Droid X: Useful Root Applications.
Our last article discussed the process of rooting the Droid X via z4root. While rooting itself doesn't add any features or functionality, there's plenty of applications that can make use of the elevated privileges that it provides. For example, you can access the entire file system, make modifications to kernel settings, control the built-in firewall, change the CPU frequency, etc. Most of these are apps that I currently use and can be installed directly from the market. And here, in no particular order, are the apps.
- DroidWall - Android Firewall: DroidWall allows you to make use of the built-in IPTables firewall. You can pick and choose which applications are able to talk to the Internet via 3G and/or wireless. Have a pesky bird-like application that likes to plaster ads wherever you click? No problem. You can keep it from calling home to grab the ads. DroidWall allows for both white- and black-listing of what's allowed out.
- Titanium Backup: Titanium backup works great with a few caveats. It'll allow you to back up both applications and systems settings, e.g. SMS messages, call log, ringtone settings, etc. You can quickly restore the phone if you have to wipe your ROM. Overall it works great. However, I've found Titanium Backup to be problematic if you're moving between ROMs: settings from one often cause another to break. YMMV.
- MyBackup Root: This is a solid alternative to Titanium Backup. It doesn't seem to be as low-level but gets the job done. It'll handle applications, SMS messages, call history, etc. I've been using this lately since I move between ROMs a bit too often.
- Root Uninstaller: Pretty straight-forward. This app will let you uninstall anything from the system, including the bloatware that Motorola likes to include. Useful for cleaning up a ROM.
- Root Explorer: Great file-system browser for Android. You can do just about anything with it. Functions such as zipping, unzipping, text editing, thumbnails, etc work right from the app.
- Droid X Recovery Bootstrap: This is a must-have if you've rooted your phone. Not only can it be used to flash custom ROMs, but it allows you to create complete system images of your Droid X for backups. This allows you to restore your system to the exact state of the backup without have to reinstall apps and configure settings. I use this whenever I flash a new ROM in case anything goes wrong. Well worth the small price.
That's it for now. Be sure to leave any apps you think should be included in the comments section.
Droid X: Restoring and Rooting the Stock ROM.
I'll keep this short: if you're rooting your Droid X, changing ROMs, removing stock applications, etc, then there's a good chance you're eventually going to brick your phone. Having your phone "bricked" usually results in the Motorola logo being displayed indefinitely and or looping with the animated Droid X boot logo. A lot of users will then take it in for service, get it re-flashed, and get a lecture on potentially voiding your warranty by hacking the phone. However, there's tools available that allow you flash the phone back to the pristine state you first received it in.
This guide is designed for the 2.3.32 release of the Motorola firmware, aka the SBF. As such, you will also need to ensure that your bootloader is at 30.03 or higher. Instructions for upgrading both the firmware and bootloader can be found below.