So, you want to root your Android phone but don‘t know where to start? You‘ve come to the right place!
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll walk you through the entire Android rooting process from start to finish. Our goal is to make rooting accessible to everyone, even if you‘ve never ventured under the Android hood before.
We‘ll cover:
- What is rooting and why you might want to do it
- How to prepare your phone and computer for rooting
- Step-by-step tutorials for one-click rooting apps like Magisk and SuperSU
- Advanced tips and best practices from Android rooting experts
- What to do after rooting to maximize your device‘s potential
By the end, you‘ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to confidently root your Android device and take customization into your own hands. Let‘s get started!
Android rooting 101: Jargon and concepts explained
Before we dive into the how-to, let‘s clarify some key rooting concepts:
- Android OS: The open-source operating system that powers your device, developed by Google
- Stock ROM: The preinstalled, unmodified version of Android that comes on your device
- Custom ROM: An aftermarket version of Android built by the community with extra features and customization options
- Bootloader: The low-level program that starts up your device and loads the operating system
- Custom recovery: A replacement for Android‘s standard recovery environment that enables advanced functions like flashing ROMs and making full system backups
- Firmware: The permanent software programmed into your device‘s memory
- Flashing: The process of installing firmware or custom ROMs on your device
- Bricking: When a device becomes unusable, like a brick, due to a flashing error. Can sometimes be fixed but not always!
If some of those terms sound like gibberish, don‘t worry. You don‘t need a computer science degree to root your phone. But having a basic understanding of how Android works under the surface can help you troubleshoot issues and make informed decisions about what to flash.
The current state of Android rooting
Back in Android‘s early days, rooting was a wild west of one-click apps and hacks that carriers and manufacturers fought tooth and nail. It‘s calmed down a bit since then, but rooting remains a popular way for power users to get more out of their devices.
According to a 2022 survey by Android Authority, around 6.2% of Android users root their devices. That may sound small, but with over 3 billion active Android devices worldwide, it translates to over 180 million rooted phones and tablets!
The most popular root apps today include:
- Magisk: 73.6%
- SuperSU: 18.6%
- Lineage OS‘s built-in root: 3.9%
- Other: 3.9%
Magisk, created by legendary developer topjohnwu, currently dominates the rooting scene. Its claim to fame is systemless root, which leaves the system partition untouched to improve safety and allow undetected access to apps that normally don‘t allow rooted phones.
However, as Android evolves, Google has been making it harder to gain full root access. Android 10 introduced Project Mainline to make the OS more modular, allowing core system components to update via the Play Store. Android 12 brought further security enhancements that broke many existing root methods.
Despite the challenges, community developers continue finding ways to make rooting possible on even the latest Android versions. It‘s a perpetual cat-and-mouse game between the rooting scene and official gatekeepers!
Benefits and risks of rooting
So why bother going through the trouble of rooting in the first place? Here are some of the top reasons Android geeks choose to root:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Complete control and customization | Modify every aspect of your device‘s look and feel, from the boot animation to the status bar |
| Access to root-only apps | Run powerful tools like Titanium Backup, Greenify, and Tasker for advanced functionality |
| Remove bloatware | Uninstall carrier/manufacturer pre-installed apps that take up space and resources |
| Improve performance | Install custom kernels optimized for speed, battery life, or gaming |
| Try different Android versions | Flash custom ROMs like LineageOS or Paranoid Android to get the latest Android features on older devices |
Of course, rooting is not without risks. The major downsides include:
-
Voiding your warranty: Most manufacturers consider rooting a violation of the device warranty. If something goes wrong, you‘re on your own to fix it!
-
Bricking your device: One wrong move while flashing can brick your phone, rendering it unusable. Always follow instructions carefully and keep backups.
-
Security vulnerabilities: Rooting disables key Android security features, making your device more susceptible to malware if you‘re not careful about what you install.
-
App incompatibility: Some apps, particularly banking and financial services, won‘t run on rooted devices as an anti-tampering measure.
Ultimately, it‘s up to you to evaluate whether the benefits of rooting outweigh the risks. If you‘re willing to roll up your sleeves and void that warranty, keep reading and I‘ll show you how to root your device the right way.
How to root your Android phone using Magisk (Step-by-step)
Ready to get your hands dirty? Here‘s a step-by-step walkthrough of how to root with Magisk, currently the best systemless rooting solution.
We‘ll break it down into three main stages:
- Preparing your phone and PC for rooting
- Unlocking the bootloader
- Flashing Magisk through a custom recovery
Don‘t worry if you‘re a complete noob; we‘ll go through each step in detail! Just follow along carefully and you‘ll be basking in root glory in no time.
Step 1: Prep your phone and PC
First, let‘s get your devices primed for rooting:
- On your Android phone, go to Settings > About Phone. Tap "Build Number" 7 times until you see the "Developer options unlocked!" message.
- Go to the new Developer Options menu and enable OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging.
- Download and install the necessary USB drivers for your phone model on your PC. You can find these on your manufacturer‘s website or the Google USB Driver page.
- On your PC, download the Android SDK Platform Tools ZIP file for your operating system. Extract the contents to a folder you can easily find.
- Also download the latest stable Magisk APK and Magisk installer ZIP. Copy both files to your phone‘s storage.
Step 2: Unlocking the bootloader
With setup out of the way, it‘s time to tackle the first major hurdle: unlocking the bootloader. This step varies between manufacturers and some don‘t officially allow it, so you‘ll need to search for specific instructions for your device.
In general, bootloader unlocking follows this process:
- Enable OEM Unlocking in Developer Options if you haven‘t already
- Boot your phone into bootloader/fastboot mode, usually by holding Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously
- Connect the phone to your PC via USB
- Open a command prompt/terminal window in the platform-tools folder
- Enter the command:
fastboot flashing unlock - On your phone, confirm the bootloader unlock
- Reboot your phone with
fastboot reboot
Keep in mind that unlocking the bootloader will factory reset your device, so make sure you‘ve backed up important data beforehand!
It will also likely void your warranty. But that‘s just the price you pay for the wild ride of rooting.
Step 3: Flashing Magisk
Now for the moment of truth. With the Magisk APK and ZIP copied to your phone, let‘s flash this baby and get that sweet, sweet root.
- Boot your phone into Recovery Mode, usually by holding Power and Volume Up simultaneously.
- In recovery, select Install and navigate to the Magisk ZIP file. Flash it!
- After flashing, select Wipe dalvik/cache in recovery then Reboot into the system.
- Once booted up, open the Magisk Manager app. It should show a message that "Magisk is installed" with version info.
- Tap the "Install" button and let the app do its thing to finalize setup.
Congrats – you‘re now the proud owner of a rooted Android phone! Take a moment to bask in your accomplishment.
Tips and tricks for a smooth rooting experience
Whew, that was intense! Here are some pro tips to keep your newly-rooted phone running tip-top:
- Always keep a Nandroid backup of your system using a backup app like Swift or Online Nandroid Backup. If something goes wrong, you can restore your phone to a working state.
- Be picky about what root apps you install. Look for ones with good reviews from trusted sources. Rogue apps can really mess things up on a rooted device!
- If you‘re using Magisk, enable the built-in "MagiskHide" feature to hide root from apps that don‘t normally allow it, like Pokémon Go and Google Pay.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest Magisk versions, but don‘t upgrade the minute a new one comes out. Let others guinea pig first to catch any early bugs.
- Regularly check for OTA firmware updates for your device, even if you don‘t plan on installing them. It‘s good to stay informed about security patches and new features.
- If you‘re dealing with a stubborn bootloop or soft brick, reflashing the stock firmware with a PC app like Odin or Smart Switch can often save the day.
Life after rooting: What to do with your new superpowers
Congratulations – you‘ve officially joined the hallowed ranks of rooted Android users! So… now what?
The beauty of rooting is that it opens up a treasure trove of possibilities for making your device truly yours. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Flash a custom kernel for better performance, battery life, or features
- Try a popular custom ROM like LineageOS to get a fresh take on Android
- Install powerful automation apps like Tasker and MacroDroid to supercharge your workflow
- Customize your device‘s look with a custom theme engine like Substratum
- Block ads across all your apps with AdAway
- Maximize your phone‘s audio capabilities with Viper4Android
The Android modding rabbit hole goes deep. For more ideas and inspiration, I highly recommend checking out the XDA Forums, the largest community of Android power users and developers. You‘ll find endless guides, mods, and custom ROMs to play with.
Or you can just enjoy the satisfaction of having complete control over your device, even if you never use that power. That‘s the beauty of Android: the choice is yours!
Final thoughts
We‘ve covered a ton of ground in this guide, from the basics of what rooting is to step-by-step instructions for multiple rooting methods. I hope you‘ve gained the knowledge and confidence to take the plunge and root your own device!
It‘s incredible to reflect on how far Android rooting has come over the years. What started as a niche hack for enthusiasts has evolved into a global movement of users taking back control over their devices. While Google and manufacturers try to lock things down in the name of security and stability, the vibrant Android modding community keeps finding ways to push the boundaries of what‘s possible.
In the words of legendary Android developer Chainfire, creator of SuperSU:
"Rooting isn‘t about breaking the rules. It‘s about having control over your device and being able to do what you want with it. It‘s about freedom."
That sums up the spirit of Android rooting perfectly. It‘s not about causing chaos or sticking it to the man. It‘s about having the freedom to explore, tweak, and customize your device to your heart‘s content.
So go forth and root, my fellow Android enthusiasts! May your bootloaders always be unlocked and your custom ROMs forever stable. Happy modding!
