What is rooting?
Rooting is jailbreaking for Androids and allows users to use a
phone’s sub-system. Essentially, it’ll allow you to access the entire operating
system and be able to customize just about anything on your Android. With root
access, you can get around any restrictions that your manufacturer or carrier
may have applied. You can run more apps, you can overclock or underclock your
processor, replace the firmware.
The process requires users to back up current software and
flashing (installing) a new custom ROM (modified version of Android).
Why
would you root?
One of the most obvious incentives to root your Android device is
to rid yourself of the bloatware that’s impossible to uninstall. You’ll be able
to set up wireless tethering, even if it has been disabled by default.
Additional benefits include the ability to install special apps and flash
custom ROMs, each of which can add extra features and streamline your
phone or tablet’s performance. A lot of people are tempted by the ability to
completely customize the look of their phones. You can also manually accept or
deny app permissions.
You won’t find a lot of amazing must-have apps when you root, but
there are enough to make it worthwhile. For example, some apps allow you to
automatically backup all of your apps and all of their data, completely block
advertisements, create secure tunnels to the Internet, overclock your
processor, or make your device a wireless hotspot.
Why wouldn’t you root?
There are essentially three potential cons to rooting your
Android.
§
Voiding
your warranty: Some manufacturers or
carriers will use rooting as an excuse to void your warranty. It’s worth
keeping in mind that you can always unroot. If you need to send the device back
for repair, simply flash the original backup ROM you made and no one will ever
know that it was rooted.
§ Bricking
your phone: Whenever you tamper too
much, you run at least a small risk of bricking your device. The obvious way to
avoid it happening is to follow instructions carefully. Make sure that the
guide you are following works for your device and that any custom ROM you flash
is designed specifically for it. If you do your research and pay attention to
feedback from others, bricking should never occur.
§ Security
risks: Rooting may introduce some security risks. Depending on what
services or apps you use on your device, rooting could create a security
vulnerability. For example, Google refuses to support the Google Wallet service
for rooted devices.
How
to root your Android
Two recent rooting programs that have garnered some attention in
the past few months are Towelroot and Kingo Root. Both will root your
device in the time it takes to brush your teeth. However, both rooting programs
aren’t compatible with every Android device. Here’s Kingo’s list of compatible
devices.
If your phone is not compatible with these devices, you’ll have to
spend a little time researching ways to root on Androd forums. The best place
to start is XDA Developers Forum. Look for a thread
on your specific device and you’re sure to find a method that has worked for
other people. It’s worth spending some time researching the right method for
your device.
Preparation for root
Back up everything that’s important to you before you start. You
should also always back up your current ROM before you flash a new one.
You’ll want to ensure that your device is fully charged before you
begin. You’ll also need to turn USB debugging on. On Android 4.2 you’ll enable
USB debugging by going to Settings>About Phone>Developer Options> and then check the box next to USB debugging.
Most Android rooting methods require you to install some software
on your computer. It’s possible you’ll need to install the Android SDK. You may find other software
is required. Make sure you follow the instructions on the XDA developers forum
and install all of it before proceeding.
Unlock your bootloader
Before you get started, You will also need to unlock your
bootloader. Bootloader is a program that determines which applications will run
in your phone’s startup process.
Unlocking your bootloader will allow you to customize your device.
Manufacturers have responded to a demand for customization. Many of them have
provided methods to help you unlock the bootloader on their website, though
they are generally provided for developers, and they usually require you to
sign up or register an account first.
Some manufacturers and carriers don’t allow bootloader unlocking,
but you can often find a way around that with some searching (try the XDA
Developers forum).
Using Towelroot
One of the easiest methods of rooting is through Towelroot. This
option works on most Android devices, (it was designed to root the
AT&T Samsung Galaxy S5) but not all–specifically some
Motorola and HTC devices. Unlike other rooting programs that require
downloading and running a program on your computer, Towelroot will root your
device by simply downloading and running the app. No computer needed. However,
Towelroot will only work with devices that have a kernel bill date earlier than
June 3, 2014.
To use Towelroot, you’ll have to enable your device to install
apps from unknown sources. This can be accessed by clicking on
Settings>Security> Unknown Sources. Now you’ll be able to download apps
from outside the Google Play store.
Now go to Towelroot in your phone’s browser
and click on the Lambda symbol. For more information check out Gadget Hacks’ youtube video.
Using Kingo Android Root
The Windows based, Kingo Android Root is one of the easiest ways
to root your Android device. First, check to see if your device is compatible
with Kingo. Their site provides a list of compatible devices. Then, download Kingo Android Root and
enable the USB debugging mode on your phone.
Once you’ve enabled USB debugging mode on your phone, run the
program on your PC and connect your Android to your PC with a USB cord. The
program should detect your device and a message asking if you’d like to
root will appear. Select “root” and then hang tight. Kingo will only take a few
minutes to grant super user privileges.
Rooting forums
No other mobile operating system parallels
the diversity of Android OS. For this reason, there’s no universal way to root
your device. If the above two options fail, don’t fret. There is likely a
guide on how to root your specific device available somewhere online. Generally
you can find a guide to your device on such as XDA
developers’ forum and Phandroid
Forums.
Once you have found the right guide for your phone or tablet, it’s
simply a case of working through the listed steps methodically. It can be a
complicated procedure and it can take a while. Here’s an example guide
for rooting the Samsung Galaxy S4. It can appear
intimidating at first glance, but provided you follow it step-by-step, it
should be a pain-free process. You can post questions in the XDA Developers
forum if you run into trouble.
Download Root Checker
You’ll need to download another app to make sure your device has
been successfully rooted. There are several apps available on the Google Play
store that, when downloaded, will tell you if you have super-rooter
permission. Root Checker is
a popular one. Simply downloading and running the app will tell you if your
phone has super-user permissions.
Install a root management app
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Rooting will make your phone more vulnerable to security threats.
Installing a root management app will give you more peace of mind. Normally,
every app that requires rooted privileges will ask for your approval. This is
where root management apps, such as SuperSU,
come in. SuperSU lets you allow or deny sites’ requests for super
user permission. It will then keep track of the permissible apps and
automatically grant permission next time you use the app. SuperSU will also
keep track of how many times an app requests to root.
Unrooting your Android
For all the good that is rooting, you may want to go back to the
way things were. SuperSU allows users to unroot phones by simply going into the
app’s settings and select the full unroot option.
To root or not to root
Gaining full root access to your Android device can be thrilling,
especially if you want to tinker with settings and customize your device. How
much it changes your experience depends largely on the device you have. If you
have a shuttered device, like a Kindle Fire tablet, then it’s a great way to
get the full Android experience.
The potential benefits for all Android users include improved
battery life, root-only apps, custom ROMs, overclocking, an end to bloatware,
improved performance, and the ability to upgrade your phone when you want. If
you aren’t excited at the prospect of any of these things, rooting probably
isn’t for you.
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