Related
Some months ago I rooted my Vibrant, and realized that was all I had done...rooted it. I had no idea where I was going after that point, so I unrooted and went about my day. I am taking a new approach, I would like some advice in rooting. Pros and cons (other than by rooting I have the chance of REALLY messing things up...i know that thanks.)
I would like to know what exactly rooting does for me, and if there are any articles anyone can point me to I would greatly appreciate the links.
ALSO I am dipping my toes into app development. the best way I could think to do so was with Google Labs App Inventor, but I think ive read that it limits you as far as developing and then sharing through the market, if someone could set me straight on that I would appreciate it, but this also goes in hand with rooting, I have read that alot of people who develop have rooted their phones.
I appreciate any help that you can give me.
Gore
Pro : Access to all the amazing ROMs this community has to offer.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
................................
Shortbus-Driver said:
................................
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, that was helpful...thanks. next?
First off if u didnt want to deal with something u could tinker with u could of gotten a iphone but u didnt? Androids are open source so u can tweak it the way u want it to be, leave it stock or u can add themes to ur stock froyo and make it look like u want it to. But if u want to go all the way and realy make the phone live up to its potential u can root it and do so many amazing things with it once its opened to the power of the Superuser. U can make ur phone run so much faster and once it runs that fast and smooth ull wonder how u lived with that dull slowness of ur phone before. And dont forget all the cool colors u can add to ur phone that dont come with just stock, ginger red theme, high voltage blue and so many more. And then theres the mods that u get with ur phone that the brilliant developers port from other phones. Theres just too many reasons to root and none not to. now u know...LOL
Let me count the ways...
You can install applications that need root:
* AdFree - block in-application ads
* Titanium Backup - backup/restore applications AND their data, and with the paid version you can also backup to your dropbox account
* Root Explorer: Lets you manage files that aren't in your user partition, including the files for the annoyingly loud T-Mobile jingle that plays on boot. Sometimes you do need to start up your phone discreetly, without letting everyone in a 50m radius know you're a T-Mobile customer.
You can also UNinstall applications that you don't need. Don't want T-Mobile TV cluttering your applications list? Gone. Don't want Slacker Radio? Byebye.
Also, you can flash ROMs (or just kernels) that are much faster than the stock, unoptimized Samsung one. There is a thing called the Voodoo lagfix that makes your storage access cached, so applications aren't held up by slow writes when they need fast reads. Some also come with kernels that support Voodoo Sound which makes the audio output sound much better by increasing the sampling rate on the DAC and tying the DAC to the clock to reduce jitter. Definitely a must whether you're an audiophile with $10k cans or just plugging the phone into a sound system.
Let's see, what else. With root, you can also add on wifi tethering without having to shell out more money to use T-mobile's version. You can also install Clockwork Recovery and use it to make a complete backup of your phone, so in case you break it and get another one, just root it, install clockwork recovery, and restore the image and you're back to your old configuration.
So yeah... hopefully at least some of this stuff interests you. If not... well, yeah there's really no point in rooting.
Root becuse your mom told you not to
Not to be rude but if you don't know why you should root then you shouldn't.
OP, if you want an answer to your question, read my Vibrant Guide (why root) and then the Noob root (detailed steps) guide if you need help doing it.
If you read anything on this forum...and still cant figure it out...then give up...you'll never understand
OP, rooting is for those who are not 100% satisfied with there phones. Samsung has given us an amazing device, but fell short in delivering in some areas. Rooting helps us add more functionality & personalization options. If you are happy with the phone and no issues using the way Samsung gave you the phone. Then I do not see a reason for you to root. But if you are like one of us, Then you need to get on the Root train and follow the wonderful guide maintained by "s15274n".
Statutory Warning: Rooting & flashing an android device is a serious addiction. Might lead to serious domestic and or job related issues.
Why shouldn't you?
Unless you want to become a flash junkie with an obsessive need to mod, update, enhance or customize; jonesin’ to flash something every few days, suffering from withdrawals if you ever have to ODIN back to stock due to error (has yet to happen to me, though), scrounging XDA daily for your next hit, do not concern yourself with something like AOSP. Simply turn away and do not look back.
rooting your hpone basically gives you Admin privalages.
You can install custom apps and ROMs with awesome features!
nomadrider123 said:
Not to be rude but if you don't know why you should root then you shouldn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not to be rude but if you didn't have anything helpful to say then why say anything at all?
Thanks to most!
I thanked those who gave me some helpful advice. I do appreciate the insight. I guess i'll give this another crack.
By the By, with the exception of the handful of mildly entertaining comments, if you didnt have anything helpful to say, why say it? No one should discourage anybody from trying anything. Weighing my pros and cons was just a way to decide if its something I really wanted to mess with again.
SO again, thanks to all who did help, and thanks was given
^ I can't vouch for everyone, but the one you quoted I am confident didn't mean it negatively. Way too hard to decipher words on the Internet.
If you want additional features, you should root. If you are content, do not.
gorealmighty said:
not to be rude but if you didn't have anything helpful to say then why say anything at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thing was, nomad had a point. If you genuinely don't know why you should root--and a Vibrant, of all phones--you probably shouldn't. You mention the con of messing up the phone in your original post, and if you don't know the advantages of applying custom ROMs and kernels to the Vibrant, there's a decent chance you may well brick the device.
The Vibrant is a great phone, but tends to be so only after it's rooted and customized. Without the rooting and customization, there are problems with lag, gps, battery life, and myriad other functions.
By rooting and customizing, you're essentially updating the software in various ways that will help ameliorate those issues. My Vibrant was unusable to the point that I upgraded to a Nexus S. However, with the Nexus S, I got comfortable with rooting, unlocking bootloaders, adb, and flashing ROMs and kernels. It became rather routine.
It became routine enough, in fact, that I ended up going back to my Vibrant, because I was comfortable enough to experiment and attempt to make it better than it had been.
But if you don't know that you have to root to correct the lag, say, you may well be better off getting a more midrange Android phone that's more feature than super. You don't want to bork anything, after all.
Just do yourself a favor--understand that rooting and customizing are individual things, and that the forum is great for technical help but less so when you want to know things like which ROM is "best"; there's no such thing. If you root, play with the device, and play with the different ROMs. Give yourself a week where every day you use a different one so you can get a feel for which one's your favorite.
willentrekin said:
Thing was, nomad had a point. If you genuinely don't know why you should root--and a Vibrant, of all phones--you probably shouldn't. You mention the con of messing up the phone in your original post, and if you don't know the advantages of applying custom ROMs and kernels to the Vibrant, there's a decent chance you may well brick the device.
The Vibrant is a great phone, but tends to be so only after it's rooted and customized. Without the rooting and customization, there are problems with lag, gps, battery life, and myriad other functions.
By rooting and customizing, you're essentially updating the software in various ways that will help ameliorate those issues. My Vibrant was unusable to the point that I upgraded to a Nexus S. However, with the Nexus S, I got comfortable with rooting, unlocking bootloaders, adb, and flashing ROMs and kernels. It became rather routine.
It became routine enough, in fact, that I ended up going back to my Vibrant, because I was comfortable enough to experiment and attempt to make it better than it had been.
But if you don't know that you have to root to correct the lag, say, you may well be better off getting a more midrange Android phone that's more feature than super. You don't want to bork anything, after all.
Just do yourself a favor--understand that rooting and customizing are individual things, and that the forum is great for technical help but less so when you want to know things like which ROM is "best"; there's no such thing. If you root, play with the device, and play with the different ROMs. Give yourself a week where every day you use a different one so you can get a feel for which one's your favorite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
with the initial quote in mind, I understand. But thank you just the same because this is in fact the kind of feedback I was looking for. DID get my phone rooted btw, now im just fighting with rom manager. I'm on my way though
gorealmighty said:
with the initial quote in mind, I understand. But thank you just the same because this is in fact the kind of feedback I was looking for. DID get my phone rooted btw, now im just fighting with rom manager. I'm on my way though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well good luck with it. It's a totally fun, very empowering process. And XDA is the Android equivalent of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; the users here are so knowledgeable and helpful, there's no reason to panic, ever. Pretty much everything you do to your phone will be mostly harmless.
ok, i have a question, should i root my lg thirve (lg optimus one) just because i want to go from stock froyo to gingerbread made by cyanogen-mod.
thats all i would want, because my phone is not getting the update, and to get gingerbread i would need to root.
so should i do this, what are the dangers of it, i mean will my phone be vulnerable to dangerous things, will it break or mess up in any way?
No dangers, really. But yes, root. If you are interested in overclocking, tweaking, and installing any app that requires root (just search "root" on market and see what goodies come up), you should root, no questions asked. I highly recommend CyanogenMod as there are so many additional and useful features and it is pre-rooted (obviously). If you don't like modding or experimenting, then stick to the stock ROM.
I gotta be honest with you, when I first landed on the Android world I made myself that very same questions over and over again, until one day I said "what the heck!" and done it.
To be truth, isn't that big of a deal, rotting isn't difficult and isn't bad, you just gotta be carefully about what you do because you'r having access to the System folder, so you can really harm your phone, but if you don't mess up with it, you have nothing to worry about.
Some apps need root access because they use the system folder to make changes, so don't simply install any app that request you so, just those that are known and that you need.
So, in conclusion, Root your device, just don't go on the system folder and make changes if you have no idea what you'r doing.
Root is good and healthy to your phone. It gives you more freedom on using your phone. Really, it lets you do a lot more things that you can't do it on an unrooted stock ROM.
Most of us did that before, and it wont harm you phone's health provided that you don't root/unroot too many times in a week (it is similar to what my parents told me when I am still young and innocent)
Rooting process in most cases wont brick your phone unless you are trying to flash a rooted ROM without knowing it.
But anyway, if you want to try something new, you need to take the risk. And don't blame on others when you bricked your own phone. Maybe you can search on youtube videos or websites for those step by step rooting guides for your phone.
feenius danger
Yes.. root its worth it.. Speeds up your device by removing unnecessary crap, can customize the look much more, rather easy to do.. Just follow a guide on here and good luck .
YES!!!!!!!
rooting you phone adds infinitely more possibilities, and makes your phone a lot faster
also, cyanogen-mod is an amazing ROM,
go ahead, give it a try,
JUST REMEMBER BACK UP EVERYTHING BEFORE FLASHING CYANOGEN-MOD
good luck
dosage1 said:
Yes.. root its worth it.. Speeds up your device by removing unnecessary crap, can customize the look much more, rather easy to do.. Just follow a guide on here and good luck .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's right, there a quite a few (a ton!) sites describing the benefits of it:
http://www.androidcentral.com/root
http://www.appsgeyser.com/blog/2012/03/20/should-i-root-my-android-phone/
http://www.androidpit.com/en/android/forum/thread/403299/So-what-exactly-is-rooting-and-is-it-for-me
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/top-10-reasons-to-root-your-android-phone-2/
The only thing I recommend is that you know what you're doing. If thats not the status: In the forums are a lot of posts
Definitely go for it.
The optimus one especially benefits from rooting/applying a new, better rom.
Don't root and unroot your phone too many times.Thats the caution,otherwise as said it gives you more control over your hardware than unrooted phone.
Sent from my LG-P350 using XDA
Gaining full control of your device is a big advantage. In addition to this some really useful apps just run with root.
ricky1001 said:
Don't root and unroot your phone too many times.Thats the caution,otherwise as said it gives you more control over your hardware than unrooted phone.
Sent from my LG-P350 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, if that were true, ROM developers would have long given up and we wouldn't have any of the awesome ROMs floating around out there today. There's absolutely nothing wrong with rooting and unrooting repeatedly, as long you follow the correct procedure every time. Although why anyone would do that stumps me. Either you like your phone rooted, or not.
@singular9:
First off, "upgrade" is a very subjective term. Are you certain the ROM you're looking at will give you significant advantages over the one your phone's running now? While I don't doubt that the people behind the CM ROM for your phone are doing some brilliant work, always assume that something may go wrong. (Unlike Apple, other phone manufacturers source their hardware from all sorts of different places. Two phones, same model may have differently branded components.) If something DOES go wrong, are you prepared to undergo the arduous process that unbricking a phone will involve?
I'd say root your phone if - and ONLY IF:
1. You're a careful person who will read instructions and follow them to the letter, in the order they were set;
2. You're prepared to read up on what "root" is, what the terms used are, and accept that your "upgrade" may not quite offer you the benefits you were looking for (whatever they are, as you didn't specify)
If you're okay with the above, then yeah, I guess I'd say go ahead. My phone's rooted - I love it, and loved every step of the journey I took to root it.
terradune said:
Actually, if that were true, ROM developers would have long given up and we wouldn't have any of the awesome ROMs floating around out there today. There's absolutely nothing wrong with rooting and unrooting repeatedly, as long you follow the correct procedure every time. Although why anyone would do that stumps me. Either you like your phone rooted, or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha, it is a joke dude, don't take it seriously. I don't see any reason for unrooting android unless you are preparing to send the phone back for warranty or get it repaired by its manufacturer and tell them : "ohh, I dunno what happened, it just stop working by it self this morning".
Cheers!
Root is the better way to take totally control of your phone !
Absolutely yes!
Yes U should, but read each instructions carefully before u root ur device.
.
Thread moved to Q&A due to it being a question. Would advise you to read forum rules and post in correct section.
Failure to comply with forum rules will result in an infraction and/or ban depending on severity of rule break.
I unlocked the bootloader from Sony. How can I root it?
stephenyu said:
I unlocked the bootloader from Sony. How can I root it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to flash a custom kernel.
Thankfully, DooMLoRD is awesome and supportive.
Ricky D said:
You need to flash a custom kernel.
Thankfully, DooMLoRD is awesome and supportive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THanks
I flashed it. The tablet cannot power on
stephenyu said:
I flashed it. The tablet cannot power on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone tell me why I am not surprised at all... :/
To be a bit more constructive: It's a real common problem - "root experts" usually use a kind of secret language when talking about root issues and how-to instructions.
A novice doesn't have much of a chance understanding the tech talk emerging, is quite prone to brick his device; see above.
That's why root commonly remains a secret of the experts, does not become a wide-spread everyday method.
And that's a bad thing ! - Why ?
- If more "plain normal" users were able to root their devices the easy way, more "plain normal" users would actually do.
- If more users root their devices, there would be some more positive pressure on manufacturers about helping with these things.
- If more users can root their devices, more users are willing to donate some money to developers.
- More root users build a stronger community, preventing manufacturers like Samsung trying to prohibit rooting at all costs.
Of course I know the disadvantage: Google wouldn't like that too much because more users would be able to block advertizing and forced Google services and bloatware, would be able to avoid idiotic things like that infamous SD write prohibition introduced with Android 4.4.
So Google might try to fight rooting even more.
Understood.
But Google would realize there's a growing need in the community. And if needs of a broad mass of users won't get satisfied, Google would lose a great deal of customers in the long run.
If we remain a tiny group of root supporters, we'll get ignored more and more. And one day, the chances to root will be gone forever: Because the broad community just doesn't do rooting - and manufacturers won't give a sh... on the ever-shrinking group of root lovers.
So a sound balance might do the trick: Slowly introduce the "secrets" of rooting to the community, in a simple way everybody's able to cope with, slowly create a steadily growing community of people which can make themselves heard.
No more "secret language", no more incomprehensible abbreviations - just plain normal step-by-step instructions so just everybody will be able to root. If he wants to.
This wouldn't start an avalanche of users turning their faces to rooting their devices, but could help building up a larger community Google and other manufacturers just cannot afford to ignore.
If rooting stays a secret method for just a fistful of enlighted adepts (and a far larger mass of users just pretending to know what it's all about), manufacturers are going to lock up their devices more and more.
Just think about Samsung; Knox, Region lock, eFuse...
Things will get very, very bad over time.
Just think about it.
Chefproll said:
Someone tell me why I am not surprised at all... :/
To be a bit more constructive: It's a real common problem - "root experts" usually use a kind of secret language when talking about root issues and how-to instructions.
A novice doesn't have much of a chance understanding the tech talk emerging, is quite prone to brick his device; see above.
That's why root commonly remains a secret of the experts, does not become a wide-spread everyday method.
And that's a bad thing ! - Why ?
- If more "plain normal" users were able to root their devices the easy way, more "plain normal" users would actually do.
- If more users root their devices, there would be some more positive pressure on manufacturers about helping with these things.
- If more users can root their devices, more users are willing to donate some money to developers.
- More root users build a stronger community, preventing manufacturers like Samsung trying to prohibit rooting at all costs.
Of course I know the disadvantage: Google wouldn't like that too much because more users would be able to block advertizing and forced Google services and bloatware, would be able to avoid idiotic things like that infamous SD write prohibition introduced with Android 4.4.
So Google might try to fight rooting even more.
Understood.
But Google would realize there's a growing need in the community. And if needs of a broad mass of users won't get satisfied, Google would lose a great deal of customers in the long run.
If we remain a tiny group of root supporters, we'll get ignored more and more. And one day, the chances to root will be gone forever: Because the broad community just doesn't do rooting - and manufacturers won't give a sh... on the ever-shrinking group of root lovers.
So a sound balance might do the trick: Slowly introduce the "secrets" of rooting to the community, in a simple way everybody's able to cope with, slowly create a steadily growing community of people which can make themselves heard.
No more "secret language", no more incomprehensible abbreviations - just plain normal step-by-step instructions so just everybody will be able to root. If he wants to.
This wouldn't start an avalanche of users turning their faces to rooting their devices, but could help building up a larger community Google and other manufacturers just cannot afford to ignore.
If rooting stays a secret method for just a fistful of enlighted adepts (and a far larger mass of users just pretending to know what it's all about), manufacturers are going to lock up their devices more and more.
Just think about Samsung; Knox, Region lock, eFuse...
Things will get very, very bad over time.
Just think about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you misunderstand the situation a little. Google does encourage rooting within the developer community, it is how they ensure a good app developer base. They've made the android SDK easier and more accessible than ever in recent years to support that, not to mention the introduction of Nexus devices was with the sole intention of offering developers a base 'common' software and hardware on which to develop.
There is no secret language, only a vocabulary specific to these processes. Imagine approaching Windows with a absolutlely no idea what it is, how it works in the background and no developer experience. It'd be easy to confuse the registry with a secret book of coded language, approaching android with no android development experience is exactly the same. Windows don't make it easy for the 'common person' to understand because these things are open to tampering and security flaws.
The same goes for android, rooting and unlocking the bootloader. If you're not careful you can get stung (I've 'broke' my Windows system many times by simple stupid things), but if you read up and take some time to understand there is no secret to it.
Er...
First: The rooting of the Z2 tablet is not complicated. It consists of just flashing SuperSU via CWM. Very easy.
A bit more complicated (but not really) is getting CWM on the tablet.
The most complicated part is the unlocking of the bootloader. And this is a Sony thing.
So to say "rooting is complicated" is in fact wrong.
Second: Rooting a device is something that brings certain problems and security dangers. A rooted device must be handled with a certain care and awareness. So it's absolutely ok that only people who are willing to invest a certain amount of brain power and time are able to root.
No one wants more noobs who flood forums with complaints why their rooted phones don't work anymore ore were hacked!
Ricky and Hasenbein: You got me a bit wrong... (But if I write late at night, it might be easy getting me wrong. )
You both know how rooting is done, I know. Unrooted Android devices are just like cars you're not allowed to open the hood or even the trunk; short: unbearable.
I am a former software developer, and a professional technical writer and perception psychologist - maybe this helps you a bit understanding my points of view.
First: I really don't like calling novices "noobs". The term "noob" has a negative connotation, it's a typical four-letter-word, a cuss word. Thus "newbies" are quite reluctant asking for vital information - just because they don't want to be called a noob. So they don't ask - and then brick their devices. Just see this thread as a real-world example.
We all were "noobs" at the beginning.
But we read and read, spent lots of hours with the topic, we tried and failed and sweared till we finally succeeded. Or not.
So we walked quite some miles. Because we had sufficient time and commitment for doing so. And because we already had a bunch of experience with other devices up our sleeves. So we're part of a quite small group of people having the needed background knowledge.
Others don't.
Shouldn't we help them a bit ? If we do, more users could enjoy the benefits of a rooted device - without having to ask "noobish" questions or bricking their devices, forcing them to ask more "noobish" questions - and shining a bad light on rooting: "Rooting is dangerous".
No, it is not. If people exactly know what they have to do, and what to avoid.
So why don't we tell them ? - Using a language everybody can understand.
Result: More root users = less "noobish" questions = less bricked devices = less fear of rooting.
And: More root users = more money donations for developers = more incentives for developers = more and better root applications, faster development.
It's simple.
Ok, we took the long way, we had to gather information without any greater help, we put much effort into this. It's just natural we expect others doing the same: We had to work for it, so they should work for it, too. A plain normal human attitude.
But a bit selfish, don't you agree ?
Some months ago, I bought a Nexus 7 2013, needed a quick way of rooting the device because I left for a longer Asia vacation right the next day, filled with blogging activities. So I really needed a fast solution. I found a kind of all-in-one package, a "Nexus root toolkit" (or similar), don't remember who did it.
Perfect one ! A kind of menu with buttons to click: "Click here for checking device communication", "Click here for installing missing drivers", "Click here for unlocking the bootloader", "Click here to root", "Click here to unroot", "Click here for locking the bootloader again", "Click here if your device does not respond/boot anymore", "Click here to restore factory state".
Step by step, every step explained, every step to be done by just clicking a button. A package for "noobs". And for people needing a fast solution.
And working perfectly: Just everybody would be able to root his device, "noob" or expert.
THIS is the way it should be, a sound way for improving device usage for many, many users. And for showing manufacturers: "Hey, we're no minority anymore, so stop trying to lock us out if you want to sell in the future !" I just think of Samsung; with an ugly feeling in my guts. They're getting worse than Apple. BECAUSE root is just done by a minority they can easily choose to ignore. And it will be getting worse.
Take Sony as an example: Sure they support rooting the Z2 a bit, but they don't support unlocking the Z2's bootloader without losing DRM keys and X-Reality. A BIG turnoff. I just don't want to lose X-Reality because it's one of the very, very few video enhancements which really work.
But if more users were interested in rooting, Sony would be urged to provide a better solution. Not necessary at present: No greater demand - no greater effort.
Because rooting is still too complicated for the masses.
So: Shouldn't we try making all that things a bit more simple ? Like I saw with the "Nexus root toolkit" or whatever it was called ?
If we help others, we help ourselves at the same time: Mutual beneficial.
If we don't, we'll lose more and more of the ancient Android freedom because manufacturers will ignore our needs more and more.
That's why I wish to suggest trying to find some easier ways.
What I could do: I am a writer; I could provide simple explanations and instructions, I could also translate English documents into German.
What about you ?
Chefproll said:
Because rooting is still too complicated for the masses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I repeat: Rooting is nothing that should be "for the masses".
Rooting should remain something for really interested users who really spend time with understanding, maintaining and modifying their devices because only such people can cope to the necessary extent with the special requirements of a rooted device.
In this respect the politics of the manufacturers (enable a root possibility, but make it quite diffcult) is exactly right.
hasenbein1966 said:
I repeat: Rooting is nothing that should be "for the masses".
Rooting should remain something for really interested users who really spend time with understanding, maintaining and modifying their devices because only such people can cope to the necessary extent with the special requirements of a rooted device.
In this respect the politics of the manufacturers (enable a root possibility, but make it quite diffcult) is exactly right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a couple of decades ago, computers were "something for really interested users who really spend time with understanding, maintaining and modifying their devices".
How does it look like today ? I'd been one of the pioneers of that times; you read about me in the news, maybe even saw the (horrible) movie.
But we shared our findings instead of hiding them deep in our bag of secrets, labelled "for experts only".
Rooting is a GOOD thing. So why don't make it easier and safer for everybody ?
Since I asked a lot of question on this forum I would like to share the answers with everybody and maybe help them.
NOTE: Please don't post any replys as I want to keep the post clean and room for updates, send me a PM if you have and idea or any fails that I made in this post, if this post helped you don't post hit just the thanks button. Cheers.
Current list of questions with answers(will be updated):
Why would I want to root my phone?
Is rooting worth the trouble?
Is rooting illegal?
Will I have any customer support?
Is it dangerous?
Isn't rooting a complex and difficult process?
Will I still receive operating system updates from my carrier?
Application updates?
What if I want to un-root my phone?
Do I run the risk of bricking my phone?
Could my phone overheat and explode?
Why would I want to root my phone?
Everything in a Linux system is a file, or is treated as a file. Since Android runs on top of Linux, it acts the same way. Most of the files you will need to access or change are available to you without having elevated permissions. "Most" being the key term here. When you want to do things that affect or change the core software of your device -- like updating the version of Android on your phone, or adding a nice piece of software from another device -- you'll have to do it as root. Dream and Magic users have been running Eclair on their phones for a good while now, and it’s because they have rooted their device. Rooting also gives you access to some handy software that you couldn’t use otherwise. Things like a complete system backup or ad blocking software require you to root your device. Don’t root your phone just for the sake of rooting your phone, but if you come across something you feel you could use or would like to have, then consider it. You'll find that the open source community is usually pretty helpful and encouraging new people to do new things is common. And when you get to the point where you can lend a hand to the new folks, pay it forward.
Is rooting worth the trouble?
The answer is a resounding yes. The phone is faster than it has ever been, the battery lasts longer, and have all kinds of new features, including free wireless tethering and notification-bar widgets. Rooting your phone is generally a fairly quick process, though the complexity depends on your specific situation. Once you're rooted your handset, you can begin installing apps (many directly from Android Market) that will take advantage of your handset's new capabilities. Installing custom ROMs (replacement operating systems) built by hackers is a longer, more involved process , and generally involves your wiping all the data from your phone, but even that is worthwhile.
Is rooting illegal?
Nope. You bought the phone, it's your equipment, you own it, and you can do what you want with it. No one is going to come and get you, and your service provider will not cancel your contract. In fact, the U.S. federal government recognized the legality of rooting a phone in July 2010.
What you will do, however, is void the warranty on your device. If you don't want to live without a warranty, rooting isn't for you. Personally, I finally decided to take the plunge when I realized that the potential benefits outweighed the potential consequences. My phone was becoming slow and buggy, with lots of force-closes, and I was just about eligible for an upgrade anyway.
Will I have any customer support?
Rooting can be daunting because there is no toll-free number you can call for help, and no governing body to which you can turn for definitive answers. But the collective process of rooting phones and creating custom ROMs has engendered cool and supportive communities. The user-generated forums out there contain a staggering amount of information; the CyanogenMod forum has offered answers to almost all of my questions, as has the XDA Developers forum, but you can find many more. No matter your question, the forums most likely already have threads that can answer it. If you really can't find anything, you can always start a new thread to ask your question. If you think you've really mucked things up and you need immediate help, many IRC chat channels specialize in support for rooters. (Download an IRC client on your computer and head to irc.freenode.net, where the channels #android and #android-root are particularly helpful.)
Is it dangerous?
It can be, It might, and Yes. By not allowing access to the superuser account, the manufacturer and your carrier have basically protected you from doing things that change the system and make it unusable. All it takes is one wrong keystroke to turn your shiny new Android phone into a plastic and metal brick with no connection. Most times this is recoverable, but not always. You have to decide how capable you feel you are, and how well written the instructions you’ve found seem to be. Nobody will blame you if you decide against the risk, especially your cell carrier. All major carriers and manufacturers plainly state that altering or using unapproved software voids your warranty, and rooting falls into that category. While that seems a bit harsh, they need to be able to support the products they sell. For that to happen, they need to know exactly what’s running and what it’s doing.
Apps that run as root need a little further consideration. You need to have a level of trust in the person who wrote the app first and foremost. Does the developer have other software available? Do the user comments (for Market apps) have anything that raises a red flag? Do the requested permissions seem a little odd? These are all questions you need to think about before you allow something to run as root. For a further level of security, think about installing an application that warns you anytime something tries to run as root. SuperUser Whitelist is a great little app that does exactly that. If you decide to go on and root, ask users with the same device as you for a link to a version of SuperUser Whitelist that works with your firmware. Once installed, anytime something wants to run as root, the app intercepts and asks if you would like to allow it. You’re given the choice to accept, decline, or grant the app in question full privileges each time it runs.
One last thing to touch on here. Many custom ROMs include some sort of SSH server. This can be a wonderful tool, or it can get you in hot water. This is what caused the whole “Rick-Roll” episode with the latest iPhone jailbreak. The server sits and waits for an outside connection, and if that connection provides the right password full control of the device is turned over. In the case of the iPhone, users never bothered to change the default SSH password for root. A clever (or devious) group of users simply scanned for servers listening on the correct port, then attempted to sign in as root with the default password. Lesson learned, but this is easy to prevent. Ask other users of the ROM or firmware you’re thinking of flashing if there is a server listening, and if so how to disable it or change the default password.
Isn't rooting a complex and difficult process?
Yes and no. It really depends on what model of phone you have. On many phones (such as the Nexus One, Motorola Defy, or EVO 4G) the process is incredibly easy: You can download an app such as Simple Root, Universal 1-Click, or Z4root that will safely root your phone with a single click. Those apps are no longer available from the Android Market, but you can find them online with a simple search and install them onto an SD Card.
It is important to note that different approaches will work for different phones. For example, Z4root will work on many Android phones, but it won't work on most HTC models. Some rooting apps will work on an early build of Android 2.2 (Froyo), but will not work on later builds (though more and more apps are being released for that now). Rooting is phone/OS specific, so make sure to check that the root tool you're considering is compatible with your phone. For other models, rooting may take much more work. You might be required to connect the phone to your computer and enter some lines of code in a terminal utility.
Fortunately, more and more root apps do not require you to hook up your computer and get in that deep. Do some research as to what is required for your setup, read some step-by-step guides, and be honest with yourself about how comfortable you would be trying to follow the directions. If it feels like you'd be in over your head, it's probably best to avoid rooting.
Note that generally rooting is even tougher to do if you use a Mac, as most of the software for doing this sort of thing is written for Windows or Linux.
Will I still receive operating system updates from my carrier?
Maybe. More than likely if you’ve just rooted your phone so you could have access to the full file system and haven’t drastically changed things, the phone will still pass your carrier's checks and upgrade. If you’ve delved deeper and really customized your device, count on not being able to upgrade. Carrier updates were designed to work with the original software, so they need to be sure that’s what the phone is running. Again, this is for your own good. T-Mobile or Verizon can’t offer technical support for things they haven’t trained their technicians on, and if you flash a carrier approved update over custom software it’s probably not going to work.
The good news is that failing the checks the carrier does during an update won’t cause any damage to your phone. The update will just quit and you’ll be back where you started. Then you can decide if you would like to un-root and upgrade or take another path. The worst case scenario is that the phone passes the carriers checks, updates, and then things get broken. That’s pretty unlikely, but possible. If that would happen, you won’t be alone. Everyone in your situation will scramble to their favorite Android user forum and hopefully a work around can be found.
Note - a carrier update may also break the ability to root the device and a new method will need to be found. Any discussion of upgrading and root needs this mentioned as well. Most folks who root and decide to install a custom ROM wait for the ROM developer to provide an update that includes any bug fixes or new capabilities of the carrier update.
Application updates?
Yes. While it’s not being used, the program that allows permissions to be upgraded just sits and does nothing. Normal applications won’t even be aware it’s there, and applications that use it expect it to be there. Application updates, whether they are from the Market or other third parties will still install as normal.
What if I want to un-root my phone?
It depends on the model of your phone. Some are ridiculously easy to revert, some not so much. This is the most important question you can ask before you dive in and root your phone. Usually the website you found the method to root your phone will also have a discussion about un-rooting and going back to stock firmware. Take the time to find and read this information so you’re aware of just how difficult it’s going to be to go back. Pay close attention and create backups when recommended while you’re rooting your phone, as these may be needed to go back. I’ve not heard of any device that can’t be restored to factory firmware provided the original was backed up properly as recommended during the rooting process. The most important thing to always remember is to ask for help. If you do find yourself stuck without a backup or a working phone and need to roll back, ask for advice. Our forums are full of fine folks from all walks of life, and the majority are more than happy to help. There’s a good chance you’re not the first person in that situation and a solution has already been worked up!
Do I run the risk of bricking my phone?
This is one of the Internet's favorite bogeymen. "Bricking" is the idea that if you try to tinker with root access, you'll mess something up so it becomes completely unusable, and you'll essentially turn your phone into a paperweight. While that's certainly not outside the realm of possibility, the good news is that Android phones are generally very hard to brick. Yes, even the Droid X, which was purported to be the "unrootable" phone, has been safely rooted for quite some time (Z4root reportedly works with the Droid X).
If you do get caught in a boot loop, you may have to connect your phone to your computer and rewrite some code, but if you are patient and willing to do some more reading, you will almost always be able to find a way to at least restore your phone to its original state (read more on where that help comes from in the next section).
A common mistake that actually will lead to a bricked phone is running out of battery power in the middle of trying to install a custom ROM. The operating system only half installs, and that really is tough to fix. So always make sure that your battery is full before you install a new OS or ROM.
Also, just because a phone is rootable does not mean you can install any custom ROM you want. Differerent ROMs will work for different phones. Even the extremely popular CyanogenMod works for many phones, but certainly not all, so do plenty of research to make sure your phone is supported before trying to install a custom ROM.
Could my phone overheat and explode?
One of the major incentives to root your phone is the ability to overclock your processor to gain more speed (or underclock it to extend battery life). My phone has gotten considerably faster because of overclocking. When you overclock your processor, though, it will get hotter. If you try to push your phone too far and you don't set any fail-safes (a maximum allowable temperature in the overclocking utility), then you could burn out your processor. However, it is very easy to set safety thresholds to ensure that you don't do that.
SetCPU, the most popular app for overclocking or underclocking, allows you to set up various profiles.
Reading the rooting forums will give you plenty of advice on how far you can push your specific device and maintain stability. It pays to do some experimentation: Different phones behave differently, even if they're the same model.
Sources: androidcentral.com, pcworld.com
Useful threads:
[TUTORIAL] Unlocking, rooting, custom roms installing, going back to stock
[INDEX] HTC Desire X (protou) - Everything Desire X is here!
Reserved.
Hi, does anyone have a list of safe to remove bloatware for the Galaxy Mega (SPH-L600)? Thanks.
Do you know what's the meaning of bloatware in the first place? Then, you sir just answered your own question.
cglegion said:
Do you know what's the meaning of bloatware in the first place? Then, you sir just answered your own question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're having a bad day, don't take it out on me. Post something useful next time. I'm looking to clear as much sprint/samsung apps as I can & trying to find a safe remove list.
No, I didn't have a bad day but I was trying to be honest. You see, you asked a list of safe to remove bloatware in Samsung phone, to tell you the truth the TouchWiz itself is a bloatware and that vary for different people. For me even the stock browser is a bloatware, why would you remove any bloatware at the first place. Do you mean you prefer to use a stock Google app instead such as Notes over S-Note or Chrome over stock browser. Running a pure Android is your best bet to describe a bloatware-free ROM/firmware. Now, why would you take it our on me instead? You wish to remove bloatware but don't have the slightess idea what system apps are bloating your phone then you sir better don't do any god-damn modifications on your phone. Have a nice day!
Knowledge
I'd like to learn how to do goddamn phone modification. I own this device with great potential that, if I'm correct, has been choked off by the service providers etc. for their financial benefit. That's bull.... At the risk of getting an intellectual ass kicking for ignorance, what is a good method for learning about these subjects, what resources are available for study. Please share your wisdom. I'm sure I'm mistaken but it seems your superior knowledge over another gave you the right to be a ****, a **** void of useful information. If the questions are beneath you and waste your time ignore them. I'm wanting to gain knowledge, ignorance, contrary to the "is bliss" school of thought, sucks.
Actually what I was aiming for was to remove as many apps as possible without bricking/softbricking the phone thereby meeting the following goals.
1. Get it as close to barebones as possible. Only needing the "must have" apps that let it function.
2. I really only use this phone for reading pdf's, 3-4 games and watching some youtube help videos while I play, for when I get stuck with a part and to use this phone as a camera.
3. Getting rid of a good portion of over 300 apps that are currently on the phone. Sorry if you may not get it or understand it but it's kindof an OCD thing, if I don't need it at all, it needs to go!
4. I don't have a service plan nor do I want one on this phone, I have another phone for that.
Rob, two wrongs don't make a right. He can post & thinks what he wants. If you don't like what he has to post, don't cuss him out, add him to your ignore list or take it to PM's. I've already tried the cyanogen 12.1 rom from http://www.ionmm.com/ but it has a bit too much battery drain atm and makes my battery heat up way too much, leaving it on and idle sitting on the home screen with a stock install and no other apps installed on it.