[2024 4 Ways] How to Check If Phone Is Rooted

Android OS imposes a lot of limitations on the users for security purposes. These limitations are perfect for a general user, but an advanced user wants to break free of these limitations to explore the unexplored. That is when they root their device to install third-party apps and tweak settings that are generally restricted.

However, rooting a device makes it vulnerable to security attacks. Moreover, the warranty of the smartphone becomes null and void. Even some phone manufacturers stop sending OS updates and security patches to a rooted device. There are some smartphones that come rooted directly from the manufacturer. Besides, when you are buying a second-hand smartphone, you should always check if the phone is rooted.

In this article, we will illustrate how to know if your phone is rooted. If it is rooted, we will recommend you to install ClevGuard Anti-Spyware for complete real-time protection.

• 1. 4 Ways to Check If Phone Is Rooted
• 2. The Pros and Cons of Rooting Phone
• 3. How Protect Your Phone After Rooting?
• 4. How to Unroot Your Phone?

4 Ways to Check If Phone Is Rooted

Use any of the following ways to find out if your phone is rooted.

1. Check Through Settings

Step 1: Go to Settings app.

Step 2: Tap on About Phone option.

Step 3: Tap on Status Information option.

Step 4: Check the option named “Phone Status”.

If it is showing “Official”, this means your phone is NOT rooted yet. If it is showing “Custom”, this means your phone is rooted.

This is the simplest way on how to check if phone is rooted without app. However, there are some smartphones that come rooted directly from the manufacturer. In that case, Official device status may not mean unrooted device. Therefore, for further confirmation, check out the other ways on how to find out if phone is rooted.

2. Use Root Checker to Check

Root Checker is an app that helps in determining if your phone is rooted or not. There are many free and paid root checker apps available on Google Play Store. Here, we have considered free Root Checker app by JoeyKrim.

Step 1: Go to Play Store.

Step 2: On the search bar, type “root checker” and tap on search icon.

Step 3: Once you see the search result, tap on Root Checker by JoeyKrim.

Step 4: Install the app and after installation, open the app.

Step 5: Once the app opens, tap on Get Starter option.

Step 6: Tap on Verify Root option after the app identifies the model of your phone.

The app may take a few moments, and it will display you an appropriate message if your phone is rooted or not.

3. Check by Terminal Emulator

Terminal Emulator is an app that brings Linux terminal emulator to Android devices. The app is quite useful for advanced users who have rooted their devices and want to use commands to execute various actions. At the same time, the app helps in determining whether the device is rooted or not.

Step 1: Go to Play Store.

Step 2: On the search bar, type “Terminal Emulator”.

Step 3: From the search result, tap on Terminal Emulator for Android.

Step 4: Install the app and after installing the app, open it.

Step 5: Once the app opens, type “su” on the terminal window. Tap on Search or Enter.

“su” stands for super-user command line. If the phone is rooted, you will see “$” sign turn into “#” sign in the command line.

If the phone is not rooted, you will see a message “command not found”.

4. Check If There Is Kinguser or SuperSU Icon on Phone

If your phone is already rooted, you will see SuperSU or Kinguser icon on your home screen or app drawer. These are the apps that are responsible for managing your phone's root access. They get installed automatically while rooting a smartphone. This is one of the easiest signs and sure-shot ways on how to check phone is rooted or not.

The Pros and Cons of Rooting Phone

Rooting a device may seem to be advantageous. However, there are distinct disadvantages for which we do not recommend any user to root their device.

Pros Of Rooting Phone

Install Third-Party Apps –Modern smartphones do not allow users to install third-party apps from external sources. However, when you root your device, you can install any external app that is not present on Play Store.

Customization – Android OS allows users to tweak only certain parameters of the graphical interface. However, a rooted device lets users tweak almost anything for experimentation and customization. This ranges from changing themes to animations for complete personalization.

Boost Performance – A rooted device allows the users to boost the device performance by overclocking CPU and GPU components. You can also get rid of the restrictions by the phone manufacturer to slow down the phone and make the battery weak so that the user buys a new phone again.

Remove Unwanted Items – Smartphones come with multiple bloatware apps that are pre-installed and cannot be removed. However, in a rooted device, you can remove them instantly. This will free up space as well as boost the battery life.

Cons Of Rooting Phone

Bricking Device – If you make a single mistake while rooting, your device will brick. This means your device will start malfunctioning and get hanged frequently, and even stop working.

Void Warranty – If you root your device within the warranty period, the warranty becomes null and void. You will have to pay from your pocket for any and all repairs.

No Security Patches – Phone manufacturers do not send security patches, and OS updates to devices are that rooted. This is because rooted devices have a custom OS that is no entitled to get OTA updates.

Vulnerability – The most concerning con of rooting a phone is that it becomes vulnerable to malware and spyware attacks. Hackers target the rooted device to hack into due to fewer security measures in a custom OS.

That is why we suggest users not to root their phones. However, if they root their phones, we recommend them to install a legitimate anti-spyware app for complete security.

How Protect Your Phone After Rooting?

If you find out that your phone is already rooted or you have rooted it yourself, you should immediately install an anti-spyware app. Rooted devices are easy targets of hackers and scammers due to low-security level of a rooted device. Among all the anti-spyware apps, ClevGuard Anti-Spyware stands above all due to its useful features and their advantages.

Advantages of Installing ClevGuard Anti-Spyware On A Rooted Device

Scanning and Detection – Spyware presence is very likely in a rooted device. You can scan your device instantly and detect the presence of any spyware.

Instant Deletion – After detection, you can delete any malicious file or app instantly. You can resolve other security issues with your phone with a single tap.

Real-Time Protection – This is the most useful feature on this app, whereby the app will continuously monitor any download on your phone. If the downloaded file or app is malicious in nature, it will alert you to delete it immediately.

App Auditing – When you root your device to install third-party apps from external sources, this feature can be your savior. It provides a complete report on any app and outlines the risk involved associated with its app permissions. Accordingly, you can decide whether to keep or remove the app.

Whitelisting – Lastly, you can whitelist any app or file so that the scanner skips it every time you scan your phone to detect spyware presence.

How To Install ClevGuard Anti-Spyware

Step 1: Click the below button to go to Google Play Store. Install the app from the search result and open the app.

Step 2: You can tap on Scan button on the home screen to scan your phone for spyware presence.

Step 3: After scanning is complete, you can tap on Resolve All button to fix all the issues with your rooted phone.

Step 4: You can then go to Real-Time Protection tab at the bottom and toggle it on for 24/7 protection from malware and spyware.

Step 5: You can also go to App Audit tab at the bottom to find out the risk level associated with any external app.

How to Unroot Your Phone?

If your phone is rooted, you must have SuperSU app installed. You can unroot your phone with this SuperSU app.

Step 1: Go to your app drawer and tap on SuperSU app icon to launch it.

Step 2: Go to Settings tab on the app and look for the option “Full Unroot”.

Step 3: Tap on Full Unroot option.

Step 4: You will get a confirmation message. Tap on Continue button.

This will unroot your phone, and you will start receiving OS updates and security patches.

FAQs

Q1. Can I Check if my phone is rooted without an app?

Yes, you can check the app drawer to find SuperSu or Kinguser app installed or not. If any of them is installed, this means your phone is rooted. Similarly, you can go to Settings> About Phone> Status Information> Phone Status. If the phone status is custom, this means your phone is rooted.

Q2. Can I Unroot my phone after rooting?

Yes. It is very easy to unroot your phone after rooting it. Open SuperSu app from your rooted phone. Go to its Settings tab and tap on Full Unroot option. Follow the on-screen instruction and unroot your phone.

Q3. What does it mean if my phone is rooted?

If your phone is rooted, this means you can do many things that a normal user cannot do with their phones. You can install third-party apps from external sources. You can tweak many parameters for customization and personalization. Moreover, you can boost your phone's performance and battery life.

Q4. Is rooting your phone safe?

No, a rooted phone is not safe. It is highly venerable to malware and spyware attacks. However, you can make your rooted phone safe by install ClevGuard Anti-Spyware which provides complete real-time protection against spyware attacks. With such an app installed, you can enjoy all the benefits of a rooted device.

Conclusion

Hopefully, we have answered your question on how to check if my phone is rooted. You can check it without an app, but checking with an app like root checker will give you full confirmation. If your phone is rooted, it is very important that you install an anti-spyware app to prevent any malware or spyware attack. We recommend ClevGuard Anti-Spyware for complete real-time protection.