Top 10 reasons to root?

  1. stevep2007

    stevep2007 Member

    Why root?

    Hi Folks

    - I'm trying to find the top 10 reasons why android phones are rooted.

    - I want to change the way Android is distributed, software is managed and patches are applied.

    - Please list all your reasons that you think are important

    Thank you

  2. xmr405o

    xmr405o Well-Known Member

    Here are my top reasons in no particular order....

    -Remove unwanted system apps that are considered bloatware.

    -Backup up and restore user apps and data. Normally, games like Angry birds, Smurf Village etc cannot be transferred from one android device to another without losing your progress. With root apps such as Titanium backup, you can easily do so.

    -Custom Recovery options- You can back up your whole phone if you install a customer recovery like Clockwork Mod Recovery. It's very useful if you install custom roms or if you happen to mess up your phone by deleting apps that you weren't supposed to.

    Oops- BTW, Welcome to the forums, stevep2007!
  3. Demache

    Demache Well-Known Member

    Custom ROMs are updated frequently (compared to official releases) and often have the very latest version of Android possible for your device.
  4. akamad

    akamad Well-Known Member

    I rooted my tablet (Asus TF300T) to use SwitchMe. Very useful if you have a single device that is used by multiple people.
  5. OfTheDamned

    OfTheDamned The Friendly Undead VIP Member

    These aren't specific to me, but here are the top 15 reasons to no particular order.

    1- Ability to back up and save anything and everything. As xmr405o said, normally there are some things that can't be backed up, but after rooting you can even back up and restore you home screen layout, the entire content of the OS or a specific game you don't want to lose that high score on.

    2- Custom ROMs. Once rooted and with the proper developer support there are a bunch of different custom ROMs out there for devices. These range from simple adjustments to the software all the way to fully tricked out versions of the OS. Some developers have gone as far as offering HTC Sense to Samsung phones or stock Android to phones with custom UIs. It is another way to make the phone your own.

    3- Mods. Not like me ;), but modifications to the phone that allow for different added function or customization. Changing the battery icon, custom fonts or removing the clock from the status bar are a few of the more popular options.

    4- Remove bloatware apps that the carrier forces onto the phone. These could just be games or free trials, but if you don't want them there you can remove them.

    5- Wifi/ Bluetooth Tether. Just about every phone is capable of doing it, but some are prevented by software. Rooted wifi/bluetooth tether apps offer the ability to do what the phone is capable of. (Not saying I agree with it and in many cases it does violate the carriers TOS, but it is there)

    6- Remove ads in apps. There are apps out there like AdFree that work just like an Ad Blocker in your browser.

    7- Updates beyond the EOL for the phone. As with custom ROMs the developer community for a specific phone can extend the life of the phone beyond what the carrier or manufacturer is willing to do. There are plenty of phones already running ICS even though only a few have it officially.

    8- Custom Kernels. Just like custom ROMs these can ad performance or save battery life.

    9- Overclocking and Underclocking. Just like custom kernels these can improve the performance of a phone or conserve battery life depending on your goal.

    10- Root only apps. There are a bunch of apps in the market (play store) that require a rooted device to function.

    11- Stop Carrier IQ. Most everyone knows what it is now, but can't stop it unless they root.

    12- Apps from other OS versions. Some of the custom UIs do have cool features, but they can't always be installed on just any device.

    13- Google Nav outside the US. If you want it and aren't in the US you have to root for it.

    14- New/old functions on older phones. With some phones/Versions of Android it is the way to get Apps2SD and screenshot functionality.

    15- Because it is your phone and you can. :D Android is all about freedom and the ability to root your phone and take total control of it is one of the most sought after features.
    xmr405o, jefboyardee and DonB like this.
  6. Mabaet

    Mabaet Active Member

    And what are the downside and risks when rooting?
  7. Hadron

    Hadron Well-Known Member Contributor

    For me OTD's number 7 was the main reason - I knew when I bought the phone that I'd end up rooting it because HTC would stop updates before I was ready to change phones. Trouble is, knowing that I would do it some time meant that it was unfinished business right from the start. In the end I held out for a couple of weeks before doing it ;)

    There can be device-specific reasons too. The HTC Desire (my phone) came with completely inadequate storage for user apps and data, and the only real ways of fixing this require root.

    Downsides? Your warranty is void, so if you need a warranty replacement you have to be able to unroot before returning it. That's about it. In principle the phone is a little less secure if root access is available, but then you have more security options (a lot of firewall apps require root).

    Risks? You are modifying system software, and once rooted you have the option of modifying it further. So if you mess about without knowing what you are doing you can stop the phone working. It's the same as using the administrator account on your computer - that would let you delete important stuff if you wanted to. Most errors are recoverable, with varying degrees of hassle, but it's better to avoid these things, so read and ask before jumping in and doing. The first thing to do after rooting is take a system backup :)

    Rooting procedures depend on the device. They are generally well documented and often rather straightforward, but do make sure you understand them before proceeding, and if you are unsure of anything, ask first. Pitfalls can also be device-specific. For example, people often come across posts saying "once rooted, install ROM Manager", but that app is incompatible with a lot of devices, fatally so in some cases (and it does nothing you can't do without it, so I'd never recommend it). So make sure that you use up-to-date advice and guides for your device - that's what the All Things Root forums here are for.

    Personally I have to say that my phone is immensely better after rooting and using custom ROMs than the device HTC sold me was, so if you are interested in this don't let those caveats put you off - just take what you are doing seriously :)
  8. akamad

    akamad Well-Known Member

    I don't know if this is true anymore. I'm in Australia and I'm pretty sure Google Nav comes with Maps. Can't confirm though since I don't have a non-rooted device.
    OfTheDamned likes this.
  9. hadoman

    hadoman Member

    It does. I have a non-rooted device and I have Google Nav thanks to Google Maps and it works perfectly. Btw, I am from Australia as well! :p
    OfTheDamned likes this.
  10. zuben el genub

    zuben el genub Well-Known Member

    First eight reasons would deal with bloatware and unnecessary carrier apps.
    Nine would be better performance.
    Ten would maintain your individuality.
  11. MSUgEEk

    MSUgEEk Well-Known Member

    I'll echo a lot of what has already been said here:

    1.) Get rid of bloatware (bundled apps from phone manufacturer and carrier)
    2.) Root only apps
    3.) Customizations
    4.) Ability to backup and restore
    5.) Tethering
    6.) Quicker updates from developers than waiting for carriers and manufacturers
    7.) Ability to extend the life of your phone beyond when carriers and manufacturers deermine that it is old tech and not worthy of updates (Goes back to item 6 a little)
    8.) Kernel modifications (overclocking, undervolting, powersaving features, connectivity features not enabled from factory, etc.)

    It's not 10, but those are my big reasons to root. No downside at all unless you count the fact that you have to learn a little more about your phone than normal use to accomplish these things...which I don't count that as a downside at all. I count it as customer empowerment. The more you know, the less you rely on carriers, manufacturers, etc to help you with problems you encounter.
  12. jefboyardee

    jefboyardee Well-Known Member

  13. OfTheDamned

    OfTheDamned The Friendly Undead VIP Member

    I wasn't aware that they had opened it up to the rest of the world. I guess my list is a little dated.
  14. xmr405o

    xmr405o Well-Known Member

    Pretty much what Hadron said....

    Normally...rooting doesn't brick phones.....People brick phones. :p
  15. terrance Jones

    terrance Jones New Member

    Can u root a straight talk phone and if so how do u add time

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