Root a device (Rooting) – What does it mean?

Rooting a device means gaining access to the root account on the device’s operating system. The root account is the highest level of access to the device and is typically protected by the manufacturer. Rooting a device can allow you to remove limitations that have been placed on the device, install custom software, and make other changes to the device that are not otherwise possible. However, rooting a device can also void the warranty and potentially introduce security vulnerabilities, so it should be done with caution.

Rooting is the process of enabling users of smartphones, tablets, and other devices running the Android mobile operating system to gain privileged control (known as Root Access). In its most elementary form, “rooting” is the process by which you gain access to the administrative commands and functions of an operating system.

Rooting gives you permission to act as the smartphones manager-similar to running programs like administrators on Windows, or executing a command with sudo on Linux. Rooting provides the ability (or authorization) to modify or replace applications, files, and system configurations, remove pre-installed applications, run specialized apps (applications) that require permissions to Administrator level, low-level access for the hardware itself (reboot, check the status lights, or re-calibrate the touch entries) or perform other operations that are otherwise inaccessible to a normal Android user. In Android, rooting can also facilitate complete removal and replacement of the device’s operating system, usually with a newer version.

As you learn more about the rooting process, you will probably run over a lot of terms that can be confused. These are some of the most important and what they mean.

Rom: A ROM is a modified version of Android. It may contain additional features, a different look, speed improvements, or even a version of Android that hasn’t been released for the phone yet.

Stock: Stock Android means the version created by Google that you would find on the Nexus devices. Many ROMs are based on Android stock with some additions, while others are based on the version that came with the phone. In other cases, “stock” can also mean the Android version shipped with your phone, for example, if you want to delete the ROM and return the phone to the factory settings, you could say it is “back to Action”.

Kernel: A kernel is the component of your operating system that manages communication between software and hardware. There are a lot of custom kernels out there for most phones, many of which can speed up the phone and increase battery life, among other things. Be careful with the nuclei, however, as an evil can cause serious problems with the phone and possibly even bricks.
Flash: Flashing essentially means installing something on the device, either a ROM or a kernel. Sometimes the rooting process requires a zip file, sometimes not.

Benefits

Flash a custom kernel: Some of the lowest Android bonnet settings require a custom kernel, which can only be blinked with a rooted device. A custom kernel can give you better performance, battery life, and even additional features like Wi-Fi tethering (on unsupported phones), faster battery charging, and much more.

Unlock hidden features and install incompatible applications-install user-blocked applications, get features from the latest version of Android, or make incompatible applications compatible. Whatever you want, rooting gives you the power to do much more. There are several Android apps that are extremely useful and also require access to the main menu, for example, Titanium Backup.

Flash a custom ROM: one of the best advantages of rooting. A custom ROM is basically a custom version of Android, and really changes the way you use the phone. Some add some useful features, some add a lot of really unique features, and some change their operating system from head to toe.

Disadvantages

The benefits of rooting an Android phone come at a cost:

Warranty: It is legal to eradicate your phone; However, if you do, your device will be released from the warranty.

Brick: Rooting involves the risk of the phone’s bricks-well, not literally, but if you goof the rooting process, which means that the code changes, the phone software can be so damaged that the phone will basically Be as useless as a brick.

Poor performance–though the intent of rooting a cell phone is to give the phone more performance, several users have found that, in their attempts to speed up the phone or add more functionality, that their phones have Lost the speed of performance and features.

Virus-yes, even phones can have viruses. A common practice that people do with rooted phones is to flash their ROMs with custom programs. Root access also involves circumventing the security restrictions set by the Android operating system. What it means worms, viruses, spyware and Trojans can infect the software rooted Android if it is not protected by an effective antivirus mobile for Android.

Rooting Tips

There are a lot of different Android phones out there, and although some rooting methods might work for different phones, there isn’t a single-size-fits-all guide to eradicate any phone there.
If you still want to root your device, make sure that the process search very well, as it differs depending on the type of smartphone and the brand. You better ask expert advice in dedicated forums, or better yet, ask a tech-savvy person to root for you. All this to make sure you don’t turn your device into a brick.
Install the right antivirus protection for your Android phone, even before you root your device, to defend against malware infections.

For example, how do I root a Galaxy?