Root [Verizon] To root or not to root: that is the question.

markdmac said:

Agreed, but as I stated, if there is a hardware defect, then they can't deny you. I root so I can mod my phone and remove bloatware, I don't overclock. Replacing images for my battery status isn't going to damage my phone.

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3ricG said:

How easy is it to unroot the s4 if something happens to it? I was going to root mine right away; but I don't like doing it if there isn't a clear path back to stock.

Also, will I still be able to receive/install OTA updates when rooted? When I download/install OTAs for my Nexus 7, it removes root; and there were always warnings about installing OTAs on the Thunderbolt (my last phone). I don't really have a problem with this, but I might not root my device until some more updates come out (since this phone is still relatively new).

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3ricG said:

How easy is it to unroot the s4 if something happens to it? I was going to root mine right away; but I don't like doing it if there isn't a clear path back to stock.

Also, will I still be able to receive/install OTA updates when rooted? When I download/install OTAs for my Nexus 7, it removes root; and there were always warnings about installing OTAs on the Thunderbolt (my last phone). I don't really have a problem with this, but I might not root my device until some more updates come out (since this phone is still relatively new).

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jhawkkw said:

Unrooting is generally pretty easy. Either flash the factory image, or if it's just rooted stock then manually remove the files through adb or terminal emulator. The major worry with OTA's isn't losing root since it can be protected with apps like VooDoo OTA Rootkeeper and similar apps, it's what they do to the bootloader and for people who haven't rooted yet, but want to. The AT&T and Verizon versions are bootloader locked and updating via OTA could remove the only exploit currently known for getting around it. Also an OTA can remove an exploit needed to obtain root, which is why the motochopper exploit works on every version except the Verizon version out of box. An update to the kernel removed the exploit, however flashing an older stock kernel restored the exploit so that those can successfully root.

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3ricG said:

Ah, okay! So its not really a problem for people who are rooted (if you use an app to keep root), its more about people who want to root. Thanks!

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