Before I root my phone

cdikland · Mar 12, 2013

I rooted my phone twice now however the last time wasnt too pretty. Something went wrong and it would not boot any further than the Samsung logo. Did a Reset to Factory defaults, reinstalled everything I could from Google play store and then succesfully rooted it. The thing is, both times I rarely understand what I am doing and follow instructions blindly but those posted on the web. My question is, what is the proper steps one should take BEFORE rooting and what should one do if the root fails and the phone no longer boots???

For instance

Titanium backup - which option? Store on external sd or entirely off phone??
Any other pre-prep??

If it fails
Restore what?? The entire backup I made pre-rooting?
Anything else??

ouch1976 · Mar 12, 2013

If I'm not mistaken, you need root access to use Titanium backup. Regardless, rooting by itself shouldn't wipe any data. Rooting just adds a program called Superuser to the phone and gives you access to the root directory. On the other hand, if you start flashing ROMs, then you will want to back up the phone with Titanium, because you will be wiping your device.

Thom · Mar 12, 2013

What Samsung phone are you using and who is your Carrier?

Backups ...

Titanium Backup Pro - root-ed
MyBackup Pro - un-root-ed

... Thom

cdikland · Mar 12, 2013

ouch1976 said:
If I'm not mistaken, you need root access to use Titanium backup. Regardless, rooting by itself shouldn't wipe any data. Rooting just adds a program called Superuser to the phone and gives you access to the root directory. On the other hand, if you start flashing ROMs, then you will want to back up the phone with Titanium, because you will be wiping your device.

Yes, Titanium Backup only works on a rooted phone. The first time I rooted this phone I did so without any backup. The 2nd time (after OS upgrade) I had a backup but the rooting process failed and I could not boot back into the phone. I could see no choice but to revert back to Factory settings. Could I have restored the backup from my external SD? If so, how??

cdikland · Mar 12, 2013

Thom Little said:
What Samsung phone are you using and who is your Carrier?

... Thom

Samsung Galaxy S3 with Telus (Canada)

ouch1976 · Mar 12, 2013

By the way, the typical steps are:

1) Root
2) Unlock the bootloader
3) Install a custom recovery (typically CWM or TWRP)
4) Flash a new ROM

ExtremeNerd · Mar 12, 2013

cdikland said:
The thing is, both times I rarely understand what I am doing and follow instructions blindly but those posted on the web. My question is, what is the proper steps one should take BEFORE rooting and what should one do if the root fails and the phone no longer boots???

This is your problem. You need to understand what you're doing. Instructions, especially for the GS3, are virtually idiot proof. If you read the directions, they should make sense. It's a one-click root.

LilBit · Mar 12, 2013

Before rooting and flashing roms my advice to anyone is read, read, read, until your eyes bleed. Make sure you understand what and why .

ouch1976 · Mar 12, 2013

ExtremeNerd said:
This is your problem. You need to understand what you're doing. Instructions, especially for the GS3, are virtually idiot proof. If you read the directions, they should make sense. It's a one-click root.

Whoa, take it easy on the kid...sometimes the best way to learn is to just mimic what others are doing...and it's good to learn the proper steps even if a one-click method is available.

LilBit · Mar 12, 2013

ouch1976 said:
Whoa, take it easy on the kid...sometimes the best way to learn is to just mimic what others are doing...and it's good to learn the proper steps even if a one-click method is available.

Yes,

but still,

The danger of Bricking the device is always there, plus the cost of some of these phones and Tabs, it's just much better to really read up on it and understand the risks, and procedures involved.

doniago · Mar 12, 2013

cdikland said:
Yes, Titanium Backup only works on a rooted phone. The first time I rooted this phone I did so without any backup. The 2nd time (after OS upgrade) I had a backup but the rooting process failed and I could not boot back into the phone. I could see no choice but to revert back to Factory settings. Could I have restored the backup from my external SD? If so, how??

After FDR'ing, you could reinstall TiBu, restore root and then restore your backup, unless I'm missing something... I'm not clear on whether you couldn't get root back after FDR'ing.

valorian · Mar 12, 2013

doniago said:
After FDR'ing, you could reinstall TiBu, restore root and then restore your backup, unless I'm missing something... I'm not clear on whether you couldn't get root back after FDR'ing.

By "FDRing" I'm guessing you mean Factory Data Reset? You do not loose root when you do a Factory Data Reset.

LilBit · Mar 12, 2013

cdikland said:
My question is, what is the proper steps one should take BEFORE rooting and what should one do if the root fails and the phone no longer boots???

For instance

If it fails
Restore what?? The entire backup I made pre-rooting?
Anything else??

If root fails and the phone no longer boots you need to try for recovery.

Restore any backup you have, if you have one, or do a factory data reset.

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