Rooting Your Android Device: Everything you need to know

 

What is rooting?

Rooting is the process of allowing users of smartphones, tablets and other devices running the Android mobile operating system to attain privileged control (known as root access) over various Android's subsystems. Rooting is jailbreaking for Androids and allows users to dive deeper into 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. A typical rooting installation also installs the Superuser application, which supervises applications that are granted root or superuser rights by requesting approval from the user before granting said permissions.

Why do i need to root my phone?

One of the most common reasons to root your Android device is to get rid of bloatwares that are impossible to uninstall. Other 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. 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.

Disadvantages of rooting?

There are essentially three potential disadvantages 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 can i root my android device?

There are various ways and method of rooting android device, some requires the use of a computer/laptop and others requires the use of just your phone... Some requires strong internet connections and others do not. Some of the commonly used tools/apps are:
i. Framaroot
ii. Kingroot
iii. Towelroot
iv. Kingoroot
v. IRoot
vi. Rootmaster, e.t.c

All you need to do is select the one suited for your phone and use. How to use the various methods are explained in subsequent posts.