Root Rooting my phone

[Mdraej99]

I hear a lot about it, but still not sure what it does or what the real advantages are. Can anyone help? Not really a computer person

 

[sherri]

Long story short: rooting gives you access to system files. Allows you to remove applications you don't want.

You never "need" root access. If phone works and does all you want it to, rooting is not needed, nor warranted. Rooting does void all warranties on phone.

My OG Droid is rooted. Daughter's Droid 2 & other daughter's Stratosphere are not.

 

[Granite1]

I hear a lot about it, but still not sure what it does or what the real advantages are. Can anyone help? Not really a computer person

Root means you have permissions to do anything you want to your phone. It takes 3 things to accomplish this, but thats not what you asked.

With root, you can make a complete backup of your phone, called a nandroid.
You can install root only apps that have more power and control over the system.
You can flash custom ROMS, or in other words install a new operating system.
Install a kernel to change the way the phone processes the data and interacts with the hardware.
It gives you the option to install root only teathering apps.

Ultimately root gives you freedom to do with your phone what you will. You can delete anything, practically install anything and change whatever you want.