Root Newbie situation regarding rooting etc for a Verizon unlocked Inc 2

[alzora]

I am a bit overwhelmed by all of the information on these forums and am trying to connect the dots so I thought I would post here for some specific guidance.

I have an Inc. 1 with Verizon and love it, but I am moving out of the country in 3 weeks. I bought a used Inc. 2 that I had Verizon unlock. I plan to take it with me to the UK and use a sim card.

Questions/Issues:

1. There are some apps on this phone I would like to remove, but I am unable to. Examples... blockbuster app, a game app, some of the specific Verizon apps. Is my only option to root this phone in order to remove those apps?
2. This phone is currently running Android v. 2.3.4 and Sense v. 2.1. I am unable to uprade this version since this phone is not activated on Verizon's system. Should I get it activated temporarily to update the software version? It was activated for about 5 minutes yesterday for the unlocking process.
3. If I do need to root my phone, I am completely new to it and would appreciate being pointed into the right direction for details instructions on how to do so.

Thanks for your assistance!

 

[kadimi]

You will probably find it easier to uninstall apps as root, furthermore you will be able to update your phone before unrooted people, just make sure that you know what you do and that you feel comfortable with flashing phones.

* You will have to follow precisely the instructions for rooting your phone
* Make sure your battery is 70% or say 90% charged before starting the rooting process.

Here's a tutorial for rooting your phone:
How to Root HTC Droid Incredible 2

ROOTING YOUR PHONE MAY BRICK YOUR PHONE IF NOT DONE CORRECTLY

 

[bberryhill0]

Rooting guide:

http://androidforums.com/showthread.php?t=592064

For most people this phone runs fine stock. The extra apps don't hurt anything.

 

[alzora]

Is there a way to uninstall these apps without rooting my phone? I cannot even figure out how to get them not to display icons on my apps screen even if not installed. They are just taking up space I want to use for other things. Can Verizon remove some these apps for me? I am still a Verizon customer until my move.

Also, what about upgrading my software? Will I never be able to do that if not connected to the Verizon network? I can get Verizon to activate this phone on my current number (which I will have for a couple of more weeks) long enough to upgrade my software if I need to. It is a bit of a pain, but doable.


Thanks.

 

[alzora]

Update: I called Verizon and they said if I take it into one of their stores someone there should be able to help me flash the phone to enable the software updates and remove the unnecessary apps. I'll go try that this week and let you know if I am successful.

 

[bberryhill0]

Oh dear. Don't take your phone to the store. You can't remove the bloat without root and you are on either the latest firmware or the second to latest. You are fine. I repeat, don't take your phone to the store. Really.

 

[alzora]

So you are saying if I take it to the store they won't be able to remove the extra apps nor free up my phone so I can upgrade my software without being on Verizon's network? Note my contract ends with Verizon in 3 weeks and I'm going out of the country. I'd like to remedy this asap.

 

[bberryhill0]

I don't think there is any way to update the phone firmware if you are off Verizon's network. If you want ICS and to remove bloatware then root and install a custom ROM.

The in store salespeople mostly just know how to install task killers.

 

[obscuro]

So you are saying if I take it to the store they won't be able to remove the extra apps nor free up my phone so I can upgrade my software without being on Verizon's network? Note my contract ends with Verizon in 3 weeks and I'm going out of the country. I'd like to remedy this asap.

You need to root. It's worth it and not that hard if you go step-by-step. With root, you can freeze those apps to make them disappear without actually deleting them. You can easily backup your text messages, settings, your apps and their settings, all to an sdcard or online backup.

And the big thing about root is the ability to run custom ROMs that add features to your phones operating system or even change the look and feel entirely. Being rooted, you will be able to install all kinds of variants of GB, ICS and soon, even Jellybean.

So no, I woudnt take it to Verizon. They could maybe update you to ICS and use the google method of disabling those apps (that's built into ics but not gingerbread), but honestly that is not standard practice for them. They certainly don't support being rooted, because in some cases it may void your warranty (if they actually realize u are rooted, that is).

Your UK provider will probably care less if u are rooted when you go to activate over there. I would root and keep it on stock software until it is activated, though, just to be safe.

 

[bberryhill0]

Um, no, Verizon cannot update this phone to ICS right now. Unless you live in China. And Jelly Bean is already available.

 

[obscuro]

Um, no, Verizon cannot update this phone to ICS right now. Unless you live in China. And Jelly Bean is already available.

Considering he is not even rooted, I'd think he would find the alpha builds of Jellybean for inc2 a little daunting.

I don't have an inc2, but I imagine it is next on Verizon's list to get ICS now that the rezound ICS is out. Of course, that's not going to happen in the short time the OP has before he moves.

 

[scotty85]

Update: I called Verizon and they said if I take it into one of their stores someone there should be able to help me flash the phone to enable the software updates and remove the unnecessary apps. I'll go try that this week and let you know if I am successful.

Wow. Really?? I don't know why they even told you that. The stores don't have any special equipment,and don't even have access to stock ruus,in most cases.

That's pretty funny... I still can't believe someone at vzw actually told you that.

If you want to remove bloat,you need to root. But as has been said,the Inc 2 is a decent lil phone and runs fine out of the box.

 

[bberryhill0]

That's pretty funny... I still can't believe someone at vzw actually told you that.

Lol! A Verizon rep recently told me that I should install a task killer to solve my battery drain problem when I'm in a no signal area...

 

[obscuro]

Lol! A Verizon rep recently told me that I should install a task killer to solve my battery drain problem when I'm in a no signal area...

I bought my Rezound from a 3rd-party reseller and got a followup call from Verizon's call center several days later asking how my purchasing experience was. I told her good, she said here's some general tips for your new phone. And one of them was to run Green Power Battery Saver. I think they realize the weak point of how much they lean towards Android is that Android phones in general have sucky battery life.