Rooting Android Smart Phone

What Is Rooting?

Rooting is a process allowing users of smartphones, tablets, and other devices running the Android operating system to attain privileged control (known as "root access") within Android's subsystem. Rooting is often performed with the goal of overcoming limitations that carriers and hardware manufacturers put on some devices, resulting in the ability to alter or replace system applications and settings, run specialized apps that require administrator-level permissions, or perform other operations that are otherwise inaccessible to a normal Android user. Rooting is analogous to jailbreakingdevices running the Apple iOS operating system or the Sony PlayStation 3. On Android, rooting can also facilitate the complete removal and replacement of the device's operating system.

As Android was derived from the Linux kernel, rooting an Android device is similar in practice to accessing administrative permissions on Linux or any other Unix-like computer such as FreeBSD or OS X.

 

What Are The Advantages Of Rooting?

Custom Firmwares(ROM's):

You may have heard of people loading custom “ROM’s” on their devices. A “ROM” is the software that runs your device. It is stored in the “Read Only Memory” of your device. There are many great custom ROM’s available that can make your Android device look and perform drastically different. The best place that I have found to find custom ROM’s for Android devices is the XDA Developers Forums. The XDA community is filled with smartphone enthusiasts and developers for the Android platform. Check them out and see if you find any ROM’s that would meet your needs. 

Custom Themes:

Themes are basically the graphics that appear on your Android device. Rooting your device allows you the ability to fully customize just about every graphic on your device. You can load custom themes that totally change the look and feel of your device. Here are some examples:  http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=527

Kernal, Speed And Battery:

There are many custom ROM’s and apps available for rooted devices that will allow you to drastically improve the performance (speed) and also extend battery life on your device. A lot of developers tweak the kernels (layer of code that handles communication between the hardware and software) for added performance, battery life, and more.

Baseband:

Rooting your device grants you the ability to update the Basebands on your smartphone. The Baseband is what controls the radio on your device. By updating to the latest Basebands, you can potentially improve both the signal and quality of your phone calls.

 

Latest Version Of Android:

As mentioned earlier, custom ROM’s can allow you to update to the latest version of the Android OS before they are officially released. This is a great feature for those who are tech-savvy and want to stay on top of the latest and greatest software updates before it hits the mainstream crowd.

Backing Up Your Device: 

The ability to easily backup all of your Apps and Data is one feature that is sorely missed on the stock build of Android devices. But if you root your device, backing up everything on your device (both apps and data) becomes a simple task. Titanium Backup is a must have app for anyone who has rooted their devices and wants to backup and restore their phones.

What Are The DisAdvantages Of Rooting?

Bricking:

The number one reason not to root your device is the potential risk of “bricking” it. As mentioned earlier, “bricking” your device means screwing up your phone software so badly that your phone can no longer function properly and is pretty much as useless as a brick. You would likely need to purchase a new Android device since the manufacturer of your device will void the warranty after any attempts at rooting.

 

Security:

There is an increased risk of unknowingly installing malicious software when you root an Android device. Root access circumvents the security restrictions that are put in place by the Android OS. There isn’t really an effective way to tell just what the application intends to do with that “superuser” power. You are putting a lot of trust into the developer’s hands.

Can I UnRoot My Device?

Yes. You would need to do some research for your specific type of device. As mentioned earlier, the XDA Developer Forums is the best place to start.

How To Root?

SuperOneClick Method:

Almost every android device and every android version can be rooted using SuperOneClick.

• Download the latest version of SuperOneClick ShortFuse. [Download Link] 

• Enable USB DebuggingOn your phone [Goto: settings > application > usb debugging & enable it.]

• Connect Your Phone To PC.
• Remember Do Not Mount Your SD Card.
• Now open SuperOneClick from the unzipped file & click on Root.

 

•  You will see a lot of activity on the screen, just wait until the entire process is over and you get a Success message

• Now disconnect your phone and check for Superuser application on your phone, if you don’t find it Reboot your phone
• Once you see Superuser installed that means you have successfully rooted your phone.
  
• Now whenever you any app which requires root access, you will see notification requesting permission for root access from Superuser.