Root Questions about Bootload unlock/custom ROMs

Methos1979 · Apr 23, 2013

Okay, so I finally rooted my phone and I've been having a very good experience with that for the most part. Now I'm wondering if I should unlock the bootloader as well. I'm wondering what are the benefits? What are the best reasons? I've been looking at some of the custom ROMs out there and they seem okay but why? What is the benefit of running a custom ROM? More speed? No more Verizon OTA updates?

I guess my problem with is that I really like my current set up using Nova Launcher and all that. I assume installing a custom ROM wipes all that off. Can I re-install all my apps like Nova on top of a custom ROM? In other words, can I pretty much make my phone look exactly like it looks now, with all the same apps on a custom ROM? Will I have to start from scratch reloading everything or can I just use the Nova backup to get it all back?

Rooting provided me the ability to perform certain tasks I wanted to do that I could not before performing the root. Also, if I don't want to run a custom ROM just yet, is it still worth my while to unlock the bootloader and just keep running things the way I'm running them now while I wait for more info about running custom ROMs, or should I wait?

What's the difference between a nandroid backup and the backups I can now do with Titanium Backup Pro? I guess that's about it. Sorry for all the noob questions but I hadn't found a thread that talked about the pros and cons of unlocking the bootloader. Thanks in advance for any info on the subject!

jhawkkw · Apr 23, 2013

Nandroid backups area complete copies of you phone at the time. Everything from settings, apps, and more. Titanium backup only backs ups apps.

Unlocking the bootloader allows the installing of custom kernels and thus allow for more stable and smooth custom roms including full CyanogenMod support.

pegs520 · Apr 23, 2013

I'm not an expert on this, but I read that it might be better to do it now, before they come out with an update that fixes the exploit.

I took the plunge with no issues, BTW, now just patiently waiting for a ROM.

jhawkkw · Apr 23, 2013

^+1

You have to figure a patch to this exploit is coming. The roms will come, just need to get developers interested and devices in their hands.

Methos1979 · Apr 23, 2013

I hadn't thought of that. So unlocking the boot loader will not change anything in my current set up until it comes time to try some custom ROMs?

What about future OTAs? Will unlocking the bootloader mean we never get them again from Verizon (a good thing) or will they still come through until we are running a custom ROM?

Methos1979 · Apr 23, 2013

jhawkkw said:
Nandroid backups area complete copies of you phone at the time. Everything from settings, apps, and more. Titanium backup only backs ups apps.

Unlocking the bootloader allows the installing of custom kernels and thus allow for more stable and smooth custom roms including full CyanogenMod support.

I do like the idea of the nandroid backups. My only fear with those is having them on my external SD card. Only because I recently had one just die for no reason. Well, it died after the JB update, but still.

Can you backup the nandroid backups on your SD to your computer to have a copy there just in case? Do you veterans do that?

jhawkkw · Apr 23, 2013

Methos1979 said:
I do like the idea of the nandroid backups. My only fear with those is having them on my external SD card. Only because I recently had one just die for no reason. Well, it died after the JB update, but still.

Can you backup the nandroid backups on your SD to your computer to have a copy there just in case? Do you veterans do that?

I've done it, but sometimes windows explorer doesn't play nice with doing so. But it is nice to have that extra comfort in case something goes wrong.

dru21281 · Apr 24, 2013

jhawkkw said:
^+1

You have to figure a patch to this exploit is coming. The roms will come, just need to get developers interested and devices in their hands.

There are already some very good roms for the unlocked RazrHD xt926. Development has been much better since the BL was unlocked. Check the links below. My fav. right now is the PacMan port on the hive which is in the first link. There is also a custom kernal in development by Hashcode which may be out soon.
http://droid-hive.com/index.php?/forum/143-roms/
http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/forum/99-droid-razr-hd-roms-xt926/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1865

jroc · Apr 24, 2013

Yea...I've been hanging out at droidrzr site for the past few weeks. I'm on the verge of trying that Aviator HD rom.

Xelios · Apr 25, 2013

I've personally been running epinter's CM10.1 from XDA and its been great. Its come quite a ways since the initial unlock exploit, only thing its really missing now is a working camcorder. Battery life is just on par with stock so far, but I have a feeling its got a ways to advance. The customability of it is really nice too.

Methos1979 · Apr 25, 2013

Methos1979 said:
I hadn't thought of that. So unlocking the boot loader will not change anything in my current set up until it comes time to try some custom ROMs?

What about future OTAs? Will unlocking the bootloader mean we never get them again from Verizon (a good thing) or will they still come through until we are running a custom ROM?

Nobody really ever answered these two questions: If I unlock the boot loader but don't install a custom ROM, nothing changes in my current setup, correct? All apps and normal functions are the same?

And how about OTAs? Will unlocking the boot loader but not running a custom ROM block any pushed OTAs or do you need to be on a custom ROM for that?

I'm still on the fence. Mostly because I can't see any upside to doing it without having the ROM availability there yet. It seems the only reason to do it now is just in case they push a 'fix' to the exploit.

jhawkkw · Apr 25, 2013

Methos1979 said:
Nobody really ever answered these two questions: If I unlock the boot loader but don't install a custom ROM, nothing changes in my current setup, correct? All apps and normal functions are the same?

And how about OTAs? Will unlocking the boot loader but not running a custom ROM block any pushed OTAs or do you need to be on a custom ROM for that?

I'm still on the fence. Mostly because I can't see any upside to doing it without having the ROM availability there yet. It seems the only reason to do it now is just in case they push a 'fix' to the exploit.

I'm not sure about things changing once unlocked because I'm not an expert with this device. I think I recall hearing that nothing will change.

As far add otas, it is a good rule of thumb to never install an ota directly once unlocked. This has a high probability of creating true hard bricks. It is often recommended waiting until developers get their hands on it and make it safe for flashing in recovery.

Methos1979 · Apr 25, 2013

jhawkkw said:
I'm not sure about things changing once unlocked because I'm not an expert with this device. I think I recall hearing that nothing will change.

As far add otas, it is a good rule of thumb to never install an ota directly once unlocked. This has a high probability of creating true hard bricks. It is often recommended waiting until developers get their hands on it and make it safe for flashing in recovery.

That's about what I thought the case would be. I think for the time being I'm going to stick with just the root.

Thanks to all who chimed in with info. Love this forum!

Root Questions about Bootload unlock/custom ROMs

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