Android Rooting

CONTENTS

What is Rooting?GlossaryWhy Root?How to Root?Risks of Rooting

What is Rooting, exactly?

Rooting is the process by which you gain administrative level access to your phone.

“Rooting” an android is similarto running programs asadmininstrator in Windows orrunning a command with “sudo”in Linux.

The android operating system is designed to by default not allow any application to run with “root” privileges.

“Rooting” is a way of hacking into the android system.

Just like any other hack, “rooting” also works by exploiting a vulnerability.

Different phones have different methods to “root” them.

Glossary of Rooting Terms

ROM: A ROM is a modified version of Android. It may contain extra features, a different look, speed enhancements, or even a version of Android that hasn't been released for your phone yet.

STOCK: "Stock" means the version of Android that came with your phone—e.g., if you want to get rid of your ROM and return your

phone to factory settings, you might say you're "going back to stock."

KERNEL: A kernel is the component of your operating system that manages communication between your software and hardware. Custom kernels can speed up your phone and increase your better life.

FLASH: Flashing essentially means installing something on your device, whether it be a ROM, a kernel or a recovery that comes in the form of a zip file.

BRICK: To brick your phone is to break it during flashing or other acts. There is always a small risk with flashing, and if your phone becomes unable to function—that is, it basically becomes a brick.

BOOTLOADER: Your bootloader is the lowest level of software on your phone, running all the code that's necessary to start your operating system.

RECOVERY: Your recovery is the software on your phone that lets you make backups, flash ROMs, and perform other system- level tasks.

NANDROID: From most third-party recovery modules, you can make backups of your phone called nandroid backups. It's essentially a system image of your phone: Everything exactly how it is right now.

ADB: ADB stands for Android Debug Bridge, and it's a command line tool for your computer

that can communicate with an Android device you've connected to it. It's part of the

AndroidSoftware Developers Kit (SDK).

Why Root?

ADVANTAGES

1. Control your CPU.

ADVANTAGES

2. Flash a custom ROM.

ADVANTAGES

3. Flash a custom Kernel.

ADVANTAGES

4. Remove pre-installed crapware.

ADVANTAGES

5. Backup for seamless transitions.

How to Root?

The procedure for rooting an Android device varies from device to device.

In almost all cases, a rooting solution for a particular device will not work on another device.

Also, a particular device can have several different rooting solutions.

To root your phone, in some cases, you will have to download an application from the Internet. Some of the widely used applications are as follows :-

1. FRAMAROOT (Website: framaroot.net)

Many devices can be rooted using this application. You could check your device for compatibility.

2. TOWELROOT (Website: towelroot.com)

Created by XDA recognized developer Geohot, Towelroot is another root exploit app that is compatible with a large range of devices. The root exploit itself is built around Linux kernel CVE-2014-3153 discovered by hacker Pinkie Pie, and it involves an issue in the Futex subsystem that in turn allows for privilege escalation. Although specifically designed for certain variants of the Galaxy S5, it is compatible with the majority of devices running unpatched kernels.

3. CF-Auto-Root (Website: cfautoroot.com)

Created by XDA senior recognized developer Chainfire, CF-Auto-Root is a root for “rooting beginners” and those who want to keep as close to stock as possible. CF-Root is meant to be used in combination with stock Samsung firmwares as well as Nexus devices, and be the quickest and easiest way for your first root. In essence, it does nothing but install and enable SuperSU on your system, so apps can gain root access.

Risks of Rooting

RISKS OF ROOTING

1. You can turn your smartphone into brick.

RISKS OF ROOTING

2. Your phone warranty turns void.

RISKS OF ROOTING

3. Malware can easily breach your mobile security.

CONCLUSION

Rooting your device turns you into its owner in the truest sense of the word, as it puts you in charge of every aspect of your phone.

It allows you to extend the longevity of a device via custom ROMs, tweaks, and up to date patches.

By rooting your android device and getting super user access, things can only get better for you.

REFERENCES lifehacker.com forum.xda-developers.com en.wikipedia.org androidcentral.org youtube.com

THANKS