Does anyone really need to root Android?
With the advent of apps like x4root, rooting has become very easy and reversible on the Android platform. With the danger of loosing the manufactures warranty, and the errant chance that still exists to brick your phone, is rooting a worthwhile adventure?
I've had my Droid 2 running Froyo for a little over a month now, and while I haven't tried all the advance features that I may want to use the phone for, I still don't see a need to experiment with rooting it.
I use the phone for my many e-mail accounts, it's actually easier to keep up with them on the Droid then if ever did using a desktop or laptop. I also use it while performing my moderator duties here at Linux.com, I watch my stock trades and also keep up with the news feeds. Add to that, I've just found Angry Birds and enjoy reading the front page of Reddit.
I must admit, when your using the phone as much as I do, one needs to keep a second battery charged up as a backup, because, the battery life on the phone is limited. I've heard that rooting the phone, possible using a custom ROM and getting rid of the stock energy using apps and processes increase the battery life, but, does it really increase time it takes to drain a battery enough that I won't have to carry around the spare? I'm not so sure.
There seem to be apps that allow tethering (although I haven't even experimented with tethering since the capabilities of Android replace the laptop that I use to carry around), and apps that allow the creation of a VPN (which I thought would need root permissions), so, I'm still debating whether rooting the phone is even worth it.
Some advantages to rooting, which I may see being worth the gamble, would be in the way File Management and Menu structure is handled. I've been finding work arounds using the Folder Organizer app, but, I still can't find a real solution to hiding the crapware that came with the phone, or, categorizing my Contacts like I did with the Palm Treo, since Google sees contacts as everything from phone numbers to email addresses, and they're all grouped together (it's only been a month, I still may be missing features that I've yet to discover), but unless one roots, you can't delete or hide apps or contacts that are in the way.
Does anyone have experiences where they're able to perform tasks after rooting that they weren't able to on an unrooted Android phone? How about battery life? Does rooting and/or the use of a third party ROM really extend the life of the battery to the extent that heavy use doesn't require more than one charge per day? I'm starting to think that all the excitement about the ability to root may be more about the challenge and the freedom, but not necessarily the increase in functionality.
What do you think? I'd like to hear what Linux users think when their access to root is restricted. Does it really make that much of a difference?
Comments
-
I am using an unrooted nexus one and have friends who have rooted various provider based phones.
With the Nexus one being pure google and lacking a lot of the manufacturer and provider based widgets and apps it does in fact have much improved speed, battery life and functionality compared to the other phones.
The advantaged I have seen to rooting the phones to running images closer to the pure google image are improving the battery life, minimizing the running image, getting free tethering, getting free wifi access-point settings and getting away of some of the sometimes unstable provider based apps. However the drawbacks are no support, voiding the warranty and risking a hardware failure.
So if you can afford to replace the phone when something goes wrong then in my point of view it can be well worth rooting when you are a power user. But with the UI redevelopment announced by google with 2.3 which is supposed to limit the need for other companies to modify the core image that may all change starting when 2.3 starts being shipped.0 -
Well ... I do worry a about bricking the phone, but, there is that potential that's untaped. 2.3 should be along soon, I may just let myself get a bit more comfortable with the stock phone and wait to see what 2.3 has to offer before exploring deeper. So far it's been very interesting.0
-
I have a Droid Incredible and have had it rooted since Mid-June. I've used it to get rid of verizon apps, run custom kernels to save battery, and to run a custom rom that does what I need it to do. I also upgraded to 2.2 well before it came out for my phone. Now, rooting isn't right for everyone, but I like the extra things it allows me to do and I enjoy having full control over my phone.0
-
@Mike
Thanks for the post. It's encouraging to hear that someone not only has success but says it's an advantage.
When you say that a custom kernel saves battery, how much more time are you getting than with the stock kernel? I read different things, was the difference that significant?
Also, if it's possible, can you explain what things a custom rom is allowing you to do that the stock rom doesn't. I understand that getting rid of the stock Verizon crapware is a bother, and, I would be glad to get rid of it, but, are there low-level system adjustments that the custom rom allows? I mean, besides those things that would just require root access. Are there capabilities that open up when using a custom rom?
Edit: What I would really love to have a link to would be a comparison of different roms, listing their features and drawbacks. I haven't come across a chart like that yet.0 -
Goineasy9 wrote:@Mike
Thanks for the post. It's encouraging to hear that someone not only has success but says it's an advantage.
When you say that a custom kernel saves battery, how much more time are you getting than with the stock kernel? I read different things, was the difference that significant?
Also, if it's possible, can you explain what things a custom rom is allowing you to do that the stock rom doesn't. I understand that getting rid of the stock Verizon crapware is a bother, and, I would be glad to get rid of it, but, are there low-level system adjustments that the custom rom allows? I mean, besides those things that would just require root access. Are there capabilities that open up when using a custom rom?
Edit: What I would really love to have a link to would be a comparison of different roms, listing their features and drawbacks. I haven't come across a chart like that yet.
Well when I updated my phone to the custom ROM I'm on now, (Virtuous 3.1), I upgraded my phone from 2.1 to 2.2. That alone will bring a good battery increase, but the kernel also undervolts the processor. I've gone from my phone dying around 6pm, to lasting until around midnight (or later depending on when I take it off the charger).
Custom ROMs have a few advantages besides just removing bloatware. There are certain apps that can only be run on a rooted phone such as an ad remover, and a wireless tether that works really well. It also used to be the only way to use your phone as a flashlight, but that's changed since 2.2 came out. Other apps, like Titanium Backup which allow you to back up every app on your phone are also only available on rooted phone.
The custom ROM I use uses HTC Sense, but you can download ROMs that use the regular Android GUI and you can get custom Themes for your phone which is cool.
I don't know any links to comparisons, but a good place to look is phandroid and xda-delopers.0 -
I'd like to root my Nexus One but I didn't do it because I'd like to keep my warranty.
I'm really satisfied about my google image even if it could be nice to be able to modify some configuration files (in my case /etc/hosts and few more) but I'm still keeping original image due to warranty troubles.
It could be great if google provide us a way to add info to their config files when needed, in my case I'd like to add information to /etc/hosts, it would be great to have an external file (example: /mnt/sdcard/etc/hosts, /var/etc/hosts, ....) editable so I can add stuff to it.
Ben0 -
To be honest, I would have to agree with Andrea Benini on this one. If I have a really nice phone from verizon, running at least 2.2 Froyo on it, I would probably stick with it and keep the manufacturer's warranty. As long as you can access all of the good apps and do what you want to with the phone, I would almost rather keep it right where it is, providing the OS is stable on that phone. Honeycomb really does sound like a good turnout so far, but do remember that when Apple aimed to put out the iPhone 4, it took them a few months to realize that there was actually anything wrong with the supposed brand-new, all-powerful screwup.0
-
It's not a matter of whay you can do with your phone. It's about if it's *YOURS*.
The phone is *mine* I should be able to do whatever the **** I want with it, root it, crash it, drop it in the sea... whatever I WANT.
That's my opinion about rooting.
Regards0 -
I agree with Marc. I haven't rooted my Droid and really haven't missed it, until I got my wifi only GTablet, and replaced the ROM and kernel. Being able to install a new kernel and see the difference in speed is eye opening. Hopefully, Google will win its fragmentation battle with the big carriers and force the platform to open up more.0
-
Goineasy9 wrote:I agree with Marc. I haven't rooted my Droid and really haven't missed it, until I got my wifi only GTablet, and replaced the ROM and kernel. Being able to install a new kernel and see the difference in speed is eye opening. Hopefully, Google will win its fragmentation battle with the big carriers and force the platform to open up more.
I doubt that as Android being modifyable is the key to its success0 -
No I'm not saying I disagree by any means. In fact I help alot of my friends in their rooting expeditions lol. But I am just saying that if I get a really nice phone that I can't afford to replace, I'm probably not gonna root it. Now if it was a tablet or something that I didn't rely on as my main source of communication, I would most likely root it, as long as honeycomb is compatible.0
-
Lman wrote:No I'm not saying I disagree by any means. In fact I help alot of my friends in their rooting expeditions lol. But I am just saying that if I get a really nice phone that I can't afford to replace, I'm probably not gonna root it. Now if it was a tablet or something that I didn't rely on as my main source of communication, I would most likely root it, as long as honeycomb is compatible.
I'm loving more and more my N900...
Meego, Ubuntu, Android and Maemo on the same device...mmm AWESOME0 -
A coworker of mine rooted his phone because of its poor performance prior to rooting; now, his phone's battery lasts longer and performs more smoothly.
I've recently rooted my phone, partly as an intellectual curiosity and partly as a way to circumnavigate having to use Google's built in tools. (I'm disconcerted about recent and upcoming "features" from said company.)0
Categories
- All Categories
- 219 LFX Mentorship
- 219 LFX Mentorship: Linux Kernel
- 793 Linux Foundation IT Professional Programs
- 354 Cloud Engineer IT Professional Program
- 179 Advanced Cloud Engineer IT Professional Program
- 82 DevOps Engineer IT Professional Program
- 147 Cloud Native Developer IT Professional Program
- 137 Express Training Courses
- 137 Express Courses - Discussion Forum
- 6.2K Training Courses
- 47 LFC110 Class Forum - Discontinued
- 71 LFC131 Class Forum
- 42 LFD102 Class Forum
- 226 LFD103 Class Forum
- 19 LFD110 Class Forum
- 38 LFD121 Class Forum
- 18 LFD133 Class Forum
- 7 LFD134 Class Forum
- 18 LFD137 Class Forum
- 71 LFD201 Class Forum
- 5 LFD210 Class Forum
- 5 LFD210-CN Class Forum
- 2 LFD213 Class Forum - Discontinued
- 128 LFD232 Class Forum - Discontinued
- 2 LFD233 Class Forum
- 4 LFD237 Class Forum
- 24 LFD254 Class Forum
- 697 LFD259 Class Forum
- 111 LFD272 Class Forum
- 4 LFD272-JP クラス フォーラム
- 12 LFD273 Class Forum
- 149 LFS101 Class Forum
- 1 LFS111 Class Forum
- 3 LFS112 Class Forum
- 2 LFS116 Class Forum
- 4 LFS118 Class Forum
- LFS120 Class Forum
- 7 LFS142 Class Forum
- 5 LFS144 Class Forum
- 4 LFS145 Class Forum
- 3 LFS146 Class Forum
- 3 LFS147 Class Forum
- 1 LFS148 Class Forum
- 15 LFS151 Class Forum
- 2 LFS157 Class Forum
- 30 LFS158 Class Forum
- 7 LFS162 Class Forum
- 2 LFS166 Class Forum
- 4 LFS167 Class Forum
- 3 LFS170 Class Forum
- 2 LFS171 Class Forum
- 3 LFS178 Class Forum
- 3 LFS180 Class Forum
- 2 LFS182 Class Forum
- 5 LFS183 Class Forum
- 32 LFS200 Class Forum
- 737 LFS201 Class Forum - Discontinued
- 3 LFS201-JP クラス フォーラム
- 18 LFS203 Class Forum
- 134 LFS207 Class Forum
- 2 LFS207-DE-Klassenforum
- 1 LFS207-JP クラス フォーラム
- 302 LFS211 Class Forum
- 56 LFS216 Class Forum
- 52 LFS241 Class Forum
- 48 LFS242 Class Forum
- 38 LFS243 Class Forum
- 15 LFS244 Class Forum
- 2 LFS245 Class Forum
- LFS246 Class Forum
- 49 LFS250 Class Forum
- 2 LFS250-JP クラス フォーラム
- 1 LFS251 Class Forum
- 153 LFS253 Class Forum
- 1 LFS254 Class Forum
- 1 LFS255 Class Forum
- 9 LFS256 Class Forum
- 1 LFS257 Class Forum
- 1.3K LFS258 Class Forum
- 10 LFS258-JP クラス フォーラム
- 119 LFS260 Class Forum
- 159 LFS261 Class Forum
- 42 LFS262 Class Forum
- 82 LFS263 Class Forum - Discontinued
- 15 LFS264 Class Forum - Discontinued
- 11 LFS266 Class Forum - Discontinued
- 24 LFS267 Class Forum
- 23 LFS268 Class Forum
- 30 LFS269 Class Forum
- LFS270 Class Forum
- 202 LFS272 Class Forum
- 2 LFS272-JP クラス フォーラム
- 1 LFS274 Class Forum
- 4 LFS281 Class Forum
- 9 LFW111 Class Forum
- 259 LFW211 Class Forum
- 181 LFW212 Class Forum
- 13 SKF100 Class Forum
- 1 SKF200 Class Forum
- 1 SKF201 Class Forum
- 796 Hardware
- 199 Drivers
- 68 I/O Devices
- 37 Monitors
- 103 Multimedia
- 174 Networking
- 91 Printers & Scanners
- 85 Storage
- 758 Linux Distributions
- 82 Debian
- 67 Fedora
- 17 Linux Mint
- 13 Mageia
- 23 openSUSE
- 148 Red Hat Enterprise
- 31 Slackware
- 13 SUSE Enterprise
- 353 Ubuntu
- 468 Linux System Administration
- 39 Cloud Computing
- 71 Command Line/Scripting
- Github systems admin projects
- 93 Linux Security
- 78 Network Management
- 102 System Management
- 47 Web Management
- 63 Mobile Computing
- 18 Android
- 33 Development
- 1.2K New to Linux
- 1K Getting Started with Linux
- 371 Off Topic
- 114 Introductions
- 174 Small Talk
- 22 Study Material
- 805 Programming and Development
- 303 Kernel Development
- 484 Software Development
- 1.8K Software
- 263 Applications
- 183 Command Line
- 3 Compiling/Installing
- 987 Games
- 317 Installation
- 97 All In Program
- 97 All In Forum
Upcoming Training
-
August 20, 2018
Kubernetes Administration (LFS458)
-
August 20, 2018
Linux System Administration (LFS301)
-
August 27, 2018
Open Source Virtualization (LFS462)
-
August 27, 2018
Linux Kernel Debugging and Security (LFD440)