First off I hope I don't ruffle any feathers by asking questions that may have been answered already. It's simply easier and a lot less time consuming for me to just ask what I want to know directly rather than pour over pages and pages of info.
Now that it's been over a year, and my warranty having lapsed of natural causes and without incident, I find myself ready to revisit the world of rooting, guilt free (no more warranty to void!). I've read a lot about it already but it seems the more I read the more questions have, so I'm going to try to ask as many of them as I can here, and hopefully get the last bits I need to finally dive in.
For a bit of background: My 3vo is release-day original. I haven't taken any updates , other than PRLs which were apparently pushed and installed automatically. I have the original release day software version (I still enjoy a SILENT camera!) and hboot (1.39?). I haven't even updated any of the apps (and Google maps quit working!).
Questions:
Does rooting simply unlock/grant superuser permission on the phone's existing software somehow? Or does it replace the existing software with an exact but unlocked replica? What exactly changes on the phone to give it root? (and I mean exactly. I understand the concept fully.)
If I'm rooted do I need to unlock my bootloader as well? Do these two happen together anyway? Am I right that it needs to be unlocked in order to flash updated software, or ROMs and that's the main reason to do it?
I've been happy with my device as-is. If I delve into the root world, can I restore to my original state, or will some things be permanently changed, such as the bootloader? As I understand, the bootloader is overwritten or changed in the rooting process; is this reversible?
I don't plan on installing any ROMs at this point in time, if ever. I only want root access for tether, better backups, and other neat apps and uses yet to be discovered (If anyone has any cool or must-have suggestions feel free to make them!).
I'd like to be able to backup my entire device before trying to apply any updates to anything (yes I know I have to use rooted versions of updates to stay rooted). This means a full system image type backup, not just personal info. I understand nandroid backups are like system images; do those include all software firmware, bootloader etc? Basically if I update anything, and find it undesirable I'd like to be able to to revert back. Honestly after reading the ICS thread honestly I'm probably going to keep the software the way it is. As I've already stated, I've been happy with the current setup, bugs and all. Every time I think about updating, the complaints I read about deter me from it. I like controlling my shutter sounds. And ICS at the moment sounds plagued with issues for many. The improvements so far don't outweigh the undesirable changes for me. But I could be wrong, and I wouldn't mind trying out the new stuff, curious to even, just as long as I can go back if I want to. I know without root that isn't possible.
Same thing goes for apps. I'd like to be able to revert back to a previously working version if an app update is less than desirable. I'm guessing/hoping that's something I can do after rooting. I know I can do it with user-downloaded apps, and have done with Astro. So far everything (other than maps) works just fine and I haven't felt the need to tamper with that. I'd like to update a few things and explore/experiment with new features, but I'd like the security of being able to go back if need be. I see a lot of complaints whenever apps are updated, and it seems to be a luck of the draw type thing. I figured if it ain't broke, why fix it?
I'm ready to jump into the root world (been patiently waiting for tether), I suppose the big thing that's held me back is a bit more knowledge on the process in general, and of how to reverse any changes. These questions are just the ones off the top of my head at the moment. I'll probably have more as this thread progresses.
Now that it's been over a year, and my warranty having lapsed of natural causes and without incident, I find myself ready to revisit the world of rooting, guilt free (no more warranty to void!). I've read a lot about it already but it seems the more I read the more questions have, so I'm going to try to ask as many of them as I can here, and hopefully get the last bits I need to finally dive in.
For a bit of background: My 3vo is release-day original. I haven't taken any updates , other than PRLs which were apparently pushed and installed automatically. I have the original release day software version (I still enjoy a SILENT camera!) and hboot (1.39?). I haven't even updated any of the apps (and Google maps quit working!).
Questions:
Does rooting simply unlock/grant superuser permission on the phone's existing software somehow? Or does it replace the existing software with an exact but unlocked replica? What exactly changes on the phone to give it root? (and I mean exactly. I understand the concept fully.)
If I'm rooted do I need to unlock my bootloader as well? Do these two happen together anyway? Am I right that it needs to be unlocked in order to flash updated software, or ROMs and that's the main reason to do it?
I've been happy with my device as-is. If I delve into the root world, can I restore to my original state, or will some things be permanently changed, such as the bootloader? As I understand, the bootloader is overwritten or changed in the rooting process; is this reversible?
I don't plan on installing any ROMs at this point in time, if ever. I only want root access for tether, better backups, and other neat apps and uses yet to be discovered (If anyone has any cool or must-have suggestions feel free to make them!).
I'd like to be able to backup my entire device before trying to apply any updates to anything (yes I know I have to use rooted versions of updates to stay rooted). This means a full system image type backup, not just personal info. I understand nandroid backups are like system images; do those include all software firmware, bootloader etc? Basically if I update anything, and find it undesirable I'd like to be able to to revert back. Honestly after reading the ICS thread honestly I'm probably going to keep the software the way it is. As I've already stated, I've been happy with the current setup, bugs and all. Every time I think about updating, the complaints I read about deter me from it. I like controlling my shutter sounds. And ICS at the moment sounds plagued with issues for many. The improvements so far don't outweigh the undesirable changes for me. But I could be wrong, and I wouldn't mind trying out the new stuff, curious to even, just as long as I can go back if I want to. I know without root that isn't possible.
Same thing goes for apps. I'd like to be able to revert back to a previously working version if an app update is less than desirable. I'm guessing/hoping that's something I can do after rooting. I know I can do it with user-downloaded apps, and have done with Astro. So far everything (other than maps) works just fine and I haven't felt the need to tamper with that. I'd like to update a few things and explore/experiment with new features, but I'd like the security of being able to go back if need be. I see a lot of complaints whenever apps are updated, and it seems to be a luck of the draw type thing. I figured if it ain't broke, why fix it?
I'm ready to jump into the root world (been patiently waiting for tether), I suppose the big thing that's held me back is a bit more knowledge on the process in general, and of how to reverse any changes. These questions are just the ones off the top of my head at the moment. I'll probably have more as this thread progresses.
so if there is anything important you want to know, keep it short I will try to help, lol :smokingsomb:
but it's 