How to root Android

Rooting is the Android equivalent of jailbreaking, a means of unlocking the operating system so you can install unapproved apps, deleted unwanted bloatware, update the OS, replace the firmware, overclock (or underclock) the processor, customize anything and so on.

Of course, for the average user, this sounds like — and can be — a scary process. After all, “rooting” around in your smartphone’s core software might seem like a recipe for disaster. One wrong move and you could end up with bricked handset.

Thankfully, there’s a utility that makes rooting a one-click affair: KingoRoot. It’s free and it works — though not with all devices.

I originally tested Kingo on a Virgin Mobile Supreme and Asus Nexus 7; the process proved quick and easy. More recently, I used it to root a OnePlus One, and this time it was even easier — because an app did all the work.

However, I couldn’t get the utility to work on a Verizon Samsung,Mi . Your mileage may vary, of course, and I definitely recommend checking the compatibility list before proceeding. (Even if your device isn’t on it, the utility may work with it.) Here’s how to get started.

The app version

The easiest way to use KingoRoot is to install the app version, which literally performs the root process with just one tap.

In fact, the only complicated part is actually getting that app onto your Android device. That’s because it’s not available in the Google Play Store; instead, you must download the KingoRoot APK and manually install it.

Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNET

Ideally, you’ll just point your device’s mobile to the KingoRoot Android page and download it directly. If that doesn’t work for some reason, or you’re working from your PC, download the APK and email it to yourself as an attachment. Then, on your device, open that e-mail and download that attachment.

To install it, however, you’ll need to make sure your device is set to allow apps from unknown sources. In most versions of Android, that goes like this: Head to Settings, tap Security, scroll down to Unknown Sources and toggle the switch to the on position.

Now you can install KingoRoot. Then run the app, tap One Click Root, and cross your fingers. If all goes well, your device should be rooted within about 60 seconds. (On my aforementioned Galaxy S6, the process made it to 90 percent, then the phone crashed and rebooted. Luckily, no harm done.)

How to Boot Android Phone into Recovery Mode

Part 1. Boot into Recovery Mode on your Android Device

Getting into Recovery Mode on Android smartphones from different brands might be slightly different. In the following article, we will take several popular brands of Android devices and show you how to enter the Recovery Mode in detail.

Section 1 Boot Samsung Galaxy into Recovery Mode

a For Galaxy S8/S7/S6/S5 or other Samsung devices, you should firstly turn the phone off by holding down the Power key and select “Power off” option.

Then keep pressing and holding Power Key, Volume+ and Home button at the same time until you see the Samsung logo. Now, you can select the recovery mode option by using the Volume keys to highlight and the Power key to confirm.

Section 2 Get into Recovery Mode on LG

For the LG G6, G5, G4, V10, V20 and other LG phones, you can get it into recovery mode by following the guide below:

1. To start with, get your LG power off.
2. Press and hold the Power key and Volume- button simultaneously.
3. When the LG logo appears, release the keys. Then, immediately press the Power and Volume- button again until the Hard Reset menu displays.
4. Once the menu showed, use Volume keys to highlight an option and press Power button to confirm hard reset. Now, your LG is in the Recovery Mode.

Section 3 Enter Recovery Mode on HTC

1. Go to “Settings > Battery” on your HTC and uncheck the option that says FASTBOOT.
2. Power off the smartphone and wait for about 5 seconds until it completely switches off.
3. Then, press and hold Volume- button and press the Power key.
4. When you can see the new menu appears on the screen, release the keys. Use the Volume down button to navigate to the options in Bootloader Mode, and confirm “Recovery” option with Power button. In this way, you can get into Recovery Mode.

Section 4 Enter Recovery Mode on Google Nexus

1. If your smartphone is on, turn it off.
2. Press and hold the Volume- and Power key buttons, and you’ll see the word “Start” at the top of the screen.
3. Press the Volume- button twice to highlight “Recovery”. Press the Power button to start Recovery mode.
4. The white Google logo will pop up. Please continue to press and hold the Power key and the Volume up key for around three seconds, and then let go of the Volume up key, but keep pressing Power.
5. Use the Volume keys to highlight the options and the Power key to select the one you want.

Note: Different Android devices have different key combines to enter bootloader or fastboot mode. Generally, holding “Volume down” key/”Volume up” key and “Power” key together works for most Android phones. If it doesn’t help, you may need to search for other methods in Google.