TOP 12 REASONS TO ROOT AN ANDROID DEVICE

Android is a software stack for mobile device that includes an operating system, middle ware and key applications. Android main focus is on security of the mobiles. So some of the features are blocked from accessed by users. Rooting of your Android device provides you extra permissions to get through the mobile and can do anything to any file or folder in the system. Of course it is dangerous, if it is wrongly executed. If it is successfully done then you can play with your mobile in and out. Here are 12 top reasons which are making users attractive towards Rooting of their Android device. Let us see......          

12 Reasons to Root an Android Device:

1. REMOVE PREINSTALLED CRUDWARE:

As you know that every Android smart phone arrives into market with preinstalled software’s and applications. Some of them are really useful for smooth functioning of Android smart phone but some are not really necessary. Apps and software’s of that kind may drain battery and waste space. These type of useless apps can be uninstalled only after rooting Android device. To determine which preinstalled apps are useless, first freeze those apps and check whether your Android device is functioning normally or not. Then uninstall those useless preinstalled apps which will free up space and save battery. you can not uninstall these kind off apps unless you root your Android device.

2.  PRESERVE YOUR PHONE's BATTERY LIFE: 

 

As the performance of the phone increases then the battery life of the phone gradually decreases. Although there are many apps which will boost up the battery of the smart phone. Some of the most powerful power saving apps is not compatible with the original versions of some Android mobiles. For those smart phones it is necessary to Root. There are some apps available in Android store, which will hibernate apps which are not in use.

3. OVERCLOCK TO HIKE PHONES SPEED:

 Over clocking of Android smart phone is nothing but making microprocessor of your Android device to run faster than ever before. Over clocking also increases the speed of hardware components of the mobile. This over clocking can be gained by apps without rooting, but the matter is if you over clock your smart phone without rooting it may drain you mobile's battery faster. There are several root only apps available in Android market which can over clock and also decrease the battery drain. Some of those apps are SETCPU and others.

4. TO INSTALL CUSTOM ROM:

ROM which is present in your Android mobile by default is called as the Stock ROM. But mobile companies modify this stock version of ROM to make their products unique from others. ROM which is customized or developed from original source code of Android and differs from it in features and looks is called Custom ROM. These custom ROMs are not developed by Google or any mobile vendors. But developed and maintained by contributors. Custom ROM can install in an Android mobile only after Rooting. Custom ROM allows user to gain Root access. Custom ROM adds new features, and changes the look of your smart phone. 

Some of the custom ROMs are : " Cyanogenmod, AOKP, Eurostank".

5. ACCESS BLOCKED FEATURES AND INSTALL INCOMPATIBLE APPS:

Some of the features of Android mobiles and tablets are hidden from access to the user for some security reasons. By Rooting you can explore dark corners of Android and can access all Blocked and Hidden features by the Carriers. There are certain apps available in Android market which is not compatible with all the versions of Android. Once you are done with successful Rooting, then you can install hundreds and thousands of useful apps where other normal Android users can not access. Rooting will change the Administrator privileges and makes them favourable to user.

6.  TO HAVE SCREENSHOTS:

Android versions before Ice Cream Sandwich[ICS] is not equipped with the ability to take screenshots with the mobiles. But few devices include it as an added feature. If you want to have screenshot taking feature to your mobile you must wait until your mobile vendor release ICS update to your mobile or you need to buy a new Android mobile. But if you root your Android mobile you can get screenshot feature by installing some screenshot apps in your mobile.

Some of them are: "Screenshot easy etc,”

7. TO BACKUP YOUR PHONE:

 If your Android device is not rooted, then you can back up things like Apps and data but you cannot be able to backup system apps and data. Back up will help you to restore your mobile to the original stock ROM. At that time if you are having back up of data then it makes easy to restore. On ordinary phones you can only backup "surface data", but on Rooted phone you can backup everything of your phone by using some of the software’s like "titanium backup" which will create full backup's. This will help if anything goes wrong.

8. TO GET LATEST UPDATES:

 Users of Android device feel frustrated if Android announces any new version but their devices are not getting that upgraded versions. Bit in case if your mobile phone is rooted you can get the latest updated version of Android. You can get that update from group of developers who port the latest the version. 

One of the best sources for latest version of Android for your rooted device is "XDA Forum".

9. EXTERMINATE CARRIER IQ:

 Carrier IQ is a private mobile software company which is providing diagnostic analysis of smart phone to the networks via the installation of software’s on user phone. As per stats this software is deployed in more than 150million devices all over the world. This IQ collects all the information about the working of smart phone and submit it to MSIP. This collection of information hurts some people. For them this software can be removed only after rooting of their Android device.

10. PROVIDE MORE VISUAL CUSTOMIZATION:

Although the non-rooted Android mobiles provide lots of visual customization options. Rooted mobiles will help you to have number font designs and can play with those fonts. Rooted Android mobile phones will provide high screen quality than non rooted mobiles. Number themes and wallpapers can be applied to the Rooted Android mobiles which gives you a new look of your mobile.

11. Wi-Fi AND BLUETOOTH TETHERING:

Tethering means sharing Internet connection of an Internet-capable mobile or tablet with other devices. This sharing can be done over Wi-Fi or USB or BLUETOOTH. Wi-Fi and USB tethering is disabled in some of the Android devices and Bluetooth tethering is not possible in any case. But one can enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth tethering in any Android devices by only rooting that device.

12. TO COMPLETELY OWN YOUR MOBILE:

Some people Root their Android mobile for just knowing what it is. But some people want to know what it is capable of and what it is. They want explore each and every corner of their mobile. So that they can completely own their mobiles. Hence, Rooting helps you to completely own your mobile.

Like a coin, advantages of Rooting are only one side but disadvantages are other side of the coin. Rooting can void warranty of your handset and unsuccessful rooting can brick your mobile. Be careful while rooting your Android mobile.

If there are any other reasons to root Android device, please comment below. If you have any queries feel free to comment below. I will respond to your queries as soon as possible.  

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HOW TO BACKUP AND RESTORE ANDROID ROM BEFORE INSTALLING CUSTOM ROM?

Now a days all the people are interested of doing research and experiments on their devices in order to make them work more efficient than previous. One of this kind is Rooting their Android device. Rooting do many favors’ to users and when rooted wrongly it causes severe problems. The main aim of Routing is to increase performance of their device. But as per my concern there will be no greater change in performance. Some people want to restore back to their original Android features at that time they feel bad if there is no backup is set to the ROM before installing Custom ROM.                              

I suggest my readers to keep a backup of their Stock or Custom ROM, so that can be restored whenever you want. Stock ROM means the original or Default ROM given to your Device at the time of purchase of the Device. Custom ROM means the ROM installed after rooting the device. This backup is called Nandroid backup. Backup is very important for any device if you are performing any experimental things.

We can Backup and Restore the Stock/Custom Rom with the help of the CWM Recovery i.e., CLOCKWORKMOD RECOVERY. It can be done in two ways. In order to perform Backup/Restore in any of the two modes some preprocess steps must be followed they are....

• The Android device must be Rooted one.
• The device must have charging of at least 90% of its full charge.

1. ClockWorkMod Recovery Backup/Restore [Process - 1]:

I don't know how to refer this process so I named it as Process-1. Let me explain you to Backup/Restore...

ClockWorkMod Recovery is the custom recovery agent which recovers both Custom/Stock ROM completely. This must be present in your device.

 

1. First boot the rooted device manually with the help of pressing some combination of keys and buttons. [these combinations change from device to device. So please careful].
2. This boot takes you to the ClockWorkMod recovery mode where you can perform top, down and selection navigation with the help of volume up, volume down and power buttons respectively.[In touchscreen you can directly select and navigate as usually].
3. Then select the "BACKUP AND RESTORE" option.   

TO BACKUP:

After selecting Backup and restore a new window will be opened then do...

1. Select "Backup" option.

Then the process of Backing up of the ROM will be started which will complete within few minutes.

TO RESTORE:

In order to restore the procedure of Rebooting with above procedure must be followed and Backup of a ROM must be made before this either into External/Internal storage. If there present the Backup of ROM then carry on to get into CWM Recovery mode.

After selecting Backup and Restore option then a window of options will get displayed....

1. Then select "Restore" option.

The Restore operation gets completed in few minutes. And once you Restart your device then the device is Restored with the Custom/Stock ROM you wanted to restore.

2. ClockWorkMod Recovery Backup/Restore [Process - 2]:

This process is very simple when compared to the above process. This process doesn't need any combination buttons to boot your device and take it to Kernel level. In this process first you must install the ClockWorkMod Recovery in your Rooted Android Device; this is different for different devices.                           

TO BACKUP:

1. Once the phone is rooted then install ROM manager App, which is available in Android Play Store (by ClockWorkMod).
2. Open ROM manager app and then select the "Flash ClockWorkMod Recovery" option in the appearing window of ROM manager.
3. Then select "Backup Current ROM" option.
4. Then it will ask for Backup name and Permissions which must be provided by you.

Then the process of Backing up starts, which will be completed in few minutes. Once the phone restarts the Backup is completed. 

TO RESTORE:

In order to restore first there must be a Backup, from which it must be restored. The procedure to restore is...

The Restore process is done with the help of ROM manager itself. In order to Restore open the ROM manager, then

1. Select the "Manage and Restore Backup" option in the Rom manager Window.
2. And then select "Restore" option.

Then Restore of Stock/Custom ROM, which is already backed up completes once the phone restarts.  

TIPS AND NOTE:

1. In the above two processes the backup is done either in the Internal memory or External memory of the device. Some devices don't provide the option of selecting Backup location at that time Backup is stored in internal storage. But some have that option. If the option is available to select the Backup location then it is advised to select the External Storage of the device because the probability of failures of ROM Flashing. 
2. One must follow correct procedure to avail and Backup and Restore facilities of their device ROM whether it may be Custom/Stock ROM.

The above said procedures are only for information purpose. If you want to Backup or Restore your Stock/Custom ROM. First you get familiar with the procedure of rooting, Backup and Restore which is different for different devices. So, please study your device case carefully and follow the correct procedure for your device. Thank you for reading this Article. 

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ROOTING AN ANDROID DEVICE - TO ROOT OR NOT TO ROOT?

There will be certain limitations that the carriers and hardware manufacturers put on the Android devices and this will result in the inability of the user to access or alter system apps and software’s that require the administrator level permissions. These restrictions can be break by ROOTING AN ANDROID DEVICE, which will give complete control of the device to the user.

Rooting - What it is ..... ?                           

Rooting Android device, user can access the root of the android. Root Access is compared to Jail Breaking, devices running the Apple iOS. If you are using any windows operating system that means you’re are administrator on a windows machine, then you can do whatever you want on the machine but in Android you cannot i.e., manufacturers restrict users from installing and using some apps.

Rooting of Android device means unlocking the Operating system so that you can replace the firmware, can install un approved apps( i.e., unapproved apps by Google), can update the present OS of the device, over clock or under clock the processor [over clock or under clock means running component at a higher rate or lower rate than provided]. Within a word by Rooting Android device you can customize your Android device as you like.

In my words I describe rooting an Android device as "Rooting Android means getting the root access of the Android operating system and will have ability to customize our Android mobile as we like, But with some care".

Reasons of Rooting an Android Device:

There are many advantages and benefits of Rooting An Android Device. Some of the features of the device are not revealed to users and the users are not permitted to run certain apps by restricting the permissions either for future use or new devices. Many people are tempted to Rooting by the ability to completely customization. Some of them are......

ALSO CHECK: TOP 12 REASONS TO ROOT AN ANDROID DEVICE

1. CAN INSTALL AND RUN SPECIAL APPS:

By Rooting Android Device we can install apps that are not officially approved by the GOOGLE Play but are available in Internet stores. You can also uninstall the manufacturer apps that are not useful to you. By Rooting another feature is unlocked i.e., wireless tethering even if it is disabled. And one can use his device as Wi-Fi Hotspot without paying to the provider for this feature by rooting an Android device.

2. CAN INSTALL LATEST VERSION OF ANDROID:

Google is coming out with the latest version of Android for the newly coming devices regularly. Google will list out the devices which can have the facility of upgrading their existing Android OS to the newly arrived one. At that time we feel bad about our outdated version of Android if the list doesn't contain our device. By rooting the device we can simply upgrade your device to the latest version of Android by following some basic procedure and precautions. Must follow the procedure strictly.

3. CAN INSTALL CUSTOM ROM:

The ROM is storage with Read Only Memory. ROM's are Read only but not for modification but by Rooting one can have Custom ROM. A custom ROM is one which has undergone any modification from pure distribution of Android. Anyone can play with the Android source code by altering for themselves. Custom ROM will make modifications to Android and make it run better than before in the device by changing the default software and background services. This is the most powerful feature of Rooted Android Device.

Some of popular ROM's are CYANOGENMOD ROM, AOKP ROM and ANDROID REVOLUTION HD ROM.

4. CAN INSTALL VARIOUS THEMES:

Almost all the versions of Android look like same in their appearance irrespective of their features. We feel bored and messed up with the routine look of the Android themes. By Rooting one can install vast number of themes which are available for Android devices. With these themes entire look and interface of the Android device changes and looks attractive than before.

5. CAN FREE UP INTERNAL MEMORY:

When you install any app then it is stored in the internal memory of the Device rather than the External memory because of some performance and security issues of the device. By rooting the device and installing certain apps in the device we can backup and store the apps and games in the External memory i.e., Memory Card, which will free up the internal memory and increase the performance speed of the device.

And there are many advantages of Rooting an Android Device. Above mentioned are some of the major advantages of Rooting.

Reasons For Not to Root an Android Device:

Along with many advantages over rooting one comes across with some of the disadvantages of Rooting Android. Some of the serious disadvantages of rooting that are preventing users from rooting their Android devices....

1. VOIDS YOUR PHONE WARRANTY:

Immediately after Rooting your Android device then it is no more covered with any warranty and service from the manufacturer or developer. But on can always un-root his/her Android device with the help of the original backup ROM and can send for a service from manufacturer. No one can know whether the phone is Rooted or Not.

2. RISK OF "BRICKING":

When anything goes wrong in the procedure of rooting your device then there is a danger of Bricking of your Android Device. Bricking makes the phone useless and phone will not switch on, cannot display anything. The use of any Bricked phone is one can use his Bricked phone as a paperweight. Carrying an Android phone is like carrying a brick with no use with it.

3. MALFUNCTIONING AND SECURITY ISSUES:

Rooting makes your Android device more vulnerable to the threats and viruses. Updating of files wrongly from the Kernel mode affect the functioning of the device badly. Depending on various services and apps in your device there may be the chance of security risks to your device. The major affect to the security is that the rooted devices are not supported by Google Wallet Service.

There are many more demerits of Rooting like POOR PERFORMANCE; main aim of Rooting is increase of performance but it known by some of the users that the performance of Rooted Device is gradually decreasing day by day violating its main aim.

How to Root an Android Device?

Rooting of Android device varies from device to device. There are many different ways and soft ware’s to root an Android Device. Let me discuss about rooting in detailed manner in the next article. But the only thing I can tell is "Be careful while rooting and be well prepared with the procedure of Rooting, follow the procedure and attempt to rooting only when you’re familiar with the procedure".

Tips to Follow:

• One should keep backup of his ROM and device, which will help him to un-root, Which regain default features of the device and can claim warranty and service from the manufacturer.
• Be familiarize with the rooting procedure and running a "DRY RUN" will prevent your device against "Bricking".

Android Rooting looks like crazy and interesting. But when it is executed wrongly can badly affect your device and sometimes can make your device useless. So, be careful and think twice before doing this.  

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