Rooted vs. Unrooted Android Phone Android. Is it better with root access, or is it just fine without it? Can anyone be truly happy on Verizon, or does freedom demand sacrifice? We asked you. Here are your best arguments for—and against!—rooting your phone. Rooting is Rewarding... Rooting is Rewarding... Whether you need them or not, rooting your phone gives you a bunch of options you can't get otherwise. Reader umataro42 puts it pretty succinctly: Even if you don't flash a custom ROM, the root-required apps alone make it worthwhile - Greenify , StickMount , Titanium Backup , Lightflow , WiFi Protect, and especially now with Xposed Installer and all the mods it offers. In fact, I just flashed a custom ROM on my Nexus 5 that is just stock 4.4.4 with root, and used Xposed to install Gravity Box for all the other extras I usually look for in a custom ROM. The only limit on what you can do with your ro...