10 reasons why you should root your android device

Root? Root access? Rooting?

Am tempted to ask, what is the first impression that registers onto your mind when you hear of the above words?

Does your mind bring up an image of the lower section of a plant of some sort?

If it does, then am glad to inform you that statistically, you are among the 90% of the global population regarded as ‘normal’. The rest consist of rocket scientists, nuclear physicists, algorithm writers and anyone else with an abnormal understanding of complex technology.

Besides ‘root’ being a botanical term indicating the lower structure of a plant, in technological terms it refers to a totally different scenario. According to the tech dictionary, ‘root/root access’ means granting a user full control, access to all files, directories and processes in a system.

In simple terms it means gaining authorization to read, write and execute any command within a given system.

In a much simpler incidence that relates to real life, take for instance you just bought your first android phone and you happen to visit the Google playstore and are instantly mesmerized by the numerous free games and apps all laid out at your disposal and you decide to randomly download and install seemingly exciting apps.

Halfway through your installation spree, a warning appears, ‘LOW DISC SPACE PLEASE DELETE SOME APPS TO FREE UP SOME SPACE’

No problem, you decide to delete some useless apps that came pre-installed in the device but instead encounter another warning, ‘YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO PERFORM THIS FUNCTION’

Still undeterred, you decide to move the apps to the SD card and a familiar warning emerges, ‘YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO PERFORM THIS FUNCTION’

Over a period of time, you discover that the device’s internal memory isn’t as sufficient as you thought, your device has become slower, you cannot use certain apps, you cannot take a screenshot, you cannot upgrade the firmware, you have no control over camera functions, you cannot fully back-up your phone’s data, you cannot change the theme, you cannot tether your device to act as a portable Wi-Fi spot. In short, you have limited ownership of your device despite paying top dollar to purchase it.

If you happen to experience any of these limitations that I have mentioned above and much more that I haven’t mentioned, then the only solution around it is by rooting your device.

However, rooting is no child’s play especially if you have no experience at it. Please DO NOT ATTEMPT A ROOTING PROCEDURE BY YOURSELF lest you end up ‘bricking’ your phone and transforming its usefulness to the equivalence of a soap dish.

If you really want to safely free your device and enjoy full control over it, I highly recommend seeking out an experienced professional who fully understands the procedure.

Meanwhile, here are some of the benefits you gain from a rooted device.

1.Remove unwanted applications

Many android devices usually come pre-installed with seemingly useless apps belonging to the manufacturer or sponsored app demos from developers and sometimes this may be quite irritating especially when it comes to hogging up memory and storage space within the device.

Since most of these apps are generally useless to the user, one may decide to uninstall/delete them but there is where the real problem begins. To delete such apps one requires full system permission which is solely wielded by the manufacturer and denied to the user.

So in-order to enjoy such a privilege, you need to root your device.

2.Increased performance

A rooted device may enjoy an increased performance through improvement of battery life by slowing down the CPU thus reducing power consumption or quick response time of the interface through an increase in the CPU speed.

3.Full data back-up

Data back-up is the most essential part of the prevention of data loss in case of theft, loss or damage to the device. Although the back-up option is available in all android devices, the set back arises due to the partiality involved in performing the task.

While an un-rooted phone will perform back-ups of photos, videos and contacts only, a rooted device will backup EVERYTHING stored in all parts of your device and also restore them to that effect.

4.Custom themes

Different android device manufacturers provide different themes on top of the default android OS theme. To some users, these themes may seem bland or just unimpressive and may want to try out other alternatives.

With an un-rooted device, this will be next to impossible but with a rooted device, you can modify any sector of the interface.

5.Portable Wi-Fi hotspot

Many android devices can access the internet via a variety of networks including GPRS, 3G, 4G or wireless connection. This internet connection can however be shared out among other devices like phones, laptops or tablets without necessarily hooking up the connection to each individual device.

This is possible through setting up a portable Wi-Fi hotspot with which the other devices can connect to and access the internet. In some android devices, this is not possible and rooting is required to perform such a function.

6.Latest android OS

Google updates its Android OS multiple times a year, but not all devices receive the update at the same time depending on the carrier and manufacturer of most android devices. Even though some android devices have the capability of supporting the latest android system updates, some carriers are usually slow in releasing such updates due to one reason or another.

In the event that your carrier is slow in releasing the updates, you can opt to root your device and install the updates manually as soon as they are released by Google.

7.Move apps to SD card

This falls within the same category of deleting unwanted applications. Some users may not necessarily want to delete such apps but may instead opt to transfer them to the SD card in-order to free up space in the device’s internal storage.

In some devices, this may not be possible unless you root.

8.Flash custom ROMS

Custom ROMS changes how your device performs or looks.

9.Use a variety of apps freely

Most apps require special system permission in-order to run smoothly. These apps require prior rooting of the device before you can use them. These apps range from wireless tethering programs, root explorer programs, firewall programs, screenshot apps, call blocker apps, keyboard managers, full back-up programs, Emulators and many others.

10.Modify root files

This function is applicable only to developers for development purposes.

So there you have it, 10 benefits of rooting your android device. Question is, are you willing to take the leap and free your device??? The choice is yours!

If you need professional rooting services, please feel free to contact me.