What is root - Gary Explains

Read more: goo.gl/UdPo71
You may have heard of the term “rooting your phone” and you may have seen that some apps on the Google Play Store require “Root” access to work. But what is root? What is “rooting” you phone and why would you do it? Let’s find out!
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[@Pravardhanreddy]

Without this guy android authority shouldn't be called what it is.

[@BeastyCatXYZ]

truuuuuuueee

[@ruben79nyc]

Agree!

[@broswirski4513]

Basically, Gary is root!

[@GarySims]

+Bro Swirski LOL :-)

[@thanumoorthy]

Exactly!

[@electron7659]

"I am......ROOT!!!"

[@anuragk6722]

He should be called Prof.Gary, without him AA is incomplete. :)

[@rahiedkhan392]

Lol... But agreed.

[@JacobMcSwainDev]

You should do a video about custom ROMs

[@lazyvideogameman]

tru

[@HEROHODA5000]

yup i agree with that

[@xjtxdonotpanic]

u mean for psp? coz i know of

[@JacobMcSwainDev]

No xJTxDOnot PaNiC​ for Android.

[@xjtxdonotpanic]

so u can play psp games on android right?

[@garypickrelliv2735]

really digging this new "Gary explains" series. I wonder why...

[@GarySims]

+Gary Pickrell IV Garys of the world unite!

[@funbucket09]

He is a pretty good root to be honest. He loves a root too :D

[@darkforceguitar]

I love Gary this guy knows what he talks about, and teaches you in simple terms. Good job AA you hired a great computer scientist

[@garypickrelliv2735]

Thanks for the compliment, so much love.😊😊

[@darkforceguitar]

Gary Pickrell IV lol

[@PixelPickaxe]

+Juanito Sanchez did you mean "You're Welcome."?

[@caio6841]

Gary always bringing technical knowledge to us. Thank you, not because you gave a brief explanation of what Root is to everyone, but to encourage (maybe) regular users to learn more before doing things. Very nice Gary, you sure gained my thumbs up. Say hello to Brazil :D

[@Therealpuly69]

i like the black and white saying of either you are a user or a super user....way to go, Gary!!!!

[@GCeara-mh5it]

"Either you are a user, or a superuser". That slogan would go great, on a pack of condoms, or a drug dealer's way of saying "Hello" to his customers.

[@Matt_Duke]

i use root since the old days of my galaxy ace back 2012 and I never regretted it for a second. The world of cm and xposed is just to good to pass up

[@mohamadanas6203]

it is safe to install xposed??. I'm very scare to install it. I heard the chance that i will bricked my phone is high. I want to use greenify with xposed..

[@Matt_Duke]

it's true there's chance it could brick it but very unlikely if do everything acoring to procedure it realy shoud not brick your device and even if it does it's not hard to fix it

[@tomilohtander1669]

Propably the smartest person from android authority. Gary, you da real MVP

[@minecraftgaming99RZ]

mabey the only smart person

[@ruckus_rex]

wow super informative. Being a new samsung user, new to android as well, (die hard apple fan here just thought i should give android a chance ) i always wondered why rooting trips knox, thus rendering mobile pay useless. This video helped me understand the sensitivity of that information. using Samsung Pay I would definitely not want my banking information comprised by 3rd party apps or anyone at that. of course not everyone gets hacked but we aren't immune to it either and rooting creates this sort of back door to possibly malicious people/developers. It just gives us another reason to be careful about these privileges. thanks for the awesome video!

[@hristo.bogdanov]

I personally have stopped rooting my phones. My last two phones where LG G3 and V10 respectively and I'm able to use them they way I need to even if they are not rooted. Good job LG!

[@WiggysanWiggysan]

Good information Gary. Many thanks.

[@anuraghunny]

yoo

[@garypickrelliv2735]

youre welcome

[@forhadrh]

Thanks for clearing out all the rooting method

[@ThatSilentGuy]

I thought root user is indicated by a # instead of $ in command line

[@fuzz33594]

Gary - nice overview. I am of the pro-root opinion. The first phone I rooted was the Note2 , which I rooted to gain multi-window access for all apps - not just the ones Samsung thought I should use. The ability to gain root access is a go/no go for me to consider purchasing a phone. I'm on AT&T, so the GN2 was the last Samsung phone I purchased - even though I like Samsung's hardware. Went to M8, OPO, and Nexus 6 largely because of ease of root (OK, the M8 was a bit of a pain to root & S-off, but at least HTC was cooperative in unlocking bootloader.) Of course, one needs to read, watch videos, and take care when rooting, but I enjoy the freedom I gain with root.

[@ultimategohan1551]

Dick B. exactly when it comes it comes to ease of root nothing beats the Oneplus decice and Google one

[@funbucket09]

Personally, when I am chasing a root. A love a challenge. A good root will never come easy. The easy roots.

[@jakubmarincic7543]

Your work is great. You deserve definitely more views...

[@violetsickness7315]

You explained this very well. Good work Gary.

[@Morzanhu]

If you have a root manager (like SuperSU) then it patches the vulnerabilities to get root access, so if you root your device will be safer.

[@mohamadanas6203]

and install antivirus as it is very effective to increase the security..i have two warning from antivirus that tell the apps have malware..i use Cm security with heuristic engine turn on..

[@mr.mxyzptlk6233]

One of the best segments

[@paneesh]

With this channel and Gary's narration, my weekend is complete!

[@richardpells8489]

Great video and very accessible! I've been rooting phones for years, but have never really understood the process as well as I do now. Thanks!

[@mikestoxx]

Hey buddy you are doing a great job! When I see something saying Harry explains I know I will watch and enjoy and learn something. Keep working! You the best!

[@GarySims]

+Miguel Ciobanu Yeah, good old Harry, I love his videos!!! :-)

[@mikestoxx]

+Gary Sims hahaha you know what I mean. Gary! XD

[@LifeWulf]

Huh, and for years I thought "su" stood for *super*user.

[@GarySims]

+LifeWulf I think that "superuser do" is also an accepted interpretation because some people call the"su" command the superuser as well.

[@lauriekimani]

switch user

[@barryjohnson2756]

What about root in ubuntu touch ?

[@srajeshtuladhar2416]

thanks gary you really keep us informed about our curiosity

[@davidsisky120]

Thank you, Gary ... I really appreciate your explanations ...!

[@fanjapanischermusik]

whoami youtube whatcaniwatch?

[@brada3296]

So deep, yet powerful

[@GreatItami98]

Donald Trump

[@sinner272]

Dan and Phil's close friendship

[@tibbsullah4907]

Yourself

[@prakhar9473]

TheresNothingInHereGoToPornHub!

[@albachlyne2991]

only Gary can crack his voice on a video and still be respected

[@Illuminous_]

personally for what i want to do im on the: "not to root" side.. I'll find another way as it does sound dangerous and im not experienced

[@bigbadalphawolf9330]

Great video, I enjoy learning about the topics.

[@QuickCookOats]

Your videos are the best Gary!

[@satheeshwaranJ]

Gary is the CS teacher all of us wished we had in our college.

[@1969kgd]

Wow. Great information, well put and understandable. I had root on my last 2 phones, however, I've decided not to root this one. S6EDGE+. Its actually not needing anything changed that I would need. Kinda like the slimmed down tw. Have changed all. My passwords with LastPass now though. Maybe been compromised with previous phones. Better safe than sorry. Thanks Gary.

[@assassinfps]

Awsome Explanation...

[@DivergentDroid]

I cant root my phone, OEM has bootloader locked, so your saying I can install the LineageOS onto my phone to get Root when it's Not Rooted already?

[@streetsking1]

man this made me really think about keeping my devices rooted especially rooted through apps like kingoroot and others

[@xceeder]

there is an app in the playstore called SuperSUme which once rooted with kingroot it will remove kingroot and replace the su binaries with SuperSU instead which in my opinion is much much safer , just don't give root to apps that you don't know much about...

[@streetsking1]

thanks

[@avi_mukesh]

Nice as always Gary. Could you please make a video explaining threads and processes?

[@GarySims]

+Tech A.M I like that idea... let me see what I can do!

[@jasonvonnieda753]

Hello Gary, Just watched your video "what is root?" Just a few questions. Along with the comment you made about servers collecting data from the phone, what about an encrypted device? Would this be the way to go? I have read in our Cybersecurity and forensics courses that it is possible to root a phone for one-time access. If Access is needed again, then the phone could be rooted again without system damage. Is this true? If this possible what about disabling WIFI on the device? Therefore, no information could be sent to servers around the world. I am thinking it would be the same thing as Doing a malware Analysis on a Virtual machine using a host only network (VMware). What say you? Thanks :) P.s. Keep up the great work. You are AWESOME!

[@urielemmanuelpelaezhernandez39]

Which is the standard shell for Android user, is it available for everyone?

[@Mostofaovi]

thanks a lot i regularly watch your video particularly.

[@levilevi2561]

TRYING TO LEARN THE BASH TERMINAL, AND MY WAY AROUND THE FILE SYSTEM AND NIT GETTING VERY FAR, OR SO IT SEEMS S

[@nguyenhgcuong]

may be Google could create a su/sudo feature for Android, so users can do certain useful tasks which requires root access, such as uninstalling non stock built-in apps

[@liranpiade4499]

It already exists via Linux. If you're talking about a hidden "enable root privileges" setting, then yes, I agree. I'd love to see that, properly hidden so that nobody turns it on without knowing what it entails.

[@venkateshlp6489]

Is it possible to avoid warranty risks even after rooting

[@markusTegelane]

For those who don't know, Windows has a SYSTEM account

[@arcadia3907]

im rly if im wrong but im pretty sharp when it comes down to these thing i think ur camera focus is ever so slightly off focus and kinda auto focus every now and then

[@75ur15]

This game you might write, correct me if I’m wrong but wouldn’t it get automatic root access on a rooted phone, if another app (root manager) hadn’t been installed

[@Sebastian4216663]

I had no idea how the FBI VS Apple battle was proceeding. Great video!

[@adidasP4]

The fbi found and are now using a company in Israel to unlock the iPhone

[@Sebastian4216663]

Adidasp4 Yeah, have they been successful?

[@adidasP4]

+Sebastian Arturo Araya Carvajal no news yet, www.rt.com/usa/336948-fbi-israel-crack-iphone/

[@Sebastian4216663]

Adidasp4 Thanks!

[@SnyderGuyNomz]

Gary's changed quite a bit the past few years

[@thogameskanaal]

Pretty good video! Next time I type in sudo, I'll consider that a second time.

[@flansillon4586]

thanks very informative this was useful :)

[@Rothkeen]

Thanks for the video. Please make more like this Gary. :)

[@tomswan3401]

in computer science trees grow with the root on top and the branches downwards. in woods opposite.

[@zadeoooo]

Moving from a rooted g2 with a custom ROM to a g5 with no way so far to root is such a hard transition, at least the g2 still has several roms being updated all the time

[@niaei]

su is NOT a command to gain access to just root privileges. With su you can access to all kind of account privileges.(As long as you know the password of the account in question or you're root.)

[@alizogheb3419]

you are awesome man, i really like your videos.

[@deepkhamaru]

I think a guy with root access does know to not give that access to just a random game to "improve perofrmance". Love your vids

[@notanerd07]

Where is Josh?? Its been sometime didnt see him in any of the videos.

[@yacineabdel2]

Gary=garage of android, nice explanation

[@clearwood]

Thank you, very informative.

[@kenshinyamato3233]

I seriously want to root my phone but in pc detection the pc see my smart phone connection is in portable device even i remove the sd card still portable and i asked the service for this phone that is already off warranty neither valid they say the phone got strict secure system in it. I feel no idea about it so i need confirm

[@sharon4812]

why dont windows os work in android phone?or vice versa?

[@poorkidafrica8802]

Gary is rooting device safe? after rooting u are more prone to virus and encryption is low ?

[@RichfilmsRL]

Thank you, much appreciated info...

[@adhirakanaya2223]

at first i read the tittle " WHAT IS GROOT" LOL

[@adamjones4951]

can you do a video of the benefits and draw backs of android encryption please

[@jenniferalmon4793]

Do you know how to recover pictures after a factory resit without using root?

[@michaelanthonyabenales]

hi gary, when should i root my phone?

[@Sambo564]

Thank you Garry

[@dilbwagsingh]

Is it good to root my phone just because i want to flash a custom rom or a newer version of android??

[@PieroUlloa]

I still wonder, where's the # for a root shell on the video?

[@Chris-p4u]

Great video. Thanks!

[@PraveenKumar-wr7mv]

can any one help me i just downloaded kingroot pc edition and connected my device my device showed " download and install package 'i conformed it now it just stuck at that same page and i cant go to recovery mode too

[@coreywright8818]

Please let me know the best way to root my Galaxy A20, 3 months old, straight talk is the carrier

[@alanvelazquezespinosa750]

Please explain more about VPN addresses, how they protect, and encrypt data

[@Casual_spectator]

The reality is that rooting a low end or old device it does boost its performance or capabilities dramatically! (I never have sensitive information on the old devices i rooted.) The thing is, honestly speaking even for a power user as myself, i cant find any reason to root my flex 2. So as of 2016 anyone that got a decent phone there is no need to root anymore. Only exception is to root just because you can..(or you want that titanium backup that badly:D).

[@coolboy300gaming5]

So basicly when you root your phone you can do anything?

[@vikashmaharana]

I need that.nice job

[@heedoabulaban]

So root is the same as jailbreak?

[@aldrinmartir3246]

why my super su didn't run? I need to update but I have an already updated app super su!!

[@JatinMadan3998]

if you still don't get it - it's an advanced, much advanced version of what windows administrator mode does !!

[@Cookie__XD]

I am a root user (but not only root, also Xposed framework) and I installed it with the 4th way. I flashed a custom recovery via a usb cord over the pc via a bootloader from the manufacturer (SPflashtool). With this custom recovery I was able to flash the root binaries. The funny thing about it, is that I used nearly the same technique (boot the system of an nintendo ds flash card using an manufacturer method) in order to to install an otf patcher (called cfw although it is not) to my nintendo 3ds. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custom_firmware#Nintendo_3DS) It gains me "root access" so full access to everything on the device. What a funny coincidence!

[@hitardo]

I am in favour of root, but only if you know the risks. And knowing the risks means not relying on your phone to do important and secret tasks, like you companies emails or accessing your bank account. I think the root and unlocking the bootloader should be easier, in the way you should be able to do it by accessing USB debugging, for example, but not out-of-the-box. This will keep non-experience users away from this, but it will allow more users to make what they want out of their phones.

[@hitardo]

+GamingBoss that is not the point. Maybe I was not clear. The point is: balancing the power to advanced users, while keeping those unexperienced users out. I think OEMs - and Google - should give easy bootloader unlocking and root access - through a computer terminal, for example - that can help the users chooser their OS and customize as they like. But, at the same time, not allowing a user with few touches on the screen to gain access. Users like my mother, my aunt or my girlfriend, who sometimes click on some things they should not. A method that requires intention, like connecting to a PC and downloading a specific tool and run a command. This would keep out of the root those who do not want it, do not know it or are not careful; while at the same time allowing people who want it to do it.

[@liranpiade4499]

I don't think it should require a PC. I think it should require unlocking Development settings, and then still be hidden.

[@cwash08]

Lol I may be nitpicking at the beginning, but doesn't a user have a $ at the prompt and superuser has # at the prompt?

[@GarySims]

+Christopher Pagan I agree that traditionally # is used for root, but you can also define the prompt however you want, which is what I did!

[@funbucket09]

I rooted my phone last week. If you are going to do this be VERY careful. I do not recommend it 2/10. I am still trying to clean the spoof off of the camera lens and speaker grills :(. If you must ROOT your phone I would finish somewhere else

[@vladpiero9216]

Hello, I just installed Kingroot (a friend recommended it to me)...so my phone is rooted now... But since I am not very tech savvy, I am unsure as to what to do now to that I have root access... I'm kind of like...so now what and what was the point??? :-/ Any advice???

[@servantofallah1612]

thanks you for the info man

[@user-ck9gs8rf9n]

Does anybody know how can i reduce the screen resolution in Xiaomi Redmi note 5?I am talking about the phone with the Snapdragon 636 with the AI camera,and the resolution that you get right out of rhe box,2160x1080,i would like to have 1280x720,in order to inxrease battery life.

[@richardwayoe9139]

Gary Sims, you da real MVP 👊☝✊

[@ElbadriEgyption]

I liked the video for the simplicity and clarity but i got a tiny info to add. Su was born as super user and was just used to use bash as root same was for sudo which is super user do that allowed people to execute certain commands as root without the necessity of an active root shell. An feature is introduced then to let you use both of them to substitute the user but the name for legacy should be super user or super user do.

[@ElbadriEgyption]

A* feature.. :@ SwiftKey fuckin auto correct

[@GarySims]

+Ahmad Elbadri Hmmm, I don't think you are right... Here is the man page for Ultrix 4.2 (circa 1990) and it clearly talks about substitute user... www.unix.com/man-page/ultrix/1/su/

[@ElbadriEgyption]

+Gary Sims i was reading Wikipedia last week and that was my source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudo Check it out

[@GarySims]

Ahmad Elbadri OK, so I have done some more research, it looks like this: su has always meant "substitute user." Sudo seems to have meant superuser do to start and then substitute user do later. I have read the source code for sudo version 1.1 circa 1991 (cis-linux1.temple.edu/~giorgio/cis307/software/sa-book/sudo/sudo.c) and it doesn't specifically mention "superuser" or "substitute user." And here ends the history lesson! :-)

[@ElbadriEgyption]

+Gary Sims sudo service history stop

[@ThistleBlue]

WhoAmI? NoneofYourBusiness! WhatCanIDo? ChristmasTree!!

[@kamalakrsna]

Hi Gary - I have a Smsng Tab4 edge I want to root so I can erase a bunch of junk. I am in Berkeley CA - if I can find/pay someone 2 do that 4 mee... Should I NEVER EVER use my Tab4 to do banking or shopping etc? Is there any sort of firewall That I could install to protect data in a rooted cellphone? @ about 7minutes in2 this vid u mention the first method & say: " its easy" ... can u say where I could read the step by step procedure 4 my Tab4 cellphone? My Idea is: find an expert & pay 2 have it done... I don't know... 50$ ??? is that a good price 2 have it done ??? & or what method do u say? I see in KZbin a few things mentioned: "ODIN" ??? "KINGROOT" ??? I am not competent 2 du it myself. HOWEVER- I do like the idea of deleting junk & "changing things" in my phone.

[@taeeat12]

Get an iPad. I think you'd like an iPad.

[@nicholascurran1734]

How does one detect when root has been granted to a third party, and if granted, how can those privileges be revoked?

[@_.singhsahab._]

Informative.. Loved the video :)

[@giftedpounds6826]

Hello I love to follow all your teaching I want to know about the internet I want to be your student

[@frenkshyzza659]

Hello! I serched up root on youtube and found this video. I hava a problem. I installed an emulator to play a certain game on pc and it says I need to remove Root authorty and I don't know what that means. Pls help

[@kenshinyamato3233]

Your emulator in pc is rooted lol

[@yourjoe8897]

is chameleon a root app?

[@kentvun]

what us kernal and flashing, i encounter this term in rooting my device. can you explain?

[@GarySims]

+kent vun What is a kernel is my next video!!! :-)

[@longsss]

A question here. Will flashing cyanogenmod actually reduce the photo or video quality compared to my stock LG camera with stock LG software?

[@najeemorais]

+Yu Lee no..those things are embedded in the camera module itself..certain things like manual mode will be lost but the picture quality wont be hampered that much

[@longsss]

+Najeé Morais what about the processing? Since it is a change in software, the way cyanogenmod process the photos and video is different from the way LG process, right?

[@najeemorais]

+Yu Lee yes...but cyanogenmod is like pure android so expect processing to be the same as a nexus

[@particularlypythonic]

The video style is very good much like that of computerphile