Database Info

I need a reason to do this.

Why should I need to root my phone, I understand about bloatwares from AT&T but need a reason if I root It what will happen? Also once its rooted, will I be able to get update android 2.2? I need a good reason why I should root it. So please help me out with those list of reasons. Thank you.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Seriously, put a little effort into searching this forum. Look at one of the other android forums. If you don't know why you would want to root your phone, then you don't need to do it.

That's the problem, all the search comes out different. That's why I am asking on here cuz nothing comes out right. You don't have to be mean or even post on here if You didn't like to hear it. I just want the real opinion and all those opinions will summerize.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Here's the things I've done since I rooted:
To get rid of the ATT apps (this one is important because they launch for no reason).
To sideload apps right from the phone.
To change the appearance.
To really "own" my phone.
I really don't know beyond that. I guess if you're fine without rooting it then don't. I used it happily for 2 weeks without root, but I couldnt stand the invasive launching ATT bloat.

What about the update, if its rooted, can I still get in air update?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Yes
**********

setcpu seems to be enough of a reason for me to root. seems to make a huge difference! will have to try and donate next payday

Rooting Thunderbolt on First Day?

I'm getting my thunderbolt in the mail on 4/21 and i've never had an android device before but after doing a lot of reading ive decided i want to root it because of all the bloatware the device comes with. Does anyone have any tips besides doing A LOT of reading? What are the chances of bricking it? Anything specific i should do to avoid it? I wouldn't want to break my brand new phone on the first day... Thanks in advance.

Read the stickies, read the instructions, read forum posts.

What are your reasons for wanting to root it?
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

Following the method jcase made/post is the way to go. it is fairly simple because you can just copy and paste the commands. The most difficult thing will be setting up adb, but this isn't hard either. I would suggest that you watch and follow these videos, they will help out quite a bit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKPSe12YDxQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc6EMdPpF6o&feature=related
Of course if you have any questions ask in the IRC or here on the forum. Happy rooting!

athorax said:
Read the stickies, read the instructions, read forum posts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On it
JoseGutierrez said:
What are your reasons for wanting to root it?
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well as i mentioned i know the phone comes with a lot of bloatware that kills the batteries and i want my phone to be nice and fresh
Busphan said:
Following the method jcase made/post is the way to go. it is fairly simple because you can just copy and paste the commands. The most difficult thing will be setting up adb, but this isn't hard either. I would suggest that you watch and follow these videos, they will help out quite a bit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKPSe12YDxQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc6EMdPpF6o&feature=related
Of course if you have any questions ask in the IRC or here on the forum. Happy rooting!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot, i'm actually on a mac and i've read through all of:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1011623
hopefully everything will go well. Thanks!

I did the 9 step process. First time rooting a phone. I sweating bullets the whole time.
Sent from my rooted Thunderbolt with VirusROM AirborneTB. Xda premium

raider3bravo said:
I did the 9 step process. First time rooting a phone. I sweating bullets the whole time.
Sent from my rooted Thunderbolt with VirusROM AirborneTB. Xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im nervous already and i didn't even get my phone yet.

JayoxD said:
im nervous already and i didn't even get my phone yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good, it means you'll be careful and the odds of bricking the phone are much lower, just follow the instructions and you'll do fine. I used to feel the same way about my phones, but after you get used to it all it becomes easy.
The only thing I recommend is knowing that you have to install some sort of recovery on your phone like Clockwork recovery mod, that is a program you boot into which can backup your phone saving everything, all of the programs, data, and the stock rom/settings which your phone comes with, making a backup is essential each time you change anything so you can always revert back. I never fully understood the whole idea at first completely, but it works great once you get it.

The links Provided by Busphan will help you get an idea of what to do. Follow the instructions here: "www(DOT)androidpolice(DOT)com/2011/03/19/exclusive-how-to-root-the-htc-thunderbolt-and-unlock-its-bootloader" and by using copy/paste of the commands.
I read up for about 2 days while I was waiting and already had all the files downloaded and ready to go. That seems to take awhile so if you can do it before then it will save you some time. Go ahead and get the Android SDK on your computer as it also takes some time to install. Within 90min of actually receiving my phone I had it rooted and ready to go.
So my quick answer made long... Do the prep work before your device shows up that way you are ready to get ADB and start rooting right out of the box.

To be honest with you, if I were you, I'd just use the phone stock for a couple of weeks (at least during the buyer's remorse period) and just get a feel for android and see if it's right for you.
Couple of reasons:
1. If you don't like it or have issues with the phone, you don't have to worry about trying to unroot the phone to return it.
2. Rooting a phone gives you some advanced features. At least get a feel for the basics before trying the harder stuff. (learn to walk before you can fly).
Just my 2 cents

I rooted mine the day after I got it. Unrooting is easier than rooting.
Luke

Hi guys, I'm also getting a thunderbolt and going to root it eventually (probably not within the first couple of weeks).
I have gone through the tutorials and the youtube videos. Everything seems fine as long as you follow the instructions. Just had a couple of questions :
1) Which are all the sense-less ui roms available atm? Virus and Das Bampf (what about Remix?)
2) When it comes to saving battery by using setcpu, is this basically how it goes: overclock the cpu speed but underclock the voltage? Wouldn't overclocking the cpu lower the life of the cpu?
Thanks everyone

If i can give any advice that would be to follow the procedure for rooting that jcase put together. It is simple, easy to follow, and you will gain a little understanding of adb. Try to stay away from the easier methods. If you have a problem with jcases procedure it is easier to walk you back and see where the problem occurred. The "easier" methods are much harder to find where a problem occurred. Again, just my opinion.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

Is rooting worth it?

Hello, I have a Motorola Droid X, and was wondering if it was worth while to root it. My dad has a rooted phone, and I kind of think it's cool some if the stuff you can do. But, I don't think I totally understand rooting yet.
So because if this I'm wondering if there is anything that makes it worth rooting ? I've also seen some of the custom themes and stuff that you can get on a rooted phone. Do those make your battery life a lot shorter?
Thanks for any help I can get
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA Premium App

dritz33 said:
Hello, I have a Motorola Droid X, and was wondering if it was worth while to root it. My dad has a rooted phone, and I kind of think it's cool some if the stuff you can do. But, I don't think I totally understand rooting yet.
So because if this I'm wondering if there is anything that makes it worth rooting ? I've also seen some of the custom themes and stuff that you can get on a rooted phone. Do those make your battery life a lot shorter?
Thanks for any help I can get
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If root isn't worth it for you (depending on apps you are using and if you are a developer), then at least a custom recovery is. Making backups is quite an obsession, but can save u weeks of work.

show-p1984 said:
If root isn't worth it for you (depending on apps you are using and if you are a developer), then at least a custom recovery is. Making backups is quite an obsession, but can save u weeks of work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What exactly is a custom recovery? Sorry I'm really new to this kind of stuff. I didn't even know you could change the homescreen until today and no, I'm definitely not a developer
So then what all can I do with rooting my phone then?
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA Premium App

dritz33 said:
So then what all can I do with rooting my phone then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Make screenshots.
- Run a firewall to keep apps offline that don't need internet but use it anyway.
- Control app permissions.
- Block ads.
- Tether your internet, even if your carrier doesn't support it.
- Make full backups of your data, apps,, and settings.
- Auto-sync your clock with a time server.
- Undervolt for longer battery life, overclock to make your phone faster.
And much more.

dritz33 said:
Hello, I have a Motorola Droid X, and was wondering if it was worth while to root it. My dad has a rooted phone, and I kind of think it's cool some if the stuff you can do. But, I don't think I totally understand rooting yet.
So because if this I'm wondering if there is anything that makes it worth rooting ? I've also seen some of the custom themes and stuff that you can get on a rooted phone. Do those make your battery life a lot shorter?
Thanks for any help I can get
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say YES! Personally its the Best thing I've ever done with my phone! Here's a few Incentives...
1.) Wireless Tether
2.) Increased Cpu Speed
3.) Better Battery Life
4.) Nandroid Backup
(Which basically Allows you to Fix Anything you may of messed up)
5.) New Custom Roms!!!

hi all, me to very new to this forum, and thought of asking questions regarding , what is rooting and what are the +vs of it. I get most from above replies thank you all for that, i have few more question.
1.) Does rooted phone UI will be stock version ?
2.) what may be possible -vs / disadvantages of rooting?
3.)what are Custom Roms, i see in many threads - yup am completely noob
thanks,
merin

dritz33 said:
What exactly is a custom recovery? Sorry I'm really new to this kind of stuff. I didn't even know you could change the homescreen until today and no, I'm definitely not a developer
So then what all can I do with rooting my phone then?
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a custom recovery system is used to flash zip files that are not signed (correct me if im wrong)
i suck at explaining things.
in your case you will be using a bootstrapper (just think of it as a custom recovery system, dont get confused)
once you learn and read more and see the benefits then you can decide if rooting is an option you want.

merin_83 said:
1.) Does rooted phone UI will be stock version ?
2.) what may be possible -vs / disadvantages of rooting?
3.)what are Custom Roms, i see in many threads - yup am completely noob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Yes. Rooting gives you access to the system files and folders. It doesn't change anything else, unless you start changing things after you've rooted your phone.
2) Plenty of advantages. The only disadvantage is that rooted phones are not covered by warranty. You can get your warranty back by unrooting, but if something on your phones breaks that prevents you from unrooting you're out of luck.
3) Modified versions of Android. It's a bit like all the different versions of Linux for computers.

Definitely the best thing I have ever done to my Fascinate!

Thank you rogier666..
you explained everything...
Defiantly i want to root... But before that i guess i should do bit research on which version i should use O
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Unbelievably worth it in my opinion!
It opens up a whole new world of possibilities and fine tuning. In addition to this, you can often talk to the people who develop some of the custom roms/features and receive direct support. Also, this scale of developing usually means any problems are corrected within a week (instead of within 4-6 months from the manufacturer). Having the ability to make nandroid backups (think of them as save states) is yet another wonderful feature.
Happy rooting!

dritz33 said:
Hello, I have a Motorola Droid X, and was wondering if it was worth while to root it. My dad has a rooted phone, and I kind of think it's cool some if the stuff you can do. But, I don't think I totally understand rooting yet.
So because if this I'm wondering if there is anything that makes it worth rooting ? I've also seen some of the custom themes and stuff that you can get on a rooted phone. Do those make your battery life a lot shorter?
Thanks for any help I can get
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't be Fooled by the Pessimists!
Rooting your phones the Most fun you can have with your Pants On!
Lol... Nah but Seriously its Definitely Worth it!
Sent from my wildheroc using XDA Premium App

No your battery life will not be shorter if you flash the correct way, make sure you have it fully charged then flash. After this you drain it all the way and then charge it all the way. Do it again (twice) then boot into recovery and wipe battery stats. I think this is correct, I may have the steps switched around and someone correct me if i am wrong. Overall, many custom roms actually give you better battery life.

To Root or Not To Root, That is the Question
The decision to root your phone is highly dependent on your personality and background.
For example, many people "just want it to work." This basically means that they don't care how it works, they just want to use the device as-advertised. They expect the device to give them what they pay for. Their priorities are elsewhere.
This gets a little more complicated because rooting is basically tearing down a wall that is hiding additional functionality. The complication comes from the person knowing the extra functionality is behind that wall and finding value in that extra functionality. The question of whether rooting is "useful" depends on how much value the person puts on that addition functionality (minus the potential headache of figuring out to root).
An example is tethering to access the internet with a laptop by connecting to the phone via wifi, USB, or other means. For tethering, service providers charge about $20-$30 which can be gotten for free with rooting + the appropriate apps. That's an obvious value. The cost is when the service provider decides to try to block that tethering which can be a headache trying to circumvent. There are also the moral implications...
Other reasons may be to
- learn the unknown -- who knows, you might try to make an app to do what you want to do and get paid. you could dig into the kernel and become an expert, you could start creating themes and become skilled at visual/UI design.
- control the bull$#!^ that your service provider is trying to feed you (media, ads, pay apps, etc). remove all those junk apps that they force upon you too.
- impress the ladies -- seriously, if you can get them facegoogle+ in a car on a road trip they may nod a googlyface in the future. nerd girls get their own by definition, don't try, just belong.

dritz33 said:
Hello, I have a Motorola Droid X, and was wondering if it was worth while to root it. My dad has a rooted phone, and I kind of think it's cool some if the stuff you can do. But, I don't think I totally understand rooting yet.
So because if this I'm wondering if there is anything that makes it worth rooting ? I've also seen some of the custom themes and stuff that you can get on a rooted phone. Do those make your battery life a lot shorter?
Thanks for any help I can get
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My opinion is it depends on the particular device and what the root consists of. I have an Inspire 4G that I won't root because it just works too well as is and the root process is super-duper ugly and convoluted. However, I also have a Nexus S and, although it works perfectly fine without rooting, I have it root because the rooting process is simple and straightforward and the bootloader is open to being unlocked by a normal means rather than an ugly hack. And I only use root on my Nexus S to use certain apps that require root. I don't flash any other ROMs and I even allowed it to return to the original recovery image. Also I relocked the bootloader.
The only difference between my Nexus S and it's original state is the super-simple root. In fact, the only way to tell my Nexus S is different is to run an app that requires root. The app will work on mine and not on the original.

I wil do it olsow

+1 - well said
rogier666 said:
- Make screenshots.
- Run a firewall to keep apps offline that don't need internet but use it anyway.
- Control app permissions.
- Block ads.
- Tether your internet, even if your carrier doesn't support it.
- Make full backups of your data, apps,, and settings.
- Auto-sync your clock with a time server.
- Undervolt for longer battery life, overclock to make your phone faster.
And much more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Q] First time G2X owner and Noob to forum

Hi guys, I just got my g2x last thursday and think its one of the best phones out there. Its on stock gingerbread and Im wondering what kind of tips I can get from yall as far as making the phone look good and what are some of the best apps to use.
I am a previous iphone owner and the iphone was so easy to jailbreak and mod to my liking but after days of reading I see that its not as easy on the g2x. Can it be jailbroke? My other questions is how in the world can i get rid of apps currently on my device, i uninstall them and they pop right back up.

In Android world its call rooting. So the first thing you can do is root your phone. Read around how to do that. Then you should be able to uninstall any unnecessary app you do not like. After that you can install a custom kernel. Play with the over clock and under voltage on it. Then you can install a different rom like Cm7 or Miui.
There are lots of thing you can do with android. Thats why you think its not easy as iphone where you have only one option, jailbreak. Read around and take you time to play with you phone. Its not difficult at all and its lot of fun.
And BTW: Welcome to XDA.

First android phone here like you besides backflip which it was a temporary phone. It should be easy, it looked really complicated to me at first but I had a friend who walked me through everything. If u have any questions pm me or post in the thread. People here are glad to help. Welcome to XDA
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App

The g2x is surprisingly easy to hack. Especially on Linux. it's all simply laid out in the stickies. I'd suggest installing a rom ( operating system) before the kernel. I think it'll wipe the kernel when a roms installed.
Warning, everything I tell you will void warrenty.
Root. Gains access to entire device.
Install Clockworkmod recovery. This allows you to install zip files, along with SD card partitions, etc.
Install custom rom. As an iPhone user I think you should check out MIUI.
install kernel. Not sure if there's other kernels for MIUI roms.
Kernels are dependent on the rom. You want to be sure the rom you have is supported by the kernel you're installing before hand.
Uh... oh.
ROM MANAGER , after you root, could be found on the market. You can install Clockwork recovery from there (it does it for you) as well as roms.
Makes it a breeze. Doubt it's easier on the iPhone.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

pbcal said:
In Android world its call rooting. So the first thing you can do is root your phone. Read around how to do that. Then you should be able to uninstall any unnecessary app you do not like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm rooted and I still can't uninstall T-Mobile bloatware..

aceofserenity said:
I'm rooted and I still can't uninstall T-Mobile bloatware..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You never want to uninstall the bloatware on a stock ROM as this will block any future OTA releases. The OTA and LG Updater checks your ROM and if it is not stock as it was delivered to you updates will fail the verification check. You want to buy an app from the Android Market called "Bloat Freezer." It only costs 99 cents and it freezes the apps - they don't run and are not shown in the menu; but since they are still in the ROM, just inactive, you can still get OTA updates. If you need to you can unfreeze the app at any time also. Much better way to go then deleting them.

I'm using AntTek app manager (free) to freeze my unwanted bloatware apps.

You're definitely guna love Android once you get the hang of flashing new ROMs and such.
Like you, i'm pretty new to this device also. So whenever if i feel the urge of doing something to my G2x, i always refer to this page: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1049154
Good luck with your new G2x.

All true except this void warranty crap. If you pit everything back to stock before taking it T-Mobile there is Bo way whatsoever they know you changed anything. So don't listen to that part.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium

xsteven77x said:
All true except this void warranty crap. If you pit everything back to stock before taking it T-Mobile there is Bo way whatsoever they know you changed anything. So don't listen to that part.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the hardware keeps count of how many times the NAND has been flashed; but they never seem to look at that when you send it for warranty repair or replacement.

Wow thanks to everyone that has replied!! Coming from iphone forums you guys are awsome, everyone replied nice stuff and I didnt get beat up like noobs do on the iphone forums. I will read into rooting my phone, I love hacking phones and I think Android is the way to go.

[Q] Can someone explain what is gained by rooting your G2X?

I have done custom ROMS on my old HTC TP2 so I kind of get it, but what do you gain by rooting your G2X? Right now I have a stock G2X thar is unlocked. I'm sure you can install new ROMS after being rooted, but does the good outweigh the bad. What I am trying to say is yes I agree that a stock phone has some bugs, but overall it works and does what it is supposed to. But rooting? I see post after post on this forum of bugs after bugs and questions after questions about something not working after rooting. So far it seems like a hassle and a whole world of endless misery. I gotta say that I am impressed how you create new roms to work on our phone, but how about a 1 button fix that does everything from rooting to installing a new ROM without the bugs so us newbs don't have to ask a million questions and download endless Apps to make it work correctly. Another words I'm not sold on the idea unless I'm missing something. On my HTC TP2 I had no choice but to enter into the realm of no return because the phone was a snail POS to begin with. So now I ask, what can I expect, I mean the phone stock is pretty good?

I guess if you're not willing to learn some stuff and get your hands dirty, then maybe rooting this phone isn't for you. There's no "one-click-and-done" for this device.
It has staggering potential if you are willing to learn rooting & modding. There are some really great roms available that make this phone more functional, fun, and pretty.
I got some experience rooting when a friend of mine asked if I could turn his nook color into an Android tablet. I learned more doing that than I did in 4 years of high school.
Rooting & modding isn't for everybody. If you think your G2x is fine the way it is, then leave it alone.

wireless tethering

You don't need root to install custom roms. Just install nvflash.
rooting allows the use of some good custom apps. Titanium backup for example. Paid version allows one click to restore all apps.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

Beekersguy said:
I guess if you're not willing to learn some stuff and get your hands dirty, then maybe rooting this phone isn't for you. There's no "one-click-and-done" for this device.
It has staggering potential if you are willing to learn rooting & modding. There are some really great roms available that make this phone more functional, fun, and pretty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean more "functional"?
edmcrocker said:
wireless tethering
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If what you mean by "wireless tethering", you mean using your phone as a wireless router, than I don't understand because I can do that now without being rooted. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
shovelhead83 said:
You don't need root to install custom roms. Just install nvflash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am really interested in hearing more about this. Where can I get nvflash? Is this something that will screw up my phone if I don't do it right? So after installing nvflash, I can just flash any ROM, just like that?

Plain and simple. If you want to be able to control every aspect of your phone: root. If your happy the way things are. Keep things the way they are.

AdFree. That is all the reason you need. And before I get flamed, I buy paid versions of apps I use, but on the ones paid isn't available, I block the ads. Can't stand them.

jsapp said:
AdFree. That is all the reason you need. And before I get flamed, I buy paid versions of apps I use, but on the ones paid isn't available, I block the ads. Can't stand them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, number one reason to root. I decided to root because of that lol.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

Look at it this way.
With root, you are the phone's God.
Without root, you are the phone's *****.
Plain and simple.

Winning!
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium