll go with OpenKirin 3.1.1 (different than official TWRP from website) and latest SuperSu.
I'm new to android (and smartphone in general) so I might not understand how everything is working, I hope to get someone to help me understand things here.
For the past week, I've read a lot of forums (xda and others) to try to understand all I'll need to do.
Being new to Android and smartphone, I have a LOT of questions, please take time to read and sorry it's so big
Just answer the one you know the answer. thanks.
TL;DR at the bottom
what I understood :
- The steps to root (unlock bootloader, write TWRP, flash SuperSu or Magisk)
- How to use adb and fastboot
- I can make a backup and restore using adb (though, I get only a 3Mb file, with or without the -apk -system, or other flags, etc.). (I'm using "adb backup -apk -all -obb -system", I don't need -shared as I don't have MicroSD inserted)
- I got my Honor 6x on android 6 Emui4, and the phone wasn't encrypted. I used adb backup, and HAD the choice to whether encrypt or not the backup using a password. the backup was 20MB with all pre-installed apps. (only??)
- the phone updated to Android 7 (+ 3 security updates) Emui5. I'm now on BLN-L21B432C371
- I tried adb backup again, now I'm FORCED to use a password, "because the device is fully encrypted so you need to encrypt the backup too". So, I guess Huawei forced disk encryption when I updated.
- The disk encryption password is the same than the unlock password (gesture/pin/pass)
- unlocking the bootloder will factory reset, and I'll have to re-create a phone's profile, set a new password, set all the settings etc., unless I use adb to restore a previous backup.
- If I unlock the bootloader (to install twrp to it), I guess that the encrypted disk key will be set to a default one (because no more profile set, but disk is still physically encrypted, right?)
- Unlocking the bootloader breaks DRM feature, and netflix prevent installation on root devices due to that situation.
- I Installed Netflix before unlocking bootloader, and made a adb backup, hopefully it'll restore netflix after rooting.
- I can use TWRP to do full backup/restore or NANDRoid image.
- flashing the official ROM (Honor 6X Firmware (BLN-L21, Android 6.0, EMUI 4.1, C432B130) from Honor website replaces the TWRP recovery to default, and remove root.
- TWRP doesn't allow dload flashing method to reflash a full ROM from SD, we need to replace the recovery with another one first. (which? one, not sure, honor doesn't provide one on their website) Edit: found boot and recovery for Honor 6X BLN-L21C432B371 here.
- Relocking the bootloader will re-factory reset and restore the recovery, removing twrp/root.
What I'm not sure:
1- now that my adb backup REQUIRES a password, I can't check the backup's content to see if it contains contains my apps and apk and system settings, and wonder if I'll have to re-setup and reinstall my apps, or if they really are part of the backup and will be restored automatically. My new backup is now only 3MB, but I deleted pre-installed games. (probably why it was 20MB and now it's 3MB)
2- when bootloader is unlocked, the phone will no longer be protected/encrypted (using a "default_password" instead)? not sure I understood that either. I'll have to re-read few times and read more sites.
3- TWRP can access /data/ (using default key), so the phone is not secured anymore
4- "ADB backup -apk" backups the APK or the cache+data of that APK? it contains only the manually added apk, or also the pre-installed apps? maybe that's why my backup is shorter now, I only have netflix and VLC installed from gogplay. Netflix is 20MB, how can it create a 3MB backup only? even the apk is bigger, I'm sure the backup is wrong and missing data.
5- If I restore my previous adb backup done before unlocking bootloader when the disk was still encrypted, will it restore/replace my current (new/different) fingerprints and password with the one from the backup? should I re-create the user using the same password from before the backup to be sure it matches?
6- If the password is restored from adb, will it create issues with default_password and encrypted disk password from unlock password?
7- The guides provides a specific TWRP version (twrp-3.1.1-0-berlin.img for emui5), but a new one has been released (3.2.1), I can safely use the new one instead, right? It doesn't tell if there's a specific emui target version.
8- is there new version of SuperSu? is SuperSu specific to device model? is SuperSu specific to TWRP version? Supersu website says to install the version done FOR the phone model, but doesn't provide a list of compatible models/version.
9- I found how to backup an installed app to apk, not sure if it's complete and reinstallable.
10- If the phone is stolen, it can be flashed (dload official ROM) and sold same as new? whatever adb/dev/root states, right? that's why phones are still stolen even if protected and encrypted.
What I don't understand:
A- What's the difference with SuperSu and Magisk. which one should I use? is that just a matter of reinstalling/overwriting one with another to try it? (Magisk can toggle Root access, and tools refusing to launch if rooted can still be used? nintendo app, netflix?)
B- Can I re-lock the bootloader? will it re-apply user's encrypting password or still use the "default_password" ?) (fastboot relock?)
C- if the disck enc password can't be reapplied, I've read it can be done with root access. not sure I'd go that way, seems a little too over my head.
D- I read the link about default_password, but didn't understand why it's using a default password and TWRP doesn't ask for password to read /data/ if encrypted (or maybe now it has been updated, the info I read are always old)
E- Should I always set the USB mode to charge only and disable usb debug for security reason ? (plugging the phone on computer let anyone browser the content, even if the phone is locked with my fingerprint)
F- Is APKMirror website files are safe to use/install ? If I can't restore netflix after unlocking the bootloader, I hope to reinstall the apk manually. I'm not sure how to check the official md5/sha1 (they provide one, but where/how to compare it to official one?)
G- APK of netflix on that website have "arm" and no arm version. My phone use Kirin, I'm not sure which version I should install...
H- TWRP FAQ is more confusing than resolving, it talks about issues with backup/restore of images, based on different device and android version. It's confusing.
I- TWRP backup/restore doesn't conflict if the disk encrypting key is different? (or maybe it can't be changed and use a default_pass if rooted)
J- It could be useful to know the package name to backup with adb. I found a website with a tool to install to see package name directly from the phone>application menu, but I forgot the website url...
K- What are .obb files?
L- How does the phone work once rooted? Where is located SuperSu in the boot chain compared to Android OS ? Do I have to do something in SuperSu, or it just triggers root rights at boot to allow access to all phone's folders automatically? Can I disable root easily? Can I delete SuperSu from TWRP (replace with empty or dummy)?
M- Can I backup the official recovery (using fastboot ?) before replacing it with TWRP recovery binary?
N- Can I backup the official "thing?" where superSu is installed with TWRP to delete supersu back to clean state?
I might have more questions later (like which android app to use, etc.)
someone recommended me:
Browser : Brave or armorfly
file manager: Xplore or Astro
Access manager : 3C Toolbox
Firewall : Lostnet Firewal (not free? 1$ is fine I guess)
tools : OSMonitor (ahh, seems it doesn't support android7+, so It's not for me..., please suggest another one for Honor6x/Kirin/Android7)
tools : LuckyPatcher (patch and remove ads in apps). Is it safe to use? It doesn't add spyware to patched apps to sniff passwords and accounts?
TL;DR:
1 My current concern is : should I root or not?
2 Are there a lot of apps which refuse to run if rooted? (netflix, nintendo, more?)
3 should I stick to rooting guide's provided file version or install newer official ones? (guides are old and not maintained by their writers)
TWRP Berlin 3.1.1-0 + superSu v2.79-201612051815?
OR
TWRP Berlin 3.2.1-0 + SuperSu v2.82-201705271822?
OR
updated TWRP with older SuperSu?
4 Security wise, I'm not fully understanding what option I should enable or disable to prevent someone from accessing my files if I lose it/got stolen.
I thought I'd do it this evening, but I'll postpone it to few days and hope to get some answers by then.
thank you for all help you could provide (even if small or partial answers)
edit:
I'll go with OpenKirin 3.1.1 (different than official TWRP from website) and latest SuperSu.
Last edited by Cyan,