WHAT IS ANDROID ROOTING?

The Android phone that you are using is running an operating system that was designed for commercial and private use. Like most any operating system, several features have been disabled, either for future use or to prevent the casual user from causing permanent damage to the operating system. Smartphone have different operating systems and different name for each process used to gain access to the phone's full functions. For example, Nokia Symbian is called hacking, Apple iOS is called jailbreaking, and for Android which is our main focus is called ROOTING. we are going to be talking about Android rooting; what is rooting?, advantage and disadvantage of rooting,etc.

Rooting" is the process in which the limitations are removed and full-access is allowed. Rooting your Android device involves adding in a small Linux application called “SU”. It stands for SuperUser, and allows applications and commands to run with elevated permissions. Once rooted, the Android phone owner will have more control over many settings, features and performance of their phone. Basically, "rooting" means to get to the root of the operating system and to have the ability to make global changes."

Similar Post: HOW TO RUN ANDROID ON YOUR PC

Why would I want to root my phone?

Good question! Maybe you don’t. Everything in a Linux system is a file, or is treated as a file. Since Android runs on top of Linux, it acts the same way. Most of the files you will need to access or change are available to you without having elevated permissions. When you want to do things that affect or change the core software of your device -- like updating the version of Android on your phone , or adding a nice piece of software from another device you'll have to do it as root.

Rooting also gives you access to some handy software that you couldn’t use otherwise. Things like a complete system backup or ad blocking software require you to root your device. Don’t root your phone just for the sake of rooting your phone, but if you come across something you feel you could use or would like to have, then consider it. You'll find that the open source community is usually pretty helpful and encouraging new people to do new things is common. And when you get to the point where you can lend a hand to the new folks, pay it forward.

Advantages

"Rooting" your Android phone does afford you numerous benefits, including:
1. Running special applications -Superuser is an app that can only be run on a rooted Android phone. This allows you to control which apps have access to the "root" system. Another popular application that "rooting" affords is the ability to tether a computer to your Android phone so that the computer can access the Internet using the phone's data connection. Another program can allow your Android to be used as a WiFi Hotspot without having to pay your provider for the feature.

2. Freeing up memory -When you install an app on your phone, it is stored on the phone's memory."Rooting"allows you to move installed applications to your SD card, thus freeing up system memory for additional files or apps.

3. Custom ROM's -This is the most powerful feature of "rooted" phones. There are hundreds of custom ROM's that can do anything from speeding up the processing speed of your phone to changing the entire look and feel of your phone.

Disadvantages

There are two main disadvantages to rooting and Android phone:
1. Rooting immediately voids your phone's warranty - Once rooted, don't try to bring your phone back for service or warranty work. You are on your own!

2. Rooting involves the risk of "bricking" your phone - In essence, a "bricked" phone is no better than carrying around a brick in your pocket. The phone is dead when it has been "bricked."

Other potential disadvantages, though less severe, are still worthy of consideration:

1. Poor performance - Though the intention of "rooting" a phone is to give the phone more performance, several users have found that, in their attempts to speed up the phone or add additional features, that their phones lost both performance speed and features. Remember that when you "root" your Android phone, you are making changes to the stock operating system.

2.Viruses - Yes, even phones can get viruses. A common practice that people do with "rooted" phones is to flash their ROM's with custom programs. Whenever you make changes to the code of a software, you run the risk of introducing a virus.

Conclusion

So, the decision to "root" your Android phone is one that should not be rushed into. Though the allure of having an unlocked phone is powerful, having a "bricked" phone is, trust me, not very much fun.

Source: Androidnigeria.com