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Un-decided about rooting.

C

cannon11

Well-Known Member





I'm not sure if I should root my phone or not. I have a sprint galaxy nexus, and a macbook laptop, just for your info. I know there will be some benefits, but I don't know if its worth it. When I read the top 10 root features on many websites, only 1 or 2 of them even seem worthwhile. I don't really care about backing up my phone, or tethering, since I don't have a data plan. The only thing that seems to be good is overclocking, more customization, and a few other small things. I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure you have to unlock your bootloader to root and that wipes your device I heard, which would be annoying, even though Ive only had the phone for a week, and theres always a chance of bricking.
What do you guys think? I'm kind of undecided If I should bother or not.
thanks :o
 
If there is nothing particularly interesting that stands out in your mind in order to root your device then dont do it.

Dont be worried about actually unlocking the device, it's quite easy and reliable for the device you have...In fact you stand a better chance bricking the device doing the other things you desire like overclocking.

If you ever care to and want a very easy tool to use BUT requires you have access to a Windows computer then read up on Wug's NRT -

Nexus Root Toolkit v1.8.0 | WugFresh

If you do decide to jump down the rabbit hole, make sure you unlock the device, install a custom recovery, and then make a full "nandroid" AKA "recovery backup" of your device.

A nandroid is like a time machine for your device, no matter how much you change things or mess it up, as long as you can boot into recovery you can take the device right back to the minute you made the backup.

Very handy to have.
 
WoohooGuy said:
If there is nothing particularly interesting that stands out in your mind in order to root your device then dont do it.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I would recommend rooting only if there is a feature or app you want that requires root. Also, rooting will void the warranty if it's new.
 
I've told myself I was gonna root my phone next week for the last three years. I think I've given that up, but who knows. I don't really need to root and can tether without it, on Win7 and Linux. I'd like to reclaim the space they snarfed, but I seem to be surviving without it.
 
kate said:
Agreed, I would recommend rooting only if there is a feature or app you want that requires root. Also, rooting will void the warranty if it's new.
Click to expand...

i agree with Kate.

OP...because you have a nexus... you are getting updates fast and past the phones shelf life.

if you don't see a need it or there isn't enough to make you want to root. i say don't!
 
A great reason to root a Nexus is Xposed Framework.
It lets you install "modules" which add features ported from custom roms so you can pick and choose custom features while staying on a stock rom. Highly recommended :thumbup:
 
If your undecided whether to root of not, I agree with the above, don't.

Having said that apart from the "cool" stuff you can do when rooted (Xposed framework is fantastic by the way) that you don't seem that bothered about, it does make you learn about Android and your device. You know that when you go "Oh that's how it does it" when typing in a script in a terminal emulator. It is only then you realise the rabbit hole goes deep. :)
 
True say. If there's something you're unhappy about then turn to the web for answers, might be something unrelated to root privileges.

After updating by PC (not requiring root) it got me interested in custom roms & their features. Most require root as they come with their own recovery system that lets you backup & restore your phone exactly as is to your memory card, & other maintenance features that need root.

Then I got interested in tweaking the performance, battery savings & other apps for obscure functions so never looked back!

Just an itch that never went away until I scratched it!
 
funkylogik said:
A great reason to root a Nexus is Xposed Framework.
It lets you install "modules" which add features ported from custom roms so you can pick and choose custom features while staying on a stock rom. Highly recommended :thumbup:
Click to expand...

This is very sage advice!

I will add that those who are new to Android are best served by learning their devices first. There
 
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