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Why Root? (Is this a daft question?)

T

tempsc

Newbie
Hi. I've just had my S2 (on Orange) repaired under warranty by Samsung but they could not tell me if ICS was installed or not when it was repaired.

That got me thinking...Should I root the phone once I get it back (tomorrow). I must admit that I'm intrigued about the possibilty of rooting the phone, but as I'm not 100% certain what it involves or means and the (dis)advantages of doing it, I was hoping that someone could come back to me and give me some compelling advice one way or another.

Please don't shout! :) I'm a newbie.

Thanks in advance
Paul

Moderator: Please move if posted in the wrong forum.
 
OK - thanks Rush. I followed the link and I think I get it.

Would I be correct that there are different 'root' software kits, which offer a different set of variables and capabilities? Which is recommended for my handset? Are some more stable than others? Would installing one cause problems with the telephony abilites of the handset, or with my carrier?

Thanks again.
Paul
 
tempsc said:
OK - thanks Rush. I followed the link and I think I get it.

Would I be correct that there are different 'root' software kits, which offer a different set of variables and capabilities? Which is recommended for my handset? Are some more stable than others? Would installing one cause problems with the telephony abilites of the handset, or with my carrier?

Thanks again.
Paul
Click to expand...
I'm just as lost as you when it comes to 'rooting' - I'm sure one of our more experience members with this type of know-how will hopefully chime in.

Glad to know that you've read the link. Such with anything in life, there are good outcomes and then there are also the bad ones. Best of luck if you choose to modify your device. One thing is sure - you'll get the best help and support here on the forums. ;)
 
Most high end phones have a way of getting back to stock without using Cyanogen. The method depends on your device. Usually flashing the stock ROM (the software that the manufacturer installs on the phone) will bring you back to 99% stock, but leaves you rooted. If you want to completely un root and be 100% stock, there are various files/programs that can be run. They're called RUUs for HTC, Odin for Samsung, SBF for Motorola, et cetera. And they make it so your phone has the same software, firmware, and everything else like you got it on day 1.
 
Count me in that boat.

I haven't touched a thing in my device, and I don't think I ever will. I love how everything just works flawlessly.
 
Note that that isn't returning the phone to stock software, just letting you run CM without having root enabled if you don't want it. Think of it as choosing to run the phone as an ordinary user (no root) rather than as administrator (root). The difference is that currently custom ROMs always have root enabled, so you have to run as administrator (though you allow or deny root access to apps individually, controlled through the superuser app - it's not like everything always has root access).

As Jerofld said above, to completely return to stock (e.g. for a warranty repair) you need to reflash the phone with official software, and the tools for doing that depend on the phone.
 
If you don't know why to root, or don't have plans on what to do afterwards, I wouldn't bother. I've rooted nearly all my Android devices, but there was a specific reason.
Mostly on my Nexus is for flashing custom ROMs and using wifi tether (which I currently am on my Prime). However, I haven't found the need to root my Transformer Prime nor my HTC Flyer. The majority of phones/tablets allow you to revert to stock/unrooted if you need to, but it certainly varies by device.
Let us know why you want to root and if the reasons suffice, I'm sure someone can run you through the process.
 
jefboyardee said:
So that ground-breaking article is not even news?
Click to expand...
Well it is news in one respect: currently custom ROMs come with root enabled by default (though as noted the superuser app controls which applications can use this). What CM are doing is giving you the option of turning it on or off as you want, which is something new.

Basically it means you can run the phone as a normal user if you want, rather than always running as administrator. Although I suspect I'd always run as root, I do quite like the idea.
 
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