I’ve written this blog post about moving from rooted Samsung to a Pixel running GrapheneOS.
It’s a list of every root tool that I used, with a note on whether I’ll miss it. I wrote it as a checklist for myself initially, and decided to add links and more comments and publish it. Turns out I don’t really need root, which truly surprised me.
Do you have any apps or tools that hold you back from leaving root?
I took a similar journey. I had the Pixel Pro 7, and when that broke I went to the 8 Pro.
I was on LineageOS with Root, and utilized quite a bit of root enabled apps and plugins.
AdAway (I needed a non-vpn-like ad blocking solution, because I also used WireGuard
WireGuard Kernel Module
SDMaid(2?)
A-GPS SUPLReplacer
ReVanced (without Micro G)
Termux
PlayIntegrityFix
TrickyStore
AFWall+ (Since I didn’t want some apps making network connections)
Custom Kernels (mainly for optimization, including but not limited to thermal issues)
I am sure there were more, in fact I know I used more but they constantly were changing because of keeping up with the cat and mouse game of passing Google’s Verification. All because I wanted control.
That was one of the biggest reasons behind root for me, to have full control over everything.
I took a step back, and decided to go down the rabbithole of using GrapheneOS, and eith a few exceptions, offered everything I was trying to accomplish with LineageOS and Root. All without the side-effects.
Do I miss having root? Yes. Would i switch back? That’s complicated. Yes and No, but really dependent on how Google decidesproceed in their endeavors of trying to lock everything down.
I don’t want another “Apple.” I am on Android because I am more of a poweruser than anyone I know in real life. I use more than just texting/messaging apps, and multimedia. I manage servers, and care about privacy, and I want to understand the inner workings of the devices I use. Bet ya can’t what family of OSs I use on my PCs? Just kidding. You already know.
I use RethinkDNS app to block ads. It’s VPN based, but you can point it to any WireGuard tunnel and it still blocks ads. It even has split tunneling.
Do I miss having root? Yes. Would i switch back? That’s complicated. Yes and No, but really dependent on how Google proceeds in their endeavors of trying to lock everything down.
Exactly! I think most people who have left root share this view. I wish to see it change over my lifetime, but I don’t have much hope given the current state of things :(
I didn’t know I could use my. WireGuard profile behind rethink. Good to know! While connected to my WoreGuard I have network wide adblocking, but I was extra and had many layers of blocking enabled.
I like tinkering, but when things like restrictions from the manufacturer cime into play, it can be enough of a pain I avoid it.
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I took a similar journey. I had the Pixel Pro 7, and when that broke I went to the 8 Pro.
I was on LineageOS with Root, and utilized quite a bit of root enabled apps and plugins.
I am sure there were more, in fact I know I used more but they constantly were changing because of keeping up with the cat and mouse game of passing Google’s Verification. All because I wanted control.
That was one of the biggest reasons behind root for me, to have full control over everything.
I took a step back, and decided to go down the rabbithole of using GrapheneOS, and eith a few exceptions, offered everything I was trying to accomplish with LineageOS and Root. All without the side-effects.
Do I miss having root? Yes. Would i switch back? That’s complicated. Yes and No, but really dependent on how Google decidesproceed in their endeavors of trying to lock everything down.
I don’t want another “Apple.” I am on Android because I am more of a poweruser than anyone I know in real life. I use more than just texting/messaging apps, and multimedia. I manage servers, and care about privacy, and I want to understand the inner workings of the devices I use. Bet ya can’t what family of OSs I use on my PCs? Just kidding. You already know.
I use RethinkDNS app to block ads. It’s VPN based, but you can point it to any WireGuard tunnel and it still blocks ads. It even has split tunneling.
Exactly! I think most people who have left root share this view. I wish to see it change over my lifetime, but I don’t have much hope given the current state of things :(
I didn’t know I could use my. WireGuard profile behind rethink. Good to know! While connected to my WoreGuard I have network wide adblocking, but I was extra and had many layers of blocking enabled.
I like tinkering, but when things like restrictions from the manufacturer cime into play, it can be enough of a pain I avoid it.