To root or not to root? It’s a question that most people don’t ever ask themselves, because Android devices are powerful customizable from the get-go, rooting can be risky.

But it’s not that risky. And if you want to really unlock the full potential of your device—if you want to be able to control everything, backup everything, customize everything, do all sorts of fun things like install custom ROMs get Android llipop ahead of the pack—you’ll need to root your phone.

I’m not saying you have to root your Android device…but I am saying you might be a goody two-shoes if you don’t.

Automate everything

werful root-only apps like Tasker can turn your dream of a super-smartphone into a reality. Tasker uses the “if this, then that” mentality to make your phone a genius — for example, you can use Tasker to automatically silence your phone at night, turn on your -Fi when you’re at home, or open up an app when you connect to your car’s Bluetooth. 

llipop, here I come!

Android phone makers have a habit of not releasing updates in a timely manner. Or at all, sometimes. So why are you still waiting for the latest OS when you could simply root your phone get it right now? tience is for people who don’t know how to root.

Faster than the speed of…your C

Contrary to what the phone-makers want you to believe, your Android device could definitely be faster. And you can take speed matters into your own hs with apps like SetC, which is only available after you root. at’s a little battery life lost when you have more power?

Better battery life

You know how you can overclock your device’s C for ultra-speedy app-switching (who doesn’t want to multitask like Sonic the Hedgehog)? ll you can also use SetC to underclock, or slow down, your C for when you need that extra 29 minutes of battery life.

Bye-bye, bloatware

Nuking factory-installed bloatware beats disabling it any day.

Really, really back up your stuff

OK, so does a pretty good job of keeping your mail, contacts, calendar, apps, other -y things in order. But if you want to truly backup everything, as in, if you want to take a literal snapshot of your device stick it somewhere safe, you’ll need the root-only Titanium Backup. Satisfy your hoarding tendencies!

Customize all the things!

Android is pretty customizable, even without rooting your phone. But with a root you can literally customize everything. Vibration strength? ecise screen color calibration? Gesture control? There’s a (root-only) app for that.

Store apps wherever the hell you want to

Use a root-only app like FolderMount to store apps, not just files, on your microSD card. Now your device has infinite (read: 128GB) of real usable storage!