Is the allure of being a superuser tempting you?
Android rooting opens up a world of possibility,
but it can also void your warranty, or even leave
you with a bricked device. The important thing is
to be careful. Read up about what you are going to
do before you begin. Make sure that you backup
your data. Follow the instructions to the letter.
Manufacturers and carriers have a vested interest
in dissuading you from rooting. If you’re careful,
the risk is minimal, and the potential benefits are
impressive. Let’s take a closer look.
What is rooting?
If you’re an Administrator on a Windows machine,
you have access to the entire operating system
and you can do whatever you like. That’s
essentially what happens if you root your Android
device. With root access, you can get around any
restrictions that your manufacturer or carrier may
have applied. You can run more apps; you can
customize your device to a greater degree; and
you can potentially speed it up in a variety of
ways.
The process involves backing up your current
software and then 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. You can also access your entire file
system, install special apps that require a root,
and flash custom ROMs, 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. This is the big fear everyone has.
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
Before you actually try to root your device, make
sure that you do some reading. The best place to
find discussions about rooting, guides, and custom
ROMs is definitely the 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 the Galaxy S3 you’ll find it
in Menu > Settings > Developer options and then
check the box next to USB debugging . You will
likely be plugging your device into your computer
in order to root it.
Most Android rooting methods require you to
install some software on your computer. It’s likely
you’ll need to install the Android SDK . You may
find other software is required. Make sure you
follow the instructions and install all of it before
proceeding.
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.
Have you tried rooting your Android? Did you have
a positive experience? Would you recommend
rooting to others, or do you think it’s pointless?
Post a comment and share your thoughts.