What is rooting in terms of Android OS?
Rooting is the process of removing installed security systems of the Android OS.
Operating system by default will disable certain features in order to prevent unauthorized users to prevent damage to operating system. Similarly in Android OS users are restricted to have full access to modify the advanced settings, features and performance of their smartphone. But some users will desire to have full access, which is sometimes referred as root or super level access, so in order to have root level privilege rooting should be performed. Therefore, Rooting is a process of facilitating the users of smartphone, tablets and other various devices running on Android operating system to achieve super user level privilege.
More about rooting:
Rooting is sometimes likened to jail-breaking in Apple iOS operating system, however these concepts are not totally equivalent. Jail-breaking allows the Apple iOS users to cross its limitations and facilitates to perform modifications on operating system files, installing Apple prohibited and non-approved apps through sideloading. Correspondingly, the ability to sideload apps is also allowed in Android devices but without root privilege. Only some of the Android devices lock there bootloaders and many manufacturers allows the ability to unlock there devices and even replace the entire operating system.
When compared to jailbreaking in iOS, rooting is not required when you want to download and install apps which are available outside Google Play store, which is sometimes referred as sideloading. Instead Android OS supports this feature relatively in two ways: via “Unknown sources” option and through Android Debug Bridge.
Advantages and disadvantages of rooting:
Advantages: After rooting you will have the privilege to access and modify the operating system level files. With the help of rooting you can install an app on your memory card, so by this you can skip the app to get installed in phone’s memory resulting in enhanced performance of your phone. By connecting phone to computer you can make use phone’s data to access internet in computer. You can even use Android as a Wi-Fi hotspot without paying your internet provider for this feature.
Disadvantages: Rooting may involve risks of mishandling by intruders, and sometimes it may have impact on the functionality and performance of your phone if you mess up with any operating system level files. It sometimes happen that phones which are rooted have a threat of attacked by viruses or other malwares.
