Root [TMobile] To root or not to root?

[donzoh1]

I have a t-mobile f6 that has no more storage available, mostly I believe because of the bloatware put on the phone by t-mobile. I put an SD card in put all the offensive apps can't be moved there.

I found a root that was about a year old but then I read that Google messed this one up with a software update.

I'm pretty new at all this but can follow instructions.

 

[viperdink]

For any one to help you here they will need to know what firmware version your phone is currently using. Rooting is explained in the " all thing root section " in the sticky at the top of the threads.
Most Carrier bloatware can be removed.
Most goggle apps will be updated when ever playstore updates.

 

[donzoh1]

Phone is LGD500, version 4.1.2, t-mobile

 

[gamesindians]

The way I see it, root if there is a community (like this one) and the phone can be expanded/improved. Bloatware is annoying, but most of the system apps can be frozen/disabled, so the main issue is limited app space, which you would need root to amend. Second is running apps taking up RAM, which can be helped with Greenify/Bootmanager to make your everyday use smoother. As far as rooting methods, Towelroot, or Kingoroot seem to be work.

 

[donzoh1]

Thanks for the input. Could you give me a step by step for the root process ?

 

[Blackflag4]

You have to think whether or not its worth it for you as an individual..

Rooting usually means voiding the warranty, which means the difference between paying full price for a replacement phone, or if you have insurance and aren't rooted or haven't tripped any flags, paying the insurance replacement fee.

Yes it allows you to remove "bloatware", but you need to know which programs are safe to remove since many apps are linked to system functions. Removing apps related to system functions can cause serious issues including bootloops and different states of bricking.

Also, file deletion of required system files in most file managers would then be possible so you have to be extra careful when messing around in the OS's file system when rooted.

If you are ok with these threats and the others that will likely be mentioned, then go for it.


For some of the good points..
Well freeing up memory and RAM after removing some useless software is always a good thing and will help improve speed since all of the extra crap isn't going to be running.
Once rooted you can customize the phone how you see fit. Changing the ROM becomes possible, changing the kernel, sometimes overclocking with special kernels, and sometimes even use hacks that help improve various things. (These hacks/ROM's/kernels require more hands on approaches and can damage the phone if not done correctly. Any of them you use are at your own risk so be careful)
Before you know it you'll be running what seems to be a totally different phone..


I myself am running a Metro PCS F6 on stock firmware 12b, rooted, custom ROM, and custom kernel overclocked from 1.2ghz to 1.4ghz.
I haven't had any issues so far but the occasional flickering screen while in the browser. This is also an issue with my girlfriends phone and hers has not been modded at all so it doesn't seem to be related to any of the mods I have used.

 

[Blackflag4]

By the way, after removing all of the bloatware and programs I likely wouldn't have used, my phone went from having only like 700mb or 800mb free (can't remember) to having 1.1gb free. Not a huge improvement but definitely noticeable on this phone.

Keep in mind that to free that much space, I had to rid myself of things like Google maps and a few others. I use Google maps so I end up reinstalling it before I go on a trip where GPS navigation is needed.

 

[gamesindians]

Thanks for the input. Could you give me a step by step for the root process ?

I am not much of an expert in reiterating exactly what I did, but basically make sure you have the correct drivers for this phone, download and install Android SDK to your C:\ partition, enable USB Debugging, ensure adb commands are possible through cmd, Download and run Kingosoft software, and hopefully it roots the phone, barring any internet issues.

 

[Blackflag4]

Or just towelroot it which doesn't require all of the instal this and connect that. lol

 

[donzoh1]

Thanks to all for the good info. I'm not worried about the warranty part of things as I only paid about 100 bucks for the phone, non-contract. Could I use titanium backup to make a copy of the phone that would be usable if the phone got bricked or otherwise messed up?

 

[Blackflag4]

I never have bricked my phone but I know bricking it requires a bit more work to fix.

Are you wanting to customize the phone with a new ROM, or just root and remove bloatware, or both. If you wanted to change the ROM, did you have one in mind?

 

[donzoh1]

At this point, my main problem is not being able to install new apps due to not enough space on the phone, even though I've put in an SD card and have App2SD installed. When I look at the phone internal storage space, it says most is used by apps and I've only installed about 4 apps on the phone internal memory. So, I am hoping rooting and getting rid of the unwanted t-mobile apps will do the trick.

 

[donzoh1]

Also, I have no idea what the benefit of changing the ROM would be or how to do that.

 

[Blackflag4]

Also, I have no idea what the benefit of changing the ROM would be or how to do that.

Changing the ROM can give you the ability to seriously customize the phone. Some roms, like the Xperion ROM by Game Theory, are very stable, and super fast due to being so trimmed down. With that you get speed and space.

You can do the same on a rooted stock ROM, custom just gives more options.

 

[Blackflag4]

Not sure if the Xperion works for tmobile f6, but you can always go to the f6 section and read up If your interested. If all you want is to free space, then just go with rooting and there should be a few lists of what can be removed laying around the forum