Rooting ace 2

[nellyp]

I want my ace 2 rooted. I am not 100% confident about doing it myself ( even though I will try anything with a computer) and was wondering if they will do it for me in a shop. I wwas also wondering about a price. I'm not worried about the warantee as i don't have one anyway.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[thrilled]

What does rooting mean?

[nellyp]

What does rooting mean?

If you can imagine having a computer that you did noit have total control of, then that is the situation with your smart phone. Unless it is rooted, you cannot manipulate the operating system of your phone. That is why you cannot delete programmes that the manufacturer has stuck on the phone, and why you cannot put applications on your phone and control them the way you want.

[Pib]

Depending on the model of your Ace2, this process don't sound too hard. And to get the official firmware for your particular Ace2 model versus the version talked about in the website for a certain Ace2 model, you can download the firmware from the Sammobile website. You will need to register for a User ID/password but it's easy/fast/worthwhile since it then allows you to download the firmware versus just checking to see what the lastest firmware version is. Then you could use that download firmware in the rooting process.

I've never tried the website directions. I've got two Ace2 I8160L models laying around due the wife and I switching to S4's...I may give it try in the near future. But to tell you the truth, I've got over the "root" urge as I have a Onda tablet that came rooted and follow-on firmware updates that came rooted so I got to try a lot of those Apps that require root access to work. Rooting is really more hype than anything else in terms of adding capability a lot of people would use...sure some folks who want to have more control over their device and tinker with it a lot will make rooting sound like a "must have" to get through the day but it really just a nice to have for some folks. But I did enjoy being able to remove the Chinese bloatware that came on the tablet; but if I root my Ace2's I probably won't remove much if any of the Samsung bloatware...well, maybe a few Apps. Good luck.

P.S. While editing this I was also on Sammobile downloading the firmware applicable to my Ace2/GT-I8160L model which was firmware I8160LDCME1...that firmware is already installed on the Ace2 via OTA updates but I expect I would need it to accomplish the rooting process and/or hopefully recover from a failed rooting process. It only took about 6 minutes to download via the free/regular download speed although the Sammobile site said it would take over an hour.

Edited October 6, 2013 by Pib

[Pib]

Depending on the model of your Ace2, this process don't sound too hard. And to get the official firmware for your particular Ace2 model versus the version talked about in the website for a certain Ace2 model, you can download the firmware from the Sammobile website. You will need to register for a User ID/password but it's easy/fast/worthwhile since it then allows you to download the firmware versus just checking to see what the lastest firmware version is. Then you could use that download firmware in the rooting process.

I've never tried the website directions. I've got two Ace2 I8160L models laying around due the wife and I switching to S4's...I may give it try in the near future. But to tell you the truth, I've got over the "root" urge as I have a Onda tablet that came rooted and follow-on firmware updates that came rooted so I got to try a lot of those Apps that require root access to work. Rooting is really more hype than anything else in terms of adding capability a lot of people would use...sure some folks who want to have more control over their device and tinker with it a lot will make rooting sound like a "must have" to get through the day but it really just a nice to have for some folks. But I did enjoy being able to remove the Chinese bloatware that came on the tablet; but if I root my Ace2's I probably won't remove much if any of the Samsung bloatware...well, maybe a few Apps. Good luck.

P.S. While editing this I was also on Sammobile downloading the firmware applicable to my Ace2/GT-I8160L model which was firmware I8160LDCME1...that firmware is already installed on the Ace2 via OTA updates but I expect I would need it to accomplish the rooting process and/or hopefully recover from a failed rooting process. It only took about 6 minutes to download via the free/regular download speed although the Sammobile site said it would take over an hour.

Clarification regarding my first paragraph, you would only need to download and install the small "root.zip" file to root the Ace2; downloading/installing the official Samsung firmware would only be needed if your phone was not running the 4.1.2 version for your phone or possibly recovering from a failed rooting process. If installing the small root.zip file roots your phone successfully, then you are done.

[nellyp]

Depending on the model of your Ace2, this process don't sound too hard. And to get the official firmware for your particular Ace2 model versus the version talked about in the website for a certain Ace2 model, you can download the firmware from the Sammobile website. You will need to register for a User ID/password but it's easy/fast/worthwhile since it then allows you to download the firmware versus just checking to see what the lastest firmware version is. Then you could use that download firmware in the rooting process.

I've never tried the website directions. I've got two Ace2 I8160L models laying around due the wife and I switching to S4's...I may give it try in the near future. But to tell you the truth, I've got over the "root" urge as I have a Onda tablet that came rooted and follow-on firmware updates that came rooted so I got to try a lot of those Apps that require root access to work. Rooting is really more hype than anything else in terms of adding capability a lot of people would use...sure some folks who want to have more control over their device and tinker with it a lot will make rooting sound like a "must have" to get through the day but it really just a nice to have for some folks. But I did enjoy being able to remove the Chinese bloatware that came on the tablet; but if I root my Ace2's I probably won't remove much if any of the Samsung bloatware...well, maybe a few Apps. Good luck.

P.S. While editing this I was also on Sammobile downloading the firmware applicable to my Ace2/GT-I8160L model which was firmware I8160LDCME1...that firmware is already installed on the Ace2 via OTA updates but I expect I would need it to accomplish the rooting process and/or hopefully recover from a failed rooting process. It only took about 6 minutes to download via the free/regular download speed although the Sammobile site said it would take over an hour.

Thanks for this and the opinion. I would like to take a lot of the apps on the phone off and use my own preferences, and I would like to be able to store some apps directly onto my external SD card (a good quality game or 2 for the kids) . Thanks again

[Pib]

Wow...that was painless and fast....I just rooted my Ace2, GT-I8160L. Just follow the instructions at this Link I also gave earlier by downloading the small "root.zip" file and then follow the simple instructions in the Link on how to install. Piece of cake. Your results may vary.

[Pib]

Wow...that was painless and fast....I just rooted my Ace2, GT-I8160L. Just follow the instructions at this Link I also gave earlier by downloading the small "root.zip" file and then follow the simple instructions in the Link on how to install. Piece of cake. Your results may vary.

Just as FYI...played with my rooted Ace 2 this evening for about 30 minutes by using most of the Apps...no problems at all (knock on wood). Also downloaded Titanium Backup Pro which requires a rooted phone to use all it features...Titanium Backup also says the phone is rooted...as does the app Root Checker recommended in the rooting instructions to confirm root.

Yeap, it was one easy and quick rooting process. Your results may vary.

[nellyp]

Wow...that was painless and fast....I just rooted my Ace2, GT-I8160L. Just follow the instructions at this Link I also gave earlier by downloading the small "root.zip" file and then follow the simple instructions in the Link on how to install. Piece of cake. Your results may vary.

Just as FYI...played with my rooted Ace 2 this evening for about 30 minutes by using most of the Apps...no problems at all (knock on wood). Also downloaded Titanium Backup Pro which requires a rooted phone to use all it features...Titanium Backup also says the phone is rooted...as does the app Root Checker recommended in the rooting instructions to confirm root.

Yeap, it was one easy and quick rooting process. Your results may vary.

Does the phone seems any faster (upgrading to jellybean has slowed some phones down apparently) I'm gonna have a go with mine tonight, but was wondering about the speed.

[nellyp]

Wow...that was painless and fast....I just rooted my Ace2, GT-I8160L. Just follow the instructions at this Link I also gave earlier by downloading the small "root.zip" file and then follow the simple instructions in the Link on how to install. Piece of cake. Your results may vary.

Does this mean that i do not need to download the usb drivers? I assume you backed up your data ( I have none on my phone and believe the root process will not touch contact etc anyway). Did you need to do the tap build number thing too?

Cheers

Neil

[Pib]

No change in speed. Using Antutu Benchmark I benchmarked my rooted Ace 2 against the wife's unrooted Ace 2...results came out within a percent or so of each other...ran the benchmark twice. Rooting a device really only changes some permissions and adds SuperUser to your phone....there won't be any performance improvement merely based on rooting.

When our Ace 2 upgraded to Jelly Bean 4.1.2 X months ago via OTA there was a slight performance improvement and moving between screens definitely became smoother....battery drain was also the same....plus I like the Android menu selections/screens on JB much more than GingerBread.

For some devices, JB can increase battery draw and even slow down benchmarks results...been no shortage of complaints about that depending on your device....this is what happened on my Onda V971 9.7" tablet when I went form ICS 4.0.3 to various manufacturer's and custom JB 4.1.2 releases plus I had some Apps issues on JB. I ended up going back to ICS 4.0.3 on my Onda...and perfectly happy. However, for the Ace 2 the upgrades from GingerBread 2.3.6 to JB 4.1.2 was a definite improvement in all aspects. JB works just fine on our Ace 2's...no complaints.

Remember, if you attempt the rooting process be sure you have already upgraded to JB 4.1.2 which came out for the Ace 2 via OTA months ago. Of course you could also do it via KIES if your phone has not been upgraded yet to JB.

[Pib]

Wow...that was painless and fast....I just rooted my Ace2, GT-I8160L. Just follow the instructions at this Link I also gave earlier by downloading the small "root.zip" file and then follow the simple instructions in the Link on how to install. Piece of cake. Your results may vary.

Does this mean that i do not need to download the usb drivers? I assume you backed up your data ( I have none on my phone and believe the root process will not touch contact etc anyway). Did you need to do the tap build number thing too?

Cheers

Neil

Assuming you already have JB on the Ace 2, you only need to download and install the small root.zip file. You might want to practice a few times being able to get into the Recovery Menu where you press the Volume Up, Home, and Power buttons at the same time until you hear/feel a beep. And then practice a little using the Volume Up/Down button and Power button to move around and select the specific menu selection as identified in the instructions. Just get the root.zip on your External SDCard, go into Recovery mode, follow the instructions and you should be fine. It worked fine for me...but your results may vary.

[nellyp]

No change in speed. Using Antutu Benchmark I benchmarked my rooted Ace 2 against the wife's unrooted Ace 2...results came out within a percent or so of each other...ran the benchmark twice. Rooting a device really only changes some permissions and adds SuperUser to your phone....there won't be any performance improvement merely based on rooting.

When our Ace 2 upgraded to Jelly Bean 4.1.2 X months ago via OTA there was a slight performance improvement and moving between screens definitely became smoother....battery drain was also the same....plus I like the Android menu selections/screens on JB much more than GingerBread.

For some devices, JB can increase battery draw and even slow down benchmarks results...been no shortage of complaints about that depending on your device....this is what happened on my Onda V971 9.7" tablet when I went form ICS 4.0.3 to various manufacturer's and custom JB 4.1.2 releases plus I had some Apps issues on JB. I ended up going back to ICS 4.0.3 on my Onda...and perfectly happy. However, for the Ace 2 the upgrades from GingerBread 2.3.6 to JB 4.1.2 was a definite improvement in all aspects. JB works just fine on our Ace 2's...no complaints.

Remember, if you attempt the rooting process be sure you have already upgraded to JB 4.1.2 which came out for the Ace 2 via OTA months ago. Of course you could also do it via KIES if your phone has not been upgraded yet to JB.

I'm definately on 4.1.2 and like the interface and acecess much more. i think my phone takes longer to load programmes (subway surfer for my nipper being an example), but not a major problem. What about the drivers ? will I need to install them on my computer ( I already use kies on it), and will I have to do the tapping too?

[Pib]

I'm definately on 4.1.2 and like the interface and acecess much more. i think my phone takes longer to load programmes (subway surfer for my nipper being an example), but not a major problem. What about the drivers ? will I need to install them on my computer ( I already use kies on it), and will I have to do the tapping too?

Just download the root.zip file like you would any other file to your computer and transfer it to your phone's ExtSDCard....you might be able to just browse out to the website and download it using your phone to your ExtSDCard.

You "will not" be using your computer to perform the root (other than to download the root.zip file)...the phone installs the root.zip file from your ExtSDCard using the phone's Recovery Menu.

Just follow Steps 1 thru 8 at this Link.

[nellyp]

I finally got around to doing this today, it took about 5 minutes (if that). Thanks to Pib, you are a star. I had to do this as my device memory always seem to be stopping me taking photos (even though photos are save to external SD. Now I just need to figure out how to move dropbox Tango etc to my external.

Cheers again Pib