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Android is emerging as another popular mobile OS rivaling the more established platforms. Android mobile applications have seen a significant burst of android development activity having its ever-increasing scope and range. The functionality of your phone may be extended by rooting it. Let us discuss what is rooting and what are the advantages in doing this.

What exactly is Rooting?

Rooting of an Android device is similar to jail breaking of iPhone. Rooting gains you access as a super-user on the Android platform. Rooting your phone implies taking complete control of one's phone by modifying the operating system that originally shipped with it. A course called SU (switch user) when uploaded on the device provides root use of programs. SU manages this by exploiting vulnerability in the operating system code or device drivers. Needless to say, manufacturers do not approve the process of rooting. The advantages of rooting your Android device are enumerated below.

Customized Android OS

Android devices are not bound to its original OS. It is possible to customize the OS to suit your needs. The more popular devices have more customized, after-market OSes. Rooting gives you full control over Android and you can alter system files, use themes, change boot images, delete apps that you do not want. For example, HTC Desire has more than 20 customized OSes that allow among other things saving apps to an SD, adding Arabic support, and removing SenseUI completely.

Backup and restore

Rooting gives you the capability to back-up your complete device image onto an Sd card, which is often restored later if required. This allows trying out different OSes on your phone. If you wish to try a new ROM (modified, after-market OS), it is possible to back-up your phone, erase it completely, and then flash the new ROM. If you're unhappy with the new ROM, you can restore your phone to the old image from the backup.

Save your self Space

Sometimes you may reach the maximum storage limit on your device. To overcome this hitch, you need to enable most applications to become movable to an SD. Tools like CyanogenMod, the popular Android custom ROM, enable the user to transfer most apps to SD even if the Android developers of the apps never have enabled this feature.

Apps Requiring Rooting

Some Android apps specifically require rooting. Android Rooting and Firmware Updates A tool like ROM Manager requires rooting to flash ROMs from SD card to your phone. Similarly, setCPU is yet another root-requiring app that enables you to under/overclock these devices Caution

Make sure that you follow the directions carefully when rooting a branded or locked device. Improper execution may cause a bricked phone - a bricked phone is one where the firmware is damaged or even a computer software error has occurred rendering the unit unusable in any capacity. Sometimes, the phone may be usable through a ROM flash.