I’ve used quite a number of Android phones over the years, and more than 80% I made sure I rooted. Rooting was a major part of using an Android phone for me and a lot of enthusiasts who want to get the most out of their device. Installing custom ROMs to transform your device used to be fun, the total freedom you get with root access and those extra customizations you can mess with using Xposed Framework modules make rooting a worthwhile experience.
Lately, I’ve asked myself if it’s really worth it.
Over the past one year or so, I’ve had less urge to root my Android devices. As a matter of fact, the Android device I’m currently using is unrooted, same with the last two.
The dangers of rooting
I’ve always understood the dangers of rooting, but that wasn’t even why I stopped. Rooting your phome opens your device to potential attacks. It makes it easier for hackers to gain access to private data. Certain Android malware are specifically targeted at rooted devices, stealing passwords, contact lists, credentials and other personal information.
Like I mentioned earlier, I didn’t stop rooting my Android devices because of this.
Better customized software from OEMs
Google has made Android OS a lot better with new features added at every major update. Managing app permissions used to be a feature you could only get through custom ROMs, but this now comes with Android OS by default. OEMs too have stepped up the game, adding new features to the operating system through their different custom UIs.
Most of the features you had to root your device to get now ship with your device by default. Unlike iOS, you don’t need root access to sideload third party apps, all you need to do is to allow installation of apps from unknown sources through the settings.
And when you talk about customizations, all OEMs now have their own custom user interfaces: Samsung has Touchwiz, Huawei has EMUI, Xiaomi has MIUI and Infinix has XOS. Every manufacturer wants to be different, leaving users even more options to choose from. Some even further let you personalize your device through themes. Even power management features are no longer exclusive to custom ROMs and apps.
Conclusion
Times have changed. I am a power user but I’ve come to realize that root access is no longer necessary for my day-to-day Android use. Is it just me or there are Android users out there who no longer feel it’s necessary to root their devices?
