What is rooting?

Rooting is the process which allows the users of smartphones, tablets and other devices running the Android operating system to gain privileged access also known as root access over various Android subsystems.

Rooting is performed to overcome the limitations of the android devices which docent allow the user to run specialised applications that require administrator-level permissions, or to perform other operations that are otherwise inaccessible to a normal user.

How to root your Android device?

One of the easiest ways to root an Android device is by using an app, and a number of rooting apps have garnered attention over the years Framaroot, Firmware.mobi, Kingo Root, BaiduRoot, and One Click Root are amongst some of the most reliable. These services will usually root your device within no time. Here are a few of our favourites

Rooting with Framaroot

Farmaroot is a newer one-click rooting service, and it aims to make the process of rooting easy for everyone with a simple one-click “root” button. The steps are as follows.

1. Download the APK.
2. Install it — you may need to tap the Unknown sources button in your Android Security settings to complete the installation.
3. Open the app, and tap Root.
4. If the app finds it’s able to root your device, it will do so. If it can’t you’ll need to try another method.
5. If your device can be rooted, you can go ahead and root your device.
6. You’ll then need to download and run SuperSU to manage your root access.

Then that’s it - you’re good to go.

Rooting with Firmware.mobi

Firmware.mobi, an unlocking utility by developer Chainfire, isn’t the easiest way to root your Android smartphone, but it is one of the most stable. It works on more than 300 devices and provides step-by-step instructions that make the rooting process as seamless as it possibly could be.

You will need to download the appropriate ZIP file for your device.

Once you have done that, follow these steps:

As per security researchers, malicious attackers have been inserting backdoors in the citrix web servers and there are only a few locations in which backdoors may be placed on the system after it is exploited. The users must look at the following directories for unusual files:

1. Extract the folder.
2. Navigate to it, and find the root-windows.bat file. Double-click it.
3. Wait for the script to execute, and press any key.
4. When the process is complete, your phone will automatically reboot, and you will be rooted.

Rooting your Android device with BaiduRoot

BaiduRoot, a software utility by Beijing-based Baidu Inc., supports more than 6,000 Android devices, but since those only include devices running Android 2.2 up to Android 4.4, it’s going to have limited use most. However, if you’ve got a really old phone lying around, this is a great tool for rooting and re-purposing that.

BaiduRoot’s one of the more straightforward rooting applications. Once you’ve downloaded it on your computer, it’s a step-by-step affair.

First, you’ll need to unzip the file. Find Baidu_Root.RAR and extract its contents (Windows user might need a third-party application like 7-Zip).

Next, attach the device you want to root to your computer via USB and transfer the files. Once that’s done, unplug your phone.

You’ll have to install the BaiduRoot application manually. Follow these steps:

1. On your smartphone or tablet, head to Settings > Security (or Lock screen and security).
2. Toggle Unknown sources, and press OK on the popup.
3. Find the folder containing the BaiduRoot app and tap the APK file. Follow the instructions to complete the installation.

Now, switch to BaiduRoot.

Open BaiduRoot and accept the license agreement.

Tap the Root button in the center of the screen.

After a few seconds, you’ll get a message indicating that the device was successfully rooted.

Rooting with One Click Root

One Click Root is a new rooting tool that aims to take some of the complicated nature out of rooting. The idea of One Click Root is right there in the name one click, and you’re done. It charges $40 to root your phone, but also promises that the program won’t be able to brick your phone.

The One Click Root procedure is simple.

1. Check that your device is supported with the Root Availability Tool.
2. Download the Windows or Mac one click root option.
3. Connect your device via USB cable.
4. Enable USB debugging on your device.

Run One Click Root and let the software handle the tricky bit.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages	Disadvantages
Run special apps. Rooting allows the phone to run apps that it cannot run otherwise.	Voids the phone warranty. After a phone is rooted, it cannot be serviced under the warranty.
Remove pre-installed apps. When you root a phone, you're able to remove unwanted pre-installed apps from the phone.	Risk of "bricking" a phone. A bricked phone is unusable.
Free up memory. When you install an app on your phone, it is stored in the phone's memory.	Breaks the phone contract. This depends on how you purchased the phone. If you lease the device or make payments, you'll definitely break your contract with your carrier by rooting.
Custom ROMs. There are hundreds of custom ROMs that speed up the processing speed of a phone and change the look and feel of a phone.	Poor performance. However, some users who have rooted their phones to speed up the phone or add additional features found that their phones lost both performance speed and features.
Extend Phone Life. Rooting a phone opens the options to install custom ROMs and remove bloatware.	Viruses. Even phones get viruses.