What is Rooting in Android ? Pros and Cons - Completely explained

Rooting is the word that is heard quite often these days on all the tech blogs while discussing about any Android Device. Questions like, what is Rooting in Android? What are the benefits of Rooting? How to Root? Why should I Root my Android Device? Are mostly searched terms on the search engines. Well today I am going to answer all these questions in detail. I will try to explain you everything in simple language so that even Non-Technical people can also understand this, this post might be Bit long but, this will clear all your doubts regarding ANDROID ROOTING. I will cover the Following Topics in this Article

1. What is Rooting – Basic definition

2. Advantages / Benefits of Rooting in Android

3. How to Root Android Devices?

4. Disadvantage / demerits of Android Rooting

5. Frequently asked Questions related to Android Rooting

So, let’s get started!!

What is Rooting – basic Definition

So, what is rooting? 

Rooting is nothing but of gaining “Super User Access” or “Root Access “on any Android device. By default Android devices will have some hardware and software restrictions, and we can overcome this restrictions by Rooting the Android Device. So that we can have complete access to that Android Device, Which is called as SUPERUSER ACCESS or ROOT ACCESS.

In simple language if your device is not Rooted then you are just treated as a Guest, accessing that device, but after rooting your mobile you will have all the Admin rights, who will have total control over hardware and software of that Android device. You can even delete the system files and Default apps if you wish!!

Let me Explain you simply with an Example, Normally we used to see lots of ads while using some Android apps and Games and we don’t have any option in our Android devices to block such ads from getting displayed. By installing an App called Ad blocker we can successfully block all such ads. But android devices will not let you to install that App unless that mobile is rooted, so that after rooting your Android device you can install many of such applications as you will have SUPER USER access on it. This is just one of the use of Rooting, keep reading to know more about it!

AlSO READ : - 3 WAYS TO INSTALL ANDROID APPS ON WINDOWS

Advantages / Benefits of Rooting in Android

There are many Benefits of Rooting, Here I’ll try to mention all of them one after another.

1. Can install Latest Version of Android

If there is no official update for your Android device from old version to new version, instead of waiting for official updates, you can simple Root your Android device and can upgrade versions on your own. You might feel bit difficult while doing this in initial stage, but once you get some experience with the procedures, you will feel it very easy to perform any task on your Android Device.

You can get all the latest updates and Rooting Guides for your Android mobile from the XDA developer’s official website. Those are bit difficult to understand, don’t worry I’ll be writing on these in coming days so that I’ll try to make your work easy.

2. Custom ROM’s

This is one of the best use of Rooting your Android device, I guess you might already heard about the term “ROM” which means Read only memory, There will be some software installed in that ROM which will show a great impact on the process speed and functioning of an Android device. For all the Android devices there will be lots of Custom ROM’s available on the XDA developer’s website. You just visit that’s site and go to your Mobile section there you can find, lots of stuff related to your Mobile. That is really the best forum for Android Users.

3. Can back up all the Device data onto memory card

Normally because of some security and performance issues, Android devices will not allow you to back up your Apps and games on the memory card. Through Few mobile models will allow you in doing this, many won’t let you to do this unless your mobile is Rooted. By Rooting your android mobile, or Android Tablet and installing Apps like Titanium Backup you can Backup and uninstall any apps and Games to your SD card.

AlSO READ : - How to DOWNLOAD APK files to your PC

4. Can Install Awesome Themes

There are hell lot of good looking themes available for all the Android devices, which can be installed only when your Android device is Rooted. Those Themes will change the entire look and user interface of your mobiles and tablets.

5. Install Many Apps with Some awesome features.

Not just the above mentioned advantages, many features on Android devices can be unlocked by Rooting your Android device. Few of them are,

1. You can increase the Base band of your device, which helps you to increase the signal transferring quality of your Android device.
2. For the devices, which are not provided with Wi-Fi hotspot option, Rooting will let you to get that feature using some free Apps
3. You can remove the Apps that are no use for you which are given along with your Mobile as default. This will free a lot of internal memory on your devices
4. You can install many other app stores other than GOOGLE PLAY from which you can download and install many paid apps and Games …Etc. 

How to Root any Android Device?

There are many ways to Root your Android device. This varies from device to device. Normally in most cases this is done my adding some files to your Android software to gain ROOT access. In most cases these are steps followed (An example of Rooting Samsung Galaxy y)

1. First Your Android Device should be taken to Kernel Mode. There will be some key combinations for every mobile, which will allows you to access that Boot mode. Example For Samsung galaxy Y and similar grade mobiles, to take them into kernel mode, Switch OFF the device > press volume Up button+ power button + center menu key, when you see Samsung logo on the screen just leave those buttons and your mobile will go into Kernel or Boot mode.
2.  In kernel mode first you need to clear all the cache data and restore the settings
   
3.  You should download a file that will exploit the ANDROID operating systems code to gain Root access. This file various from Mobile to Mobile. You can download the file for your Mobile form the XDA developer’s website.
4.  Now lastly by selecting UPDATE FROM SD CARD option and selecting the file, you can ROOT your device successfully.

After your device get Rooted, just reboot it and you can see an App called as SUPER USER app among your apps which is indication that your Device is Rooted.

If you are feeling any difficulty in Rooting your Android device, let me know about it in Comments section, so that I can assist you on Rooting your Android device.

AlSO READ :- 15 TIPS TO SAVE YOUR BATTERY LIFE ON ANDROID

Disadvantage / demerits of Android Rooting

1. Security issues

By installing the Android apps from the sources, other than Android’s GOOGLE PLAY market this will, let your Devices security weaker. There are high chances of getting affected with some malwares on your device. These days, even in the GOOGLE PLAY market lots of malicious apps are being uploaded and just think about the apps from other play stores. You need to be careful while installing apps from unknown sources. Only install apps after reading the reviews.

2. Malfunctions of Your Android Device

If rooting is done without any proper experience or wrong files are updated from the kernel mode. That might let you Android device to get bricked. Even I have faced this problem, when I was rooting my mobile, I did some mistake while trying to change my mobile version, which resulted it many software bugs in my mobile.

3. Loss of Software warranty.

If once you Root your mobile then you will lose the software warranty of your mobile.

Frequently asked Questions related to Android Rooting

What is Rooting actually mean?

Rooting an Android device means, just getting root access on that Android device, Android is also Linux based operating system, this term ROOT is familiar in the Linux world. Root access can also be described as super user access on your android device, which will let you to get complete access on that mobile using which you can explore many additional feature of an Android device

How to check whether my Android mobile is rooted?

There are many apps available on the Google play store which will helps you to know whether you Android device is rooted or not, but before installing such apps just check for the SUPER USER app among your apps, if that exists then you Android device is Rooted. Normally after Rooting your Android device this SUPER USER app will be displayed among your apps. This way is not always suggested but you can give a try first. But this app works perfectly you can download it from [HERE].

Why should I Root my Android device?

As, I said before, Rooting has multiple advantages, to say in short, you can Unlock many feature on your Android devices and install many apps which will help you a lot. Rooting also helps your processor speed to increase which results in better performance.

Is Rooting Android similar to Jail breaking in Android?

Yeah it is, Rooting is similar to the jail breaking in IOS devices, but there are few minor differences between both of them. IOS devices security is stronger that it won’t support many features, but by jail breaking any IOS devices all those features can be Unlocked.

Is it easy to Root my Android device?

It completely depends on your technical knowledge, anyone with basic computer and mobile knowledge can easily Root their Android devices on their own, without any difficulty. If you are a Non-technical person then it’s better to take someone help.

Will I loss the warranty after Rooting my Android mobile / Android Tablet?

Yes Rooting an Android device will take away your Device warranty, if you bother about your Device warranty then I suggest you not to Root your Android device.

Common buddy, nothing will happen, be positive, to get something better, you have to loss something!

Where can I get best Rooting guide for all Android devices?

XDA developer’s forum is the best internet source to get all the internet guides. But everything looks messy there, due to lots of users and info so, its bit confusing too. If you are feeling any difficulty there, just comment your mobile model, so that I can assist you to my best.

Will my Android device explodes after rooting it?

This is one of the misconceptions that are floating more on the internet related to Android Rooting. Of course there is some truth in it too! By Over clocking your process after rooting your device performance will get better. But in very rare cases, this might result in overheating or processors, which will final damages your device hardware due to overheating.

Can I UNROOT my ANDROID device?

Yes you can UNROOT your Android device in the similar way you Root it, but you need to get a right files for that. Methods may differ from mobile to mobile. Just check for you mobile models tutorial and you can UNROOT your device.

Can I update the apps after rooting my Android mobile?

You won’t face any problem in updating your Android mobile applications after rooting. You can get all the updates normally can install them without any problem.

Comment below for more assistance !

If you still have any doubts regarding Rooting your Android device, just comment below I will respond to you within 24 hours!