Why did you root your android?

[zombie kat]

Why did you root your android?

I am considering rooting one or both of my devices. The geek in me insists it is essential to have full control. The wiser parts of me say hold back until I actually have something I want to do that needs it.

I have read many threads on what rooting is, how to root a device and what the risks are but little about what you can achieve with a rooted device. There is talk of custom roms and root only apps but nothing about what they actually do.

 

[ChiweN]

Not to be rude, but you must have not read much if you don't see a lot of info about custom roms and apps..

Custom roms completely replace your phones stock os, giving you complete control over everything and full ability to 'customize' your user experience, as well as kernal tweaks to allow you to overclock your CPU, giving you more raw power. Custom roms can turn your phone into what it should have been coming from the factory.

There are different apps, such as tethering apps, cache cleaners, script tweaks for auto memory management like v6 supercharger etc..

Much more, way too much to cover.

 

[argedion]

Yes Control is a big part, however there is so much more. One you get to rid yourself of the stuff you don't want. bloatware can be removed and you can actually achieve better battery life. Custom ROMs give you even more advantages than the stock. You have tether apps and just ways to really make the phone do as you want but also look as you want.

 

[Unforgiven]

Stock roms often are terribly inefficient. AOSP roms have all of the carrier bloatware stripped out, run better, often have more options for customization and themes.

You also could be able to get updates faster (phone dependent) than you will from carriers (look around at some of the older phones with 4.03 roms available where the carrier is still at 2.3.x)

If your device has an unlocked/unockable bootloader you can update kernels allowing for overclocking and underclocking which is a huge battery save. 20,000 foot view of this is when the phone is idle, cpu runs at 300Mhz while running a game it runs at 1.35 Mhz. Since your phone is probably idle more than active, you greatly reduced the cpu battery drain.

I know I am just scratching the surface. Just post back if you want me to go into more detail on anything.

 

[chanchan05]

I rooted my device some time ago, but did not change the ROM. Stock runs as much as I need anyhow.

The reason I rooted was for Backups. You can only make app content backup if you are rooted. Otherwise if the phone needed a format, you'll have to start Angry Birds from the first stage again instead of where you left off.

 

[jerofld]

Why did I root? I started in root when I had my Droid X. I had 2.2 Froyo and there was a leaked version of 2.3 Gingerbread for my phone, but I had to root to install it. So I rooted. And for the longest time I did nothing other than have 2.3.3 installed.

Later I discovered SetCPU, Titanium Backup, and adfree. Those were my must-have apps on my phone. Now I use System Tuner instead of SetCPU and TB, but the same practice exists. I overclock and undervolt simultaneously, to get the best balance of performance and battery savings. Also, LBE Privacy Guard is a must have for me. I can control if apps get access to my SMS inbox, internet, my phone logs and IMEI. You can't do that without root (or using apps that are no longer on the Android Market).

And, for a newbie rooter, I'd suggest you get a ROM that's close to stock. Something that still has the OEM's UI on it. Just to adjust to getting used to root and how things operate. Also, not all devices have AOSP options, or good AOSP options, so keep that in mind.

 

[pool_shark]

I root my devices for backups, access to the internal storage, and access to the command line.

 

[dan330]

when i had my htc diamond ..windows phone back 3 yrs ago.. i had an app to help me wifi tether. it cost me $30 to get that app from online source. Did not have to root/hack my phone to make it work.

then i got my htc Hero...android phone... and i wanted to use wifi tether.
there was a FREE app for it... but the carrier had locked out that function in android!

did a little research.. found out about root.. to get the function back and make the wifi tether work. read up on it... watched youtube vids... read up some more.. planned it out.. turned out to be a lot easier than i had thought.

then found about other great things about LAR (life after root)... new coined term by me!
it was like having a phone genie..
i want to get rid of something.. here you go.
i want it to do something new.. here you go
i want access to something .. here you go

so, i can not see myself without a rooted phone.. currently on a 1.5 yr old EVO 4G .. and still cant find a phone to replace it with...

i aint worried that i will not get ICS.. because the devs will get it to me! they already have a ton of beta ICS ROMS to try out. F the carriers!!!

 

[Unforgiven]

My first post was more about things you an do with root. Let me use this one to say why I rooted. I had an OG Droid and it was awesome. I thought I had everything needed and wanted. I got it right around the time Froyo came out and was waiting patiently for the update, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting. This was before carrier updates became a joke, we just expected them.

So, I started poking aroiund different android sites (mostly here and droid-life). Looking (studying) at the all things root forum (I was scared poopless to brick my phone) I saw the people had been running Froyo for months. Then I started seeing themes for the roms. I jumped down the rabbit hole and haven't looked back.

I constantly had the latest and greatest. My phone was customized for me (icons/colors/dialers) and when I got bored with the look and feel, I changed it. It was like being able to have a whole new phone every few months (OK, few days when I first started) without the hassle of, you know, a new phone.

 

[NightHawk877]

I rooted my Captivate so I could install custom ROMs and make backups. Same with my Skyrocket and Galaxy Player. Never rooted my HD2 because the ROM I replaced Windows Mobile with was already rooted.

 

[Shotgun84]

I rooted so I could remove the bloatware from my phone which I never used but was constantly running and draining my battery. I progressed from there to custom roms and kernels to, improve battery and performance and to give me the freedom to customize the look of my phone. Without rooting you're stuck worth the notification bar your phone comes with but after rooting you can pretty much stick whatever you want in there.

I feel I should give some sort of warning here. Rooting is addictive ! Do not start !

 

[Unforgiven]

I rooted so I could remove the bloatware from my phone which I never used but was constantly running and draining my battery. I progressed from there to custom roms and kernels to, improve battery and performance and to give me the freedom to customize the look of my phone. Without rooting you're stuck worth the notification bar your phone comes with but after rooting you can pretty much stick whatever you want in there.

I feel I should give some sort of warning here. Rooting is addictive ! Do not start !

I've only rooted three times: OG Droid, D, and GNex. now romming, that'saddictive

 

[Shotgun84]

I've only rooted three times: OG Droid, D, and GNex. now romming, that'saddictive

No one likes a smart Alec

Yeah point taken its the roms and kernels which are addictive after you've rooted. Bad choice of words on my behalf.

 

[XxventanaxX]

Im contemplating on rooting my samsung captivate glide.... I really want to root it for ALOTTTTT better battery life. But im afraid I wont do it correctly. Like I have no idea how to "Hack" my android and dont want to mess it it. Is this a reliable site for it How To Root Samsung Captivate Glide (Gidim) In Less Than 5 Minutes and also how would I remove to bloatware which I have to idea how to do. I jut want my android to run smoother, longer and more efficient instead of watching it go down 15% an hour.... Help from anyone is much appreciated. Thanks guys

 

[Sideman]

I rooted my Captivate so I could install custom ROMs and make backups. Same with my Skyrocket and Galaxy Player. Never rooted my HD2 because the ROM I replaced Windows Mobile with was already rooted.

NightHawk, could you, or someone else, post the root procedures on the "Galaxy Player-All Things Root" forum? I think some of us SGPers might like to take the plunge.

 

[chrlswltrs]

The first time I rooted I wanted to run 2 root only apps: AdFree and Wireless Tether.

Since then I have found out the advantages of custom ROMs and kernels, plus a lot of other root only apps that I can't go without anymore.

 

[ac29593]

Free WiFi teather, remove bloat, and control processor.

 

[jcutler]

Why did I root? I started in root when I had my Droid X. I had 2.2 Froyo and there was a leaked version of 2.3 Gingerbread for my phone, but I had to root to install it. So I rooted. And for the longest time I did nothing other than have 2.3.3 installed.

Later I discovered SetCPU, Titanium Backup, and adfree. Those were my must-have apps on my phone. Now I use System Tuner instead of SetCPU and TB, but the same practice exists. I overclock and undervolt simultaneously, to get the best balance of performance and battery savings. Also, LBE Privacy Guard is a must have for me. I can control if apps get access to my SMS inbox, internet, my phone logs and IMEI. You can't do that without root (or using apps that are no longer on the Android Market).

And, for a newbie rooter, I'd suggest you get a ROM that's close to stock. Something that still has the OEM's UI on it. Just to adjust to getting used to root and how things operate. Also, not all devices have AOSP options, or good AOSP options, so keep that in mind.

I am very interested in what I would gain from rooting my phone, I have spring google nexus s 4g. I live in an area where I don't have any high speed internet options and I don't get the best cell coverage so my battery life is very short. I have resorted to carrying an extra battery. Could you give me some direction...

 

[Unforgiven]

I am very interested in what I would gain from rooting my phone, I have spring google nexus s 4g. I live in an area where I don't have any high speed internet options and I don't get the best cell coverage so my battery life is very short. I have resorted to carrying an extra battery. Could you give me some direction...

You should try your phone's forum (Nexus S 4G - Android Forums) and the all things root subforum for information about rooting your phone. If you read the prior posts in this thread, you will see many of your why to root questions have been answered if a general fasion, but you will find specific answers for your phone in it's own forum.

Welcome to Android Forums, BTW!!