Android Enthusiasts

Q&A for enthusiasts and power users of the Android operating system

Latest Questions

0 votes

0 answers

15 views

On rooted phones that don't have TWRP, how can you "start from fresh" with reflashing stock ROM?

root-access rom-flashing factory-reset restore

I have stock Android 16 with root. It's become buggy in various ways, like LSposed stopped working. I think the easiest way forward is to reflash the factory image from the manufacturer's website. What's the easiest way to do this while maintaining my data, like text messages? I would like root agai...

                                  I have stock Android 16 with root. It's become buggy in various ways, like LSposed stopped working. I think the easiest way forward is to reflash the factory image from the manufacturer's website. What's the easiest way to do this while maintaining my data, like text messages? I would like root again. My phone doesn't have custom recoveries like TWRP.

I guess I could backup everything using neo, flash the phone, root it, and restore from the backups. But this seems like a lot of work and may be error prone. Is there a better way?

Zerobot (35 rep)

Sep 19, 2025, 06:44 AM

0 votes

0 answers

28 views

Does Android OS have intrusion detection systems?

root-access system firewall virtualization virtual-background

![No results found for "Intrusion Detection System" site:https://play.google.com/.](https://i.sstatic.net/H61M1ZOy.png) The goal is - just to block connection access except to specific programs - to just allow programs whose connections have known use - plus to list current sockets in use (to troub...

                                  ![No results found for "Intrusion Detection System" site:https://play.google.com/​.](https://i.sstatic.net/H61M1ZOy.png) 

The goal is 
- just to block connection access except to specific programs
- to just allow programs whose connections have known use
- plus to list current sockets in use (to troubleshoot)
 - plus to warn if the use changes (as measured through heuristics).

I know that this is possible if you rebuild the Linux source, but are there rootless solutions (such as system-enforced Virtual Private Networks which do this)?
                                

user657347

Sep 15, 2025, 05:26 AM • Last activity: Sep 15, 2025, 08:28 AM

1 votes

1 answers

1044 views

Is there anyway to patch /apex using Magisk?

root-access magisk

As part of Project Mainline, Google decided to pack a number of files in `.apex` modules which are located in `/system/apex` which upon boot, are extracted and mounted in `/apex`. For example: the contents of `/system/apex/com.android.tzdata.apex` file will be mounted at: `/apex/com.android.tzdata`...

                                  As part of Project Mainline, Google decided to pack a number of files in .apex modules which are located in /system/apex which upon boot, are extracted and mounted in /apex.

For example: the contents of /system/apex/com.android.tzdata.apex file will be mounted at: /apex/com.android.tzdata

Is there any way for patching (overriding) the contents of mounted .apex files using Magisk?

wiki (475 rep)

Jun 8, 2023, 06:39 PM • Last activity: Sep 15, 2025, 07:08 AM

2 votes

1 answers

12345 views

How to enable Do Not Disturb for 1 SIM only in a Dual SIM phone?

root-access lineageos dual-sim oneplus-two do-not-disturb

I have a rooted OnePlus 2 running LineageOS 14 latest. How can I enable the Do Not Disturb feature for just my personal SIM card, without also enabling it for my work SIM card? Specifically, I'd like to be able to have my personal SIM on Priority mode, if possible, which allows starred/favourited co...

                                  I have a rooted OnePlus 2 running LineageOS 14 latest.

How can I enable the Do Not Disturb feature for just my personal SIM card, without also enabling it for my work SIM card? Specifically, I'd like to be able to have my personal SIM on Priority mode, if possible, which allows starred/favourited contacts to still ring.

I plan to upgrade to LineageOS 15 soon, but I can do this right away if it is a prerequisite.

Danny Beckett (174 rep)

Jun 2, 2018, 07:20 PM • Last activity: Sep 10, 2025, 07:06 AM

0 votes

0 answers

38 views

gain root access to my LG L322DL?

root-access

Trying to gain root access to my LG L322DL that is running on android 10 software version L322DL2oe,tried finding the steps yet have been unsuccessful

                                  Trying to gain root access to my LG L322DL that is running on android 10 software version L322DL2oe,tried finding the steps yet have been unsuccessful 
                                

Kenneth (1 rep)

Aug 28, 2025, 08:39 AM

1 votes

3 answers

6048 views

Is it possible to root the Verizon Samsung Galaxy S5 (SM-G900V) on Android 5.0 Lollipop?

5.0-lollipop rooting root-access samsung-galaxy-s-5

I had root on 4.2 previously, but the update lost it, and with it my ability to use Sixaxis, AdFree, some features of NFC Tools and Tasker and Xposed modules. I have searched, but it does not appear on this list: https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/1184/how-do-i-root-my-android-device/1185#1...

                                  I had root on 4.2 previously, but the update lost it, and with it my ability to use Sixaxis, AdFree, some features of NFC Tools and Tasker and Xposed modules.

I have searched, but it does not appear on this list:
https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/1184/how-do-i-root-my-android-device/1185#1185 

I also saw a similar question here, but this is the AT&T version, not Verizon:
https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/116438/how-to-root-the-sm-g900f-android-5-0-without-tripping-knox 

Towelroot doesn't work (just tried) and the SM-G900V isn't listed here: https://autoroot.chainfire.eu/ 

Anyone have any experience with this?

Bing (123 rep)

May 30, 2016, 03:15 AM • Last activity: Aug 26, 2025, 03:04 PM

2 votes

1 answers

4819 views

Force proxy to be used by all of my Android applications

root-access proxy

I'm looking to force some applications on my phone to use a proxy whose certificate is installed on my phone. Some applications (like Instagram, YouTube, etc.) are using this proxy and I can sniff the communication between my phone and the proxy. To make this work, I need to use root permissions on...

                                  I'm looking to force some applications on my phone to use a proxy whose certificate is installed on my phone. Some applications (like Instagram, YouTube, etc.) are using this proxy and I can sniff the communication between my phone and the proxy.

To make this work, I need to use root permissions on my Android. I found an [app](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.proxydroidn)  that may help me do this, but I want to use the terminal to achieve this.

Any ideas that could help me would be appreciated.

yosra (121 rep)

May 24, 2019, 08:52 AM • Last activity: Aug 17, 2025, 12:09 PM

2 votes

3 answers

9194 views

I have rooted my phone, but why can't I Telnet?

networking root-access

I have a T-Mobile G1 and rooted it using AndRoot. I've confirmed that I have root by using Wireless Tethering, I get all the required request superuser permission dialogues. However when I go to the Telnet application and try to telnet it refuses to let me, I get: >Error While connecting to server l...

                                  I have a T-Mobile G1 and rooted it using AndRoot. I've confirmed that I have root by using Wireless Tethering, I get all the required request superuser permission dialogues.

However when I go to the Telnet application and try to telnet it refuses to let me, I get:

>Error While connecting to server localhost/127.0.0.1:23 - Connection Refused.

I've tried various different connection strings (e.g. just 127.0.0.1, 0.0.0.0)

I read that you might need to reboot the phone after rooting so I did and then confirmed again that I still have su by using wireless tether and superuser permissions app.

Is there anyway I can get this working as I'd like to flash Amon Ra's Recovery mod and start playing around with the Roms again.

digital (1041 rep)

Sep 20, 2010, 09:17 PM • Last activity: Aug 8, 2025, 12:51 PM

1 votes

0 answers

80 views

devinfo is missing information on Google Pixel 4a

root-access device-firmware google-pixel

I am trying to convert a non-JP Google Pixel 4a into a JP Google Pixel 4a by changing the model numbers. After flashing the latest stock firmware (Android 13) sourced from [the official website](https://developers.google.com/android/images) , I installed [Magisk v29.0](https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/releases/tag/v29.0) and rooted my Pixel by following [this guide](https://thedroidwin.com/root-android-magisk) . [Rooting using Magisk] 0. Enable Developer Settings 1. Enable USB Debugging 2. Enable OEM Unlocking 3. Unlock Bootloader

fastboot flashing unlock

4. Extract boot.img

unzip sunfish-tq3a.230805.001.s2.zip
cd sunfish-tq3a.230805.001.s2
unzip image-sunfish-tq3a.230805.001.s2.zip
cp boot.img /run/user/1000/gvfs/mtp:host=***/'Internal shared storage'

5. Patch boot.img 6. Boot using patched boot

adb reboot bootloader
fastboot boot patched_boot.img

7. Install patched_boot using Magisk Now that my phone is rooted, I accessed protected system files to overwrite using [this article](https://thedroidwin.com/how-to-enable-osaifu-keitai-in-non-japanese-pixel-devices) . 1. Enable root access

adb shell
su

(Tap 'ok' on Pixel screen) 2. Extract devinfo.img

dd if=/dev/block/by-name/devinfo of=/sdcard/devinfo.img

3. Copy devinfo to PC

cp /run/user/1000/gvfs/mtp:host=***/'Internal shared storage'/devinfo.img ./devinfo.img

4. Open the file using the hex editor

ghex devinfo.img

I am supposed to find my phone's model number and replace it with the Japanese version's, but all I see is 16 bytes corresponding to "ANDROID-BOOT!..." That's literally the only thing in the file. Is this method not universal for all Pixels? What went wrong?

Hyunbin Yoo (111 rep)

Aug 1, 2025, 02:03 PM • Last activity: Aug 2, 2025, 03:38 PM

19 votes

4 answers

173620 views

Why can't I get root access from shell?

adb linux root-access shell command-line

> adb shell sh-4.1$ su Permission denied I have rooted my phone successfully. I know this because I'm able to install apps on SD card and I have a program called [SD Maid][1] that is able to operate with root permissions. [1]: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.thedarken.sdm&hl=en

                                      > adb shell
    sh-4.1$ su
    Permission denied

I have rooted my phone successfully. I know this because I'm able to install apps on SD card and I have a program called SD Maid  that is able to operate with root permissions.
                                

Kshitiz Sharma (489 rep)

Feb 21, 2013, 10:16 AM • Last activity: Jul 29, 2025, 09:37 AM

4 votes

2 answers

4285 views

Is there a way to group notifications by app?

root-access notifications notification-bar miui

My phone is running MIUI 12.5 (rooted if it matters) and some apps just push individual notifications so each notification I get, shows up in its own bubble instead of showing them all under a group of notifications for this same app. It's really hard since it takes up all my screen and if I want to...

                                  My phone is running MIUI 12.5 (rooted if it matters) and some apps just push individual notifications so each notification I get, shows up in its own bubble instead of showing them all under a group of notifications for this same app. 

It's really hard since it takes up all my screen and if I want to search for notifications from a certain app I have to go over all the other notifications from the other apps..

Is there a way to force notifications from the same app to be grouped together in my notification bar?

Ben Yaakobi (133 rep)

May 15, 2021, 11:30 AM • Last activity: Jul 28, 2025, 03:08 PM

1 votes

3 answers

15978 views

How to fix the recovery mode error?

rooting root-access recovery-mode

I am trying to root my Samsung Galaxy Ch@t GT-B5330 (4.1.2) following this guide . I have reached the point when I am intended to use the recovery mode menu (that is reached by holding volume-up when turning the phone on) but here am I stuck: whatever I choose gives me the error icon ![enter image d...

                                  I am trying to root my Samsung Galaxy Ch@t GT-B5330 (4.1.2) following this guide. I have reached the point when I am intended to use the recovery mode menu (that is reached by holding volume-up when turning the phone on) but here am I stuck: whatever I choose gives me the error icon

I am still able to boot the phone the normal way (though it has became a little bit slower than it was before flashing and starts Firefox on itself occasionally).

How do I finish the rooting process?

Ivan (683 rep)

May 3, 2014, 05:43 PM • Last activity: Jul 20, 2025, 03:04 AM

0 votes

0 answers

108 views

When a samsung smartphone is rooted with MagiskHide, how to restore widevine L1?

samsung root-access 9.0-pie drm

Using MagiskHide against all Google services and clearing data, I restored the widevine L1 level in the DRM info app. But now, all the video services that are widevine L1 only idle when attempting to play a video instead of properly showing an error message (so it’s don’t work). As far I understand,...

                                  Using MagiskHide against all Google services and clearing data, I restored the widevine L1 level in the DRM info app. But now, all the video services that are widevine L1 only idle when attempting to play a video instead of properly showing an error message (so it’s don’t work).

As far I understand, videos decryptions keys are erased from the trusted keystore of the cpu in case the firmware is tampered. If this is true, how to restore them ? If not, how to access apps that require widevine L1 access (not accepting widevine L3) ?

I’m asking this because several post across the Internet emerged in claiming on how to restore widevine L1 and by following them the device is again signaling the compatibility with L1 but doesn’t seem to support it again in reality.

user2284570 (501 rep)

Jun 21, 2025, 12:31 PM • Last activity: Jun 22, 2025, 10:14 AM

2 votes

0 answers

5891 views

Bootloader is unlocked, fastboot returns ''FAILED (Remote: Verify state locked)

adb root-access fastboot magisk

I am trying to root my Vivo V11 with Android 10. The bootloader is unlocked. It says so in the dev settings, and I have to go through the warning prompt every time I reboot my device. When I run the fastboot command to flash the patched_boot.img file, it returns: ``` C:\Program Files\Minimal ADB and...

C:\Program Files\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot getvar unlocked
unlocked: yes
finished. total time: 0.002s

C:\Program Files\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img
target reported max download size of 134217728 bytes
sending 'boot' (38579 KB)...
OKAY [  1.269s]
writing 'boot'...
FAILED (remote: Verify state locked)
finished. total time: 1.276s

Things I've tried to troubleshoot: Running cmd as Administrator (im using win10) Confirmed OEM unlocking is turned on in the dev settings (it is, it says "bootloader is already unlocked" Confirmed USB debugging is on Disabled "Verify apps over USB" and "Verify bytecode of debuggable apps" in the dev settings. Confirmed file transfer is enabled from my PC and my Phone (it is, I can transfer files back and forth between them) Tried a different USB cable [EDIT]

PS C:\Users\Himanshus\Downloads\platform-tools_r30.0.5-windows\platform-tools> .\adb devices
List of devices attached
ZDIBLVIRY5DIJBEI        device

PS C:\Users\Himanshus\Downloads\platform-tools_r30.0.5-windows\platform-tools> .\adb reboot-bootloader
PS C:\Users\Himanshus\Downloads\platform-tools_r30.0.5-windows\platform-tools> .\fastboot devices
ZDIBLVIRY5DIJBEI        fastboot
PS C:\Users\Himanshus\Downloads\platform-tools_r30.0.5-windows\platform-tools> .\fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img
Sending 'boot' (38579 KB)                          OKAY [  1.272s]
Writing 'boot'                                     FAILED (remote: 'Verify state locked')
fastboot: error: Command failed
PS C:\Users\Himanshus\Downloads\platform-tools_r30.0.5-windows\platform-tools> .\fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img
Sending 'vbmeta' (4 KB)                            OKAY [  0.009s]
Writing 'vbmeta'                                   FAILED (remote: 'Verify state locked')
fastboot: error: Command failed
PS C:\Users\Himanshus\Downloads\platform-tools_r30.0.5-windows\platform-tools> .\fastboot --disable-verity flash vbmeta vbmeta.img
Rewriting vbmeta struct at offset: 0
Sending 'vbmeta' (4 KB)                            OKAY [  0.010s]
Writing 'vbmeta'                                   FAILED (remote: 'Verify state locked')
fastboot: error: Command failed
PS C:\Users\Himanshus\Downloads\platform-tools_r30.0.5-windows\platform-tools> .\fastboot --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.i
mg
Rewriting vbmeta struct at offset: 0
Sending 'vbmeta' (4 KB)                            OKAY [  0.009s]
Writing 'vbmeta'                                   FAILED (remote: 'Verify state locked')
fastboot: error: Command failed
PS C:\Users\Himanshus\Downloads\platform-tools_r30.0.5-windows\platform-tools>

Ayush Jhinkwan (21 rep)

Jan 15, 2021, 08:19 AM • Last activity: Jun 19, 2025, 12:21 PM

3 votes

1 answers

12083 views

How to run a script in background from adb shell?

adb root-access shell scripts usb-tethering

I have a problem with USB tethering on my rooted Nougat phone (LineageOS). After some time phone stops USB tethering. To fix that I run the following script like this: adb shell su nohup sh tether.sh & exit exit tether.sh #!/system/bin/sh service list while true; do if ! pidof -s dnsmasq > /dev/null...

                                  I have a problem with USB tethering on my rooted Nougat phone (LineageOS). After some time phone stops USB tethering. To fix that I run the following script like this:

    adb shell
    su
    nohup sh tether.sh &
    exit
    exit


tether.sh

    #!/system/bin/sh
    service list
    while true;
    do
      if ! pidof -s dnsmasq > /dev/null
      then
        echo -n "Connectivity lost at "
        date -u +%FT%TZ
        echo "Waiting 3 seconds..."
        sleep 3
        echo "Calling ConnectivityManager.setUsbTethering(false)"
        service call connectivity 33 i32 0 2>&1
        sleep 3
        echo "Calling ConnectivityManager.setUsbTethering(true)"
        service call connectivity 33 i32 1 2>&1
        echo "Waiting 3 seconds..."
      fi
      sleep 3
    done

Problem: If I use nohup my call to service call connectivity fails with service not found. And I put service list on top of the script which returns Found 0 services:. However the same commands work when ran directly from adb shell; su.

Why service call doesn't work inside this background script? Does it need the same tty to work?
                                

Nazar554 (188 rep)

Aug 27, 2019, 08:33 PM • Last activity: Jun 17, 2025, 06:35 PM

2 votes

0 answers

133 views

How to make systemless edits to /system with Magisk

root-access system-apps bootloader-lock magisk systemless-root

Many different root-only actions involve mounting and editing files in the Android `/system` directory. Because there have been so many types of Android OSes, rooting techniques, and actual root solutions from the last decade, it has made it difficult to confidently determine if this is possible wit...

                                  Many different root-only actions involve mounting and editing files in the Android /system directory. Because there have been so many types of Android OSes, rooting techniques, and actual root solutions from the last decade, it has made it difficult to confidently determine if this is possible with my current root solution: Magisk with locked bootloader.

From my understanding, Magisk is a completely "systemless" root solution, so by simply disabling Magisk and rebooting, *all actions performed as root are reverted.* This is important for me because I have verified boot with a locked bootloader via [avbroot](https://github.com/chenxiaolong/avbroot/) , so if there is any change to the system partition then it will fail to boot and the device will be bricked.

So, with Magisk, is there a specific module that is required in order to "write" to the system partition systemlessly, so that it's not actually changing anything in the real system directory? Or does Magisk do this by default, and all I have to do is make my file edits from a shell like ADB root or Termux su, and they will be applied systemlessly?

ETL (211 rep)

Jun 9, 2025, 05:21 AM

4 votes

2 answers

7333 views

Apps don't ask for root permission

root-access lineageos motorola-moto-g-4g

I rooted my Lineage OS 14.1 but none of my apps ask for root permissions. I followed the instructions of [this link][1] and the root access option in my phone is "apps and adb". Do I miss something? I have a Moto G4 Plus and I've already tested Sixaxis and ES File Manager, none of them ask for root...

                                  I rooted my Lineage OS 14.1 but none of my apps ask for root permissions. 

I followed the instructions of this link  and the root access option in my phone is "apps and adb". Do I miss something? 

I have a Moto G4 Plus and I've already tested Sixaxis and ES File Manager, none of them ask for root permissions.

victortamotsu (51 rep)

Apr 21, 2017, 02:54 PM • Last activity: May 30, 2025, 05:03 PM

2 votes

1 answers

1047 views

Removing DRM from Android using root

root-access security drm

I would like to know what one would have to do to remove DRM (Digital Restrictions/"Rights" Management) completely from an Android phone that one has root access to. So far, I have thought about removing `/etc/drm`, `/etc/dcmrcm`, and `/system/bin/drmserver`.

                                  I would like to know what one would have to do to remove DRM (Digital Restrictions/"Rights" Management) completely from an Android phone that one has root access to.

So far, I have thought about removing /etc/drm, /etc/dcmrcm, and /system/bin/drmserver.

Stallman (41 rep)

Jan 18, 2020, 08:35 PM • Last activity: May 22, 2025, 06:13 PM

-1 votes

1 answers

324 views

Lost root when upgrading from CM11to CM12.1

cyanogenmod root-access

I recently upgraded my encrypted Nexus 5 CM11 to CM12.1 and now I need to reinstall Google Apps. Unfortunately, it seems to have lost root access which is needed to install a zip in recovery mode. I am using TWRP recovery, which does support encrypted storage. Since I can only get root back via reco...

                                  I recently upgraded my encrypted Nexus 5 CM11 to CM12.1 and now I need to reinstall Google Apps. Unfortunately, it seems to have lost root access which is needed to install a zip in recovery mode. I am using TWRP recovery, which does support encrypted storage.

Since I can only get root back via recovery mode, looks like I am now in a deadlock.

Anything I can do?

clamp (224 rep)

Sep 7, 2015, 10:50 AM • Last activity: May 22, 2025, 02:15 AM

2 votes

3 answers

1410 views

I uninstalled/deleted a system-privileged app (from /system/priv-app). How can I reinstall it?

root-access boot-loop system-apps

I uninstalled the DocumentsUI only to know it wasn't "just" a file manager. My `/system/priv-app/DocumentsUI` is empty. Putting any 3rd-party DocumentsUI.apk in it results in a bootloop. I have a custom ROM (AOSP Extended). Flashing the `/system` again would fix the problem, I think. Just want to ma...

                                  I uninstalled the DocumentsUI only to know it wasn't "just" a file manager. My /system/priv-app/DocumentsUI is empty. Putting any 3rd-party DocumentsUI.apk in it results in a bootloop. I have a custom ROM (AOSP Extended). 

Flashing the /system again would fix the problem, I think.

Just want to make sure if this will make the condition worse, or am I going alright?

44yu5h (1627 rep)

Dec 3, 2020, 09:06 PM • Last activity: May 20, 2025, 03:15 PM

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