Root Clueless noob, help me out! What is Rooting?

[monstah]

I keep hearing about people "rooting" their phones. I also downloaded an App so I can screen shot from my (Captivate) phone, but it also tells me that I have to root my phone.

I downloaded AVG on my phone tonight and ran the scan, and the App "Superuser Permission" came up as a threat, and then I couldn't delete it. So I ran to Google on how to delete it, and stumbled across this forum. Apparently that App has something to do with rooting your phone (?), so here I am.

What in the world is this Superuser Permission thing, and how do I root my phone?

More importantly -- What is the point of rooting my phone? What does it do? What are the advantages? Will it wipe my phone out when I do it?



TIA!

 

[Jack45]

First, welcome!

Root - CapFAQ

 

[monstah]

First, welcome!

Root - CapFAQ

Thanks! So it just gives me full access to my phone? I like the idea that I can fully back my phone up with it, but I'd be afraid that I'd ruin something (it says you can delete important things if you aren't careful). I guess I could always back it up and just not mess with anything else.


So when I root my phone, does it wipe it clean? Erase all my stuff out of my phone? Sorry, I just didn't see answered that in the link.

 

[Jack45]

Thanks! So it just gives me full access to my phone? I like the idea that I can fully back my phone up with it, but I'd be afraid that I'd ruin something (it says you can delete important things if you aren't careful). I guess I could always back it up and just not mess with anything else.


So when I root my phone, does it wipe it clean? Erase all my stuff out of my phone? Sorry, I just didn't see answered that in the link.

Rooting gives you privileges that you wouldn't normally have. It doesn't wipe your phone...just opens some doors that were previously closed.

 

[monstah]

Thanks a ton! I'm going to try and root my phone today, so I might be back with some silly questions ... lol.

 

[monstah]

Maybe I don't want to root it.

I just read the link about passwords being readable on rooted phones.

I just want to be able to screen shot on my phone. Is there an *easy* way to do this without it being rooted? Like I said, I found an App a while ago, but it said it had to be rooted.

Why can't Android make it easy squeezy like the iPhone? That's my one complaint about this system. Well, actually, I have another complaint, but I suppose I can take that to another thread!

 

[Jack45]

Maybe I don't want to root it.

You're driving me crazy! Keep this up and "someone" is bound to suggest that you get an iphone.

I'll bet you can even buy a pretty bumper with flowers to go around it.

You ain't no monstah!

 

[monstah]

You know, if I could do a screen shot, I could show you all the other problem that my phone is having.

I don't want to be that annoying n00b who make 2309840923 threads in their first few days of being here (I'm apart of another board and those people drive me INSANE), so I'll just bite my tongue and wait a few days to ask about that problem, lol.

So does the majority of people here have their phones rooted, I assume?

 

[Copronymous]

You know, if I could do a screen shot, I could show you all the other problem that my phone is having.

I don't want to be that annoying n00b who make 2309840923 threads in their first few days of being here (I'm apart of another board and those people drive me INSANE), so I'll just bite my tongue and wait a few days to ask about that problem, lol.

So does the majority of people here have their phones rooted, I assume?

Majority? Hard to say.

I'll give you my perspective. Keep in mind it's probably work what you paid for it:
I went to the Cappy from the iPhone. I liked the iPhone but wanted more.
After having it for a couple of months I was supremely frustrated. The wifi sucked, the lag was unbearable, and the GPS was literally unsuable (it would just search non-stop for satellites).

The lag is was finally pushed me into trying some new things. I started with rooting it with Unleash the Beast. It was nice to have some of the AT&T stuff gone but it got laggy again. So I figured what the heck let's try a ROM.
Since then I've flashed dozens of times. I found one that really works well for me. It doesn't lack things I want, need and use. It's been updated to newer versions, but mine works great.

So, all that to say this: No question is a stupid question, as long as you've researched it already and can't quite find the answer.

Rooting is easy and the capfaq does a great job at giving you the info to make an informed decision.

Based on my experience, you may end up choosing to use a custom ROM to alleviate some of the problems.

 

[fldude99]

^^^So which ROM are you using currently?

 

[Copronymous]

^^^So which ROM are you using currently?

Phoenix v1.0.