Android Power Users: Root and Full Customisation of Androids Part 2

Google Nexus 4 by LG and HTC One

Rooting an android device varies with each model. In this post, I would be going through exactly how certain phones such as the Nexus and the HTC One is rooted.

================================WARNING================================
The following part will show you the steps on how to root a phone and is only meant for educational purposes. It is a process that people should NEVER ATTEMPT unless they have the experience and understanding of the process. There is a VERY HIGH chance that you might brick your phone if you do not know what you are doing. I am not liable for any problems that may occur should you follow this steps. Skip to the next red line to continue with the blog post.
========================================================================

Prerequisites:

ADB command prompt

• Windows computer
• ADB/Fastboot knowledge
• ADB and Fastboot drivers installed
• Micro-USB cable
• Ensure that the phone has been properly backed up (Mandatory Factory reset during process)
• HTC Unlock token (for HTC Devices)

Nexus 4

Fastboot command prompt

Left: Boot loader of the Nexus 4
Right: warning while unlocking boot loader

Ensure that USB debugging is enabled on your device. Then, launch a command prompt and navigate to where you have placed the ADB files. After which type in "adb devices" to ensure that your phone has been detected by the computer. If it is, type in "adb reboot bootloader" to reboot your device into fastboot mode. Afterwards, your device should be in the boot loader. In the boot loader, enter "fastboot devices". If your drivers are successfully installed, you should see your device ID in the command prompt. After which, type in "fastboot oem unlock"
to start the unlock of your device. A warning should pop up on your device, warning you about the implications of unlocking the boot loader, as well as the fact that data will have to be wiped. Use the Volume Up button to navigate to the Yes and use the power button to select. After a few seconds, your phone would have successfully been unlocked.

HTC One

Warning from HTC

Go to the HTCDev website and select your phone from the drop down menu on the right ("All Other supported phones" for the HTC One). After which, do a login/register into the website, a warning from HTC detailing what happens should you continue will pop up. Read the text carefully and if you are sure you want to continue, press the Yes button and accept all legal terms in the next pop up, then click "Proceed to unlock instructions". Follow the instructions on the site carefully and thoroughly. When you have submitted your unique device identifier token, check the email which you registered your account on. You should receive an email containing your unlock token along with further instructions on how to continue. Download the token (Unlock_token.bin) and place it in your fastboot/adb folder. Then, on a command prompt, type in "fastboot flash unlocktoken Unlock_token.bin" and accept the warning (refer to Nexus 4) on the phone. Your phone is now unlocked!

Root and Custom Recovery
After unlocking the phone, rooting is as simple as finding a zip file containing the SU binary of your phone (Google "root <device name here>" to get the file). And flashing it via fastboot or a custom recovery. To install a custom recovery, Google for a recovery image for your respective phone (Recommended: TWRP for Nexus 4 and CWM Touch for HTC One), download the recovery image into your fastboot folder, boot into your phone's bootloader and type in "fastboot flash recovery <name of recovery img>". You have now successfully rooted and installed a custom recovery onto your phone!

=============================END OF PROCESS=============================

SetCPU Main Screen

Now that you have rooted your device, here are 3 useful applications that rooted users can use.

1. SetCPU for Root Users
This is an extremely useful application that will enable you to control your phone's CPU, from its maximum/minimum clock speed, governors, setting profiles that will enable when you do certain tasks etc.

2. Root Explorer

Root Explorer

This is one of the best file managers available for rooted users. With it, you have full access to all of your file folders on your Android phone, Google Drive, Box, Dropbox and network (SMB) support, SQLite database viewer, Text Editor, create and extract zip or tar/gzip files, extract rar archives, multi-select, execute scripts, search, remount, permissions, bookmarks, send files (via email, bluetooth etc), image thumbnails, APK binary XML viewer, change file owner/group, create symbolic link, "Open With" facility, MD5, create shortcuts.

3. Titanium Backup
This is the ultimate app management application available. With this, you can backup, restore, freeze (PRO only) and uninstall any application on your phone, including System, Protected Applications, as well as applications on the SD Card. It also allows batch processing as well as scheduled backups. You can move all applications to the SD card and back as well as not stopping the application while doing a task. You can browse the data stored in each application as well as check the Play Store for more detailed information on the application

Titanium Backup

Rooted users, what are your most frequented application used? Feel free to comment and share in the comments section below.