Why you Should or Should Not Root Android Phone

In this article, we take a look at why you should or should not root Android phone, giving pros and cons for both sides of the fence.

For the everyday user, rooting is not necessary, but there are certain benefits that only rooted users can gain access to, and we’ll take a look into this below.

 

Pros of Rooting your Android

First off, we will be taking a look at some of the pros of rooting your Android phone or tablet.

 

1. Gain Root Access

The term ‘rooting’ was coined because it describes the action of giving a user access to the root directories on your smartphone or tablet storage. This means you will be able to install certain files on a root level, gain access to certain functions that are usually locked away, and transfer your files or download apps to your SD card.

 

2. Use New Apps

Like mentioned above, some Android functionality is locked away for the average user, and this means there are certain apps that cannot be used unless you root your Android smartphone or tablet. Such apps include screen recorders, file managers, third party controller support and system management.

 

3. Install Custom ROMs

In order to install a custom ROM to your Android phone, you must root your device first. A custom ROM is a different version of Android that has been built by a developer instead of the manufacturer of the phone you are using. Usually, custom ROMs come with extra features, including battery saving, overclocking, neater user interfaces and other neat functionality that is usually exclusive to each and every custom ROM.

 

Cons of Rooting Your Android

It’s not all good in the world of rooting – unfortunately there are a few things you will lose out on if you root your device, and you will have to make an educated decision on whether you should root your device or not, depending on the cons below.

 

1. You Will Lose Warranty

In most cases, tampering with your system files will make your warranty exempt, and you may not be able to return your device for repair if you have rooted your smartphone.

In some cases, you can unroot your phone so that your warranty is not affected, but even then, sometimes software parameters are triggered, and your smartphone manufacturer will be able to tell if you’ve rooted your device in the past or not.

 

2. Things Can Go Wrong

Unfortunately, the biggest system errors and crashes usually occur when a user attempts to root or install a custom ROM, and in some cases your smartphone or tablet can become completely bricked – this is a state where the device stops working completely, and it’s incredibly difficult to get it working again after this point.

 

3. You Can’t Install Updates

One strange but equally frustrating negative side to rooting your smartphone is that you cannot install the latest manufacturer updates automatically. Instead, you will need to wait for your update to be published online and update it manually. This is a process that may be a bit overwhelming for new Android users, and it can become frustrating after a while.

 

Hopefully this article has helped you to understand the pros for when you root Android phone or tablets – will you be rooting your device, or will you stay away from rooting?