How to quickly and safely remove root rights on Android

2022-10-24

Root applications have both advantages and disadvantages (read more about that here). Of course, full access to the /filesystem is not always needed. If you do not need root access, you can remove all root applications. This is not very hard to do and you will see for yourself.

In this article, we will tell you how to remove root via PC using a special uninstaller program. We will also mention alternative methods.

If you know of other methods or have questions, please use the feedback form with the note "how to remove root".

Content :

Root access removal: Pros and cons
SuperSU - software to remove root rights
Uninstall systemless root
KingoRoot
How to check if root is left on your phone
Other applications to remove root
Installing custom firmware on Samsung
FAQ

Deleting root: Pros and cons

Uninstalling root rights has the following advantages:

Warranty preservation: you have the right to return your device for warranty repair if you find a problem.
If you are selling the device, the buyer will receive the device "clean".
The possibility to perform the official Android update "on air".
Security of the Android OS is improved.

Negative aspects to be aware of when removing the root rights:

After rebooting the device may go to bootloop (see Faq. Faq how to fix the problem).
There are no 100% reliable programs and no guaranteed ways to remove root.
Many methods to remove root are not understandable to newbies.

Backup /files

Important ! Before uninstalling your root, make sure that you backup your most important /files, copy them to your PC or to the cloud. We have described the correct way to do this [here].

SuperSU - the universal and fast way

Let's start with SuperSU; most often this utility is already installed on the phone. It gives root access to the specified applications. In addition, SuperSU knows how to remove root and wipe all traces, up to and including self-destruction. As a result, you get an Android device in a "pre-root" state.

Steps to remove root via supersu:

Find the app via app drawer. If you do not have it, please download and install it on your Android.
Go to the app settings, go to the Cleanup section.
To remove root from the phone use the Full unroot option.
After you have received the dialogue from SuperSU, please press Continue and follow the instructions of the app.
Final removal requires to reboot the phone.

How to remove a non-system root

The SuperSU utility also removes the root rights installed bypassing the file system when changes are made to the stock boot image.

In this case, to restore a clean system, you should accept the SuperSU prompt to restore the stock boot image by clicking Yes.

If you are in doubt, you should again weigh the pros and cons of root removal.

Remove root rights with KingoRoot

If you have installed root rights with one click root application KingoRoot, you may remove root rights also, this feature is included in the desktop version of the product.

Download KingoRoot (PC version), install the application on the PC.
Make sure the mobile device is switched on and the battery is at least 50% charged. Enable USB debugging on your Android.
If this is the first time you have connected the phone to the PC, you may need to install the device driver (but usually everything happens automatically).
Run KingoRoot, press "Remove Root" to start removing root rights on your Android. Usually the whole procedure takes 3 to 5 minutes. At this stage please do not disconnect the USB cable or perform any operation on the phone.
Click "Finish" to reboot the device. Root access is successfully removed, you can use the phone.

How to check if your phone still has root access

The little app Root Checker handles this task:

Download the app from our website or via Google Play, install it on your phone.
Root Checker, tap on Verify Root Access to check your current Root status.

The Root Checker app is free. Unlike root installer apps, it does not make significant changes to the file system.

Other apps to remove root rights

If you type "unroot" in the Google Play search bar, many similar apps will appear in the results. In doing so, it is easy to stumble upon an ineffective / insecure root uninstaller. We recommend to stick to the following search criteria:

Rating: from 3.5 stars.
The last update date of the application is the current year.
The number of positive reviews under the application description.
Number of downloads - > 500.
The list of supported has your device (not necessary, but desirable).

Unfortunately, no stable and universal root right uninstaller on Google Play. It might appear someday, but as of 2019 only the following applications matching our criteria are available:

Root Uninstaller,
Impactor Universal Unroot

Installing custom firmware on Samsung

Perhaps one of the most reliable and relatively safe ways to disable root rights is to update to the next version of Android. True, if you have root installed, the official firmware will not let you update over the air.

A workaround is to update the firmware through a special application Odin3 (ODIN flash tool). It allows you to install official and unofficial (custom) firmware on the phone via PC. There is a risk to make your phone a "brick" but if you follow the instructions on the XDA forum you should succeed.

Note:

Flashing requires USB drivers (available for Samsung here).
Use this method of root removal you must previously uninstall SuperSu and other applications linked to root.
The installation has to be performed using the official, i.e. stock ROM.

Flashing instructions are available here.

FAQ on how to remove root

Question :Can you remove root by Hard Reset ?

No. If you used the Unroot method via boot modification, you cannot remove the root rights. After Hard Reset you will loose all the data and receive a clean Android OS, but the traces of root remain in the bootloader.

Use either SuperSU or update the stock firmware (if you have a Samsung phone).

Question : If you use SuperSU, will the phone delete data?

No, but you must be aware of the fact that removing root via SuperSU may lead to a bootloop, as indicated by the users reviews of this application. However as long as no modification of the bootloader is involved the SuperSU app is comfortable and safe.

Question : Removed root, rebooted the phone, it goes to bootloop.

Unfortunately this often leads to the device going to a reboot cycle (bootloop).

How to get rid of a bootloop you can: