Is unlocking the same thing as Rooting?

A question. what exactly is "rooting" an Android phone? What does it do? Is it the samething as unlocking? Why do you do it to a phone that already works?

well i am not really sure about this but i guess yes they both are same things I mean i know more things will be possible if you root the phone, but as I consider buying the "unlocked" version of the phone versus on the subsidized version, if I were to root and unlock my N1, would i have all the capabilities of the marketed unlocked phone? Like could I use it on other networks and stuffs ?

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30 rock online

There are two definitions commonly used in regards to unlocking/unlocked phones.. first was the unlocked version of a handset.. which meant/means you can use it on a variety of cellular networks (as long as it used the same type of network etc).

The more recent usage of the term unlocking/unlocked is commonly used to describe the "state" of a handset's bootloader. For folk's that want to root their devices.. a locked bootloader makes it very difficult to root or to stay rooted after rebooting the device.

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Here's a good thread on what rooting is all about:

http://www.androidpit.com/en/android/forum/thread/403299/So-what-exactly-is-rooting-and-is-it-for-me#p509213

Hi, Rooting is a process allowing users of smart phones, tablets, and other devices running the android operation system to attain privileged control (known as "root access”) within Android's subsystem. Rooting is often performed with the goal of overcoming limitations that carriers and hardware manufacturers put on some devices, resulting in the ability to alter or replace system applications and settings, run specialized apps that require administrator-level permissions, or perform other operations that are otherwise inaccessible to a normal Android user. Rooting is analogous to jail breaking devices running the Apple iOS operating system or the Sony play station. On Android, rooting can also facilitate the complete removal and replacement of the device's operating system, usually with a more recent release of its current operating system. Thus “rooting” a android phone is not meant for unlocking it. So, if you need to unlock your phone, you must contact your telecom service provider or a site such as http://www.theunlockspot.com/ where we can unlock or phone permanently. So rooting is a process for android to get control within an android subsystem. Thanks