What is rooting?

Posted on March 12, 2012 @ 5:46 pm

Rooting is a process allowing users of mobile phones, tablet PCs, and other devices running the Android operating system to attain privileged control (known as "root access") within Android's subsystem. With these elevated user privileges, you gain the ability to load custom software (ROM's), install custom themes, increase performance, increase battery life, and the ability to install software that would otherwise cost extra money (ex: WiFi tethering). Rooting is essentially "hacking" your Android device. In the iPhone world, this would be the equivalent to "Jailbreaking" your phone.

The term "root" comes from the Unix/Linux world and is used to describe a user who has "superuser" rights or permissions to all the files and programs in the software OS (Operating System). The root user, because they have "superuser" privileges, can essentially change or modify any of the software code on the device. You see, your phone manufacturer/carrier only gives you "guest" privileges when you purchase your device. They do this for good reason. they don't want you getting into certain parts of the software on your phone and screwing it up beyond repair. It makes it much easier for them to manage and update the devices if they lock it all down. This way, all the users are running the same unmodified version of the phone's software. This makes it much easier for them to support the devices. But, for the tech-savvy crowd, only having "guest" privileges on your device is pretty lame and it locks down a lot of potentially useful features. The main reason people root their Android device is for freedom and control, and when you root your Android phone or tablet you gain full control over your system and can tweak it to your liking.

• How to root my device?
• http://www.androidcentral.com/root