Android Rooting Question(s)

[Joe Davola]

My firm FINALLY approved Android phones and I got a DROID 2 Global a couple weeks ago (since the only other approved Android phone was the DROID Pro :vomit: IMHO).

So I'm thinking of rooting it because the 1.2GHz processor is too slow. :rofl2: Actually mainly because I'd love to have a FREE hotspot since tethering is a PITB.

My n00b questions are:


My phone will obviously be on my firm's network. Will they be able to tell that I rooted it?
Is it fully reversible? I assume yes, by simply downloading an official update, but want to make sure.
Can the DROID 2 Global even be rooted yet? I'm confused by what I read on xda. :doh: If so, how easy is it to do for a n00b like Count Chocula? BTW here's Count Chocula with his newest phone:

http://electromeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/huge_cellphone1.jpg


Reps will of course be provided. :nod:

[LiquidRetro]

You would probably be better served to get rid of the Motoblur and load one of the custom themes than overclocking as it will kill your battery life. That or you might have alot of stuff running as that is one of the faster phones you can buy. What are you trying to do that makes it so slow?

To answer your questions.
1) No
2) yes
2) Yes (Your confused about the bootloader being encrypted, the phone is able to be rooted)

[Joe Davola]

You would probably be better served to get rid of the Motoblur and load one of the custom themes than overclocking as it will kill your battery life. That or you might have alot of stuff running as that is one of the faster phones you can buy. What are you trying to do that makes it so slow?

To answer your questions.
1) No
2) yes
2) Yes (Your confused about the bootloader being encrypted, the phone is able to be rooted)

Thanks. Repped.

It isn't slow. I put the :rofl2: after that comment because I was joking about the speed. Actually (not joking) the only time it is a little slow is if I go into Manage applications or my uninstaller and then I have to wait about 5 seconds before the apps appear, but I can live with that.

Thanks for the answers! So you're saying that there is definitely no way for them to see that I rooted? It won't set off any red flags?

Are there any noob-proof root guides you can recommend?

I found THIS one (http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-2-global/96381-droid-2-global-root-custom-recovery-sim-unlock-tutorial.html) and it seems good, but I'm still a little scared. :O

Thanks again!

[akkkmed]

Thanks. Repped.

It isn't slow. I put the :rofl2: after that comment because I was joking about the speed. Actually (not joking) the only time it is a little slow is if I go into Manage applications or my uninstaller and then I have to wait about 5 seconds before the apps appear, but I can live with that.

Thanks for the answers! So you're saying that there is definitely no way for them to see that I rooted? It won't set off any red flags?

Are there any noob-proof root guides you can recommend?

I found THIS one (http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-2-global/96381-droid-2-global-root-custom-recovery-sim-unlock-tutorial.html) and it seems good, but I'm still a little scared. :O

Thanks again!
I don't know much about company's technology power with phones, but I honestly don't think they can see if your phone is rooted or not. Do you know if they have a policy against it, or you think they would care if it's rooted, or what? But really, I don't think they can tell.

I would look for a guide at AndroidForums.com or XDA. Sometimes they link their guides to each others websites, too.

[Joe Davola]

I don't know much about company's technology power with phones, but I honestly don't think they can see if your phone is rooted or not. Do you know if they have a policy against it, or you think they would care if it's rooted, or what? But really, I don't think they can tell.

I would look for a guide at AndroidForums.com or XDA. Sometimes they link their guides to each others websites, too.

Thanks. Repped. To be honest, I don't think they'd care or think they even understand rooting, but it was a long nightmare to finally get a DROID approved and I don't want to ruin a good thing.

[tnh]

Thanks. Repped.

It isn't slow. I put the :rofl2: after that comment because I was joking about the speed. Actually (not joking) the only time it is a little slow is if I go into Manage applications or my uninstaller and then I have to wait about 5 seconds before the apps appear, but I can live with that.

Thanks for the answers! So you're saying that there is definitely no way for them to see that I rooted? It won't set off any red flags?

Are there any noob-proof root guides you can recommend?

I found THIS one (http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-2-global/96381-droid-2-global-root-custom-recovery-sim-unlock-tutorial.html) and it seems good, but I'm still a little scared. :O

Thanks again!
Would they care if it was rooted?

there are some sites that offer a 1 click root

here is one specifically for your droid 2
http://www.theandroidsoul.com/one-click-root-for-motorola-droid-2-is-finally-here/

youtube video with instructions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7RGVikpQ8o

[Joe Davola]

Would they care if it was rooted?

there are some sites that offer a 1 click root

here is one specifically for your droid 2
http://www.theandroidsoul.com/one-click-root-for-motorola-droid-2-is-finally-here/

youtube video with instructions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7RGVikpQ8o

Thanks. Repped.

FYI I have the DROID 2 Global, which "may" be a little different than the DROID 2.

[LiquidRetro]

Thanks. Repped.

It isn't slow. I put the :rofl2: after that comment because I was joking about the speed. Actually (not joking) the only time it is a little slow is if I go into Manage applications or my uninstaller and then I have to wait about 5 seconds before the apps appear, but I can live with that.

Thanks for the answers! So you're saying that there is definitely no way for them to see that I rooted? It won't set off any red flags?

Are there any noob-proof root guides you can recommend?

I found THIS one (http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-2-global/96381-droid-2-global-root-custom-recovery-sim-unlock-tutorial.html) and it seems good, but I'm still a little scared. :O

Thanks again!

The slowness there is read time on your SD card and not processing time. The recent Motorola Droid phones (D2, D2G, DX) have shipped with large SD cards which is nice but they are only Class 2 cards. If you put a Class 8 or 10 card in there it would be much faster for read and write times.

I am not 100% sure the company can't tell just by "the back end" as far as exchange goes which is probably the only way they would know I would say no. Unless you used an app to get around the pin entry. Just dont give them a reason to go looking.

XDA forums is the place to go. You will probably need to manually put the app Z4Root on your phone with a wire, install it then root with it. Its pretty fool proof but I understand a bit scary the first time. Since this phone is so close to the Droid 2 and Droid X most of the processes will be the same. XDA can help you figure it out

[moey]

It would depend on your firms agreement with the provider as to whether they can tell you have rooted your phone. If you just rooted your phone and nothing else most likely no one would know. But I assume you want to push something to it that would not be on the standard phones, in that case the telco provider can tell. But I doubt they would pick up the phone and call your firm. In most cases its reversible I dont know of any where its not, but doing things wrong can turn your phone into a brick.

[Joe Davola]

The slowness there is read time on your SD card and not processing time. The recent Motorola Droid phones (D2, D2G, DX) have shipped with large SD cards which is nice but they are only Class 2 cards. If you put a Class 8 or 10 card in there it would be much faster for read and write times.

I am not 100% sure the company can't tell just by "the back end" as far as exchange goes which is probably the only way they would know I would say no. Unless you used an app to get around the pin entry. Just dont give them a reason to go looking.

XDA forums is the place to go. You will probably need to manually put the app Z4Root on your phone with a wire, install it then root with it. Its pretty fool proof but I understand a bit scary the first time. Since this phone is so close to the Droid 2 and Droid X most of the processes will be the same. XDA can help you figure it out

I'll try the microSD card I used for my old phone (which I believe is a class 6) and see if that makes a difference. Thanks again!!

It would depend on your firms agreement with the provider as to whether they can tell you have rooted your phone. If you just rooted your phone and nothing else most likely no one would know. But I assume you want to push something to it that would not be on the standard phones, in that case the telco provider can tell. But I doubt they would pick up the phone and call your firm. In most cases its reversible I dont know of any where its not, but doing things wrong can turn your phone into a brick.

Thanks. Are you saying Verizon can easily tell if your phone is rooted? If so, why aren't they stopping this or contacting the rooter?

As mentioned, all I really want is to have a free hotspot and a bonus would be to remove some of the bloatware, but I can even live with that. The phone is amazing stock IMHO. :nod:

[IPT]

I'll try the microSD card I used for my old phone (which I believe is a class 6) and see if that makes a difference. Thanks again!!



Thanks. Are you saying Verizon can easily tell if your phone is rooted? If so, why aren't they stopping this or contacting the rooter?

As mentioned, all I really want is to have a free hotspot and a bonus would be to remove some of the bloatware, but I can even live with that. The phone is amazing stock IMHO. :nod:
verizon can only tell if you bring your phone in for tech support.

and if you're using tethering/wifi hotspot without paying for it, as they can check the data usage.

I know my dad pays for the wifi hotspot, 2gb a month on top of the unlimited data plan for his droid incredible because he didn't want to bother with rooting.
Its an extra $20.00 a month for the 2GB mobile hotspot on our plan.

[LiquidRetro]

I'll try the microSD card I used for my old phone (which I believe is a class 6) and see if that makes a difference. Thanks again!!



Thanks. Are you saying Verizon can easily tell if your phone is rooted? If so, why aren't they stopping this or contacting the rooter?

As mentioned, all I really want is to have a free hotspot and a bonus would be to remove some of the bloatware, but I can even live with that. The phone is amazing stock IMHO. :nod:

No, the only way they can tell is if you bring in the phone and they do digging. 99% of the time this doesnt matter. Its not illegal to root your phone, there is nothing in the TOS saying you cant do it anyways. Its what you do after root that they might care about such as teathering your phone then downloading 20gb of movies (which would take forever)

verizon can only tell if you bring your phone in for tech support.

and if you're using tethering/wifi hotspot without paying for it, as they can check the data usage.

I know my dad pays for the wifi hotspot, 2gb a month on top of the unlimited data plan for his droid incredible because he didn't want to bother with rooting.
Its an extra $20.00 a month for the 2GB mobile hotspot on our plan.

Ya you can do this its just an extra fee for the carrier its not necessary. As long as you are not downloading multiple gb then your safe.

If you just want to tether or hotspot there are paid apps that really end up working better and do not require root, it all depends on how you want to do it.

[IPT]

and really the only downside to rooting is verizon will claim since the phone was modified your warranty is voided.

[tnh]

Thanks. Repped.

FYI I have the DROID 2 Global, which "may" be a little different than the DROID 2.
IC, good call. It should be the same but im not 100% positive

[acesmuzic]

Droid 2 Global ROOT, CUSTOM RECOVERY & SIM UNLOCK Tutorial (http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-2-global/96381-droid-2-global-root-custom-recovery-sim-unlock-tutorial.html)

i have the regular D2 so was able to use the one-click method and can't comment on this from personal experience but there are many favorable reports.

good luck!


ETA: here's a youtube video that might also be of use: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC8v2SZXpw8

[wuzzy]

:wave: Joe

No
Yes
Have you tried VISIONary from the market?

[Joe Davola]

Droid 2 Global ROOT, CUSTOM RECOVERY & SIM UNLOCK Tutorial (http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-2-global/96381-droid-2-global-root-custom-recovery-sim-unlock-tutorial.html)

i have the regular D2 so was able to use the one-click method and can't comment on this from personal experience but there are many favorable reports.

good luck!


ETA: here's a youtube video that might also be of use: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC8v2SZXpw8

Thanks! Repped!

:wave: Joe

No
Yes
Have you tried VISIONary from the market?

:wave: wuzzy!

Thanks. Repped.

What is VISIONary? I just did a search for it on Appbrain and AndroLib and on my phone and couldn't find it.

[wuzzy]

Thanks! Repped!



:wave: wuzzy!

Thanks. Repped.

What is VISIONary? I just did a search for it on Appbrain and AndroLib and on my phone and couldn't find it.

Looks like it may have been removed so you might need to find the apk file to download.

Anyway, it's an app for temporarily rooting your phone with 1 click. When I first got my My Touch 4G, this was the app to use to root because nobody had figured it out otherwise. That has now changed though and there are many ways to root my phone.

http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-modaco-visionary-qztwE.aspx

[blacksoxing]

and really the only downside to rooting is verizon will claim since the phone was modified your warranty is voided.
Smart people put their phones right back the way it was before sending it in....

Trust me

[IPT]

Smart people put their phones right back the way it was before sending it in....

Trust me
smart people just "lose" the phone and pay the same $$ for insurance charge =)

[blacksoxing]

smart people just "lose" the phone and pay the same $$ for insurance charge =)
That is smart....

Sadly, I've never been able to afford the extra 5 dollars a month....


But seriously though. if you root back successfully, they don't detect it. In fact, verizon's warranty is pretty laxed. I once called because I said a key wasn't working in hopes for a D2 (the internets were reporting they were switching out d1's for d2's at the time)

She had me run through like 3 troubleshooting steps and then just verified my address. Sent out another d1. Didn't get the d2 I was hoping for....but I did get another 3 months of warranty protection (plus my bezzle was getting scratched up anyways...)

[IPT]

That is smart....

Sadly, I've never been able to afford the extra 5 dollars a month....


But seriously though. if you root back successfully, they don't detect it. In fact, verizon's warranty is pretty laxed. I once called because I said a key wasn't working in hopes for a D2 (the internets were reporting they were switching out d1's for d2's at the time)

She had me run through like 3 troubleshooting steps and then just verified my address. Sent out another d1. Didn't get the d2 I was hoping for....but I did get another 3 months of warranty protection (plus my bezzle was getting scratched up anyways...)
yeah, im talking for those who pay the insurance a month
like my dad lost his incredible 2 weeks ago lol....he owned the phone for 1 month and lost it.

Cost us $89.00 for a replacement phone, and the 1 month coverage $5.00 so...yeah better than shelling out $400 for another phone.