• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

what is rooting?

At first I thought that rooting should be done as an android user, but since it voids my warranty, I can't possibly do that. I'm a heavy phone user so if something breaks, I need it to be completely warranted by my carrier. Maybe when it's already past my first year i'll get it rooted, but for now i'll be nice and leave what is as is. :)
 
Upvote 0
At first I thought that rooting should be done as an android user, but since it voids my warranty, I can't possibly do that. I'm a heavy phone user so if something breaks, I need it to be completely warranted by my carrier. Maybe when it's already past my first year i'll get it rooted, but for now i'll be nice and leave what is as is. :)

that is fine... it is your phone. and if you do not see anything needed.. then you should not. it is not for all. I think there is less than 25% of android users that do. So you are in the majority.

if you do find that you want too...
it aint that hard... just that you must be exact with the instructions. and make sure you have the "right" instructions for your exact phone.

also...
90% of the issues... can be fixed.
90% of the really broken phones do to rooting can be warrantied, because it will not even get the screen to react. they can not tell what caused the problem. Some dont even care.. just be polite.
you can also take out the $7/month warranty.. just in case. cancel when you are done.
 
Upvote 0
I have been looking for the "what is root" question/explanation and am glad I found this thread. The info presented here is VERY helpful.
I also want to state that I REALLY like the way everyone communicates without being rude/smart-aleckly(?) or a jerk! This is why I joined this site.

Thank you AND kudos to all for your incite, knowledge and friendliness!!!

yes thanks for all the help
 
Upvote 0
^^^
do you know the root directory of your computer?
with out access of the root directory.. you can not get into the directories of the system files and other important files. You are limited to the directory/ folders / files that they give you access too.

so carriers.. intentionally block the user access to the root directory on your android phone.

rooting... kills the block and gives the user full access to all files on your phone. good or bad.. it is for you to change .. update.. modify...replace.. and **** it up royally.

rooting does not change anything.. only kills the block that the carriers put in.
 
Upvote 0
^^^
do you know the root directory of your computer?
with out access of the root directory.. you can not get into the directories of the system files and other important files. You are limited to the directory/ folders / files that they give you access too.

so carriers.. intentionally block the user access to the root directory on your android phone.

rooting... kills the block and gives the user full access to all files on your phone. good or bad.. it is for you to change .. update.. modify...replace.. and **** it up royally.

rooting does not change anything.. only kills the block that the carriers put in.

So they do a "chown androiduser:androiduser" on "/root"?

I am looking for a more detailed description of what is done.
 
Upvote 0
I've still not read what is actually "rooting". (I do understand Unix, I've used it each and every day for almost two decades.)

Is it that your phone is now running all apps as the user "root"?

From my understanding 'rooting' is like typing "sudo" (followed by your password) into the terminal of a linux system but it's permanent. Unless you manually change back of course.

Only you're not supposed to be able to do it.
 
Upvote 0
i have an htc evo and i was a little curious to what exactly rooting will do for me. and also, my friend with an iphone jailbroke his. he can download any app for free. is there anything like this i can do for my evo??

Here's the Evo info on what root is - http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/129648-quick-intro-rooting-those-new-rooting.html

Here's the info on how to root an Evo (and only an Evo) - http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/194918-rooting-dummies.html

Now - downloading any app for free. No. Not around here. That's software piracy and copyright infringement and is illegal - and AndroidForums.com will have no part in that or posts regarding it.

Unlike an iPhone - you can apps from the approved Market or directly from devs without the need to jailbreak (aka iPhone rooting).

And unlike an iPhone, many of the for-pay apps with an Apple have free counterparts on Android.

There's no need nor excuse to engage in any sort of piracy.

Welcome to the forums!
 
Upvote 0
Welcome to the forums!

The actual rooting steps vary by each phone's make and model. Sometimes there's more than one way to do it. Here's our list of supported Android phones - Android Phones - Android Forums

You'll want to go to your phone in that list, then look for a sub-forum for it called All Things Root. In each case, users just like you have put together the instructions - or links to them at a forum called XDA - that have worked best for them.

Remember the two big rules of rooting:

1. Read, read, read instructions before starting.

2. Get relaxed and comfortable. Don't rush, stay cool. If you miss a step and things don't seem to be going right, don't panic, don't fiddle. Post a question in your phone area stating the problem and wait for someone who's had the same issue to post back and answer. (They always do.) Stay calm.

Good luck, enjoy your rooting!
 
Upvote 0
"super users can screw up the kernel, over clock the processors (and overheat them by accident), get more sound from the speakers by "over clocking" that to, replace the system with another one, etc."

ah poo

I'm trying to root for 3 reasons:
  1. I hate ads of any kind, and I want to install ad-blockers as near to system-level as possible in order to have it most proof against ad-hackers (the ads that hack their way in anyway)
  2. I want to UNDERclock my already OVERclocked ZT-180. It was overclocked to be sold that way, but it runs VERY hot and my battery lasts for about 15-45 minutes, depending on what I'm doing. I could never watch a full-length movie without a plug. I don't do anything that (games) requires the speed (games) of the erroneous OVERclock (games), and would rather have battery life.
  3. This is MY d*mn tablet and it's MY da*n business what I do with it within the boundaries of law.
This is how I explained it to Larry:

Remember how, when I turned off your administrator rights (XP), you could use your programs but not install programs and get into things you don't need to, like hardware or the operating system?

Yes.

Then "Administrator Rights" is what I'm trying to do with my Android. But everytime I use Universal Androot it doesn't work and it kills my internet.

***

I'm wondering whether this topic isn't off-topic from the get-go. I am an experienced linux/unix/windows/osx/ce/os2/etc power-user and I'm fed up with the one-click rooting solutions. What is rooting, step by step?

I'll re-ask that a different way. How do I root WITHOUT one of these little one-step thingies, manually, from a command prompt, or usb connection, or whatever? Let's say I wanted to build Universal Androot for my 2nd generation ZT180 (I'm not, but let's just say). I'm a programmer (and a *amn good one), so give me what ya got. How do I build this program? Meaning, what steps are there to rooting a device?
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones