Rooting a Galaxy S3
GetFrodo
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Am fed up with the constant updates to rubbish software that I don't use and cannot uninstall.
Before I root, I would like to reassure myself about the following:
1. Can I still have the Google apps that I choose (maps, email) and synchronise contacts/calendar with Google?
2. After rooting, can I get free/paid for apps from Google Play?
3. Can I keep apps that I have already paid for?
4. What is the general consensus of ease-of-rooting with the S3? Chance of bricking? My only other experience of rooting is with the HTC Desire where, despite extensive research, I failed miserably. My S3 was bought out of contract with no sim lock.
Incidentally, this is the guide I stumbled across first: http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/mobile-phones/how-to-root-your-samsung-galaxy-s3-50008588/
Before I root, I would like to reassure myself about the following:
1. Can I still have the Google apps that I choose (maps, email) and synchronise contacts/calendar with Google?
2. After rooting, can I get free/paid for apps from Google Play?
3. Can I keep apps that I have already paid for?
4. What is the general consensus of ease-of-rooting with the S3? Chance of bricking? My only other experience of rooting is with the HTC Desire where, despite extensive research, I failed miserably. My S3 was bought out of contract with no sim lock.
Incidentally, this is the guide I stumbled across first: http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/mobile-phones/how-to-root-your-samsung-galaxy-s3-50008588/
0
Comments
1- yes
2- yes
3- yes
4- yes... i mean um yes, it's easy. It's quite easy to root a phone when you follow a guide.
I'd recommend Root Explorer for apps you want to uninstall.
I'm sure you're right, just with the proviso "except when it doesn't work"
Thanks for the other answers. So when you root, do your existing apps remain on the phone (but with more options to uninstall)? It is not the case that you end up with a blank phone where all apps have to be installed?
Hi OP. I have rooted loads of devices and normally you don't need to factory reset your phone to do it. However I don't have a S3 so I can't comment.
One word of warning. There are many versions of the S3.(13). Most sold in this country are the GT-I9300 which is the 3G model. However there is a 4G model sold in this country the GT-I9305. Make sure any guide you follow is for the one you have.
I recommend XDA Developers as your source of information. Here is the wiki page for the GT-I9300.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S_III/GT-I9300
All the info you need is on the forums if you search for it. Good luck.
Also an App called System App Remover is one I have used to get rid of junk apps.
Do I understand the situation correctly then? In general, rooting a phone does not affect the existing apps and functionalities, it just provides more rights and options?
correct. rooting a phone doesn't change what's already on the phone. Everything you had before rooting will be there just as it was before after you've rooted the phon.
If you are going to attempt to root a phone though you must make a back up first as there is always to potential to screw up your data. I recently rooted a nexus 4 and something went wrong during the flash process and it got soft bricked. Bit of a pain to correct and had to re flash a clean copy then restore from backup.
I'm don't know how technical you are but also worth reading up on adb ( Android debug bridge), fast boot and clockwork mod recovery and the more you can get your head around what these things are the better.
Also in 4.3 at least you have to click on the build number on settings about 6 times to enable developer options, which means you can switch on usb debugging.
The best resource is probably the S3 page on xda and perhaps some video guides. Be careful though sometimes there are mistakes in the step by step tutorials in these guides.
Every thing will work as before once rooted in theory except you will be able to grant certain programs root access. There are quite a few useful programs on Google Play that need a rooted phone.
The disadvantage is that a bugged program that has root access has the potential to really screw things up.
It's insanely annoying as I'd love to root my phone otherwise.
There are a few other apps that won't work on rooted phones - if you have anything by Barclays Bank, they won't work either.
Just back it all up first, then you'll be OK.
Surprised you had problems with the desire, I found it straightforward.