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How to Get Full Control of Your Android Phone

Categories   Smartphone Root and Custom Rom
Table of Contents

Have you ever wanted to get rid of bloatware on your phone or change the appearance of the User Interface?

Android. Wikipedia

Most of manufacturers of Android phones do not allow users to do these. If users “break” the rules, their warranty will be void and null. Because manufacturers consider these hidden features are dangerous and will eventually brick, or break phones. However, users should have rights to decide what they want to have on their phone instead of being forced to install unnecessary apps. “Root” means granting the highest permission of your phone, which can let you access all functions that are prohibited before. Magisk is the most popular and easiest rooting method in the world currently. The main steps of phone rooting process involves three main steps:

(1) Unlocking bootloader

(2) Installing Custom Recovery

(3) Flashing Magisk and Root Manager

Android Operating system is based on Linux which use its permission and file-system ownership. Generally, users can do things according to their user permissions, such as installing a new app, but they cannot modify system settings. While the root user, also known as super user, is able to access to any files or folders in the system. Despite Google removed the superuser function from Android OS, there are ways to bring it back.

Unlocking Bootloader
#

Unlocking bootloader allows users to install custom firmware on and root their phones. Bootloader is a program that started at computer booting which will load software to memory, then it can boot into operating system. Unfortunately, bootloader on most Android phones are locked by Original Equipment Manufacturers(OEM) to prevent users from granting root permission. Usually, OEMs like Xiaomi, Samsung, Asus will release official tools for consumers to unlock bootloader, while Sony and Huawei do not. Unlocking bootloader can be done by booting the phone into “fastboot mode” and connecting the phone to a computer. Finally, the unlocking tool will unlock bootloader automatically.

Installing Custom Recovery
#

Users can modify system settings directly by installing third-party recovery. Recovery is a program for emergency use when the phone is unable to boot into OS. The original recovery provided by OEMs has limited features: rebooting or erasing user data. Therefore, it is recommended to flash a third-party recovery. TWRP and Clockwork are two most famous custom recoveries which can install, in a more formal term, flash Magisk into the system. Besides, they both have Graphical User Interface instead of Command Lines, which is easier for users to interact with. To install custom recoveries, simply flash them via Android Driver Bridge Tool on the computer.

Flashing Magisk and Root Manager
#

A good root manager is necessary for a rooted phone. Magisk works by repacking boot.img to grant “systemless root” which means Google Safety Check will less likely to detect it. Besides, a root manager is needed. When a app is trying to grant root permission, the manager app will pop up a window which let user allow or reject its request. Therefore, users should save files in the internal storage in advanced. First, boot into recovery by pressing volume up and power button at the same time, click “install ” to flash magsik.zip into the system. Second, rebbot into the system and install Magisk manager.apk.

Conclusion
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In conclusion, the steps of granting root permission are unlocking bootloader, installing custom recovery, flashing Magisk. First, bootloader have to be unlocked to install custom recovery. Second, custom recovery is able to flash Magisk. Third, root manager is in charge of managing root permissions. It seems that some people take this as difficultly as reinstalling Windows OS, but it is recommended for those who don’t want to compromise on game rule. As Linus Torvalds, founder of Linux OS, once said

In real open source, you have the right to control your own destiny.

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