Root How did you guys get 2.2.1?

[kanaida]

I'm just curious. I've never even been prompted to install it in any way. I've had my phone on 2.2 since I got it, and rooted it the same day.

 

[andyo70]

That's because Metro doesn't push updates over-the-air. You have to use LG's Update Software to update the phone.

 

[ChazzMatt]

I'm just curious. I've never even been prompted to install it in any way. I've had my phone on 2.2 since I got it, and rooted it the same day.

That's because Metro doesn't push updates over-the-air. You have to use LG's Update Software to update the phone.

Also Optimus M phones being shipped now have 2.2.1. I bought mine back end of November just after release and it had 2.2. But people buying now have a good chance of getting an Optimus M phone with 2.2.1.

As AndyYo70 said, a lot of people got it accidentally. While downloading the USB driver for phone - computer SD card recognition, people noticed that LG said there was an "update" available for our phones. Could it be 2.3 Gingerbread? NO. It was a trick -- the "update" (2.2.1)closes the root exploit.

 

[alfick3]

Being a noob here, I'm unfamiliar with rooting and what's wrong with 2.2.1 versus 2.2 and so on. I've tried searching on 2.2.1 and it always comes back with nothing found. I'm not sure of what else to enter into the search argument to come up with anything. I assume that "rooting" has something to do with root access like in linux/unix/aix and so on. Any help or links to other threads/forums would be much appreciated.

 

[kanaida]

It is exactly like root on linux.

Right now you are a user on your phone, and MetroPCS puts certain restrictions on you, mostly just not letting you run some kind of apps etc...

rooting it will let you run apps as "root" the user who is the master of the universe. He who can give life or take it away. In this case your phones.

 

[alfick3]

kanaida, thank you for that confirmation. So what does it take to become a root user? Does it void warranty and such?

 

[Muilisx]

kanaida, thank you for that confirmation. So what does it take to become a root user? Does it void warranty and such?

Yes it does, but you can always unroot with a press of a button.

 

[alfick3]

NY11725, ok, so how do we accomplish becoming root? Are there other posts to give steps and such. Also, when I do finally get my phone, how do I find out what version is on it?

 

[ChazzMatt]

It is exactly like root on linux.

Right now you are a user on your phone, and MetroPCS puts certain restrictions on you, mostly just not letting you run some kind of apps etc...

rooting it will let you run apps as "root" the user who is the master of the universe. He who can give life or take it away. In this case your phones.

Excellent explanation. The only thing I would add is root also lets you remove some "non removeable" apps that MetroPCS has installed on the phone -- i.e. bloatware. It's one thing if Metro puts apps on the phone they think might be useful (like Easy Wi-Fi or ThinkFree Office), but it's quite another to put on "Free Games" which are not free, MyExtras which seems to be extra ads in your face, and Boingo which is a PAID subscription wi-fi service. Some of these you can NOT remove unless you are ROOT. They take up space that could be used for apps you do want and in some cases they take up CPU cycles and RAM which makes your phone run slower.

Root and remove!

NY11725, ok, so how do we accomplish becoming root? Are there other posts to give steps and such. Also, when I do finally get my phone, how do I find out what version is on it?

NY11725, ok, so how do we accomplish becoming root? Are there other posts to give steps and such. Also, when I do finally get my phone, how do I find out what version is on it?

There's a whole Optimus M subforum in this forum devoted to all things rooting.

Optimus M - All Things Root - Android Forums

If you have 2.2, all you have to do is download and use the Z4Root app (free). Then get "Root Explorer" ($3 or $4, but you can also find "free" version people have uploaded. However, I paid for it as it's immensely helpful and well-written. I wanted to reward the developer.) Root Explore is similar to Windows Explorer in concept. You can browse through files and folders and move, copy, delete what you want. For instance, you can DELETE the apps you do not want to have running on your phone, like Boingo.

Another trick is to get rid of the "Hello...Hello... Hello!" boot up sound file. It's cute the first dozen times. After that it's annoying. I don't need to announce to the whole world I just turned on/rebooted my phone. So, you get a 1 second silent MP3 file, re-name it the same as the PowerOn.mp3 file. Using Root Explorer you move the new file to the folder where the original file is, replacing it. Being root and using Root Explorer, it's very easy.

To find out what version you have you go into the phone settings and click on "About Phone". Scroll down. It tells you the version you have.

 

[alfick3]

ChazzMatt, thank you greatly.

Kanaida, I apologize for hijacking your thread.

 

[ChazzMatt]

ChazzMatt, thank you greatly.

Kanaida, I apologize for hijacking your thread.

good unboxing, professional introduction to Optimus M:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIyKIzBgRh4

She goes through it all, shows you where the SD card is and all that.