Explain "rooting" to me and how its done....

[KDOG]

Ok in my quest to decide on a tablet, I've come across a few tablet/Android forums and the subject of rooting of course is a hot topic. As I understand it, it is basically wiping and installing a new os on a Android based phone. How is it done and what are the risks?

 

[Demo24]

No, rooting is simply gaining administrative abilities on the phone. This allows you to do a variety of things, like overclock the processor, but primarily used for 'roms'. Roms are mixtures of the android operating system the community compiles. These can look different and also tend to be quicker through various means.

 

[notposting]

Rooting is, as Demo24 said, simply gaining administrative rights on the phone. Putting in a new ROM or kernel generally requires you to have access to a recovery mode which will allow "unsigned" installs. Recovery mode changes require an unlocked bootloader. There are some workarounds and half-measures depending on the phone/tablet (example, the Nexus line of phones are completely open, the original Motorola Droid can have it's recovery replaced, and the newer Droid 2/X can do a partial rom replacement with some trickery but not full control or replacement).

I believe the Nook Color is the most open and easily hacked tablet right now (and you can buy 3 or 4 for the price of a XOOOOM!).

 

[KDOG]

Wow. Someone could make a nice side hustle doing a rooting service.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Wow. Someone could make a nice side hustle doing a rooting service.

Check out craigslist...