You are here: Android Forum » Android » Android "Root" Forum » Rooting Questions and Answers!
Go to: Recent posts | Own threads | Watched threads

Rooting Questions and Answers!

You must be registered at AndroidPIT in order to participate in the Android Forum.

Subscribe:

All posts in "Rooting Questions and Answers!" thread

Steven Blum

User
Phone

Status: Administrator

Rank: Android Silver Senior

Posts: 759

Join date: Apr 1, 2011

Rooting Questions and Answers!
created on Sep 22, 2011 4:19:29 PM — modified on Sep 23, 2011 4:27:41 PM

What exactly is rooting?

Rooting your Android involves adding a small Linux application called "su." It stands for SuperUser, and allows applications and commands to run. The root user is the boss and can do anything on the device with "su" in place, including simple things like clearing the cache and also more complicated things like tethering a PC or an iPod touch.

Why would I want to do it?

Certain things you can only do with a rooted phone, like installing the software from other phones (think Sense or TouchWiz). Additionally, some apps like Titanium Backup only work on rooted devices and can help you backup all of your data before you switch phones. Rooted devices can also run other apps like Ad Free, which gets rid of all advertising on any app in your phone and Shoot Me, which allows you to take a screenshot of anything.

Is it dangerous? Will it void my warranty? What if I end up ruining my phone?

Rooting can be dangerous, depending on the device, it always voids your warranty and it can end up breaking your phone. By messing with your phone's internal DNA, you could end up fiddling with the wrong thing and brick your phone. Usually, you can still recover it, but not always. All major carriers and manufacturers state that altering or using un-approved software voids the warranty, so proceed with caution.

You've also got to be careful about the kinds of apps you install on your rooted phone. Read all the reviews and pay special attention to what kinds of permissions the app asks for.

Can I still receive over-the-air updates from my carrier?

Maybe. Most updates are designed to work with original software, so they need to check to make sure your software is just as they left it. If you decide to un-root your phone, usually you can update it again.

Can I un-root my phone?

It depends. Some phones are insanely easy to revert back and some are really difficult. This is the most important thing to research before you begin your rooting expedition.

In conclusion, so long as you do your research, rooting can give you an extra level of control over your Android phone. If you decide to root, consider the advice we've laid out here. The risks are real, but so are the rewards!

-----
Android News I Android Apps I App Center

Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)

carmine92207 User Phone Rank: Android Junior Posts: 7 Join date: Oct 4, 2011 Model: - Firmware: 2.2.3 Mod: samsung exhibit Kernel: - Build: - Provider: -	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on Oct 4, 2011 6:32:41 AM hello i need help please i have samsung exhibit and i thought my phone was rooted so i used odin3 and had my phone in download mode and ran the new gallaxy firmware and now my phone wont do anything but if i turn it on its white screen and i can still get it in download mode. can anyone help please thanks Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)
Steven Blum User Phone Status: Administrator Rank: Android Silver Senior Posts: 759 Join date: Apr 1, 2011 Model: Galaxy Nexus Firmware: 4.0.4 Mod: - Kernel: - Build: - Provider: O2	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on Oct 4, 2011 10:06:12 AM Hi Carmine, Unfortunately, there is virtually no information online about rooting your Exhibit or saving a bricked Exhibit. This is what's so frustrating about this phone. I wish I could help. ----- Android News I Android Apps I App Center Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)
carmine92207 User Phone Rank: Android Junior Posts: 7 Join date: Oct 4, 2011 Model: - Firmware: 2.2.3 Mod: samsung exhibit Kernel: - Build: - Provider: -	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on Oct 4, 2011 2:27:33 PM hello so u think its bricked i thought ehen its bricked nothing at all happens thanks is there nothing i can try Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)
ram choudhary User Phone Rank: Andryo Posts: 2 Join date: Feb 15, 2012 Model: - Firmware: - Mod: - Kernel: - Build: - Provider: -	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on Feb 15, 2012 6:10:21 AM Steven Blum What exactly is rooting? Rooting your Android involves adding a small Linux application called "su." It stands for SuperUser, and allows applications and commands to run. The root user is the boss and can do anything on the device with "su" in place, including simple things like clearing the cache and also more complicated things like tethering a PC or an iPod touch. Why would I want to do it? Certain things you can only do with a rooted phone, like installing the software from other phones (think Sense or TouchWiz). Additionally, some apps like Titanium Backup only work on rooted devices and can help you backup all of your data before you switch phones. Rooted devices can also run other apps like Ad Free, which gets rid of all advertising on any app in your phone and Shoot Me, which allows you to take a screenshot of anything. Is it dangerous? Will it void my warranty? What if I end up ruining my phone? Rooting can be dangerous, depending on the device, it always voids your warranty and it can end up breaking your phone. By messing with your phone's internal DNA, you could end up fiddling with the wrong thing and brick your phone. Usually, you can still recover it, but not always. All major carriers and manufacturers state that altering or using un-approved software voids the warranty, so proceed with caution. You've also got to be careful about the kinds of apps you install on your rooted phone. Read all the reviews and pay special attention to what kinds of permissions the app asks for. Can I still receive over-the-air updates from my carrier? Maybe. Most updates are designed to work with original software, so they need to check to make sure your software is just as they left it. If you decide to un-root your phone, usually you can update it again. Can I un-root my phone? It depends. Some phones are insanely easy to revert back and some are really difficult. This is the most important thing to research before you begin your rooting expedition. In conclusion, so long as you do your research, rooting can give you an extra level of control over your Android phone. If you decide to root, consider the advice we've laid out here. The risks are real, but so are the rewards! Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)
ram choudhary User Phone Rank: Andryo Posts: 2 Join date: Feb 15, 2012 Model: - Firmware: - Mod: - Kernel: - Build: - Provider: -	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on Feb 15, 2012 6:11:52 AM Hey should I root my xperia neo? I m confused? Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)
Steven Blum User Phone Status: Administrator Rank: Android Silver Senior Posts: 759 Join date: Apr 1, 2011 Model: Galaxy Nexus Firmware: 4.0.4 Mod: - Kernel: - Build: - Provider: O2	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on Feb 15, 2012 10:28:03 AM Hi Ram, What are you trying to accomplish by rooting it? What would you like to change about your phone? ----- Android News I Android Apps I App Center Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)
Christopher Silva User Phone Status: Moderator Rank: Android Volunteer Posts: 154 Join date: Nov 17, 2009 Model: Samsung Galaxy S2 (I9100) Firmware: 2.3.6 Mod: Samsung orig. Kernel: siyah 2.6.6 Build: - Provider: Vodafone	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on Feb 15, 2012 2:36:05 PM carmine92207 hello so u think its bricked i thought ehen its bricked nothing at all happens thanks is there nothing i can try sure there is: - Take out the battery - connect your device to a computer via usb - press volume down and power and if it has one the center button and wait.... This should bring you back to a default mode where you can do something. Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)
Eric McBride User Phone Status: Super Blogger, Super Tester, Moderator Rank: Android Gold Senior Posts: 1,297 Join date: Jan 3, 2012 Model: Galaxy Nexus Firmware: 4.0.4 Mod: Paranoid Android (tablet hybrid) Kernel: Popcorn Kernel 10.1 Build: IMM76D Provider: Vodafone	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on Feb 15, 2012 3:11:23 PM Christopher Silva carmine92207 hello so u think its bricked i thought ehen its bricked nothing at all happens thanks is there nothing i can try sure there is: - Take out the battery - connect your device to a computer via usb - press volume down and power and if it has one the center button and wait.... This should bring you back to a default mode where you can do something. If your soft bricked, this method will work. You just need to get back into recovery. If you can do that your golden. If your hard bricked however, there unfortunately arent that many options Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)
Christopher Silva User Phone Status: Moderator Rank: Android Volunteer Posts: 154 Join date: Nov 17, 2009 Model: Samsung Galaxy S2 (I9100) Firmware: 2.3.6 Mod: Samsung orig. Kernel: siyah 2.6.6 Build: - Provider: Vodafone	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on Feb 20, 2012 9:47:39 AM Carmine, any news ? Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)
Eric McBride User Phone Status: Super Blogger, Super Tester, Moderator Rank: Android Gold Senior Posts: 1,297 Join date: Jan 3, 2012 Model: Galaxy Nexus Firmware: 4.0.4 Mod: Paranoid Android (tablet hybrid) Kernel: Popcorn Kernel 10.1 Build: IMM76D Provider: Vodafone	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on Feb 20, 2012 2:08:02 PM Christopher Silva Carmine, any news ? Yeah, Im curious as well. Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)
Shawn Davis User Phone Rank: Andryo Posts: 4 Join date: Feb 29, 2012 Model: T-Mobile Galaxy S 4g Firmware: 2.2.1 Mod: SGH-T959V Kernel: 2.6.32.9 Build: FROYO.VUVKD1 Provider: T-Mobile	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on Feb 29, 2012 11:44:08 PM (via AndroidPIT app) Hi um I was wondering do u hav ne information on how to successfully root a Galaxy S 4g without a computer? Ive searched nd spent countless hours looking up ways to root my phone with no success Ne and all information would greatly b appreciated Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)
Aaron Tilton User Phone Rank: Android Silver Senior Posts: 845 Join date: Aug 18, 2011 Model: Firmware: Mod: Kernel: Build: Provider:	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on Mar 1, 2012 10:40:49 AM Check your first thread. We already answered your question there. Rooting Samsung Galaxy S2. ----- Android News I Android Apps I > App Center Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)
haffifi abdullah User Phone Rank: Andryo Posts: 1 Join date: Mar 28, 2012 Model: HTC Evo 3D Firmware: - Mod: - Kernel: 2.6.35.13-g47321df htc-kernel@and18-2 #1 Build: 1.20.401.8 CL105308 Provider: -	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on Mar 28, 2012 10:35:03 AM should i root my android.i bought a htc evo 3d with android 2.3.4 in it which is gingerbread if im not mistaken.to what extent could i upgrade my android version? HELP ME PLEASE Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)
bajram k. User Phone Rank: Andryo Posts: 2 Join date: Oct 17, 2011 Model: - Firmware: - Mod: - Kernel: - Build: - Provider: -	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on May 9, 2012 2:59:50 PM German : Hej habe mein Handy gerootet und zwar mit odin und mit 2.3.6 hatte ich schon aber als ich es rooten wollte dann hatte ich einen Fehler dabei und zwar wenn ich mein handy einschalte kommt ein schwarzer Bildschirm & Telefon .... (!) ... Computer wer kann mir helfen BITTE (Samsung Galaxy s i9000) BITTE BRAUCHE HILFE ! English : Hey I rooted my phone and that with odin and I had with 2.3.6 but when I tried it rooten then I had an error here and that if I turn on my cell phone is a black screen and telephone .... (!) ... Computer who can help me PLEASE (Samsung's i9000 Galaxy) PLEASE DO HELP! Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)
Eric McBride User Phone Status: Super Blogger, Super Tester, Moderator Rank: Android Gold Senior Posts: 1,297 Join date: Jan 3, 2012 Model: Galaxy Nexus Firmware: 4.0.4 Mod: Paranoid Android (tablet hybrid) Kernel: Popcorn Kernel 10.1 Build: IMM76D Provider: Vodafone	RE: Rooting Questions and Answers! created on May 9, 2012 5:33:33 PM Hmm....first off, is it possible to pull your battery out and then get the phone back into recovery or fastboot mode? If you can get there, you aren't bricked and have many options. Reply with quote Reply Link ±0 (0 votes)