What is rooting and is it risky to download?

[Android Question]

I just got my new samsung galaxy s4 (the unlocked international version) and some of my friends told me to root my phone so I can move my apps to the sd card and get the latest software updates so, I just wanted to know what does rooting do? Does it only do the things above or does it do other things and if its risky to download or not because whenever i see someone on youtube doing rooting many people say that their phone doesn't work so is it dangerous or save or 50/50 ?

 

[raynoldsk]

Hi, and welcome.

Rooting is giving yourself permission to do anything to your phone--like you would have on a computer.

It is dangerous in that there is the possibility of bricking your phone--meaning you end up with an expensive, useless brick instead of a phone, but if you read and understand all instructions, you should be okay. But, bear in mind that rooting voids any warranty on the device, and anything you do to it is your own responsibility--not Samsung, not the vendor you bought it from, not the person who wrote the instructions you followed.

If you are willing to take the responsibility and the risk, go HERE and read *everything.* If there is something you don't understand, ask questions about it until you do understand it.

FWIW, I have rooted all but one of the phones I have, and I am an old lady. So it isn't brain surgery

Hope this help.