rooting

Rooting is a term used in botany and computing, referring to root formation in plants and to gaining root access in mobile devices, respectively. In botany, rooting describes how roots form from seeds, cuttings, or other plant tissues and how an established root system supports water and nutrient uptake and plant anchorage. Adventitious rooting is the growth of roots in unusual places, such as from stems or leaves, and is widely used for asexual propagation. Hormones, particularly auxins, influence rooting by stimulating cell division and differentiation in precursor tissues. Environmental factors such as moisture, temperature, light, and aeration affect rooting success. Propagation methods include stem cuttings, layering, and air layering; proper rooting improves transplant survival and growth in nurseries and home gardens.

In computing, rooting refers to obtaining root or superuser privileges on an operating system, especially Android. Root access provides full control over system files and settings, enabling custom themes, system-level backups, removal of preinstalled software, and the ability to install unapproved apps. Risks include increased exposure to malware, accidental damage to the operating system, higher power consumption, and voiding warranties or official support. The process commonly involves unlocking the device's bootloader and installing a root-management tool or custom firmware; methods vary by device and may disrupt official updates or security mechanisms. The term highlights a trade-off between control and security, and opinions on rooting range from pragmatic to cautious, depending on user needs and device safeguards.