The most interesting thing about Android is its customization and flexibility. Android grants its users the ability to use it the way they want to, whether that means changing the launcher or setting up a host of unique automatic functions with Tasker. However, for some users, that is not enough. You will be able to gain near-total control of the OS if you decide to root Android.
This is not as common as it once was, however, there are still benefits to rooting Android. If you would like to root your device, but find yourself feeling a little anxious about “hacking” your much-loved device, then this article will help you learn everything you need to know about rooting Android. Don’t worry as it’s actually easier than you might think.
What exactly is rooting?
Rooting might sound scary, but it refers to obtaining access to commands, system files, as well as folder locations that are usually locked off. Rooting your Android can be thought of similarly to promoting yourself from a system user to an administrator, with the additional freedom along with the risks that come from more control over the deeper workings of the device.
More specifically, adding root to Android means that you are becoming a superuser, which is a Linux function if you are familiar with it. In many ways, you can view this more as restoring a function that should have been there by default.
Users will be able to install and run applications on rooted Android phones as well as tablets that require special privileges and bypass carrier-installed software. You can even remove bloatware applications, and not just disable them. Root access is even required if you wish to install trivial things such as certain custom fonts. Rooting Android can also unlock new features in certain apps as well as launchers.
Rooting is not always essential for flashing a custom ROM; however, it can be advisable to root Android in a few cases to make use of the most exciting features. Before you begin rooting, it makes sense to get accustomed to major rooting terminology.
Major Rooting Terminology:
- Bootloader: The lowest level software on the phone that starts up recoveries, then the primary operating system.
- Recovery: The low-level software that has the ability to create as well as restore full system backups, it is accessed before the main OS.
- ADB (Android Debug Bridge): ADB is a command-line tool that is part of the Android SDK, which supports communication between a computer and an Android.
Should you root or not root?
The next question that spring to mind is whether you should root Android or leave it as it is. The answer to that, of course, comes down to personal preference, however, there are some compelling arguments both for and against it.
On the pro side, rooting gives you more access to several cool apps and customization options. It also lets you upgrade older phones to newer Android versions long after the manufacturer as well as the carrier has stopped supporting it. Rooting Android will let you change things that you otherwise couldn’t, it will also allow you to use a host of apps.
What are Android root apps and options?
Here are a few things you can do with a rooted Android device:
- Overclock or even underclock the device’s CPU.
- Increase its battery life.
- Greatly enhance the power of Tasker.
- Remove preinstalled bloatware apps.
- Create real backups.
- Install custom ROMs.
- Further, customize the Android phone’s looks.
- Install apps that do more than the regular ones.
- You can even do things, for example, install Ubuntu for the desktop.
For a lot of users, rooting Android is also some sort of a statement. I mean, you paid for the device, so why shouldn’t you use it exactly as you wish? Especially if it means you can finally get rid of the cynical and unhelpful bloatware. There’s also a certain status that comes from rooting, you feel a great sense of accomplishment when you achieve root access for the first time.
If you’re a developer hoping to create your own root apps, you have to start somewhere, so why not begin with rooting your Android device?
How do you root Android devices?
If you decide to go ahead and decide you wish to root your android device, you will probably wonder how. Well, then let’s lead you in the right direction.
The bad news is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when you root Android devices. Different brands and even software versions can make changes in the rooting process. Even within handset variants, you will find that some techniques work, while others don’t.
The good news, however, is that rooting has become much easier than it once was in many cases. In fact, the easiest method for rooting Android is to use a simple root app. Suck apps allow you to root Android with a single tap, some popular examples are KingRoot, KingoRoot, and OneClickRoot. You can download the app of your liking after you visit the website. The service will first check compatibility, then proceed to root your device for you.
Using such apps is a minimum-fuss method that will work in many cases. However, it is worth noting that some are accompanied by annoying push notifications as well as ads. It is advised that you check reviews before settling on which app to use. Few would even say that if you can’t figure out how to root your device without one of these apps, perhaps you shouldn’t be doing it. Because say you encounter problems during the process, you won’t understand what to do.
If a one-click solution doesn’t appeal to you, then things begin to get a little more complex, and you will require to look for specific instructions for your device. This means having to use PC software and connect your android phone via USB. It might also mean using a custom recovery, or downloading additional software such as Odin if you own a Samsung device. The best part of choosing this path to rooting is that you learn a lot along the way.
You can either Google “root [YOUR DEVICE NAME HERE]” or you can head over to XDA Developers, which is a great place to start. Many of the best root apps available today were developed by members of the XDA Developers community. Don’t forget to thank and support the devs that make rooting possible.
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