Why should I root my phone, and how can I get the most out of it (LG Optimus V) - Hardware & Software

Hello android users of facepunch. I just traded my Samsung intercept for the lates virgin mobile addition: the LG Optimus V [IMG]http://www.talkandroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/virgin-mobile-optimus-v-itw.jpg[/IMG] in my experience this phone beats the shit out of the intercept in every way, and I'm extremely pleased with it. my question now is: what are the benefits of rooting my device? also if you have any tips to help me get all I can out of my new phone feel free to share them. some phone specs: android 2.2.1 600mhz Qualcomm MSM7627 CPU

Rooting isn't 100% necessary for the average day to day user. Rooting alone doesn't really change much, if anything on your handset, but it does allow apps to function in ways that wouldn't normally be possible. For example, you could root and use Titanium Backup to uninstall unwanted bloatware that the carrier normally locks in to the phone. You could use Shootme to take screenshots (if that function is not already built in). You could use LCDDensity to fake a higher resolution screen. You can use Samba to access the SD card of your phone from any PC connected to your wifi network without having to install any programs on the PCs. You can use Adfree Android to remove ads in apps. Rooting is also the first step towards flashing a custom ROM, which is where you start seeing speed improvements, unofficial software updates and increased battery life.

[QUOTE=roflcakes;27812346] Rooting is also the first step towards flashing a custom ROM, which is where you start seeing speed improvements, unofficial software updates and increased battery life.[/QUOTE] woah woah woah explain more on this subject please i own an android smartphone and the battery life is terrible while doing things on it

well I'm all about speed and battery life. Thank you for explaining that :)

[QUOTE=gerbile5;27812370]woah woah woah explain more on this subject please i own an android smartphone and the battery life is terrible while doing things on it[/QUOTE] You should be charging the average smartphone at least once a day. Custom ROMs tend to give a slight increase in battery life because they're often more efficient. Equally, some can also be quite battery heavy. I'm not the one to ask about stretching out your battery like crazy, but programs like SetCPU and Tasker can be used in conjunction to do things like automatically toggle certain functions and to underclock the CPU at times when you're unlikely to be using it. However, it is somewhat of a dark art. Your mileage may vary. Some phones just munch on battery like there's no tomorrow and there's little you can do about it, other than carry round a charger, or even just a cable if you're near something with a powered USB port during the day (I rent laptops from the central loan store at my college and use those to charge my handset if I'm in a pinch). [editline]2nd February 2011[/editline] Also, some apps like to chew through CPU cycles while they sit in the background. I believe the Facebook app did this for a little while in one of it's early versions. You could check your news feed, put the phone down and come back to it in 30 minutes time to find the battery almost gone because facebook was running at full tilt.

well it seems that I am unable to root my phone, I downloaded z4root and went through the process multiple times and nothing happened.

[QUOTE=roflcakes;27812346]Rooting is also the first step towards flashing a custom ROM, which is where you start seeing speed improvements, unofficial software updates and increased battery life.[/QUOTE] Unless your manufacturer is an asshole and locked down the bootloader and disabled recovery. ... :frown:

[QUOTE=HPD user;27812916]well it seems that I am unable to root my phone, I downloaded z4root and went through the process multiple times and nothing happened.[/QUOTE] z4root is not a universal fix. It's pretty close and they add more devices on a regular basis, but it will never be perfect. Also, just trying to find out what your phone actually is. "Optimus V" is a Virgin mobile branding. I believe you have an Optimus One with a different fascia. It might be worth looking in to rooting the OO because similar things may work for your phone. I wouldn't try this just yet though, as it may have adverse affects. [editline]2nd February 2011[/editline] Scratch that, wouldn't work. [editline]2nd February 2011[/editline] Check if your handset is running 2.2.1.

it is indeed running 2.2.1 and it is the same as the LG optimus S on sprint and also a few others.

OP, if you want to root the phone, check out [url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=935312]this thread[/url].