Rooting an Android device is a fairly complex process, especially if you are technologically challenged. Generally, the biggest issue with rooting is to make sense of alien sounding words that are used across how-to guides. Below, we list down such terms, alphabetically, and provide their explanation. 

ADB/Fastboot: They are a part of the Android SDK (Software Development Kit) and are used to unlock the bootloader of nearly all the Android devices.

Bloatware: All the preinstalled apps from the device manufacturer or carrier that serve absolutely no purpose or promote a service and cannot be uninstalled. On rooted devices though, they can be easily uninstalled using apps from the Play Store.

Bootloader: In simple words, the bootloader is a the code that runs even before the operating system on your device boots. It helps in booting other operating systems by systematically loading their files in the memory. The bootloader of your Android device can either be locked, unlocked or unlockable.

Usually, you will need to unlock the bootloader of your device before rooting it.

Custom Kernel: Advanced version of the kernel that ships with your device packing many optimizations and features like overclocking, undervolting etc.

Custom ROM: A customized and advanced version of Android containing many features and optimizations, usually based on the latest version of Android.

Nandroid: Takes a complete backup of the software your Android device is running, including all the user installed apps. Only the /sdcard partition i.e. your music, photos and other media files are excluded. Think of nandroids like a snapshot of the OS that you can restore back to at some point down the line, if needed. Perfect if you want to go back to the stock ROM after trying out a custom ROM.

Overclocking: Allows you to run the processor inside your device at a higher than specified frequency — s great way to improve performance. However, you will need a custom kernel to overclock.

Radio/Baseband: The firmware that controls the mobile network radio on your device. Usually, updating to the latest version helps in improving mobile network strength and data speeds.

Recovery: Every Android device comes with a recovery through which the OS can install over-the-air updates. It is also used by the system whenever you factory reset a device. If you want to flash a custom ROM, you will have to replace the stock recovery with a custom one.

Rooting: It is the process of gaining privileged administrator access in Android. You can read more about rooting and its benefits here.

Superuser/SuperSU: This application is automatically installed on the device during the process of rooting. It is used to grant or deny root access to other apps.

TWRP/CWM: Both are custom recoveries that allow users to install custom ROMs, format certain partitions or make nandroid backups.

TWRP Recovery

Did we miss any alien root-related terms? Drop in a comment and let us know!