Looking for the top reasons to root your Android phone? You’ve come to the right place – there are quite a few, and we can hopefully convince you to do it by the end (well… if you really understand what it does). We must also warn you that there are risks to rooting Android devices, which we’ll cover separately. This fact, alongside the lack of technical knowledge, is the main obstacle that keeps everyone from transitioning. In that case, all of us could control almost every aspect of our devices using Android.
We wouldn’t have to settle for data mining, which is then sold to advertisers, nor would we have to suffer bloatware or features we cannot change or upgrade ourselves. That is certainly part of the answer to, “why root Android?” as seen below.
Rooting your Android device voids its warranty and has other risks involved. It should only be done after the warranty period has expired. Also, we do not recommend rooting your device unless you are not satisfied with the current features/control Android offers.
What is Rooting Android?
Wondering what all this fuss about “rooting” your Android device is? Well, you’re about to find out. Rooting Android essentially means diving into the heart of your device’s operating system, giving you the ultimate superpower – becoming the “superuser” or “administrator” of your Android device. With this elevated access, you can tinker with core system files, wield custom software, and perform modifications that would make a non-rooted device green with envy.
Is it Safe to Root Your Android Device?
Before you take the plunge into the world of rooting, let’s talk safety. It’s like venturing into uncharted territory. This section is your guide to navigating the potential perils. Think of it as your treasure map that highlights the hidden traps, the lurking dragons, and the bounty that awaits.
In this article, we’ll address concerns like the risk of “bricking” your device, the warranty voiding, and the importance of safety nets, such as creating bulletproof backups.
Pros and Cons of Rooting Android Devices
Rooting your Android device isn’t always a good thing. For example, if you just got your smartphone and it still is within the warranty period, don’t do it. Here are some pros and cons of rooting Android devices –
| Pros of Rooting | Cons of Rooting |
|---|---|
| Freedom from Google | Risk of “bricking” the device |
| Control over storage | Warranty voided |
| Custom GUI enhancements | Potential security risks |
| Installation of custom kernels | Potential data loss |
| Addition of unique features | Technical complexity |
| Improved audio quality | Legality and ethical concerns |
Reasons to Root an Android Device
Whether it is a smartphone or a tablet, if it is running on Android, it can be rooted. So, it doesn’t really matter what type of device you are using, or which version of Android it is running on. With the things mentioned in mind, let’s have a look at the reasons to root an Android device.
1. Free yourself from Google
You must’ve expected freedom from Google to be among the first pros of rooting Android. And it is! No longer will the OS force you to keep Google’s apps you never use just to boost their installation numbers. Plus the saying, “If the product is free, you are the product” will no longer be true. You can install a new ROM (edited version of Android) or choose to uninstall the Google Play Store and Google apps and turn to non-OEM app repositories.
All of this results in no data collection for Google and, simultaneously, no data being sold to third parties to be used for tracking you or serving targeted ads.
2. Gain control over your smartphone storage
By rooting, you get Superuser privileges, which means you’re in complete control of your smartphone storage. You can’t imagine how many files are hidden or marked as system files and thus cannot be edited normally. This also allows you to install storage management apps. They will regularly clean a whole host of files instead of previous apps that could barely scratch the surface for temp files.
3. Add custom GUI enhancements
Don’t like the stock Android graphical user interface? Change it, then – and we don’t mean icons or wallpaper. By rooting, you can install pre-made custom ROMs with a gorgeous interface, or start adding graphical enhancements one by one and build a version of Android that’s to your taste. The amount of customization is only limited by your imagination and the ability to download the right tweaks.
4. Install custom kernels
A kernel is a component that communicates between software and hardware. In stock Android, you have no access to it. Google is free to set it up based on their testing and whims. If you decide to root Android, you gain full control of the current kernel, but you can also apply kernels those more experienced came up with. This can improve your phone speed significantly – you can suddenly overclock or underclock your GPU and CPU.
Sidenote: see why you should overclock. Also, you can install CPU management apps to add Balance/High-Performance/Low-Performance modes, adjust vibration intensity, calibrate your device’s display, and much more.
5. Add features not found in Android
This also applies to enabling features that already exist, but are locked by Android. Here are some of the benefits of rooting Android devices regarding features:
- Install officially incompatible apps
- Set a custom boot animation or remove or replace various automation throughout Android
- Automate various processes on your device
- Improve call recording and audio (speaker, headphone) output performance
- Install terminals to add Linux-like command line
- Implement advanced battery management apps, thus improving battery life
- Get an equivalent of Apple’s 3D Touch (requires an additional module called Xposed)
- Improved backup and data recovery
6. Cheat in video games
Although this is a bannable offense in multiplayer games, it exists. We’re referring to the ability to tweak things yourself or add modded video game APKs. There’s fun to be had with single-player games that you have already completed the normal way.
7. Boost your security significantly
This is an important answer to why you should root Android. Since you’re in full control, you can install a variety of malware, tracker, and ad blockers. You can also set up permissions for every app separately, install firewalls to prevent apps from using the Internet, and more.
8. Continue receiving updates past official release
OEM manufacturers usually stop supporting older smartphones within 2 years. That means you could be ineligible for an exploit fix that was deployed in a later update. Also, to make you buy a newer model, they make newer versions of Android unavailable even if your hardware is more than capable.
If you root your device, you can install a newer version of OEM Android (or a custom ROM based on it) on an unsupported phone. In contrast, you can install the newest update ahead of the official release if it contains a certain feature or fixes bugs/exploits.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Rooting
If you decided to root after reading all the points mentioned above, still there are a few things you keep in mind –
- Do not skip the backup process before attempting to root the smartphone.
- Do proper research and use trusted rooting methods and tools.
- Do not neglect to check device compatibility and specifications.
- Understand the potential consequences, including warranty voiding.
- Keep up with software updates and security patches.
- The importance of securing root access with a strong password shouldn’t be overlooked.
Top Custom ROMs for Rooted Android Devices
| Custom ROM | Features | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| LineageOS | Stock Android experience with added customization | Various devices |
| Paranoid Android | Focused on design and user experience | Select devices |
| Resurrection Remix | Comprehensive customization options | Various devices |
| Evolution X | Feature-rich and stable custom ROM | Supported devices |
| AOSP Extended | AOSP-based ROM with additional features | Various devices |