Root Questions before first root

[willbill0587]

I have a stock Nexus 4 running 4.2.2

I want to root it because I would like to try the app that lets you adjust the colours on the screen, and I really like the look of pie. I also want to start using nfc tags, 1 at home, 1 in the car, 1 at work etc but I understand that you need to be rooted to get some things to work?

I have a few questions first.

Would I still receive updates from google automatically if I rooted?

Is it necessary to totally wipe the phone to root?

If the phone does need wiping, is there a way to backup apps, for example I use swiftkey and would like my dictionary saved etc and would like other info from apps saved so I wouldn't need to start from scratch

Also, if the phone is wiped, is there a way to save my home screens? I have folders on each screen and I would like them to be restored, is there a way to do this?


I don't think I would bother with custom roms etc, I like stock android already.

I have watched some videos of how to root but there seem to be so many 'tool kits' to choose from so any help would be great.

 

[John Bean]

I have a stock Nexus 4 running 4.2.2

I want to root it because I would like to try the app that lets you adjust the colours on the screen, and I really like the look of pie. I also want to start using nfc tags, 1 at home, 1 in the car, 1 at work etc but I understand that you need to be rooted to get some things to work?

Yes if it involves using a different ROM, otherwise it depends on the app you want to try.

Would I still receive updates from google automatically if I rooted?

Yes if you keep the stock ROM, otherwise no.

Is it necessary to totally wipe the phone to root?

Yes.

If the phone does need wiping, is there a way to backup apps, for example I use swiftkey and would like my dictionary saved etc and would like other info from apps saved so I wouldn't need to start from scratch

Yes. If you use the WUGS toolkit you can backup before unlocking the bootloader (which is what does the wipe) and restore afterwards. Works perfectly.

Rooting doesn't wipe data, but unlocking the bootloader does. You need to do this to root but you don't have to root immediately; once unlocked you can root (or unroot) at any time without losing data.

Also, if the phone is wiped, is there a way to save my home screens? I have folders on each screen and I would like them to be restored, is there a way to do this?

The backup/restore covers this.