Have you rooted your phone?

[Hulk]

I'm thinking about rooting my Sprint Galaxy S3. I don't like not being able to create a hotspot and the lack of control I have over deleting applications, just to name a few things.

Have you rooted your phone? Are you glad you did it?

 

[Red Storm]

I was thinking about rooting my Note 2 but I applied the latest (Verizon) OTA update so now I'm not sure if I can.

 

[Oyeve]

Nope, my tmobile SGS3 lets me use it as a hotspot. Other than maybe removing the preinstalled apps I see no reason to root my phone.

 

[PowerYoga]

verizon gs3. Rooted it a week after I got it, tossed a custom rom on it a month later and never looked back. Only thing I miss is the touchwiz weather widget, that thing is pretty nice looking.

 

[gorcorps]

Yes. Even if you like the stock rom, I like being able to install my own recovery software (CWM) to help in case of issues. I also like flashing different kernals which allow you to change how your CPU is clocked and the voltage that's applied at each clock. You can use it to either overclock your phone (which IMO isn't necessary with modern phones anymore) OR you can "underclock" your phone to save battery life without any noticeable change in responsiveness. Even if you never change your rom this is still useful.

Then you also have the option of de-bloating the stock firmware too (delete apps that come pre-installed) which is nice. I don't need a non-removeable ATT Navigation app when google maps is free and better. It just wastes time and sometimes the built in apps run in the background.

 

[jacktesterson]

Yes. Installing ClockwordMod is a must for me for making backups, and I play around with custom roms.

 

[NutBucket]

Why wouldn't you?

 

[poofyhairguy]

For me now I feel like I can't even use an Android device unless its rooted.

I almost sold my Transformer Prime over the weekend when a series of events left me with an unrootable tablet because it felt worthless. I had to remind myself that going forward it will be just like the tablet is for 98% of consumers.

My SGS2 would have been replaced by now if unlocking and rooting didn't allow me to max out the hardware and software.

 

[NutBucket]

Agreed with this guy. If I had to stick with a stock ROM on my SGS (Verizon version) I would have switched to iPhone. It was so loaded with bloat that it was ridiculously slow and laggy.

Then to add frosting to the cake, devs figured out how to port ICS from the Nexus 4G (sprint) onto it and it was literally a night and day difference. Would have kept using except the allure of the SGS3 was too strong.

 

[Midwayman]

I root all of mine. I might stick to stock roms at times, but its nice to have the option to do what I want with my phone.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Yes. Galaxy Nexus. Root was a simple 1 click.

 

[lopri]

I have lots of apps that require root access on my tablet but I am really hesitant to root my new Nexus 4. I don't know why.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

My phone was pretty useless with the stock ROM. Flashing a custom ROM allowed me to uninstall useless apps and move most apps to the memory card, freeing up the very limited fixed memory for more important/desirable apps.

 

[bucwylde23]

I was thinking about rooting my Note 2 but I applied the latest (Verizon) OTA update so now I'm not sure if I can.

You can still root and/or unlock the bootloader. They've released an updated exploit.

And yes, I root all mine phones at the very least. I originally rooted my Note 2 only, then ended up flashing a modified/improved TW based rom and it's been better so far.

 

[codyray10]

+1 for rooting. Mainly to remove pre-installed carrier bloat, but I also like to play around with flashing custom roms and overclocking.

 

[Red Storm]

You can still root and/or unlock the bootloader. They've released an updated exploit.

And yes, I root all mine phones at the very least. I originally rooted my Note 2 only, then ended up flashing a modified/improved TW based rom and it's been better so far.

Cool, so is the guide (and the linked files) on XDA up to date for unlocking the Verizon model?

 

[Gooberlx2]

Nope. While I understand the possible benefits for features, performance, battery life, customization, etc...I simply have no interest in tinkering with my phone like that. Once upon a time I geeked out on such things, but no more.

 

[lopri]

Why don't Google host the stock images for Nexus 4? That's another thing that makes me hesitant to root my Nexus 4. They've got images for all other Nexus devices.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Why don't Google host the stock images for Nexus 4? That's another thing that makes me hesitant to root my Nexus 4. They've got images for all other Nexus devices.

They did at one point, but pulled them back in December. Everyone assumed they were going to be posting a 4.2.2 update or something, but still nothing. *shrug* :\

edit: You can find them here though.

 

[bucwylde23]

Cool, so is the guide (and the linked files) on XDA up to date for unlocking the Verizon model?

Look under "Original Android Development " subforum and then follow the directions on Adam Outlers thread dated 1/26/13. Should work. I haven't done it the new way since I unlocked pre-patch, but everyone seems to be having good results.

 

[RockinZ28]

Yes, always root my phones/tablets. Hate the lack of options on stock roms.

But you don't always need root just for hotspot. FoxFi, although it isnt free now, works without root on the Note 2, SGS3 and Razr on Verizon from the phones I've seen in person.

Can also try Portable Wifi hotspot app, dont think you need root for it either.

 

[etrigan420]

No. Never felt the need.

 

[WelshBloke]

I'm running without root for. .. well probably the first time since I got an Android phone.

My banks app won't run on a rooted phone and it's a great app. Can check all my balances (including my credit card), transfer money, pay bills, pull up statments. It's great.

I did consider rooting then uninstalling any stuff I don't want then unrooting but it's just too much hassle and I can disable 90% of the stuff I don't use anyway.

I sort of miss custom kernels, there were a couple of great ones for the SGS3, but I just don't want to give that app up.

 

[theLION]

yes and yes. Verizon gs3 user here loving my custom roms.

 

[wirednuts]

custom roms and more notably, custom kernels! yes i root, and i love it.