Accessing Inaccessible files on Android - pls halp

[kingofsp]

I figured someone around here might be smart enough to help me with this.

Basically, I need to access a file in the cache of an Android app. Trouble is, I think that folder's permissions are set so that a regular old user like me cannot access it.

If I root the phone, I'm pretty sure I will lose everything in the cache...unless there is some way of preserving it that you might know of?

What do!?!?

 

[AdamC]

rooting your phone wont alter the phones contents, all you're doing is basically gaining root access to the phone

but anyway, clearing the cache whether it be intentional or not shouldn't cause any problems, clearing app data would as that's what stores settings etc. although depending on the app it may not even have any consequences if it uses your google login.

 

[kingofsp]

I assumed I had to use the bootloader (thereby wiping everything) to root the phone. I hadn't considered a way without doing that until your post. I found this (I don't have a Verizon phone but it sounds like it will work anyway), How to Root Verizon HTC One M8 without Unlocking Bootloader

Do you think restarting the phone will clear out any cache files?

 

[AdamC]

unlocking the bootloader wont wipe anything either, infact you can flash a new rom and keep things intact, although it's not recommended in general.

 

[kingofsp]

Finally got some super tech dudes on IRC to help me do it without wiping anything. Didn't know that was possible. Only took me like all day. lol. Thanks for your help