Anyone here know how to root Android?

[justincase]

I am an ios user currently, and love my jail broken device, but it is old and I am not into a new ios device.
I will be making the switch to Android and already know I am going to want to root it. That's just how I roll....

So, before I tackle rooting a new phone, I thought I would give it a go with my old Kindle Fire that's been collecting dust for a year. I have read threads on XDA as well as watched a few videos on youtube, but, they don't seem to make any sense to me. I don't speak the language, I guess.

Jailbreaking is easy. Download a jailbreak tool to your computer, plug in your iphone, run the jailbreak tool, and !VIOLA!, you're done!

Rooting doesn't seem that simple.....
Seems there are tons of things to be done.....and I ain't gettin' it!

Anyone here have the time AND the patience to help me? It would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lamarrk]

I'd recommend waiting to root your Android. I rooted my old Droid X but I did so because it was junk and Motorola never updated it. The Motorola overlay was terrible.
I have a new Samsung S3 (well, it was new when I got it) and have never thought about rooting it. Works great as is.

You could also get a Google phone, which doesn't have any overlays on it, just pure Google Android OS.

(PS: I also jailbroke my old old iPhone 3G)

 

[justincase]

I looked long and hard for the phone I wanted, and decided on the Note 4.
I'm sure it will be great 'as is', but, as with everything in my life, eventually, I will want to make it better

I thought with an antiquated Kindle Fire, I could learn a basic understanding of the whole rooting process.
Seems it's a rather daunting task!

 

[Strings]

justincase: I have a Note 4. One observation: the Samsung overlay is kinda needed for the S Pen. And really, that thing IS very functional.

I've never rooted, but I know there are some VERY knowledgable folks over at the Android Forums. I do know that you need to know not only "what device", but "what version of the device" (as different carriers have slightly different versions).

As lamarrk stated: give it a try stock, before you risk bricking it. Android is much more user customizable, right out of the box

 

[justincase]

Yeah, I'm good now. Got it all figured out yesterday.
I have only ever had Apple and none of my friends were willing to let me experiment with their devices, so it was a little tricky figuring everything out on such an old device such as a 1st gen kindle fire

And I will, without a doubt, run it stock for awhile

 

[InfinityzeN]

Glad you figured it out justincase. How hard it is to root an Android phone really depends on the manufactuer.

Those with unlocked boot loaders are stupid easy to root. Download the root file, plug it into your computer, boot it into developer mode, and install the root file.
Those with locked boot loaders however can be anything from easy (crappy lock job, easy to work around) to impossible (no one has cracked the boot loader yet).

So I would strongly suggest you check your device (including the version since all the phone companies versions are slightly different based on what they require) has a working root before you buy.

-----

I rooted my Android phones back in the day since you could get more performance or newer software on them since the phone companies suck. Now'a'days though, Google has split off most of the OS from the version number and update it automaticly. Additionally you can customize pretty much almost everything about the phone including the GUI and side load any programs you want even if you don't get them from Google. That side loading and customization is why most people would jailbreak their iPhone.

I haven't rooted an Android since the 2.* days. Haven't needed too.

BTW, Samsung devices are not like any other device since Samsung sticks their highly modified interface (personnally dislike lots) and all their less functional clones of Google software on the phone. You will have 2 or 3 programs for every action (email, messaging, video, music, store, etc).

I use a HTC One (M8) Google Play Edition, which has better build quality then Apple devices and uses stock Android.

 

[Ridilen]

Look up your device here. Android Forum for Mobile Phones, Tablets, Watches & Android App Development - XDA Forums

Site has never failed me.

Devs are incredible.

 

[MrStik]

XDA is where you want to be for rooting. But each device, has a different root process depending on what exploit these hack genius's discover. From my experience, the Galaxy S phones are easier to root.

I am running my GS5 without root and enjoying it. I read that Lollipop (and can be mistaken) has a new security feature that makes it nearly impossible to root unless you can change the kernel and I believe you need to be able to unlock the bootloader for that. And those have been getting locked down more and more.

 

[Strings]

It's kinda funny: one of the biggest selling points for Android over iOS was user customization. And they have been steadily eroding that with every new release

 

[Javamon]

I don't know if that is Android per se v.s. the manufacturers trying to make customization hard. The manufacturers want to sell an appliance, not a mod kit.

 

[Strings]

You have a point there!

I'm REALLY hoping Motorola can make Project: Ara happen. Completely modular Android

 

[alljokingaside]

Samsungs are, in general, easy to root. The only thing is, if you plan on flashing a different ROM (like an OS; one of the focal points for customization), you might void yr warranty; Some phones have a flash counter. Rooting in itself, from what I remember, probably doesn't trigger it, but I'd check up on that before.

If it's for a warranty-"free" device like yr Kindle, then root away. There are chances that things could go awry, but it's pretty safe if you follow instructions. Def. check XDA before anything though. Basically, you'll have to d/l a rooting file (probably a .bat or an .exe), get the appropriate drivers for yr device, and enable USB debugging on yr phone (in Settings)/ ***Make sure that whatever "kit" you get's suited to yr device (eg. I wouldn't mess with kits for a Galaxy 2 if I was rooting a Galaxy 1. Also, I wouldn't use a kit geared toward the international version if I had a US version of the phone, though that more for ROMs than root kits. Still though, if the "suppliers" of the prog. specifies International, I assume there's a reason.*** More likely than not, it'll "push" or install an app called "SuperSu" which manages root access for apps, giving you relatively permanent root access and control over your phone. Anyway, easier portal's to check less "hardcore" sites like android central or even something like lifehacker for the general plan, then go check XDA for specifics. G'luck and have a blast!