If you hang out on smartphone websites or forums, then you’ve probably seen root-related themes, especially Android devices. If you are wondering why you have to root or how to root your Android device. Please refer to the following article of Network Administrator.
After rooting your Android device, you have full access to the system and can run many types of applications that require root access. These applications can disable bloatware, allow application control, enable connections and many other great things.
Overview of root Android
1. What is Root?
Root has many ways to understand depending on each device and case. When using root Android, here root is the unlocking of an Android device to allow more access to the core software that may have been blocked by the device manufacturer.
Android is developed on the Linux platform. For Linux and other UNIX operating systems, the root user is equivalent to Administrator user on Windows. Root user has access to the entire file system in the operating system and does whatever it wants. By default, users will not have administrative rights on Android devices and certain applications will not work without administrator rights. Some settings, deep intervention into the system will also need to be rooted to be able to perform. In other words, Android Root is a way for you to get administrative rights on Android devices, which can perform advanced tweaks or deep intervention into the file system.
With administrative rights, you can disable bloatware (software preinstalled on the phone) in the phone, not allowing the application manually, running a firewall, accessing the entire file system system or device connection, even when connectivity is disabled. Many applications in the Google Play store (formerly Android Market) require administrative rights and will not be available until you root the device.
Root device is not required. We only need to root the device if we want to do things that require administrative rights for users.
2. Why should you root your Android device?
Here are some reasons why you should root your Android device:
– Custom ROM installation:
After your Android device is rooted, you can Flash a Custom ROM or Kernel, which means you will experience and use your Android phone just like you just bought it.
– Uninstall Preinstalled Crapware:
The manufacturer does not allow users to uninstall Preinstalled applications on their device. However, when rooting these devices, users can uninstall the installation easily.
– Block ads (Ads) on any application:
Every time you play a game, … on the screen displays an advertising popup and this makes you feel extremely uncomfortable. However, if a device has been rooted, all these ads will be “removed” and no longer cause discomfort to you.
– Install incompatible applications:
Some applications that require root access can be installed on your device. So if your device is rooted, you can freely install these applications.
– Speed up the Android device boot process and extend battery life:
Some apps like Greenify can automatically close unused apps on your Android device to improve your device performance. And of course, Greenify needs root access.
– Update to the latest Android version:
Operating system updates are always a headache for Android users. By rooting the device, you can download and install the latest operating system (optimized for each model) before it is officially provided.
3. Method to root Android phone
There are many ways to root your Android phone and how you use it depends on your phone. General root involves one of the following processes:
- Unlock Bootloader: Google and device manufacturers do not officially support root, but they provide a formal way to get low-level access to some devices, then allow you to root. For example, Nexus devices are for developers and you can easily unlock bootloaders with a single command. You can then root the device by flashing the zip file containing the SU binary from the recovery screen. Other manufacturers also provide ways to unlock bootloaders but only for certain devices.
- Exploiting security holes : Some manufacturers do not provide a formal way to unlock their bootloader and change software. However, you can still root these devices by exploiting the security vulnerability on the device to install the SU binary into the system partition. OTA updates can fix security vulnerabilities and unroot the device. For example, there is a $ 18,000 bonus for the first person to root a Samsung Galaxy S5 device running on Verizon or AT&T. And a vulnerability has been found, but future updates may prevent this vulnerability from working and eliminate the possibility of rooting the Galaxy S5.
- Flash CyanogenMod or custom ROM : Technically, this is the extension of the above two methods. Unlocking bootloaders and exploiting security vulnerabilities can allow you to flash custom ROMs like CyanogenMod, usually rooted. CyanogenMod has a simple switch on its settings screen that allows you to enable or disable root access. Upgrading to a new version of CyanogenMod or a custom ROM will not root your device if the ROM comes with an integrated way to activate root.
4. Some notes before rooting your Android phone
Before rooting your phone or Android tablet, there are some things that users should know:
- Warranty : Many manufacturers claim that root invalidates the device warranty. However, root Android doesn’t really harm the hardware. Users can “unroot” the device and the manufacturer will not be able to know if the device has ever been rooted.
- Security : In particular, Google Wallet has a vulnerability on rooted devices that can allow other applications to access the user’s PIN and other personal information. Google Wallet will display a warning message if the user is using the program on a rooted device. If you are one of those who use Google Wallet to pay on NFC, you may want to reconsider rooting your device.
- “Brick” phenomenon : Root device is a safe process. However, there is always some risk of damage to the device if the user changes common parameters and performs hacking on the device. In particular, if the user is trying to root a device or an operating system version is not supported by a tool. “Bricking” is to damage the device, making it no different from the function of a brick. When root, jailbreak or install a homemade ROM, or other hack around, there will always be certain risks. It is better to do a little research first and find out if someone else has reported successfully rooted the device like you.
5. How to root your Android phone with SuperSU
Before starting this process, you will need to unlock the bootloader in the official way and then install the TWRP Recovery environment , then use TWRP to root the device.
Next to get root access, we will use a program called SuperSU, which provides access to other applications. Although you can download SuperSU from Google Play Store, that version doesn’t really provide root access. Fortunately, SuperSU has a .zip file that you can flash TWRP, from which there is root access along with SuperSU’s Android application management features.
To get started, visit the link below to download the latest version of SuperSU as a .zip file to your computer. Then plug the phone into the computer with a USB cable and drag the SuperSU zip file into the phone’s internal memory or SD card.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1538053Next, boot the phone into TWRP recovery. How to access this mode varies depending on the type of phone. For example, you need to press the power button and volume down button at the same time, then use the volume key to boot into Recovery Mode.
When you enter this mode, you will see the familiar TWRP main screen, click the Installbutton .
Note: You should make backups in TWRP before continuing.
You will see the screen shown below, scroll down and navigate to the SuperSU ZIP file you have previously transferred.
Touch the SuperSU zip and you will see this screen, swipe to confirm the flash.
The process of flashing this SuperSU package only takes a few minutes. After finishing, touch the Wipe cache / Dalvik button that appears and swipe to confirm.
When finished, touch the Reboot System button to reboot into Android.
If TWRP asks if you want to install SuperSU now, select Do Not Install . Sometimes, TWRP cannot detect that you already have SuperSU on the device, so it will require flash its built-in version. But it’s best to flash the latest version of SuperSU as you did.
Manage root permissions with SuperSU application
When restarting the phone, you will see the new SuperSU icon in your app drawer. SuperSU controls other applications on your phone with root privileges. Whenever an application wants to request root access, it must ask the SuperSU application, which will display the prompt.
To ensure root is working properly, you can download the Root Checker application and verify the root status. Or download an application only for root that you want to try and see if it requires you to grant root permissions.
For example, if you open the Greenify app, a handy Android battery saver app for root phones, you’ll see a message like the one below that requires root access. If you click on Grant and receive the notification successfully, this means you have successfully rooted the phone.
To manage root permissions, open the app drawer and click the SuperSU icon . You will see a list of applications that have been granted or denied root privileges. Touch an application to change its permissions. If you want to unroot, open the SuperSU application, go to its Settings screen and click on the Full unroot option .
6. Use KingRoot to root any Android phone
Requirements: Your Android device must have at least 20% battery or more to be uninterrupted during root.
Steps to take:
Step 1:
On your Android device, open Settings => Security => Device Administration => check the Unknown Source to activate.
Step 2:
Download and install the APK KingRooot application on your Android device.
https://androidmtk.com/download-kingroot-applicationStep 3:
After completing the installation process, you will see the application icon on the Launcher Menu.
Step 4:
Click the KingRoot icon to open the application.
Step 5:
Next, click the Start Root button to start the root process.
Step 6:
Now KingRoot will start the process of rooting your Android device.
Step 7:
Wait until the screen of your Android device appears large blue traces as shown below, which means that your device has been successfully rooted.
Step 8:
Restart your Android device is done.
