Do you root or do you go straight to ROMs?
It’s worth discussing at least. I used to be a big fan of flashing custom software, kernels, recoveries, etc.
At some point though, it started becoming more and more of a hassle to get a phone with an unlockable bootloader to work with my mobile network operator. Limited choices of I even had one.
Then all the banking and p2p apps stopped being easy to use while rooted, so we had to hide root from those apps. Then that got harder and harder.
Meanwhile the custom features that I used to want became mostly standard within Android.
At this point, I don’t really bother with rooting anymore because there’s little that I need it for but lots of hassle involved in having it. Now Google is blocking RCS messages from being delivered to rooted phones.
So if Android is now basically iOS with how much it’s locked down from modification, why not just get an iPhone with better features I care about (their cameras and photo software) and better long-term updates? What is it that Google is even aiming for with Android now? If they’re going to be hostile to users owning their own hardware, then maybe the OS should see more than a single line item change for a major version (android 14). I don’t feel like Google has made any meaningful additions to the OS in a decade+ now.
This is more or less how I feel. I haven’t rooted in years, though I have installed non-root ROMs to extend support.
Google’s SafetyNet stuff is simply unreasonable, and a shameless power-grab. I’m so tired of software and websites trying to control what I do with my own goddamn hardware and software “for my safety”.
It’s gotten to the point where the “security” features actively hamper my security, because they leave me unable to improve it. e.g. my banking app would rather I be on an unsecured wireless network than have me use a reputable VPN. Their web site would rather have me expose myself to malvertising than run an ad blocker. They’d rather have me running an outdated OS with heaps of known security vulnerabilities than run a fully patched LineageOS. They’d rather I use my carrier’s unsecured DNS than DOH. And heaven forbid I block trackers!
Nevertheless, I stick with Android because there are still lots of things I value that I still can’t do on an iPhone. No, I don’t download torrents on my phone very often, but I’ve needed to in the past and will likely need to again at some point, so I’m not going to buy a phone that doesn’t let me install benign apps just because I might use them to download things they don’t want me to download.
The whole industry is user-hostile, but Android is still less hostile than iOS.
I wish Microsoft had stayed in the mobile space. That competition might have changed things for the better.
Now we have a duopoly.
@APassenger @GenderNeutralBro I was interested in the mobile Windows 8 back in the day. So I found and bought a used cheap Nokia phone to check it out. I ended up using it as my primary for a few months. The Nokia and Windows were both fantastic! I didn’t stay with it because there were no apps. The Windows store was a stinking infested cesspool of awful and/or malicious apps so I resold it.
Perfectly well said.
It’s infuriating to have to split a banking app off the VPN tunnel because they deem that secure. Or that 2FA over SMS which is inherently insecure and spoofable is acceptable and REQUIRED versus an RSA key or authenticator app.
It’s pushing me into grumpy old man territory quickly. My bank swapped to some of these requirements for their app last year so now I phone in on an international VOIP number over VPN and can do all my banking. It’s absolutely insane that’s its an acceptable form of communication over my secure device in my hand, but it’s easier to call the line like an octagenerian, give them digits off of a debit card, and be able to wire money in and out and around all my accounts. I see why scammers have such an easy time.
@TechNerdWizard42 @GenderNeutralBro “like an octogenarian” lmao!!!
Meanwhile the custom features that I used to want became mostly standard within Android.
See, I’m the opposite.
I never used to flash ROMs or root my phone until Android 11. I won’t tolerate a device that tells me what I can and can’t access in the file explorer when I was previously able to. I won’t accept an Android OS that removes features I used and puts up barriers. And there are many things LineageOS let’s me do that stock won’t. Settings that get hidden and functions that get removed.
Isn’t it almost like there’s an entity with a singular motive to strip you off your agency, privacy, and control over your own property?
When I was rooting/flashing custom ROMs I was spending a lot of time tinkering or debugging issues. I could deal with forgoing bank apps, Netflix, etc but I stopped in the end after cyanogenmod had an issue that meant emergency calls would soft reboot the phone. It made me realise my phone was an appliance not a hobby, I need to be able to rely on it and not be wondering if something won’t work because of the ROM I have installed or because it’s rooted.
LineageOS has needed exactly zero tinkering from me on the last three phones I’ve had.
I hear this all the time from people: “I used to root/flash and it was a hassle so I stopped.” And yet they still talk about it as if they’re doing it now.
What you remember is not how it currently is. Graphene and Lineage are stable ROMs. It’s not this nightmare people keep claiming it is
People said the same thing about custom ROM stability and ease of use 10 years ago.
What you remember is not how it currently is.
That’s funny considering you also wrote this elsewhere in the thread:
I never used to flash ROMS or root my phone until Android 11.
So you actually have no idea what you are talking about since you literally didn’t experience it…
Do they need that experience? Having had both experiences I do agree it’s much easier now. Even if your only experience is recent, if someone says they stopped because of how hard it was it’s valid to say how hard it isn’t any longer
@deweydecibel @peter Agreed! I’ve recently been trying roms on a Pixel 7 and it’s nothing like the dark ages. Just READ the install guide, make sure your computer is configured properly, and follow the steps. I’ve ran Graphene, Calyx, and Lineage on my P7. The only problems I’ve had were related to something I didn’t do correctly. Stop, READ, rinse, and repeat. Modern rooms are fantastic and they let you regain control of your device.
Custom ROM: yes, rooted: no
Still, google shouldn’t be blocking a messaging functionality just because something is rooted. That’s fucked.
quick question: an unrooted lineageos install will allow me to use banking apps hassle-free?
because now the only thing that helps is rooting and using xposed to hide the fact im on a custom rom…
Really depends on the banking app. Unfortunately, you have to try it yourself. You can also give it a go in Waydroid.
I have root on this phone I’m using to post. I’m also running LineageOS 21.
The reason I do this is because this is my phone and I’ll be in control of it. Also I want to keep my phone running as long as possible. I’m still using a Pixel 2 XL.
Sure, but why root? These days you can flash custom roms without root on a lot of phones (including my fairphone 4)
I suppose I might not understand the question then. To me having root is more important. I guess I’d say why not? I do not use any functionality that stops working due to SafetyNet or whatever.
Spite mostly. I have small QoL improvements, but mostly because Google says I can’t do what I want with my device.
Specific reasons:
- AdAway - ad blocking, can’t live without
- SnapEnhance - ad blocking & other tweaks to make SC more usable
- Revanced (w/o microgapps) - YouTube mod w/ sponsorblock & returned dislikes
- PixelExpert - misc UI tweaks like separate WiFi & mobile data tiles, as well as a 3 wide qs panel
- SmartSpacer - Custom complications on my at a glance screen. Can do useful things like show me my gas rewards card when in range of a gas stations WiFi, notifications for missed calls, texts, and emails that I might have dismissed from my tray
- MACsposed - let’s me spoof my MAC address. Used it to snag free WiFi on planes
- Swift Backup - backs my phone up to my server every night
- GAppsMod - enable call recording & other features on Google dialer & messages
- DarkTricks - additional misc toggles, some overlap with PixelExpert but occasionally has better implementations (power button flashlight, volume keys to skip tracks, etc)
No longer working:
- Xposed edge pro - let you bind a bunch of gestures to different actions or fly outs from any screen. Hasn’t been functional in Android 14 and it seems like the dev has dipped. I genuinely miss having an app fly out (but not enough to buy a Samsung)
https://github.com/siavash79/PixelXpert
Used to be AOSP mods, should still mostly work on builds that remain close to AOSP on other devices too
