yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Nexus 5 General] laur3n.newm4n:
I didn't unlock my Nexus 7 2013 or my Nexus 5 right away. I wish I had - I could have saved myself from needing to wipe my Nexus 7 after I'd gotten it set up so I could flash the factory images and remove the -w. I unlocked the bootloader on that now for the future. I also installed TWRP and rooted it, but disabled root as of now, since I don't currently have any apps that require it. But if I need any of that, at least I already have it.

I will probably give my Nexus 5 the same treatment this weekend. Unlock, custom recovery, root. That way it's already set up for it if I want to take advantage of it down the road.
[Nexus 5 General] MisterEff:
Watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYO_rBjpnLY

He claims it is because it is TWRP, which might be the case since I also use TWRP, but I can assure you I got the OTA on my Nexus 7.
[Nexus 5 General] maxpower7:
Are Nexus phones different then? Pardon my ignorance since this is my first Nexus device, but any other phone I've owned couldn't get OTA updates with anything but stock recovery. On Samsung devices in particular, it won't even download an OTA unless you're totally stock.
[Nexus 5 General] SamReciter:
Awesome - TWRP would anyhow be the choice - thanks....
[Nexus 5 General] PhillyCheez:
I used to be a ROM flashing addict but I am passed those days.. I enjoy being stock (deodexed), stable and rooted.

The benefits of root that I enjoy using..

Clockwork Mod Recovery - Back up ROM in it's entirety.

Nandroid Manager - Lets you pick and choose what to restore from your back up ROM

Titanium Backup - Back up Apps + Data

ClockSync App (always synced with Atomic clock)

Cerberus (best security app out there)

Root Explorer

Adblocking

WiFi Tether

Any other apps that need root to provide in depth detail in order to trouble shoot efficiently

Customizations here and there

I will always root.
[Nexus 5 General] eatabagel:
For my first Android phones, the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G (HTC Magic), and the LG G2X, I've unlocked, rooted, and installed custom ROMs. That all changed with the Nexus 4. The Nexus 4 was perfect for me (I know, lots of people didn't think so).

But I have rooted my Nexus 5. I probably won't install a custom ROM, but ever since T-Mobile did the wifi tethering lockdown, I had to root and change a line or two in some dbs.
[Nexus 5 General] Chileno4Live:
I want to root my Nexus 5, but I am kind of worried about the fact that it may void my warranty. I know that you can return to stock android experience, but it's such hassle... Can anyone give me some advice about this dilemma?

Verstuurd vanaf mijn Nexus 5 met Tapatalk 4
[Nexus 5 General] starnostar:
I unlocked my bootloader before the first boot... currently I'm on stock though until finals are over and development picks up a bit more steam.

I had an S4 before this... kept going through the hassle of installing the next "stock" GE rom and thought to myself "why am I doing this... why am I playing the cat and mouse game with samsung and their new knox garbage?"

It feels good to be home...

... and for the uninformed, the way knox is implemented, you cant upgrade your radio without upgrading your bootloader, so the only way to upgrade your radio is to flip the knox e-fuse switch, I REALLY REALLY didn't like that.

going back to stock is super super easy....

1) download and flash stock image (its a simple bat/sh script you double click, its included in the stock image file) https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images

2) fastboot oem lock

Although its expanding to other niches (strict no-contract people to name one), nexus devices are still developer devices at heart. I have never heard of a nexus devices getting turned down for warranty work for modding.
[Nexus 5 General] EvoYas:
Custom roms always have some kind of issues, I was getting sick and tired of all the rooting and flashing so Im gonna stay away from it for as long as i can.
[Nexus 5 General] Chileno4Live:
Thanks for responding to my question. Does your method of returning to stock ROM also contain the flash counter reset? In another thread on here I read that the Nexus 5 has something like that. A flag or something.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn Nexus 5 met Tapatalk 4
[Nexus 5 General] jd1639:
Just read the stickies. http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=47156064
[Nexus 5 General] flo_O:
I've always flashed and rooted my android devices since my nexus one to my new nexus 5. I like to have root and to flash ROM. Custom ROM brings a lot of feature that i find usefull.
[Nexus 5 General] moeyk:
I literately took the nexus 5 out of the box and immediately plugged it in to the computer to start the rooting process. I just can't live without all the additional features and tweaks that you can apply after root. Moreover apps such as adaway are simply more than worth it to root your android phone, at least for me.
[Nexus 5 General] MaxNXS:
Just got 2 N5 and they only booted once before I unlocked the bootloader, installed TWRP recovery and root. The adavntages for me are the same other users listed and I can't use a phone without those features.

Now I'm just waiting for CM11 to start pushing out nightlies :D
[Nexus 5 General] Red Wolf:
I root just to use adway lol I hate ads on mobile but in PC I don't have problem with ads:P
[Nexus 5 General] kayone73:
Nope, to me the whole point of the Nexus line of devices is they are the perfect platform for easy unlocking and rooting and are a very clean, simple slate for good customization. Besides how else can I add CM like custom options like expanded quick toggle buttons and lockscreen options like lockscreen target shortcuts? Rooting is the easiest way.
[Nexus 5 General] Valdeck:
Yes because I can not change the DPI without it other wise I wouldnt.

Oh and bakups I use helium regularly.
[Nexus 5 General] poodleDoo:
I have unlocked/rooted all my androids to remove the bloatware and other carrier crap; this is my first nexus device and it's unlocked and rooted to use some apps that require root access (TiB, Firewall, hosts file); stock ROM, no themes or anything else...
[Nexus 5 General] FranzVz:
I've actually felt like that with the Nexus 4 even. I was

this

close to not rooting the Nexus 4.

Google has to add only one more features baked into the whole of Android: Data Backup. I know some apps have started like that, but this needs to be a Google Backup function (much like G+ photos is).

When I download an app that I've previously downloaded from the play store, be it on my Nexus 5 or Nexus 7. I want all the data to come with it. I'm tired of going through the settings and put it exactly as I had them before. Even if I uninstall it and install it again. For example I use this app called BubbleUPnP. Has a million settings for different things. When I install it on my Nexus 7, I really want those settings to be back.

So I'm not just talking about backing up your "Angry Birds Levels". Mostly just settings and features.

So yes. I have always rooted every Nexus (or device from that matter) that I've owned, and I will continue to root them. Because apps like TitaniumBackup or Helium are indispensable.
[Nexus 5 General] ketjr81:
So far I've rooted every android phone I've had.

I usually leave my phone on stock for a while, then eventually start flashing or tweaking the rom.
[Nexus 5 General] CRIME INC.:
Thought about leaving my phone stock......... It lasted a week and a half before I rooted lol

sent from my HAMMERHEAD neXus
[Nexus 5 General] P.Mobile:
isnt that the point of getting a nexus phone!! root/unlockbootloader... flash rom:good:
[Nexus 5 General] chas101:
Phone arrived 11 AM Wednesday. Rooted by 2 PM. I didn't realize how many apps I had that required root. Plan to wait until stable CM 11 to flash ROM Although I do miss some features and may try sooner.
[Nexus 5 General] hithereperson:
I was forced to do it by my will LOL Until Google offers the same functionality in the stock version that I depend on in openpdroid, I will have to keep flashing AOSP roms with the patch applied. I cannot live without that patch, sometimes you don't realise how any permissions an app wants until you start using openpdroid/pdroid manager. I don't think that Google will ever do that, so I'll keep rooting/unlocking every Nexus device I purchase for my own use.
[Nexus 5 General] JazzLobster:
I had the root/unlock toolkit on my MBP before the phone even arrived.

It is part of our human nature, in wanting to be unique, that we modify and customize things to reflect the imprint of our own individuality on the world :D
[Nexus 5 General] jefftheworld:
While I find that the stock 4.4.2 is really, really good I had to root my N5 because of all the added utility it gives. I've tried a few ROMs out but now I'm sticking with stock + xposed framework. The framework gives me the added features and control that I want and it requires root. I'm very used to customizing my quick tiles, long-pressing volume keys when the screen is off to skip tracks, linear auto-brightness, app ops controls and other small usability features that stock is missing.

I also have some weird stuff that I've done with my device. I've installed a Linux chroot and created a ghetto version of the upcoming Ubuntu. I can drop my phone on my wireless charger (which has an NFC tag that uniquely identifies it as my "computer pad") and my phone will instantly boot linux, connect to a nearby wireless monitor, keyboard and mouse and present me with a desktop environment. That kind of coolness requires root.
[Nexus 5 General] _jordan_:
I waste too much time constantly optimizing my mobile devices with Roms, rooting, everything.

Keeping my n5 stock for as long as I can.
[Nexus 5 General] JamieFL:
There is no point in owning a Nexus unless you root it.

However, I re-lock the bootloader and run the stock recovery. I like my data safety too much. It is easy enough to temporarily flash TWRP if needed.

Petrovski80 explained it really well here:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1898664
[Nexus 5 General] _jordan_:
I used to think that, but this is my 2nd nexus device, and the new mods in 4.4 enable me to be happy with the device without root.

I like nexus devices because they are bullet proof, and can be easily restored via fastboot.

Root always enables the best experience, because you can use any ROM you want, however most of the Roms now a days only offer minor benefits past the stock experience.

I do miss the CM DSP manager. That should come standard with android devices.
[Nexus 5 General] tonychau77:
n5 is so fast. And the battery is not bad for me. I won't bother to OC or UV it. And I can't think of a single app needs root that I REALLY need to use.
[Nexus 5 General] tylerjames09:
For my lifestyle and apps I use, i haven't found a need to root yet and found KitKat to be fulfilling my needs. I'll hold out as long as I can.
[Nexus 5 General] Madpiercing:
Root is the first thing i do when any new phone arrives.

With the nexus, i haven't even tried stock kitkat. Before receiving the phone i've done some reading here and watched some youtube videos, decided cataclysm was a room that suited my needs (similar to stock but with some added useful features), and directly fashed it 5 minutes after unboxing the phone.

I think changing rom and kernel is worth it even if only for the added performance and battery life you get almost hassle free compared to stock, and it's the main reason why i root. As for features, i prefer almost stock and i would have been probably happy even with stock kitkat.
[Nexus 5 General] bknightt:
I've done one day purely on stock, then rooted + custom kernel, don't feel the need for custom ROMS because I enjoy the stock one pretty much tbh.
[Nexus 5 General] spazzynexus:
Unlocked the bootloader & rooted before even setting the phone up. Didnt flash a custom rom until 3 days after cause eh stock is nice, but cataclsym rom gives a few more nice features I enjoy while still keeping it clean like stock.
[Nexus 5 General] ldubs:
Abso-freaking-lutely. Especially coming from a Motorola Bionic with locked bootloader and oodles of VZW bloatcrap. I feel so so liberated. First thing I did was unlock the bootloader, install TWRP and root it. Haven't flashed a ROM yet (damn, there are so many choices!) but I'm getting there, just to see what the awesome devs have come up with already for this device.

Might try xposed framework and gravity box too...
[Nexus 5 General] midgarsormr:
I did right off the bat... But I'm happy with the stock 4.4.2 so no custom rom yet. Phone is blazing fast and pretty good battery life.
[Nexus 5 General] charesa39:
I unlocked and rooted as soon as my port from Verizon to T-Mo was successful. Running stock rooted with Xposed Framework + Gravity Box for little tweaks like circle battery and center clock. Also needed root for Adaway, TiBu... You know, the usual.
[Nexus 5 General] drzplaya1121:
Still haven't found a need to root but with Codename Android back in the game I just might. Plus things like ad away
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
I unlock the bootloader but I don't root/ROM. I really haven't found the need since 4.0.1
[Nexus 5 General] kyzn:
What's the point of getting a Nexus phone if you keep in stock? Boring. :p
[Nexus 5 General] spazzynexus:
Exactly!
[Nexus 5 General] TolaSkamp:
I just got my Nexus 5 today, is it possible to only root the device? I am mainly interested in Titanium Backup. Thanks
[Nexus 5 General] es0tericcha0s:
There's no way I'd ever run a phone stock, Nexus or not. The possibilities are endless with what you can do while modded. I've never seen a phone that could not be improved with the right theme and mods.
[Nexus 5 General] evostudios:
I unlocked and rooted before I even booted my Nexus 5. I've been using the stock rom, but will eventually run cm11 on it.
[Nexus 5 General] nerv8765:
Well, I will be sticking to the stock ROM, but I still root/custom recovery to use performance tweaks and franco's kernel.
[Nexus 5 General] mysticfrog:
Hey guys just came over here from a galaxy note 3.. I've never had a nexus before. Rooting is actually the first thing I do.. This phone is beast enough without it..
[Nexus 5 General] ickoicko:
Used to be a flashaholic with my S3 before, maybe that was the reason I broke the battery but I doubt it. With the N5 I'm running stock but rooted for franco kernel and custom recovery.
[Nexus 5 General] JamieFL:
Why unlock then?
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
Flashing factory images.

---------- Post added at 11:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:26 PM ----------

The reason why I get a Nexus is so I don't have to deal with all that BS...
[Nexus 5 General] JamieFL:
Yes. Part of the root process is unlocking the boot loader, but once you are done, you can relock with an app called BootLocker.

For security, I keep my boot loader locked and run the stock recovery.
[Nexus 5 General] maxpower7:
Because you need to unlock to install a custom recovery. There's a lot that you can do with a custom recovery even if you don't flash roms.
[Nexus 5 General] jefftheworld:
You can always encrypt the device to mitigate this sort of attack. If data security is your real concern an unlocked bootloader is less of an issue than an unencrypted device.
[Nexus 5 General] _jordan_:
You can do this with a locked boot loader.

The main reason to unlock is because if you ever want to flash a recovery in the future, you do not have to lose all your data.
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
Show me where you can flash the factory images with a locked bootloader.
[Nexus 5 General] _jordan_:
Wow its late. What was I thinking when I posted that?
[Nexus 5 General] TolaSkamp:
What all can you do with the custom recovery other than backup, restore and flash roms and zip?

I am thinking about TWRP but will I still get OTA updates with the custom recovery and being rooted?
[Nexus 5 General] codemonkey98:
You always will need an unlocked bootloader. I'm not sure what the user was thinking.
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
:). I know staying stock on this site may not be popular, but that is what works best for me.

I now just spend my time around here trying to lend a hand to as many people as I can.

With that said. Happy new year to everyone!
[Nexus 5 General] _jordan_:
I was thinking about manually flashing the OTA updates. You can e locked and still do that.
[Nexus 5 General] jccoolxD:
Always have, always will
[Nexus 5 General] midgarsormr:
As free with nexus we have the choice to do what we want with it. That's the beauty of the nexus. Gotta love ad free root apps.
[Nexus 5 General] Bruce Lee:
I always rooted/unlocked boot loader, and put custom ROMS on all my android phones. But I probably won't on my nexus 5 which is my first Nexus. Even though I always say that. The reason I wont is the updates from google and I have no issues with battery or performance. Don't change what isn't broken as they say.
[Nexus 5 General] TiltedAz:
I just rooted. I figure I can always unroot. Now I just need figure out what to do with my new root.
[Nexus 5 General] Ab1g0r:
Unlocking the bootloader and rooting were the first things I did with my Nexus 5. I've always liked customizing whatever it is I use and since I spend a lot of time with my phone that obviously isn't an exception. Root allows for so many possibilities regarding both the personalization of the UI as well as added features that I would never want to pass it up. In fact, the developer community surrounding the Nexus devices was one of my main reasons to finally pick one up :).
[Nexus 5 General] TolaSkamp:
Did you root without unlocking bootloader? If so, how did you do it? Thanks
[Nexus 5 General] TolaSkamp:
Thanks, ok that's what I thought. If I unlock bootloader , install custom recovery and root will I still be able to get automatic OTA updates? (I read you will still get updates once the ROM and Kernels are stock, but I just wanted to confirm) Do I have to install a custom recovery to root, or can I just unlock bootloader, leave stock recovery and then root?

Thanks
[Nexus 5 General] TiltedAz:
No, it's unlocked.
[Nexus 5 General] Cirkustanz:
In my experience, you will technically "get" the OTA, but you won't be able to install it the same way you would normally...you just have to install them through recovery since the OTA updates are meant for phones that have a stock recovery. (Naturally)

But...9 times out of 10 you'll get updates faster via flashing them through custom recovery anyway. This is because Google uses a staggered rollout system for updates.

Personally I don't see many downsides with having a custom recovery, and the advantages are plentiful.
[Nexus 5 General] XGrinder911:
For the first time I'm a VERY long time- I'm unrooted;)
[Nexus 5 General] jsgraphicart:
I always root. I use a lot of root stuff. Titanium Backup is a must. Especially coming to a new Nexus 5 and transferring all my apps with data from my Galaxy Nexus. Root Explorer, I like to change UI sounds and install system apps like OmniROMs calendar widget. Xposed is a must for me now. I like staying on stock and getting customization with Xposed. Custom Kernels are always nice as well. And other little things like AdAway to remove ads.
[Nexus 5 General] lolpok:
Rooting is like a drug, you can't stay away from it :p
[Nexus 5 General] LeoRex:
Seconded, almost word for word... I rooted and unlocked the instant I got home, too. And as nice as the stock might be, there's a lot if cool stuff coming.

I have a stock image nandroid, and with Xposed, I had most features I use, but there are really cool things, like the dual mode tiles that PA is working on... those are awesome...

That being said, it was still nice to a phone that wouldn't be crippled with junk if I had to run stock. I just look at reviews of the G2 to appreciate that.

---------- Post added at 01:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:38 PM ----------

One more thing... I'm not all that concerned with otas much. The nexus 5 is one if the most supported phones out there. As soon as an OTA is released, devs are hard at work. No other device gets new stuff faster. That's one of my main reasons for getting the phone.

How much, really, do we have to wait after Google puts something out before we get a custom version? By the time Google rolls out the next OTA to everyone, there might already be a build released...

I'd be far more concerned if I had some obscure phone that didn't have the dev base that this thing has.
[Nexus 5 General] disclaimernotice:
Well, I usually root my new phones only several months after I've bought them, just in case there's some hardware fault that requires replacement. However, my all previous phones were Samsung Galaxies, which had unlocked bootloaders. So, naturally, I assumed that the Nexus 5 would come with an unlocked bootloader as well. It was only when I decided to root the nexus that I found out otherwise, and this meant that I would have to be factory reset to root. So I think I'll stay stock for a while.
[Nexus 5 General] Ubichinon:
I felt the same way as OP as i first got the phone. Then i started browsing for a while and ads and popus started to annoy me. Wanted to turn off wifi and data connection with 1 click, but i had to go in the menus to do it. Thats why i rooted, installed Xposed + Gravity Box and Adaway and now im happy :)
[Nexus 5 General] Androidfreakz:
I have no need to root this phone, no bloat and factory 4.4.2 I have everything I want.
[Nexus 5 General] tkuczyn:
When I first got my Nexus 5 it took me a week to say - "Ok. This is great, but I need more out of this thing". I needed some color, customization, better lock screen, smaller navigation bar, centered date, log cat and ad away. Most of this could be achieved without rooting, but root is still necessary. Most importantly, even on stock, there is things I delete like default email, news and weather, calculator apps. Even live wallpapers I don't use.

Over the last 5 years, the need for root (at least for me) became less and less necessary, but in the end there is still need. I wish there was more customization, settings and freedom from the start. Don't get me wrong - vanilla android is great, but when it comes to making a device personal I think root helps.
[Nexus 5 General] shrewdgeek:
I unlocked my previous android devices.Thought wont unlock and root nexus 5 but then i unlocked and rooted and installed a custom rom (droidKang) after 2 months.And i figuered out then that i was loosing a lot of features which google doesnt give in its software and which are indeed useful for a user.
[Nexus 5 General] Bubble-be:
Of course, why would I buy a Nexus again ?

Mine lasted about the drive home before I got into fastboot.
[Nexus 5 General] jyuuken:
pretty much this. all my nexus phones are rooted on day 1
[Nexus 5 General] jelle2503:
So if people are not rooted, they just watch advertisements all day long when on browser and youtube?

First thing I do when I have a new phone is adblock. I decide what is on my screen.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn Nexus 5 met Tapatalk 4
[Nexus 5 General] bblzd:
Browsers have extensions to block ads. Youtube let's you skip ads so no biggie.
[Nexus 5 General] Pain-N-Panic:
Unlocked, rooted and xposed framework is everything you could ever need with this phone! I won't be installing a custom rom any time soon.
[Nexus 5 General] Prezlamen:
stock

stock, unlocked, rooted, francos kernel, camera mod and flashed newest gpu drivers (i dont know what they do, but it sounds important) :)
[Nexus 5 General] 3DSammy:
I'm an "if it ain't broke you haven't tweaked it enough" kind of guy. So tomorrow after I get my phone and confirm the hardware works I'll have it unlocked, rooted and custom ROMed (OMNI variant).
[Nexus 5 General] md1008:
I always root my phones, stock kit kat is so nice no ROM. Just tweaked out with exposed and just waiting for miui to update to KitKat and will flash that
[Nexus 5 General] Sn0w0nS:
Nope, this is my first phone that i wont bother rooting or installing custom rom.
[Nexus 5 General] hotleadsingerguy:
Careful with the word "literally".

I'm not able to use my phone to access work email/contacts/calendar if it's rooted or unlocked. It's either keep this one unrooted or have to carry two phones (most-likely an iPhone 5, Galaxy S4, or BlackBerry).

I choose unrooted and only one phone.