So you've decided toroot your Android smartphone. While the concept of rooting is rather complicated, the actual process isn't terribly difficult. Rooting is a process that lets you access all the settings and sub-settings in your phone, which means your phone is truly your own and you can install and uninstall anything you want. It's like having administrative privileges over your PC orMac. There are many rewards and some risks to consider, of course, and a few precautions you should take first.Here are the steps you need to take in order to safely root your smartphone.Back Up Your PhoneIf you've ever interacted with an IT professional, you know that backing up your data is one of the most important things you can do. When rooting your phone, this is particularly important on the off-chance something goes wrong, or if you change your mind.(Rooting canbe reversed.) You can back up your Android device in a number of ways, using Google's own tools or third-party apps. See ourguide to backing up your Android device.Choose an APK or Custom ROMNext, you'll need tochoose an APK(Android application package) or custom ROM(alternate version of Android.) Since Android is open-source, developers can create their own versions and there are many, many versions out there. Put simply, an APK isused to distribute and install software on your device. Rooting programs include Towelroot and Kingo Root: check which one is compatible with yourdevice.After you root your phone, you can stop there, or choose to install a custom ROM, which will offer even more features. Themost popular custom ROMisLineageOS(formerly CyanogenMod), which has even been built into the OnePlus One Android phone. Other well-liked ROMs include Paranoid Android and AOKP(Android Open Kang Project).Acomprehensive chart with descriptions of custom ROMsis available online. Rooting Your PhoneDepending on the APK or custom ROM you choose, the rooting process will vary, though the basics remain the same. Sites like the XDA Developers Forum and the AndroidForums offer in-depth information and instructions onrooting specific phone models, but here's an overview of the process.Unlock the BootloaderThe bootloader controls which applications are running when you boot up your phone: unlocking it gives YOU this control.Install an APK or Custom ROMThe APK enables you to install software on your device, the most common being Towelroot and Kingo. Custom ROMs are alternative operating systems that sharefeatures with stock Android but offer different interfaces and more functionality. The most popular are LineageOS(formerly CyanogenMod) andParanoid Android, but there are a lot more out there.Download a Root CheckerIf you use an APK instead of a custom ROM, you may want to download an app that will verify that your phone has been rooted successfully.Install a Root Management AppA management app will protect your rooted phone from security vulnerabilities and prevent apps from accessing private information.The Benefits and RisksThere are more pros than cons torooting your Android phone. As we said, rooting means you have complete control over your phone so that you can view and modify even the deepest settings and access special apps designed just for rooted phones. These apps include ad-blockers and robust security and backup utilities. You can also customize your phone with themes and colors, and even change button configurations, depending on the rooted OS version you choose(more on that in a minute).Risks are minimal but include voiding your warranty, losing access to certain apps(such as Google Wallet) or killing your phone altogether, though the latter is very rare.
