Android Users: Why don't you root?

[Explicitic]

One question I have always been curious about is why Android users, who are aware that it exists, don't root their devices? The benefits, far outweighing any downsides there may be, are huge and it greatly enhances the Android experience.

For me, I won't buy a device if the bootloader is completely locked down, no root exploit exists, or if there isn't a ROM available to my liking. Sounds like my kind of device is a Nexus, eh? Not really. I've never been into the Nexus phones much simply because they are not made by Google. At this point, I expect Google to start designing and creating their own devices, like with the Chromebook Pixel. I don't understand why they haven't taken this step forward yet.

So tell me, why don't you root or flash ROMs? Are you scared something may happen?

 

[sentinelsx]

Because they are capable to fill my needs 100% without rooting?

 

[tbayrgs]

I've rooted and flashed all of my previous Android devices (Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 7, Nexus 4, Note II) for various reason (exploring new options/functionalities with the Nexus devices, removing the bloat and gaining functionality with the Note II).

I'm now using a HTC One and honestly, don't have the urge/need, as of yet. Ideally I'd like to add some functionality to the capacitive buttons but with Nova installed, I'm pretty happy with the device as is. I also don't think developers have had enough time to build fully functional and stable custom ROMs quite yet.

 

[Vegastouch]

I used to with my Galaxy Vibrant. Used to flash ROMs, different modems, startup anims and shutdown anims, etc,..... and use a few programs that required root but since ive had my GS3 since last July, i havent felt the need to root it. It runs fine, is fast and does everything i need it to.

The ONLY reason ive thought of rooting it is to use Titanium backup to delete a few things but it hasnt a big enough deal to me to have to do it.

As long as the phone is working fine and working fast, there is no reason to root it and install other ROM's just because i can.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I might not root my S4. It's just been so fast and smooth for me. The only reason I can think of rooting at the moment is to kill ads on some apps. At the moment, the apps I have with ads are not intrusive so I don't mind. Also, if internal storage ever becomes a problem I'll root to do the Folder Mount, but I doubt it'll get to that point.

 

[onthecouchagain]

I'm scared.

 

[DeathChill]

I'm scared.

Don't worry, I'll hold you.

 

[Serge N Gin]

I've always been curious but it does seem like entering the twilight zone to me.

Having said that, I just recently replaced the microSD card with one that has twice the capacity and then 'pulled' all the data from the original SD, using Terminal & sdk-tools, then put it onto the new one & much to my delight everything worked like a dream!

So maybe there could be a time when I 'have-a-go' at rooting ...

 

[Assault]

Rooting is one thing, ROM'ing is something entirely different.

Everyone that likes their phones the way they are could just do a simply root, so you can use backup programs like Titanium, download certain apps that require root and so on. So your phone stays factory, but you now have access to the root files.

ROM'ing requires root, but alters the OS to get rid of a 3rd party u/I like Touch wiz, allows for installation of vanilla android, custom kernels for undervolting and overclockiing, etc..

I have had my S3 since release date and almost immediately flashed a new ROM onto it. I'm not a fan of Touchwiz or Sense, just customizable Android. I also like not dealing with Samsung or carriers for updates. I've been on 4.2.2 for a while and don't ever want to deal with anything less. I like having Dash clock lock screen access and widget, I enjoy Google Now and Photosphere.

 

[Saturn1217]

I have rooted my previous android phone and I did root my nexus 7 but for my galaxy nexus it is staying unrooted and stock. Why? There is nothing I want to change that root would achieve. Dealing with custom recoveries sucks and it is my phone not a toy. I need it to be rock solid and reliable as my main communication device before anything else. My nexus 7 on the other hand is a non-essential toy so I have no issues messing around with it. Root also makes your device insecure and can prevent you from using certain apps. I personally hate when people say "just root your phone" as if it is no big deal...

 

[Explicitic]

I have rooted my previous android phone and I did root my nexus 7 but for my galaxy nexus it is staying unrooted and stock. Why? There is nothing I want to change that root would achieve. Dealing with custom recoveries sucks and it is my phone not a toy. I need it to be rock solid and reliable as my main communication device before anything else. My nexus 7 on the other hand is a non-essential toy so I have no issues messing around with it. Root also makes your device insecure and can prevent you from using certain apps. I personally hate when people say "just root your phone" as if it is no big deal...

Honestly, it is no big deal. The 'insecurity' of root is generally exaggerated (especially be those who don't actually know what it is...). There really isn't any extra risk unless you create it by installing random apps that require root and grant it access to Superuser. Rooting doesn't magically give hackers access to your device, it just allows you and apps you authenticate to access and write to your root file system.

This video explains it all - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czTkHe7-lXw I recommend anyone who doesn't know much about root, or is skeptical, watch it.

As everyone can tell, I am a huge self-proclaimed "Android Root Activist"....

 

[swoosh0217]

Mine is rooted and I flashed a custom ROM called Revolution 8.0. I also have a kernel called Bulletproof where I can swype from back button towards home button to wake up the phone. I also have a custom theme running. Sense is very stable no lag at all.

 

[MRU]

Don't worry, I'll hold you.

Ironically you said that and he got a 'DeathChill' running down his back

----------

Personally,

I think if you have to root your phone to make it better / perform as it should then the manufacturer has failed me. A device should work as it is, and it shouldn't require a massive learning curve, lots of roms and software, a PC or convoluted mac route, terminal commands, or the voiding of my warranty to make it do so.....

 

[Hastings101]

I don't mess with rooting or custom kernel/rom things, too many bricked phone horror stories because someone made a tiny stupid mistake.

 

[Sylon]

If I like it how it is, then there's no point in rooting. I've done it before, it's alright, but I prefer to enjoy devices how they are. Reduces the risk of screwing something up. If I didn't like how a device was, then I wouldn't buy it in the first place.

 

[Fernandez21]

I have rooted my previous android phone and I did root my nexus 7 but for my galaxy nexus it is staying unrooted and stock. Why? There is nothing I want to change that root would achieve. Dealing with custom recoveries sucks and it is my phone not a toy. I need it to be rock solid and reliable as my main communication device before anything else. My nexus 7 on the other hand is a non-essential toy so I have no issues messing around with it. Root also makes your device insecure and can prevent you from using certain apps. I personally hate when people say "just root your phone" as if it is no big deal...

This. It seems just too much trouble just to change things around. And add in the instability and security issues that could come with it and I just don't feel like dealing with it.

As he said, this is my phone, not a toy, and I need it rock solid.

 

[rockitdog]

I don't root my devices because I don't need to. I just want a phone that works out of the box and doesn't need to be tinkered with. I'm not addicted to my phone like a lot of your are. My phone meets my needs (which is why I bought it in the first place) and I will use apps that help enhance my experience. Why do I need to do more work than that. Stuff I don't want or can't uninstall, I disable and thats, that.

 

[xraydoc]

I'm presently using a Razr Maxx HD. I recently rooted so I could freeze the Verizon bloat that was bogging the phone down. Not idle apps, mind you. But the various Verizon backup apps and other crap constantly running, chewing up nearly all available RAM.

Froze it all and got back like 100MB.

 

[maxosx]

I choose to root for the same reason I buy Android phones. For me it's fast, easy, and fun to customize the phone to my liking. In my case it's an ongoing practice due to the exciting highly dynamic software builds some of which are released as frequently as nightly.

Conversely my wife likes hers just as it comes, so I leave hers as it was delivered. Now that the top of the line Androids all come with ver: 4.1 or higher, there's no reason to root unless you're an enthusiast that enjoys it.

 

[Tarzanman]

Because I run Google Wallet. Google Wallet is less secure if the device boots up with user-level root access.

Its only one meager layer of added security, but it costs me nothing. I have a spare Galaxy Nexus if I want to play with ROMs and the like

 

[mattopotamus]

I don't root because I personally do not want to put the time into it....even if it takes very little time. It was similar to jailbreaking when I had an iphone. I did it a few times, but overall just left the phone stock because I didn't care to do it. Whenever there is an update, I would have to restore my phone, and then unless I rejailbreak/root my backup may been different than I expected.

Oh and the fact on Thursday the guy I work with went to update his note and bricked it.

 

[nickchallis92]

I have rooted just for titanium backup

 

[jamezr]

Root...there it is....

Root there it is...
I do root my phones only after seeing if the roms available have the extras i would need or like to have. But make no mistake about it. If you are to root your phone....you HAVE to take the time to learn what the process is that roots it and unroot. You HAVE to take the time to learn the basics on how to bring your phone back from a mistake that soft bricks the phone. If you don't want to take the time then rooting is not for you.
I would love to be able to run a pure vanilla Android on my SG4. Take off all the AT&T bloat and TouchWiz and run a pure Android experience. I can only do this if I root.
I don't see it as the phone manufacturer letting me down or not designing a better phone. I see it a the manufacturer designing a phone with all the options and functionality to please everyone. If i want to truly make the phone mine i have to customize it. Sometimes you can only do that by rooting and starting from scratch....but it is not for everyone.

----------

Mine is rooted and I flashed a custom ROM called Revolution 8.0. I also have a kernel called Bulletproof where I can swype from back button towards home button to wake up the phone. I also have a custom theme running. Sense is very stable no lag at all.

[url=http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/swoosh0217/Screenshot_2013-05-09-22-42-26-1.png]Image[/URL]

Awesome! Looks great!

----------

I have rooted just for titanium backup

That and Rom Manager....being able to make a complete backup of your phone and restore it....all app data and everything. Plus you can keep your backups on an external SD card to save space.

 

[0dev]

This thread:

 

[chagla]

...
I think if you have to root your phone to make it better / perform as it should then the manufacturer has failed me. A device should work as it is, and it shouldn't require a massive learning curve, lots of roms and software, a PC or convoluted mac route, terminal commands, or the voiding of my warranty to make it do so.....

You don't have to root an Android phone to make it "work". Also over 90% of customizations on Android can be done by anyone without rooting. its just a matter of installing the replacement app from play store.

rooting is actually for hardcore geeks who probably want to flash different roms, overclocking etc.

----------

.....
I would love to be able to run a pure vanilla Android on my SG4. Take off all the AT&T bloat and TouchWiz and run a pure Android experience. I can only do this if I root.
I don't see it as the phone manufacturer letting me down or not designing a better phone. I see it a the manufacturer designing a phone with all the options and functionality to please everyone. If i want to truly make the phone mine i have to customize it. Sometimes you can only do that by rooting and starting from scratch....but it is not for everyone.

----------
.

no rooting needed.
not sure if you tried this. i noticed on Android 4.x you can actually goto settings > applications> All

and "disable" the att bloatwares. if you updated the bloats through play store, try to uninstall the update and then the "disable' button should be visible. otherwise it would say "uninstall updates" when you go to settings.

once disabled, icons disappear and they stop running. you can reboot few times to verify.