Root Different Ways To Root: Tradeoffs?

From that article I've used Methods 1 and 2 without problem. Both methods are very straightforward. Method 1 is the simplest of all, because it is the least invasive to the phone. This is the method documented in section 1B of the first post here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1329360. The zip file for removing root is listed just below section 1B. Unfortunately the document has become a bit of a mess due to preservation of old/outdated rooting methods, but section 1B covers the latest solution.

Method 2 adds more "recovery" features, which could be handy, but IMHO are usually not necessary. During the ICS days it also provided a valuable protection against the "Brick Bug" contained in the stock ICS ROMs. If you're already on JB and simply wish to add root then this is, AFAIK, no longer required. Also, since option 2 modifies/replaces the kernel you need to make sure that you pick the right version of Philz kernel for your own phone's ROM. The article as written is not incorrect, but as more ROM variants become available it will not accurately reflect the need to match the replacement kernel to the new ROM. If you want to go this route I would suggest visiting the XDA thread for Philz kernel to keep up to date with the latest developments - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1901191. There's quite a bit of reading there, but it's important to match kernels correctly.

I have not and would not use the third method, which uses Odin, because I do not wish to increase the flash counter. Odin is completely fine for installing stock ROMs, but it seems a completely superfluous option for achieving root when there are two easier/better options available.

One issue I have with the article - you can download the update zip files straight to your phone from the internet, so why faff about installing drivers to your PC needlessly (unless the drivers are already installed) and then copying files over to the phone?

The long and short of all that - if in doubt, or purely wanting root without further bells and whistles, just use Method 1 to start with. All flashing at your own risk etc. etc..

Superuser is basically root. Apps which require to use root must ask permission because of the power that is unleashed when root access is given. Apps with this permission could take control of your phone and potentially wreck it, so only give root access to apps that you trust.

There are plenty of legitimate reasons to require root access, usually for system utilities that need deep access to protected files. Examples would be ad blockers, backup/restore apps, freezing/deleting system apps, tweaking apps, anti virus etc. etc..

I tried several times to root my note. Odin would claim success, but 'root checker' said it was not rooted. It did somehow fool the google store; if I rent a movie it will say "cannot play on a rooted device". I had to ask google for a refund. I guess my phone is 'half rooted'. Haha

iCS came along, and then the need for root went away. I just wanted to get rid of "voice talk".

I would like to "minimize" my phone by deleting unused system apps, and i want to tweak the clock up, then unroot if I can.

Is Odin my best choice today? I have a first generation motherboard, German model GN1 with JB.

I wouldn't use Odin at all simply to root/unroot a phone. I use Odin only to flash Samsung stock ROMs in their entirety.

IMHO the simplest method to root (i.e. install Superuser) and unroot is to follow the instructions in section 1B of the first post here....

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1329360

Depending on what you are planning to do once you're rooted, and how, you may or may not need to install Busybox as well. Instructions for that are also in section 1B, but it is optional depending on needs. It should do no harm to do it anyway, but may be unnecessary.

Instructions to unroot are just below that section.

You can leave the files to root and unroot on your external SD card so that you can easily re-root and unroot whenever the need arises.

Ahhh smart, put the files on the SD. Good plan. I am a Linux software developer, and Redhat Linux admin by trade. I wish I could ssh to a bash console.

You just save the complete unroot zip file to your phone - can't remember if it should go to external or internal or either - and then go into recovery and flash it, just as for rooting in the first place. You'll have to go back to the XDA thread to get the unroot file

UnRoot :

Busybox uninstaller - Flash in recovery
Complete unroot (busybox+Superuser) - Flash in recovery

Click to expand...