As a tech writer focused on privacy and security, people often ask me whether they should root their Android device. A few years ago, I would have said go for it! These days, however, I generally advise against it for average users.
Through testing over 100 phones, custom firmware and mods myself since 2014, my perspective has evolved a lot on this issue. In certain cases, rooting can still be rewarding for technical folks. But most consumers are better off avoiding the downsides and pitfalls in 2022.
Let me walk through 10 compelling reasons regular phone owners should think twice when it comes to root access these days:
You Probably Don‘t Need The Benefits Like You Once Did
Historically, users rooted to get more control, customization and capabilities Google didn‘t yet provide in stock Android. However, the core OS capabilities have expanded dramatically – you can already:
- Customize looks via launchers
- Enhance privacy controls
- Sideload APKs for niche apps
- Cast to multiple TVs already
- No need for flash storage mods nowadays
- Limit background process battery drain
With the maturation of Android, root benefits have diminished while downside risks only intensified for most. Google‘s ecosystem also offers a cohesive experience hard to replicate via custom ROMs.
In fact, attempts by Samsung, Xiaomi and others to deeply modify Android has led to worse UX historically. Even as an enthusiast, I find it hard to recommend typical users tinker under the hood today when stock Android already provides iOS-rivaling capabilities.
Expect Void Warranties & Lack Of Official Support
Rooting your device essentially voids any manufacturer warranty since you tamper with system-level software they don‘t permit modifying. So if you run into hardware defects or performance issues later, don‘t expect any support. For people investing $800+ on a phone they expect to rely on daily for 3 years, losing your warranty is a big downside.
Research across consumer surveys shows software and hardware reliability is a top priority behind only battery life and camera quality when buying mobile devices. If anything goes wrong following unofficial modifications, you also cannot expect help from Google, Samsung etc. to restore or repair your device.
You are entirely on your own – which brings us to the next major risk factor…
One Mistake Can Brick Your Phone Permanently
Achieving root access is still pretty complex, with methods differing across smartphone models and Android OS versions. Making one misstep – maybe flashing an incompatible recovery image or kernel – can brick your device permanently. Then you‘re left with an expensive paperweight!
I‘ve seen this happen repeatedly among friends who do not have in-depth technical expertise but got tempted to dabble in root mods. With access to partitions and drivers beyond what Android expects modified, things can go bad fast. And this risk of involuntary brick has only intensified with devices launching more security measures.
Unlike a Windows PC, you cannot simply hit "reset" easily on Android phones. That‘s why unless you have the technical chops to unlock bootloaders without issues, and potentially recover bricked devices, rooting carries major risk of total failure.
You Will Lose Key Security & Privacy Protections
Android phones have many security hardening protections in place with monthly updates focused on this area. However, rooting weakens various default mitigations – you are opening up attack surface area for malware and intrusions at the kernel level of your device. Apps you then install also get more permissions to access sensitive data.
Without security services enforced by your phone‘s maker too, threat detection & containment weakens greatly. Things malware can achieve on rooted devices includes:
- Capture banking/social login details
- Access contacts list & messages
- Steal photos before encryption
- Leverage phone sensors for surveillance
- Mine cryptocurrency using system resources
- Launch attacks on other local networks & devices
Major brands like Google Pay that handle financial data also gets blocked from rooted devices. And encrypting personal data proves less reliable once the OS itself is compromised.
So unless you are willing to take on the responsibility as your own mobile endpoint cybersecurity manager, and comfortable lacking protections most consumers rely on, rooting heightens risk significantly.
And that‘s before considering custom ROM code auditing…
Custom Firmwares Often Lack Pen-Testing & patches
While Android Open Source Project (AOSP) builds have many contributors testing and reporting issues proactively, custom ROM code bases are not always pen-tested for defects and exploits before release.
Developers do their best adding awesome features on top of AOSP, but rarely have resources to audit every parameter which apps and services can access. This leads to more vulnerable devices over time, even setting aside malware concerns.
When higher-risk vulnerabilities like Janus and Dirty COW emerged in Android historically, the official patching process took months before reaching most user devices. What if similar issues exist in your ROM code? Do you want to risk finding out yourself?
While custom ROMs can bring awesome new capabilities, their security is a wildcard compared to stock firmware receiving ongoing backing. When support also lacks for encrypted device backups in many cases, it further disincentivizes adoption among non-experts these days.
Updating Gets More Challenging Long-Term
Android phones receive regular over-the-air (OTA) updates containing vital security patches, bug fixes and new features from Google/device makers. However, rooted devices stop qualifying for these updates – logging changes would overwrite any custom firmware flashed.
While custom ROMs also aim to provide updates, they often lag months behind OTA releases. This leaves users stuck managing updates entirely themselves – a time sink most people simply want to avoid.
Worse yet, some mods result in updates failing to install cleanly even for advanced folks. With many exploits targeting older unpatched Android builds too, foregoing official updates represents massive security & feature downgrade over your phone‘s lifespan.
Bugs & Stability Issues Are Commonplace
With the ability to modify everything comes greater responsibility. Rooted devices often suffer stability issues like random reboots or app crashes due to conflicts introduced between custom software and Android expectations. What testing budget exists cannot catch all scenarios among ROM developers.
Take the simple act of Bluetooth audio streaming to headphones. Custom kernels lacking proprietary drivers and optimizations can ruin this experience with lag, distortions or choppy output. Just one of dozen common headaches.
While hassles will frustrate technical users, the average person wants gadgets that "just work" stably day-to-day. Custom ROMs often cannot deliver that due to modification complexity where your device relies on. The appeal is not what it once was for good reason.
You Can Lose Vital Phone Functionality Permanently
At times, achieving root requires unlocking your bootloader, which can wipe device data. If backups fail, this alone presents massive hassle and risk many consumers want to avoid. However, issues run deeper in some cases.
Flashing modded firmware has potential to damage functionality most users rely on daily. Your phone‘s IMEI allowing cellular connectivity may get corrupted. Hardware DRM needed for Netflix could fail leaving video streaming broken. Safety-critical sensors like GPS or heartbeat monitoring could glitch. The list goes on.
While researching some niche custom ROM options for my Pixel, I noticed LTE bands getting disabled, rendering mobile data useless. As you can imagine, this would devastate normal folks who rely on stable connectivity for work and life. Many mods end up introducing such compromises unjustifiable for the mainstream.
Google Apps & Services Often Lack Proper Support
Achieving root access typically involves fully replacing your phone‘s stock firmware. However, custom ROMs without Google‘s proprietary services and apps preloaded can complicate access to key functionality:
- Adding your Google account & syncing data requires manual APK sideloading
- Play Store access may never be restored limiting apps & media you can install
- Losing device certification means critical apps like Google Pay wallet payments stops functioning
- Safety services like Find My Device and Google Play Protect also cease operating
- Sideloaded work apps depending on Play Services will lack backend connectivity
While open source alternatives exist in some cases, most consumers rely on Google connectivity daily. Losing this out-of-box ecosystem convenience and cohesion is a non-starter, even for folks willing to tinker on their smartphone regularly.
Most Users Lack Skills To Revert Safely After Issues Arise
Advanced modders may be able to contained issues introduced by rooting as they are comfortable operating outside standard software paradigms. However, this knowledge remains rare even among broader tech enthusiasts.
Fact is most everyday users cannot cleanly revert phones back 100% to stable stock condition once modifications cause problems. Being left with half-working frankenstein devices will frustrate anyone. And without warranty or official support channels, options become very limited.
Ultimately if you are not someone experienced handling bootloader unlocks, custom recoveries, ADB/Fastboot and reflashing firmware from scratch, achieving root is too big of an investment risk from my experience.
The process is easier said that done. And likelihood of wanting to revert later remains high if you are not an enthusiast who enjoys tinkering as a hobby already.
So in summary – I still believe tastefully modding Android can be great fun for geeky folks. But for average users wanting maximum reliability? Root access in 2022 carries more downsides than potential upsides in most cases. I cannot recommend it universally as I may have a decade ago before becoming a more informed power user over time.
What has your experience been with rooting Android phones? I‘m curious to hear other perspectives – please share in the comments!
