Rooted

[gdiddy]

I keep hearing the term "if your phone is Rooted".
What does that mean?

 

[iTzKPanda]

Check out this thread:
http://androidforums.com/android-lounge/12585-what-rooting.html

 

[ocnbrze]

we also have a FAQs - Android Forums with tons of great info such as this:
http://androidforums.com/faqs/443432-what-root-being-rooted-mean.html

and here one for root terminology:
http://androidforums.com/faqs/443075-root-terminology.html

there are plenty other faq's there that might help you out in other areas of android.....check them out.

hope that helps.

edit: almost forgot about cabbie's great guide as well:
http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/129648-quick-intro-rooting-those-new-rooting.html

 

[funkylogik]

It removes the "idiot-proof" safety fence of your device and lets the user do cool things but also lets them do stupid things that can mess it up basicly lol

Imo, every android device should have a "root" option with a huge disclaimer where you have to tap "i agree" like ten times

 

[Stuntman]

I'll give an example of why I rooted my phone. I am currently using SwiftKey as my keyboard in landscape orientation and the Google keyboard in portrait. Normally, you have to manually change the input method to switch keyboards. To make my phone automatically switch keyboards when I switch orientation, I needed to use an app called Keyboard Manager.

Keyboard Manager requires root. The reason is that on an unrooted phone, Android will only allow the input method to change via user interaction only. That basically means the user has to manually select a different keyboard before the keyboard changes. Once I rooted my phone, that restriction is lifted and the Keyboard Manager app can then change the keyboard when the orientation of the phone changes. Without root, Keyboard Manager cannot override the keyboard.

 

[funkylogik]

Yeah it can be for something so seemingly simple as that or to change the whole operating system of the device.
One of the excellent things you can do with root access is back up all your apps and their settings without even a pc. Or if you then install a custom recovery, make a complete backup of exactly how the device is at that moment like how you can do with desktops
Also you get access to the system folder so you can just delete all those annoying pre-installed apps, switch off annoying tones etc

 

[jefboyardee]

every android device should have a "root" option with a huge disclaimer where you have to tap "i agree"

What he said. Besides, all PCs come rooted already, so why not droids? I think the root option, as you describe, should be built into every self-respecting carrier’s OS. That’s one of the reasons I haven’t rooted; having to trust a third party to completely rewrite my OS.

edit: In fact, in addition to that, they should still have a Factory Reset go back to the out-of-the-box system.