I have been trying to wrap my mind around rooting a phone, as it might be an option in the future. Once a phone is rooted, does that just mean you have access to files and are able to do certain things with your phone that you couldn't do before (i.e., make a full backup of your phone and/or copy apps to the SD card)? Otherwise, does it appear pretty much like it was before rooting?
I am planning to buy a Note 3 shortly, but I'm concerned about reports that it is not possible to revert to stock after rooting because no one has the file that will return the phone to stock condition for AT&T yet. If that is the case, then I definitely will wait until my warranty has expired to even consider rooting.
Nevertheless, I'd like to start learning a bit more about rooting a phone so that I would be more knowledgeable if I ever want to do so. I have read that rooting and installing a custom ROM are separate things. I've also read that it is not necessary to install any ROM after rooting. If I rooted the Note 3 but didn't install a ROM, would I have Samsung TouchWiz as the operating system? Would I just be able to install Nova Prime and some other apps to replace the Samsung TouchWiz interface? Also, do you have to use apps that are designed for rooted phones only, or can I use some of the apps that I was using with the stock phone if I wanted to?
Sorry for the basic questions, but I have been reading a lot here and at XDA and realize that I need some education on the basics if I'm going to really understand what I'm reading.
I am planning to buy a Note 3 shortly, but I'm concerned about reports that it is not possible to revert to stock after rooting because no one has the file that will return the phone to stock condition for AT&T yet. If that is the case, then I definitely will wait until my warranty has expired to even consider rooting.
Nevertheless, I'd like to start learning a bit more about rooting a phone so that I would be more knowledgeable if I ever want to do so. I have read that rooting and installing a custom ROM are separate things. I've also read that it is not necessary to install any ROM after rooting. If I rooted the Note 3 but didn't install a ROM, would I have Samsung TouchWiz as the operating system? Would I just be able to install Nova Prime and some other apps to replace the Samsung TouchWiz interface? Also, do you have to use apps that are designed for rooted phones only, or can I use some of the apps that I was using with the stock phone if I wanted to?
Sorry for the basic questions, but I have been reading a lot here and at XDA and realize that I need some education on the basics if I'm going to really understand what I'm reading.