Rooting an android phone?

[chuck_roxas45]

I have heard this mentioned and I'm curious about it. Is it hard to do and what are the pros and cons? Thanks.

[einstein2001]

Wiki article.

As the newer phones and tablets come out with more and more features rooting becomes less necessary. For instance when I first rooted my Android it was so I could use a wifi teather app that was restricted by the default software. Most newer phones will have this feature standard. Probably the best reason to root your phone right now would be to remove carrier bloatware, use a different launcher, or flash the latest and greatest version of android or custom ROM. A ROM is a custom image of the android software that can be flashed to your phone. The only caveat would be when flashing custom ROMs there is a slight trade-off between stability vs. bleeding edge software. So if you really like to tinker with your phone, theme everything, and demand the latest bleeding edge software then my all means root it.
The rooting process varies depending on your phone. Some are much easier to root than others. What do you have? If you want to look into it further you can search for a rooting thread for your specific device on XDAdevelopers or Rootzwiki forums.
I was actually really into this stuff until I got the :spyder: bite a few months ago. I haven't messed with my phone since. :D

[phillipsted]

Chuck - a lot of the recent tools have made the process almost fool-proof. But one word of advice - read the documentation all the way through... twice, before starting your rooting process. It is very easy to inadvertently "brick" your phone rendering it permanently useless. Just my $0.02.

Oh, and rooting phones sometimes interferes with the carriers' ability to provide updates OTA (over the air).

TedP

[d.2.the.p]

The process can be more or less involved depending on the model of your phone. And what Ted says is totally true. You'll more than likely lose the ability to receive updates directly from your carrier. However, they can usually be downloaded from their website and installed manually. The bricking part is what you have to worry about. But, depending on your phone, there are plenty of tools out there to pull your device back from the dead. I will say, though, getting into this can be a huge time sink. Here's your absolute BEST place for resource material: http://www.xda-developers.com/. If you decide to root your phone and flash custom roms, kernels, tweaks, etc., READ READ READ about it first.

[chuck_roxas45]

Thanks guys, I did a google search on how to root my specific phone and it's actually not hard(even for an IT illiterate like me). The biggest "con" is probably the risk of bricking the phone. I guess it will have to stay as it is right now. Thanks again.

[enduraguy]

This is more for tech geeks who can't wait for the next update to bring a feature and bug free to their device. I've done it myself and its more hassle than its worth.

[mrphotoman]

i rooted my galaxy note and my galaxy s3 and had no issues,super simple.

[Gunslinger]

Is rooting the same as Jailbreaking?

[phillipsted]

Is rooting the same as Jailbreaking?

Same concept, but you don't earn "the wrath of Steve" in the process.

TedP

[thog94]

Chuck, take a look here if you haven't already http://forums.androidcentral.com/ It's another great source that I frequently use.

[chuck_roxas45]

Chuck, take a look here if you haven't already http://forums.androidcentral.com/ It's another great source that I frequently use.

Thanks!

[Bloke]

I couldn't root a phone! :o

[anagarika]

Edit: Chuck, I didn't realize it was an old thread.
Send me email if you're curious about what I said.

[Donut]

Usually rooting is a way to update your Android OS once your manufacturer decides to stop updating it.

Maybe it doesn't have to be rooted, but you have to "modify" your device by installing a program that can modify some things.