How to root your Android phone or tablet in 2015 (and unroot it)

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http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/JcWj33TK83pZjz6_iJJhHQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztmaT1maWxsO2g9ODY7cT03NTt3PT EzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/homerun/digital_trends_973/a537722a5c6fbd1815d28bbfd1c82c6b (http://news.yahoo.com/root-android-phone-tablet-2015-210643164.html)Is the allure of being a superuser tempting you? Android rooting opens up a world of possibility, but it can also void your warranty, or even leave you with a bricked device. Yes, when it comes to rooting your Android, you’ll want to know the benefits as well as the risks. Manufacturers and carriers have a vested interest in dissuading you from rooting. The act of rooting can be inherently dangerous. Even so, for the careful user, the risk is minimal, and the potential benefits are impressive. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to root your phone. Some devices can be rooted in minutes. Others take a little research. One thing is clear: rooting your phone can be one of the best ways to tap into the deep potential of your Android device. Updated on 10-23-2015 by Robert Nazarian: -Added in KingRoot information, as well as how to root the Galaxy S6 running Android 5.1.1 and Nexus devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Also added more info on installing the Android SDK tools and additional information on Kingo Root. What is rooting? Rooting is jailbreaking for Androids and allows users to dive deeper into a phone’s sub-system. Essentially, it’ll allow you to access the entire operating system and be able to customize just about anything on your Android. With root access, you can get around any restrictions that your manufacturer or carrier may have applied. You can run more apps, you can overclock or underclock your processor, and you can replace the firmware. The process requires users to back up current software and flash (install) a new custom ROM (modified version of Android). Click on a page to jump to it: Why rooting is good and bad How to prep your Android device for rooting How to root using Towelroot How to root using Kingo How to root using KingRoot How to root the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge running Android 5.1.1 How to root Nexus devices running Android Marshmallow Resources you’ll need after you root How to unroot your Android device Why would you root? One of the most obvious incentives to root your Android device is to rid yourself of the bloatware that’s impossible to uninstall. You’ll be able to set up wireless tethering, even if it has been disabled by default. Additional benefits include the ability to install special apps and flash custom ROMs, each-of which can add extra features and streamline your phone or tablet’s performance. A lot of people are tempted by the ability to completely customize the look of their phones. You can also manually accept or deny app permissions. You won’t find a lot of amazing must-have apps when you root, but there are enough to make it worthwhile. For example, some apps allow you to automatically back up all of your apps and all of their data, completely block advertisements, create secure tunnels to the Internet, overclock your processor, or make your device a wireless hotspot. Related: How to disable Android apps Why wouldn’t you root? There are essentially three potential cons to rooting your Android. Voiding your warranty: Some manufacturers or carriers will use rooting as an excuse to void your warranty. It’s worth keeping in mind that you can always unroot. If you need to send the device back for repair, simply flash the original backup ROM you made and no one will ever know that it was rooted. Bricking your phone: Whenever you tamper too much, you run at least a small risk of bricking your device. The obvious way to avoid it happening is to follow instructions carefully. Make sure that the guide you are following works for your device and that any custom ROM you flash is designed specifically for it. If you do your research and pay attention to feedback from others, bricking should never occur. Security risks: Rooting may introduce some security risks. Depending on what services or apps you use on your device, rooting could create a security vulnerability. For example, Google refuses to support the Google Wallet service for rooted devices. Next page: How to prepare your Android phone for rooting How to prepare your Android device-for rooting Three rooting programs that have garnered some attention in the past few months are Towelroot,-Kingo Root, and KingRoot. They will root your device in the time it takes to brush your teeth. However, these-rooting programs are only compatible with Android devices running below Android 5.1 Lollipop. For example, King Root claims it will root over 100,000 devices, and even some running Android 5.0, but the majority of newer devices running Android 5.1 and higher don’t make the list. Here’s Kingo’s list of compatible devices, and the following links by manufacturer are what KingRoot can handle: Google/Nexus HTC Huawei LG Samsung Sony ZTE If you’re looking to root a Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge running Android 5.1 or higher, the above methods will not work. While they might have worked on Android 5.0, Android 5.1 is a completely different story since a modified kernel needs to be flashed in order to achieve root. The kernel is the core of the operating system and it controls the hardware. Android cannot run without it. You can follow the instructions that Max Lee posted here to root your Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge on Android 5.1. The same goes for Nexus devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Chainfire has posted modified kernels for those devices over at XDA. The bottomline is that you will see many developers touting how their tool takes care of all Android devices, but there simply is no such tool. If your phone is not compatible with either of the above applications, you’ll have to spend a little time researching ways to root on Android forums. The best place to start is XDA Developers Forum. Look for a thread on your specific device and you’re sure to find a method that has worked for other people. It’s worth spending some time researching the right method for your device. Preparation for root Back up everything that’s important to you before you start. You should also always back up your current ROM before you flash a new one. Related: How to back up your Android to your PC You’ll want to ensure that your device is fully charged before you begin. You’ll also need to turn on USB debugging, as well as OEM Unlocking. Open Settings on your device. If -you do not see Developer Options toward the bottom of the Settings screen on your device, follow these steps to activate them. Tap on About Phone and find the Build Number . Tap on the Build Number -seven times and the Developer Options will appear on the main page of the Settings . Tap on the Back key to see the Developer Options . Tap on Developer Options . Check to enable USB Debugging . Check to enable OEM Unlocking . Installing the Android SDK tools Some Android rooting methods require you to install ADB and Fastboot. Follow our instructions here to download and install them. Unlock your bootloader Before you get started, You will also need to unlock your bootloader. Bootloader is a program that determines which applications will run in your phone’s startup process. Unlocking your bootloader will allow you to customize your device. Manufacturers have responded to a demand for customization. Many of them have provided methods to help you unlock the bootloader on their website, though they are generally provided for developers, and they usually require you to sign up or register an account first. Motorola bootloader unlock program. HTC unlock bootloader page. Sony’s unlocking the bootloader instructions. Some manufacturers and carriers don’t allow bootloader unlocking, but you can often find a way around that with some searching (try the XDA Developers forum). Next page: How to root your Android device using Towelroot How to root your Android device with-Towelroot One of the easiest methods of rooting is through-Towelroot.-This option works on most Android devices,-(it was designed to root the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S5) but not all–specifically some Motorola and HTC devices. Unlike other rooting programs that require downloading and running a program on your computer, Towelroot will root your device by simply downloading and running the app. No computer needed. However, Towelroot will only work with devices that have a kernel bill date earlier than June 3, 2014. To use Towelroot, you’ll have to enable your device to install apps from unknown sources. This can be accessed by clicking on Settings > Security > Unknown Sources . Now you’ll be able to download apps from outside the Google Play store. Now go to Towelroot in your phone’s browser and click on the Lambda symbol. For more information, check out Gadget Hacks’ YouTube video. Next page: How to root your Android device with Kingo How to use-Kingo Android Root Kingo Root can be used on a Windows based computer or directly on your Android device using the app. First, check to see if your device is compatible with Kingo. Their site provides a list of compatible devices. Then, download-Kingo Android Root for Windows-or download the Kingo Android Root APK to install directly on your Android device. If you have selected to use the Windows software, make sure to enable the USB debugging mode on your phone. Once you’ve enabled USB debugging on your device, run the program on your PC and connect your Android to your PC with a USB cord. The program should-detect your device and a message asking if you’d like to root will appear. Select “root” and then hang tight. Kingo will only take a few minutes to grant super user privileges. If you would rather try rooting your device without a computer, then follow the instructions below: Install the Kingo Root APK (linked above). Open the Kingo Root app. You will see One Click Root -if your device is compatible. Tap on it. Be patient because it can take a while. If successful, you will see a large check mark with the words Root successfully below it. Next page: How to root using KingRoot How to root your Android device using KingRoot Just like Kingo Root, KingRoot can be used to root your device from a Windows desktop or directly on your phone or tablet using an app. With over 100,000 supported devices, there’s a good chance KingRoot will work on your Android phone or tablet. Use the links below to find out if your device is compatible. Google/Nexus HTC Huawei LG Samsung Sony ZTE You can download the Windows software here or the Android APK here.-We recommend using the Android app tool since it’s so much easier. After you have installed the APK file, just follow the instructions below: Open the KingRoot app You will see Try to Root if your device is compatible. Tap on it. Be patient because it can take a while. If successful, you will see a large check mark with the words Root successfully below it. Droid Views Next page: How to root the Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge on Android 5.1.1 Rooting the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge on Android 5.1.1 If you have a Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge running Android 5.1.1, you might have found out that the one click methods in this guide will not get the job done. This is because Google and Samsung made changes in 5.1.1 that require a modified kernel to be flashed in order to root. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one click method available, so it will take a few extra steps. This method will be successful for most Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge devices, but not the AT&T and Verizon Wireless versions. Those devices have bootloaders that are too secure to unlock. Here are the model numbers that will work with this method: Galaxy S6 –-SM-G920F, SM-G920I, Korean SM-G920S/SM-G920K/SM-G920L, T-Mobile SM-G920T, Sprint SM-G920P, US Cellular SM-G920R4, Canadian SM-G920W8 Galaxy S6 Edge –-SM-G925F, SM-G925I, Korean SM-G925S/SM-G925K/SM-G925L, T-Mobile SM-G925T, Sprint SM-G925P, Canadian SM-G925W8 These devices must be running Android 5.1.1. Do not attempt to root using this method if your device is on any other version . Make sure OEM Unlocking is enabled on your device. Open Settings . If -you do not see Developer Options towards the bottom of the Settings screen on your device, follow these steps to activate them. Tap on About Phone and find the Build Number . Tap on the Build Number -seven times and the Developer Options will appear on the main page of the Settings. Tap on the Back key to see the Developer Options . Tap on Developer Options . Check to enable OEM Unlocking . Below are simple instructions, but you should hit up Max Lee’s post for more detailed info. Power off your device. Now hold down the- Volume Down , Home , and- Power buttons together. After about 5 seconds, you will see a warning screen. Now tap the Volume Up key to put your phone in ODIN download mode. Download the appropriate root kernel from here. Download ODIN v3.10.6-from here. Download the Samsung GalaxyS6/S6Edge USB drivers from here. Connect your phone to your computer via a microUSB cable. Run the Odin software and make sure there is a COM number in the blue highlighted box. If not, then your USB drivers are not installed properly. If everything is a go, Click on AP and select the root kernel that you downloaded earlier. Click on Start . The process takes about 5 seconds. You should now see Pass at the top left. Reboot and you will now see the-SuperSU app in the app drawer. Next page: How to root Nexus devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow Rooting Nexus devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow The process for rooting Nexus devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow is similar to the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, in that you will need to flash a modified kernel in order to root. A one click method isn’t available, but we have instructions courtesy of Android Soul. You will need the Android SDK tools, which include ADB and fastboot. If you don’t already have them, please follow our instructions from here. The following instructions are for devices running build-MRA58K only. You need to download a few files before we get started. Download and install TWRP recovery for your device. Nexus 5-/ installation instructions Nexus 6-/ installation instructions Nexus 9-/ installation instructions Nexus 7 2013 (WiFi)-/ use same installation instructions as Nexus 5 Nexus 7 2013 (LTE)-/ use same installation instructions as Nexus 5 Download the appropriate custom kernel for your device. Nexus 5: ElementalX-N5-6.0-express.zip (9.2 MB) Nexus 6: Kernel-shamu-mra58k-color-root.zip (9.7 MB) Nexus 9 LTE: ElementalX-N9-4.00.zip (9.0 MB) Nexus 9 Wi-Fi: ElementalX-N9-4.00.zip (9.0 MB) Nexus 7 2013 WiFi: ElementalX-N7-5.00.zip (12 MB) Nexus 7 2013 LTE:ElementalX-N7-5.00.zip (12 MB Download the SuperSU root package. Copy the kernel and SuperSU files to your device’s storage. This can be any location, but make sure you remember it. Note: if you have a Nexus 7 or Nexus 9, you won’t be able to copy the files over until you have booted into recovery mode. See below. Power down your device. Boot your device into fastboot mode by holding the Volume Up , Volume Down , and Power buttons together. Some devices have different key combinations so check this link to make sure you have the right combination for your device. Press the Volume Down button two times till the Recovery option shows, and press the Power button to select it and boot into TWRP recovery mode. For the Nexus 7 and Nexus 9 only , you will be asked for a password once you boot into recovery mode. Just tap Cancel . Now tap on Wipe and swipe below to factory reset your device. Unfortunately, there is no way around this, so make sure everything is backed up . Once the factory reset is complete, you can now reconnect your device via the USB cable and select MTP to transfer the kernel and SuperSU files. Select Install from the TWRP recovery main menu. Navigate to the custom kernel file you downloaded earlier and use the Swipe to Confirm Flash option at the bottom of the screen to flash it to your device. Note: It’s very important that you flash the kernel before the SuperSU file. Now flash the SuperSU file the same way you flashed the kernel. Select Reboot followed by System from the TWRP recovery main menu. You will now have a rooted Nexus device running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. You should see the SuperSU app in your app drawer. Next page:-Resources you’ll need after you root Rooting forums No other mobile operating system parallels the diversity of Android OS. For this reason, there’s no universal way to root your device. If the above two options fail, don’t fret. There is likely-a guide on how to root your specific device available somewhere online.-Generally you can find a guide to your device at places like-XDA developers’ forum-or the-Phandroid Forums. Once you have found the right guide for your phone or tablet, it’s simply a case of working through the listed steps methodically. It can be a complicated procedure and it can take a while. Here’s an example guide for rooting the Samsung Galaxy S4. It can appear intimidating at first glance, but provided you follow it step-by-step, it should be a pain-free process. You can post questions in the XDA Developers forum if you run into trouble. Download Root Checker You’ll need to download another app to make sure your device has been successfully rooted. There are several apps available on the Google Play store that, when downloaded, will tell you if you have super-user-permission. Root Checker is a popular one. Simply downloading and running the app will tell you if your phone has super-user permissions. Install a root management app Rooting will make your phone more vulnerable to security threats. Installing a root management app will give you more peace of mind. Normally, every app that requires rooted privileges will ask for your approval. This is where root management apps, such as SuperSU, come in. SuperSU-lets you-allow or deny sites’ requests for super user permission. It will then keep track of the permissible apps and automatically grant permission next time you use the app. SuperSU will also keep track of how many times an app requests to root. Next page: How to unroot your Android device Unrooting your Android For all the good that is rooting, you may want to go back to the way things were. SuperSU allows you to unroot phones by simply going into the app’s settings and selecting the full unroot option. It’s a really helpful option. To root or not to root Gaining full root access to your Android device can be thrilling, especially if you want to tinker with settings and customize your device. How much it changes your experience depends largely on the device you have. If you have a shuttered device, like a Kindle Fire tablet, then it’s a great way to get the full Android experience. The potential benefits for all Android users include improved battery life, root-only apps, custom ROMs, overclocking, an end to bloatware, improved performance, and the ability to upgrade your phone when you want. If you aren’t excited at the prospect of any of these things, rooting probably isn’t for you. Related :-Best apps for rooted phones and tablets Updated on 5-06-2015 by Jeffrey Van Camp: Broke this article into a better structure and added a key to it. Added some more information about unrooting.



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