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Root Newbie Here! Please Help!

A

AmyG89

Lurker
I just got my first Android yesterday. I am still learning how to use the phone since I've had a blackberry for the last several years. I love this phone so far. My only problem is all the bloatwear that comes loaded from Metro PCS. I want it gone. I am so sick of Boingo-WiFi constantly sending me alerts to hotspots and MyExtras. I understand from reading a few posts that I need to root my phone to do this. Am I able to unroot it once i'm done or what would be the reason to keep it rooted since I'm really only interested in removing the bloatwear?

Please, I really need an idiot proof step by step to remove these apps. I'm scared of messing something up and bricking my phone.

If I remove the Boingo Wi-Fi & Metro Wi-Fi can I still connect to Wi-Fi or would I need to install a different app?

I am not lying when I say I am a complete NOOB & know NOTHING!

So please someone post a step by step way for me to remove the bloatwear.

Thank you!!!
 
You'll have to root it to remove the apps, but you can unroot after.
The WiFi will still work just like it always has minus the annoying hotspot locations nofitication.. Make sure you read the Safe list of apps to remove sticky
 
http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-all-things-root/277320-new-start-here-before-asking-mostly-noob-proof-guide-updated.html

That should answer most of what you're asking in detail and provide links to the stuff you need to root etc if you read the original post thoroughly. to answer you in short: yes you can root, yes you can unroot. Staying rooted allows you basically administrative access to your phone. that means you can then do what you want, when you want, how you want. However it's advised only for those who think before they act. so basically as long as you're willing to research first (like you're trying to do here) to avoid bricking, you're probably going to be ok. As to wifi, those are just bloatware apps. You can get rid of them, and wifi works actually more as android intended, and is easier to deal with, imho. Please feel free to ask more questions if you can't find the answers you need.

Oh. And boingo bloatware is the devil. *hissss*
 
Thanks for the replies. I did read that thread (noob proof guide) before posting this and yet I somehow still do not understand it. I am really not tech smart at all and all this terminology about rooting has me really confused. I was just hoping someone could break it down even further so I didn't have to guess what i'm doing. I literally need something like:
Step 1: Turn on your phone
Step 2: Open the marketplace and download "_____"
Step 3: etc.

LOL

I am really not good with things like this as you can see. Also if someone would be so kind to post these steps I will also need to know how to "unroot" when finished.
 
AmyG89 said:
Oh it says my Optimus M is running Android Version 2.2.1 if any of that matters
Click to expand...
My sig is a step by step guide.
PLEASE, read each thread/step carefully.
DO NOT expect to be rooted and running a custom ROM by the end of today.
Take your time and celebrate each step as you move forward.
If you are unsure about something, feel free to ask before you proceed.

In the end, you will be rewarded with a phone that is YOURS, free of Metro bloatware and with a look that will make your friends envious.
Oh, and it will be more responsive and have better battery life.;)
 
Ok thanks I read your thread. Here is where I'm lost:

Some important things to know:
- You must have USB debugging enabled on your device (WHAT IS THIS & HOW DO I GET IT?)
- You need to have an SD card (formatted and) inserted - if it doesn't work, try formatting the SD card in your computer, or switching it with a different (or old, etc) SD card (I HAVE THE STOCK SD CARD IN MY PHONE- NOT SURE IF IT'S FORMATTED??)
- The APK must be installed to device, NOT SD card (I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT AN APK IS...)
 
USB Debugging is a setting on the phone. From the home screen press Menu -> Settings -> Applications -> Development -> USB Debugging

It needs an erased SD Card. If you have stuff on it, back up those items to your computer and then erase the SD Card using the Format option on the phone.

The APK is what you're downloading. You copy it to your SD Card and then install it. You can really ignore this as you won't have the option to "install to SD Card".
 
AmyG89 said:
Ok thanks I read your thread. Here is where I'm lost:

Some important things to know:
- You must have USB debugging enabled on your device (WHAT IS THIS & HOW DO I GET IT?)
- You need to have an SD card (formatted and) inserted - if it doesn't work, try formatting the SD card in your computer, or switching it with a different (or old, etc) SD card (I HAVE THE STOCK SD CARD IN MY PHONE- NOT SURE IF IT'S FORMATTED??)
- The APK must be installed to device, NOT SD card (I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT AN APK IS...)
Click to expand...
Download the drivers for your phone and install them before connecting your phone.
http://www.lg.com/us/support/mc-support/drivers/LGMS690.zip
1. - You must have USB debugging enabled on your device (WHAT IS THIS & HOW DO I GET IT?)
Settings>Applications>Development>USB Debugging (Check it)
2. - You need to have an SD card (formatted and) inserted
You already do.
3. - The APK must be installed to device, NOT SD card (I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT AN APK IS...)
.apk is similar to a zip file. Put the gingerbreak.apk onto your sdcard by connecting the phone to your PC via USB. Turn On USB Storage and drag gingerbreak onto the sdcard. Turn off USB Storage, wait a few seconds, then unplug.
From your phone, use a file manager/explorer (I recommend esfile explorer from the Market.) and navigate to the gingerbreak file on your sdcard and install/root.
 
to add to what jabbawest is saying, once installed, Gingerbreak should show up in your app drawer (aka the big collection of apps you get to with the center bottom button on the black docked row at the bottom of your homescreen). when you run Gingerbreak, it should be pretty self explanatory. You'll see it running through some things, and then when it finally stops and you see the Gingerbreak menu, other than donating to the guy who made it, you can either tap "Root device" or "UnRoot device".

So once you've rooted and followed instructions from all of us friendly folk here on how to remove all the bloatware, if you don't want to be rooted anymore for whatever reason, you just go back into Gingerbreak again, and click "UnRoot." Assuming no errors or anything, it will do just that, and you'll no longer have admin access, but you'll be free of bloatware. Or you could do like so many of us, and pretty much don't ever bother unrooting, because it's too much fun once you're rooted lol.
 
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