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Is it worth rooting?

crashnburn64

Newbie
Jul 27, 2019
13
6
I have thought about rooting my box just because I can but is it worth it if I don't plan on going to all the free sites? I already have access to the stuff I have anyway. Prime, homerun tv and my own content. I've sideloaded some stuff but didn't need to root to do that. My jetstream doesn't seem to have much bloatware.
 
a tv box???????? not sure really. if it is at all possible, it might be fun just to do it. you get to learn a bit about programming. not sure what you can do afterwards though.

on phones and tablets it is different. if there is a development community to support the device, then it is absolutely worth it. you get to try some of the custom roms and kernels that the developers put out. custom roms will replace the intended android os and manufacturer's skin. some roms have cool themes, run faster and may have better battery life. it is like getting a new phone. if you do not like a particular rom, you can always just flash another one.

head on over to XDA Developer's Jetstream Forum
to check out anything root.
 
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I'd recommend you don't need to bother going through the rooting process unless there are specific reasons why do want to. But a lot of that depends on just what model is it and which version of Android it's running. Once you root it, all management becomes your responsibility. Things like OTA updates will be a serious judgment call on your part as applying them to a rooted device might work out fine or it might soft-brick your device so you have to go through a lot of corrective measures. A rooted device is also more vulnerable to being compromised as it only has half-measures to the integral security policies that are a part of a non-rooted device:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/android-security-a-peek-behind-the-scenes/
You do need to be more vigilant about everything you do that involves any online interaction. This pertains more to a smartphone as they're more multi-functional in day-to-day usage than a TV set top unit but it's still relevant.
If however you just want to learn more about your device at a deeper level, than rooting it is less of an option but more of a necessity.
 
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