Verizon told me to root my phone...

[usagiakumu]

I complained about Bing being the default search engine on the fascinate. I didn't know that it couldn't be changed to Google, they told me to simply root it, that he had done it to his phone as well. As long as I don't do anything to violate my terms of contract and I simply root it to gain access to change the settings and remove v-cast, that I am alright. Warned me not to remove too much that it would render the device useless if I didn't know how to reinstall Android, told me to backup the entire phone. It wouldn't void my warranty as long as I was safe with doing it.

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

If you brick your phone, bring it in and tell them the rep told you to do it and now they should fix it.

This isn't the first time I've heard a Verizon rep telling someone to root, but it's certainly the first time I've heard them telling someone to remove Verizon applications.

 

[McBane]

I've always heard that it voids your warranty, but honestly my fiance's rooted Incredible has been replaced 3 times (yes, 3 times...) already when it was rooted because I honestly don't think they check. They send the new phone first and tell you to ship the old one back and we've had no issues.

 

[wyseguy77]

I complained about Bing being the default search engine on the fascinate. I didn't know that it couldn't be changed to Google, they told me to simply root it, that he had done it to his phone as well. As long as I don't do anything to violate my terms of contract and I simply root it to gain access to change the settings and remove v-cast, that I am alright. Warned me not to remove too much that it would render the device useless if I didn't know how to reinstall Android, told me to backup the entire phone. It wouldn't void my warranty as long as I was safe with doing it.

I wouldn't count on it not voiding your warranty unless you get it in writing.


Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

 

[usagiakumu]

well I was like "its slow what can I do to speed it up a bit?" and he said "v-cast always runs in the background no matter whether you kill it or not, remove it and reboot the phone once you have it rooted and it will give you much better performance and battery life." I have v-cast blocked on my bill so it could have something to do with it.

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

He is right that Verizon apps are running in the background constantly, and is definitely right that removing them from running improves performance. I'll give the guy that. I wonder if he's one of our members here, hehe.

 

[sjenkins1009]

I got a very similar thing when i was at my Verizon Store today too. I was picking up a bluetooth stereo headset (actually ended up getting the droid gift pack...JBL BT Speaker and the Motor BT Stereo headset for only 99...both were priced 99 individually). When i asked about froyo he just gave me the shrug. Then when i asked about DL09 he said if you know what your doing you can download it from some of the websites like xda or AC. I was surprised they said that...but I am glad they are at least trying to help people.

 

[usagiakumu]

man if that speeds it up I am going to call that guy back and give him a good report, yeah I may pay more for my service, but Verizon is always good to me. My last phone had died after 2 years of usage, simple prepaid phone. My credit is really bad due to an ex, but they gave me a two year contract without a hitch.

 

[usagiakumu]

I think I can see a rift starting when the iPhone comes out, all the nerds are going to stay on android and all the regular people are going to run out and buy the pretty new toy. They are probably figuring that "hey who cares as long as our customers are happy they will pay their bill"

This is the Verizon rep's email to me. He spoke good enough English on the phone:

Good afternoon again Mr. Wortman,



Thank you for contacting Verizon Wireless through our website.



I hope the information I provided you during our recent telephone conversation regarding your Google search inquiry and the forwarding your e-mail to our Leadership Team was sufficient. Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please reply to this e-mail.



Thank you for giving me the opportunity to assist you today. We appreciate your business and thank you for using Verizon Wireless.



Sincerely,



Trelawn

Verizon Wireless

Customer Service

 

[Froalskiner#WN]

Interesting...what I want to know is whether or not anybody has ever actually had their phone denied service etc... with a rooted phone. I know it's "supposed" to void your warranty but has anybody ever actually experienced this?

 

[Drootz]

I wouldn't count on it not voiding your warranty unless you get it in writing.


Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

I was at Verizon the other day talking with one of the reps trying to get info on the LTE phones and release dates. The topics drifted and eventually got to rooting and he said they (meaning your average VZW rep) don't care if your rooted or not and typically won't even check. If you do happen to get a rep that won't help you because your rooted just leave and come back another day see a different rep and your good to go. Or just go to another verizon store if it's convienient.

So I say go ahead and root it, Install the google enhanced apk, change launchers and your bing free! Enjoy!

 

[TheANARCHY]

At the local Verizon store I go to, and where I bought my phones and signed my contracts, pay my bill and just be a general nuisance (just keeping it real), I brought up the conversation about rooting because of the lack of timely updates. Then all the employees whipped out their Android phones and was like "BAM! I'm rooted! Me too! So am I!" And then we proceeded to talk about how to kill the Verizon apps. Out of earshot of the management of course. So it happens more often than we might think.

 

[Froalskiner#WN]

Well at least if they find out they don't update your account with a flag saying you rooted your phone.

 

[bluevolume]

Verizon wants your monthly payment for service; that's pretty much all they care about. Unless you are purposely damaging your phone or bringing it in for software problems every week, they could care less. The vast majority of the phones they take in for replacement end up getting a software re-load and a spit shine and become Certified Refurbs. It really doesn't hurt big V when they have to replace your phone.

So, like I said, unless you're in there 3 or 4 times with a phone you bricked by screwing with it, they aren't going to raise an eyebrow.

 

[curley]

I was told, when you return your phone to the store, they flash it back to stock before they ship it to make sure all your personal information is completely removed. That is what my guy told me anyway.

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

I was told, when you return your phone to the store, they flash it back to stock before they ship it to make sure all your personal information is completely removed. That is what my guy told me anyway.

That's what I understand happens as well, and I hope they do it even if the phone is clean. I'd rather not get some other persons porn on my refurb

 

[curley]

I don't want someone to see the porn from mine.

 

[Clak]

You know, with the increase of video cameras in phones....lets just say I'll bet there have been some embarrassing moments....

 

[TheANARCHY]

That's what I understand happens as well, and I hope they do it even if the phone is clean. I'd rather not get some other persons porn on my refurb

Agreed 100%... But let's be honest. The way we use these phones to just about control everything we do is almost an exercise in pornography.

I'm just sayin...

 

[egg_head]

The people who work at your local Verizon are cooler then you think.
Don't be a feeder while you're in there, or act like an ahole and you'll learn quickly that most reps are pretty lax.
When it comes to things like rooting, it is the least of their concerns.
Reps will either have a rooted phone themselves or have no idea what rooting is.
Be cool and you'll usually always get what you need.

[sent from my android]