One of the best things about Android is just how customizable and flexible it is. Android lets you use it the way you want to use it, whether that means changing the launcher, or setting up a host of unique automatic functions with Tasker. But for some, that isn’t enough. That’s why many of us will choose to root Android, in order to gain complete control over our devices. Or at least near-complete.
If you like the sounds of that, but find yourself feeling a little anxious at the thought of “hacking” your much-loved (and probably rather expensive) device in this way, then read on to learn everything you need to know about rooting for Android. It’s actually easier than you might think, and as long as you read up on things and follow the steps carefully, you’ll be rooting your Android phone before you know it.
While it might sound scary, rooting simply refers to the act of obtaining access to commands, system files, and folder locations that are usually locked off for the user. Rooting Android can be thought of as promoting yourself from a system user to an administrator; with the additional freedom and risks that come from more control over the deeper workings of your device. With great power comes great responsibility and all that!
More specifically, adding root to Android means becoming a superuser, which is a Linux function that you may be familiar with. In many ways then, you could view this more as restoring a function that should have been there to begin with!
Users can install and run applications on rooted Android phones and tablets that require special privileges, bypass carrier installed software, and even remove bloatware applications added by manufacturers and carriers. Root access is even needed if you want to install trivial things like certain custom fonts, and rooting Android can also unlock new features in certain apps and launchers.
Handy rooting terminology:
- Bootloader – Lowest level software on your phone that starts up recoveries and then the main operating system.
- Recovery – Low level software that can create and restore full system backups. Accessed before the main OS.
- ADB (Android Debug Bridge) – A command line tool that is part of the Android SDK, which supports communication between a computer and an Android device.
To root or not to root?
The next question is whether you should root Android or leave it as it is. That of course is a matter of personal preference, but there are some compelling arguments both for and against.
On the plus side, it gives you more access to a number of cool apps and customization options. It also lets you upgrade older phones to newer versions of Android, long after your manufacturer and carrier have forgotten about your device. As mentioned, rooting Android will let you change things that you otherwise couldn’t, and it will also let you use a host of cool apps.
Android root apps and options
Here are just a few things you can do with a rooted Android device:
- Overclock the CPU to improve gaming performance
- Change the boot animation
- Increase battery life
- Install and run desktop Ubuntu!
- Greatly enhance the power of Tasker
- Remove preinstalled bloatware apps
- Try out any of these cool root apps
For some people, rooting Android is also something of a statement. You paid for this device, so why shouldn’t you use it exactly as you wish? Especially if it means removing cynical and unhelpful bloatware. There’s also a certain status that comes from it, and a great sense of accomplishment when you achieve root access for the first time.
And obviously, if you’re a developer hoping to create your own root apps, you need to start somewhere!
Will you damage your device?
That said, there are also some potential downsides to rooting.
For one, even once you know how to root Android, there are still some risks involved. Get this wrong and there is a slight chance of bricking your device (it’s happened to me). It’s definitely easier and safer on some devices than others, but if you’re not overly confident with your tech wizardry, then you may prefer to leave well enough alone.
Furthermore, rooting can cause some issues with official OTA handset updates – but it is usually fine to install new software manually once you’re rooted. Updating will often cause root permissions to be lost, in which case the procedure will need to be performed again. Occasionally, an update will block old root methods and sometimes rooted devices will fail to install updates. If your device stops booting after an attempted root exploit, you can usually restore it to factory specifications rather easily.
Warranties and legalities – is rooting legal?
This leads us nicely onto warranties, which is another grey area in the world of rooting. While carriers don’t much like you tampering with their hardware and software, some manufacturers have become kinder to rooters and even those who install third party software. However, few have a clear stance on what software tweaks will void your warranty and you certainly can’t count on having your rooted handset fixed if something goes wrong. Devices with locked bootloaders, the very low-level software that starts up your phone, are designed specifically to prevent rooting, so don’t expect any sympathy from these manufacturers.
The good news is that in many cases, rooting is much easier than it once was
If a one-click solution doesn’t appeal to you though, things get a little more complex and you’ll need to look for specific instructions for your device. This might mean using PC software and connecting your phone via USB, it might mean using a custom recovery, or it might mean downloading additional software like Odin for Samsung devices. The best part about these options is that you learn a lot along the way.
){kind=link}
0 Comments