How to Root Your Android Phone

Rooting your phone is easier than you might think

By
Molly McLaughlin
Molly McLaughlin
Molly McLaughlin
Senior Editor & Content Strategist
    Molly K. McLaughlin has been a technology editor and writer for over a dozen years. She runs product reviews for Lifewire, overseeing the process from hands-on testing to publishing.
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    Updated on July 3, 2022
    Reviewed by
    Michael Barton Heine Jr
    Michael Heine headshot
    Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr
      Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries.
      lifewire's editorial guidelines
      Android

      What to Know

      • Back up your phone and select an APK or custom ROM. The process will differ depending on the tool you use.
      • In general, unlock the bootloader, install the APK or ROM, and download a root checker and root management app.
      • Risks are minimal but include voiding your warranty, losing access to specific apps, or killing your phone (unlikely).

      This article explains how to root your Android smartphone to gain more control and customization options. We'll also explore the risks of rooting your phone. Instructions cover Android phones from all manufacturers.

      Back up Your Phone

      If 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 in case something goes wrong, or if you change your mind. (You can reverse rooting.) You can back up your Android device in a few ways, using Google's tools or third-party apps.

      Backup and Restore screen on Samsung Galaxy S9

      Choose an APK or Custom ROM

      Next, you'll need to choose an APK (Android application package) or custom ROM (an alternate version of Android.) Since Android is open-source, developers can create modified versions, and there are many, many versions out there. An APK is used to distribute and install software on your device. Rooting programs include Towelroot and KingoRoot: check which one is compatible with your device.

      KingoRoot website

      After you root your phone, you can stop there, or choose to install a custom ROM, which will offer even more features. The most popular custom ROM is LineageOS (formerly CyanogenMod), which was built into the OnePlus One Android phone. Other well-liked ROMs include Paranoid Android and AOKP (Android Open Kang Project). A comprehensive chart with descriptions of custom ROMs is available online. 

      LineageOS Android webpage

      Root Your Phone

      Depending 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 on rooting specific phone models, but here's an overview of the process.

      Unlock the Bootloader

      The bootloader controls which applications are running when you boot up your phone: unlocking it gives YOU this control.

      Install an APK or Custom ROM

      The APK enables you to install software on your device, the most common being Towelroot and Kingo. Custom ROMs are alternative operating systems that share features with stock Android but offer different interfaces and more functionality. The most popular are LineageOS (formerly CyanogenMod) and Paranoid Android, but there are a lot more out there.

      Download a Root Checker

      If you use an APK instead of a custom ROM, you may want to download an app that will verify that you rooted your phone successfully.

      Install a Root Management App

      A management app will protect your rooted phone from security vulnerabilities and prevent apps from accessing private information.

      The Benefits and Risks

      There are more pros than cons to rooting your Android phone. It means you have complete control over your phone so that you can view and modify all settings and access 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.

      Risks are minimal but include voiding your warranty, losing access to specific apps or killing your phone altogether, though the latter is unlikely. It's essential to weigh these risks against the features you could gain by rooting. If you take the right precautions, you shouldn't run into problems.

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