Root Rooting? What is it?

[DCBlueStar]

I've had my phone for about 5 days now. I keep seeing that I need my phone rooted for several apps and features, but not exactly sure what it is.

I know it apparently lets you access all OS files? Is that correct? But what are the pros of this? The Cons?

Is it safe? Finally, does it void any warranties I'd have?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry if this is in the wrong area, but I didn't see a forum for my specified phone.

 

[woop]

I have moved this to your specific phone forum for you.

 

[pastafarian]

Root is not needed for regular use! You need root to remove the carrier installed "crap ware", to run alternate roms/kernels/radios, and to use some backup, file management and tweaking programs.

There's info in the guide sticky. SDX is also a good place to get info on rooting and roms.

On its own, rooting is pretty safe and simple to do. It's very rare that it will cause a problem or even be noticeable in general use of the device. Where people get into trouble is when they attempt to remove "crap ware" and mistakenly remove a needed file. Personally, I wouldn't root until I had a purpose for it.

 

[AQAA]

Just to add, jailbreaking or rooting of cell phones has been considered legal after a ruling change.

Rulemaking Fixes Critical DMCA Wrongs: iOS Jailbreaking/Unlocking And Android Rooting Officially Legal | FSMdotCOM

May be a concern for some.

On the other hand, modding of gaming platforms like Ps3, Wii, Xbox is still considered illigal.

Modder arrest a reminder that most console hacks are illegal

None of it makes any sense what so ever.

 

[lou61166]

Just to add, jailbreaking or rooting of cell phones has been considered legal after a ruling change.

Rulemaking Fixes Critical DMCA Wrongs: iOS Jailbreaking/Unlocking And Android Rooting Officially Legal | FSMdotCOM

May be a concern for some.

On the other hand, modding of gaming platforms like Ps3, Wii, Xbox is still considered illigal.

Modder arrest a reminder that most console hacks are illegal

None of it makes any sense what so ever.

And with he gaming consoles if you get caught it is a lifetime ban from their networks,no more multiplayer.

 

[FullWolfMoon]

I'm new to smartphones and am happy with how mine is going, so I think I'll shy away from this whole rooting process. Though I totally would have gone for it on my older feature phone.

 

[alisonc]

I'm new to smartphones and am happy with how mine is going, so I think I'll shy away from this whole rooting process. Though I totally would have gone for it on my older feature phone.

Welcome to the club The Opty V is my first smartphone too, I've had it for a week exactly now. I really enjoy being able to do so much more stuff than I could on my Rumour Touch... and Opty was the same price that my mom paid for my RT in December. Now my less geeky little sister gets the RT.

Also, my phone is currently rooted, but all that I'm using that takes advantage of rooting is AdFree. Someday when I don't have homework or exams to worry about, I'll take a weekend and install Xionia kernel so I can dynamically clock.