What is Root/Rooting?

For the newbies out there, let me start at the beginning. Rooting/getting root/obtaining root priviliges (however you want to put it) is modifying the operating system on your handset to give you FULL CONTROL over it. Those of you coming from the dreaded (and somewhat douchey) iPhone, will be familiar with the term ‘jailbreaking’. Well... jailbreaking is pretty much rooting.

Rooting allows you to break free of the (often needless) limitations placed upon your phone by its manufacturer, or the supplying network provider (carrier).  Furthermore, rooting allows the installation of custom ROMs (community made operating systems), custom recovery images (that offer additional functionality such as ROM backups and restores), and many more features.

Whilst I’m on the subject, I’d like to take a moment to dispel a common misconception and clarify one important point:

Rooting does not mean installing a custom ROM

Installing a ROM typically requires root access, but rooting itself is often a simple process, taking only a couple of minutes.  

FYA features rooting guides for each and every Android handset on the market.