What Does "Rooting" my Phone Mean?

[mbamike]

I have moved recently. The only Internet connection I have available now is Hughnet, which I understand is horrible, and my cellphone. A family member told me to download an app called Foxfi on my cellphone.

The app states it can turn my phone into a WiFi connection without "rooting." What exactly does this mean?

[72-Jay]

The term 'rooting' comes from UNIX...
In UNIX/Linux/etc the 'root' user has full access to do anything (think of it as sorta like 'administrator' in windows, but with even more ability)
If you are 'rooting' a phone you are basically hacking it go give that full access (Android is based on Linux hence the term 'root')
If you do it you will void any warranty on the phone (and if you don't know what you're doing you can 'brick' it - ie make it completely useless/inoperable )

Unless you need root access, best to just go with a wifi app.

[star-warrior]

I'm not sure if all android phones have the same capabilities, but, if my samsung galaxy ace2 is anything to go by then it may already have the option available to go local wifi hotspot.

Settings > Wireless Networks > Tethering and portable hotspot > Portable Wi-Fi hospot settings - Set up and manage portable Wi-Fi hotspot > Configure portable Wi-Fi hotspot - AndroidXXXXXX (WPA2 PDK portable Wi-)

My phone automatically creates a name AndroidXXXXXX machine name, all that is needed is if you want to set up a password or not. I highly suggest you ought to to protect your Wi-Fi from outside access. Once it's set up all you need to do is to switch it on via

Settings > Wireless Networks > Tethering and portable hotspot > Portable Wi-Fi hospot settings - Set up and manage portable Wi-Fi hotspot > Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot [x]

When you've checked it, and you're using data services, the Wi-Fi icon should appear on your phone. Your network will appear as AndroidXXXXX to others, and depending on your security it will tell others if you've encryption protected your network using WPA2 or not.

The only thing I'd say is, this depends on your data charge contract via your mobile phone carrier. If you've got a data allowance, say 1Gig a month, or however much it is, then you'll be paying for the internet access via your phone carrier as your ISP. This is quite expensive in the long run. Temporarily it's probably ok if you're not a heavy internet user.