how to root my android phone so i know which apps i can disable safely

[AC Question]

Learn to disable apps safely android phone

 

[hallux]

You don't need root to disable apps, you can do that from the app manager on your device.

How you root is device-dependent, I suggest visiting the forum for your device to learn more about it. I suggest reading - A LOT - before jumping in feet-first as you can render the device useless if you do one thing wrong.