Rooting is the process of allowing root access to the user of smartphones, tablets and other devices running the Android mobile operating system. Rooting provides similar access to administrative permission as on Linux or any other Unix-like operating system as Android uses Linux Kernel.
Rooting is basically performed to overcome some of the carriers and hardware limitations that manufacturers put on some devices. Rooting gives access to alter or replace settings and system applications. Rooting also facilitates the complete removal of the operating system in Android.
But rooting must be done with caution. If it is done improperly then rooting leaves your device open to all sorts of malware and causes severe damage to your phone.
Why you should root your phone?
Rooting your phone is somehow similar to running your PC as an administrator. You can gain full access to the system directory and make the changes as per your needs. It allows you to hide or permanently delete the system app that you really don’t like. An app like Titanium Backup can be installed which allows you to back up all the data for a game or an app so that you can restore it to another phone. With root, you also can alter the way your CPU works.
People have various reasons when it comes to rooting the phone. Some people think that they should have full access to their hardware so that they can be able to do anything they like. While others want to add the things that their system does not permit. Study shows that most of the people want to root their devices because they want to get rid of extra things on their phone.
Rooting threats
Before you prepare to root your device, you need to remember that it changes everything even the security from Google. As soon as you root your device, the Company is not responsible for any security issues on your phone. Rooting your device means turning your warranty into null and void.
Rooting steps when not followed properly places the risk of corrupting your device. There can be a high-security risk as your device permits the installation of every kind of app including malware. This malware can steal the data, install additional malware or even target your device with harmful web traffic. Some security concerned apps like Google Play, Mobile Banking, and Barclays do not run on rooted devices.
How to root your Android phone?
If you still want to root your phone, the easiest method is by using a rooting app. One of the most reliable rooting app over time is Firmware.mobi, Kingo Root, Framaroot and One Click Root to name a few. These apps can root your device within a short period of time. You must pick the app compatible with your version as most of these run on the older version of Android.
Rooting the higher version of Android was a bit difficult but with technological advancement, it has been way easier than it used to be.
Prepare your device for root
The first thing to do before root is to backup all the things that you need including your phone's current ROM. You should also consider fully charging your device before you begin. Now you should enable USB debugging and OEM Unlocking. You can find these options in Developer Options but in most of the phones, it is hidden. To activate it follow these steps.
1. Go to Settings and then About Phone.
2. Find Build Number and tap seven times and the Developer Options will appear on the main page of your Settings.
3. Tap Developer Options and check USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking.
Install the Android Software Development Kit (SDK)
In earlier days rooting used to involve downloading Google's entire Android Development Kit but it is not the case nowadays. All you need is the Android SDK platform tools. You can download and install the Android SDK tools from Google's developer site. We are especially working for Windows so download for Windows and extract the zipped files. We recommend installing the software to C:android-SDK but if you choose a different location make to remember it.
Install Device drivers
You will need to install the appropriate USB driver to make sure that your computer properly communicates with your phone. There are numerous drivers from various manufactures but OnePlus can help. But before this make sure to check whether USB drivers will automatically get installed as soon as you connect your phone to your Computer.
Unlock Your bootloader
Before getting started you must unlock your device's bootloader. A bootloader is a program that loads the device's Operating system. It helps to determine which application to run like your phone starts. Some manufactures like HTC, Motorola, LG, Sony require you to obtain a key to unlock the bootloader. You need to register for a developer account.
Devices like Huawei and Honor's bootloader cannot be unlocked. The only way to unlock it is to use a third-party application like DC-Unlocker.
Now put your device in fast-boot mode. This action can be achieved differently in a different phone but commonly it can be achieved by pressing the volume down and power button for 10 seconds. Once you have done it head towards the folder where you previously unzipped your Android SDK files. Now open the Command prompt by pressing (Shift key + right-click) and select the option "Open a Command Prompt Here".
You will receive a long list of characters if your device requires the code. Paste the code into the box on your device's manufactures website and submit the form. After a while, you will receive an email with the key, file and further instructions.
Now connect your device to your computer to unlock your device's bootloader by placing it in fast-boot mode again. Open Command Prompt by simply typing cmd in your Computer's search option.
Commands for Pixels and Google Nexus devices
For Nexus phones type fast-boot OEM unlock and hit enter and for Pixels type fast-boot flashing unlock and hit enter.
For Motorola, type OEM unlock along with the unique code you received and hit enter
Now you are very close to steps for rooting your device.
Rooting Android device using multiple programs
There are numerous ways to root phones or tablets. Here we are going to discuss some of those that are popular and effective.
Firmware.mobi
It is an unlocking utility by developer Chainfire. It is not so easy to root the device using this program but is one of the most stable. It supports more than 300 devices and provides steps for wise instructions.
First, you should download an appropriate Zip file for your device. Now extract the folder and navigate to find root-windows.batfile. Double click it and wait for the execution. When the process is complete your phone automatically reboots and will be rooted.
Framaroot
It offers a super easy method for carrying out root. The rooting process is a simple one-click root button however you must jump through a couple of girdles to get started.
Download APK and install it. To install you will need to tap the Unknown sources in Android Security. Now open the app and taproot. Your device will be rooted if it can root otherwise you must consider following another alternative. Once your device is rooted you will need to download and run SuperSu to manage the root access.
One-Click Root
It is new rooting software. As the name suggests one click and you are done. It charges $40 to root your phone but that program won't be able to brick your device. However, precaution must be taken as we can't back up those claims.
The One Click Root steps are pretty simple. You can download the Windows or MAC One Click Root program and connect your device via USB. Now enable the USB debugging feature on your phone and finally Run One Click Root.
Kingo Android Root
It can be installed on Windows or directly to the device you wish to root. But we are considering your phone to carry the root process. Download and install the Kingo Root APK. Now open the app, you will see the One Click Root button if your device is compatible. Tap the button and we're done.
Download the root checker to confirm the process
To make sure that your device is rooted you will need to download the root checker on your phone or tablet. There is numerous app available on the Google Play Store. Those apps will tell you if you have got Super-user permission. Root Checker is one of the famous and widely used apps for confirmation of the root process on your device.
The risk of rooting your Android phone?
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