Tell me more ×
Android Enthusiasts Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for enthusiasts and power users of the Android operating system. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 7 down vote favorite

Why does rooting the Android voids it's warranty?

Why is it so bad, I guess that rooting would be like opening my program folder and editing some files, is this wrong?

share|improve this question
2  
While this is a good discussion, it really isn't a good fit for here. The only real answer is "Because the manufacturers say so". I agree with you that it is like logging in to windows as administrator. It is to scare off normal users so they don't tinker with the the files on the device. deleting the wrong thing would cause issues and then support calls and potentially warranty replacement. – Ryan Conrad Aug 18 '12 at 2:08
I'd note with many PCs installing your own OS also voids the warranty. Its basically a case of 'we can't be arsed to support a non standard system' – Journeyman Geek Aug 18 '12 at 7:54
Voting to close. -- We can speculate all day about why or propose coulda/shoulda/woulda, but it is the manufacturer's choice to offer whatever coverage they choose to (including none at all), and under what conditions. That's part of what you're paying for when you buy the product and it's stated up front, at least by any even slightly reputable business. It's no different than whether they include a camera or not, telephone support or not, etc. There is no objective answer; it's just someone's business decision. – JRobert Aug 19 '12 at 13:59
True. But I didn't want a speculation, I thought the corporations had this justified. – Gustavo Bandeira Aug 20 '12 at 0:12

closed as off topic by Ryan Conrad, roxan, Sachin Shekhar, Izzy, Al Everett Aug 20 '12 at 3:16

Questions on Android Enthusiasts Stack Exchange are expected to relate to Android within the scope defined in the FAQ. Consider editing the question or leaving comments for improvement if you believe the question can be reworded to fit within the scope. Read more about closed questions here.

2 Answers

up vote 4 down vote accepted

Just any hardware you acquire, you acquire it under some limited conditions of usage, rules and laws that exist as to protect users, but mainly to protect the fat companies that profit with you purchase.

What is rooting

Essentially, rooting a device, is a process allowing users to attain privileged control (known as "root access") within Android's subsystem.

The general goal is to overcome limitations placed by carriers or hardware manufactures left on the device. This results in the ability to alter or replace system applications and settings, run specialized apps that require administrator-level permissions, or perform other operations that are otherwise inaccessible to a normal user.

Why does it void your warranty

By not allowing access to the superuser account, the manufacturer and your carrier have basically "protected you" from messing up your system, making it unusable. One wrong keystroke and your brand new device becomes a brick (useless).

In simple terms, they hand you the device for you to use, saying: "altering or using unapproved software voids your warranty". Rooting falls into this category, you are completely altering your device, which then, it no longer is as it was delivered.

So, they can't be responsible for eventual damages on something that they didn't provide you or sold to you.

share|improve this answer
But my question would be how is this different then buying a Dell laptop and having administrator account? The logic that the manufacturers have that this is wrong needs to change. What they need to do is provide better ways for the OWNER of the device to flash (or restore) android on the device. – Ryan Conrad Aug 18 '12 at 2:22
@RyanConrad Agree! They should provide better ways, but since they don't, they "protect you" :) On the other hand the main difference is that if you mess up Windows or Linux or whatever, you format and re-install. With a mobile device, things are not that easy and usually require hardware replacement or hours of specialized staff to fix. – Zuul Aug 18 '12 at 2:25
@RyanConrad So, with a mobile device, they get to spend money to fix your mess, and that's bad for business :) If you damage your laptop software, bad luck for you... you have to deal with it. – Zuul Aug 18 '12 at 2:27
1  
IANAL, but I think it's fair for manufacturer to void the software support warranty if you root, but IMO they should still be responsible for providing warranty for the hardware as long as your rooting does not involve hardware modifications (e.g. overclocking, etc), modifying kernel or driver is a grayer area though, even if the kernel are not modified in a way that affects the hardware – Lie Ryan Aug 18 '12 at 7:35
I wouldn't be so fast to put all the blame on manufacturers here. If I buy a car with a warranty, I bet it has some conditions attached ("you must bring it to us for service") that restrict how I can use it. The manufacturer can't reasonably be expected to have an unlimited warranty. Given the power of root, it only seems fair to have such a limit. – CatShoes Nov 19 '12 at 21:10
up vote 0 down vote

Rooting your device is reversible by unrooting your device. So if you have to send your device to your manufacturer or your carrier, unroot it and you do not logically void your warranty, since the device is not rooted. ;)

Of course, you can root it again once it gives you back your device.

share|improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.