12 awesome apps for root Android users

Android modifications come in a variety of forms. Some are merely cosmetic – think replacing your stock app icons, trying out a different system font, or switching to a third-party lock screen, to give a few examples. Others tinker with Android's inner workings to enable advanced features, such as the ability to remove bloatware or to modify app permissions. Then there's rooting – the process of obtaining administrator privileges over the operating system. While having root access doesn't do much on its own, it has long become the most popular Android hack as it paves the way for a plethora of awesome modifications to be executed. 

What modifications, you ask? Well, just flip through the slideshow below to get a better idea. We've collected some of the most useful and fun Android apps for root users – utilities that let you truly take control of your Android smartphone or tablet. But beware – using some root apps can be tricky, if not dangerous. There's always the risk of something not turning out as expected, so make sure you back-up your important data before applying any modifications. With that out of the way, here are the apps we've picked for you.

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12 awesome root apps

1. Xposed

The Xposed framework is a powerful customization tool that lets you enjoy features found on custom Android ROMs without actually installing the ROM itself. Customizations come as modules and let you do all kinds of neat stuff - from blacklisting contacts and controlling your app start-up list to UI and Quick Settings modifications. And if a module doesn't work on your device, you should have no troubles un-applying it. Don't bother looking for Xposed on the Play Store. It is available separately, straight from its dedicated web site.

Download: Free

2. Device Control

As the name implies, Device Control is made to give you better control over your Android device with features you likely don't have access to by default. With this app you may tweak vibration strength, CPU and GPU frequencies, your screen's color temperature, and a lot more. Seriously, the list of possible modifications is way too long to fit in here, so go check it out at the app's page on the Play Store.

Download: Free

3. Root App Delete

One of the prime reasons for Android users to root their phones is to remove all bloatware loaded by the manufacturer. That's a job for Root App Delete, which lets you manage your Android device's apps, even the ones you don't have access to by default. You may freeze or remove bloatware to free up precious system resources.

Price: Free

4. FolderMount

Insufficient storage space is an issue we've all had to deal with. Adding extra gigs via a microSD card is definitely a solution, but not an ideal one as not all apps can have their data moved over to your phone's removable storage. Thankfully, there's FolderMount, which allows app data to be stored on the microSD card, thus saving precious on-board storage space.

Price: Free

5. Free WiFi Password Recovery

Just to make things clear, this is not a Wi-Fi network password cracker. It merely displays the Wi-Fi network passwords saved on your device - ideal in case you've forgotten your network's password. 

Price: Free

6. DiskDigger

The purpose of DiskDigger is to recover photos and videos that have been deleted by accident. Images that have not been overwritten can be restored or sent to an email account, regardless of their location on your internal or external storage space. Consider buying the Pro version of the app if you need to be able to restore all kinds of files, not just images.

Price: Free

7. Greenify

Greenify, for those who haven't heard of it, is a great tool for optimizing the battery life and performance of your phone. It automatically hibernates apps when they are not needed.

Price: Free

8. Tasker

Wouldn't it be awesome if you could automate your phone? You know, to make it listen for triggers and respond to them with actions. That's exactly what Tasker is for, and it comes with more than 200 built-in automated actions. In fact, you're free to create your own conditions, loops, and actions for the ultimate automated Android experience.

Price: $2.99

9. App Ops

Sometimes you really want to give an app a try, but you're held back by the lengthy list of permissions it requires. Well, App Ops might help in such a case. It lets you modify an app's permissions to your liking. 

Price: Free

10. GL Tools

GL Tools is a custom OpenGL driver compatible with most popular GPUs and ARM processors. It can be used to change rendering resolution and bit depth, control textures, apply anti-aliasing for better graphics quality, and optimize shaders on-the-fly. You may even rename your GPU to fool certain games into enabling GPU-specific quality settings.

Price: $2.99

11. Titanium Backup

Ti Backup is recognized as one of the most popular back-up tools at the Play Store. It lets you easily backup and restore your apps and data, including protected and system apps, plus the external data on your microSD card. 

Price: Free

12. Build Prop Editor

By editing your device's build.prop configuration file, you may tweak your LCD density, decrease your call ring delay, save battery by increasing your wifi scan interval and more. The app also backs up your original file in case things go hairy. And they might, so be careful.

Price: Free

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