How to quickly and safely remove root rights on Android

Root apps have both advantages and disadvantages (you can read more about it here). It's quite clear that full access to the file system isn't always in demand. If you don't need root access, we recommend disabling it and removing all root apps. Which isn't a very difficult thing to do and you'll soon see it for yourself. 

In this article we're going to tell you how to remove root through a PC via special uninstaller programs. We'll also mention some alternative methods. 

If you're aware of any other ways or have questions, don't hesitate using our feedback form with the note "How to remove root rights". 

Whether to unroot or not: pros and cons

Getting rid of root access gives the following advantages:

• Keeping the warranty: you have the right to hand in your device for a repair under warranty in case any problems occur.
• If you're going to sell your device, the buyer will get it “clean”.
• The capability to officially update Android “over-the-air”.
• Android OS security is increased.

The cons you need to keep in mind when unrooting your device:

• After rebooting, your device can get in a bootloop (see in FAQ how to solve this problem).
• There are no 100% reliable programs or ensured ways of removing root.
• A lot of unrooting methods are incomprehensible to beginners.

Files backups

Note! Before removing root make sure to create backups of your most important files, copy them to your PC or cloud. We have already described [here] how to do it correctly.  

SuperSU uninstaller - a cross functional and quick way

Let's start with SuperSU; most often this utility is already installed on your phone. It grants root access to specified apps. Moreover, SuperSU is able to remove root and clean all traces, even up to self-destruction. At the end, you get an Android device in a “pre-root” state. 

Steps of unrooting via SuperSU:

1. Find the app via App Drawer. If it's not there, download and install it on Android. 
2. Go to the app settings and then to the "Cleanup" section. 
3. In order to unroot your phone use the "Full unroot" option. 
4. After SuperSU displays the dialog, tap "Continue" and follow the app instructions. 
5. You have to reboot your phone in order to complete the process of removal. 

How to remove systemless root

SuperSU utility is also able to remove root rights which are set bypassing the file system when all changes are made to stock boot image. 

In this case, in order to restore a clean system, you have to agree on the proposal of SuperSU to recover stock boot image by tapping "Yes". 

If you have any doubts, we recommend weighing the pros and cons of unrooting a device one more time. If you decide to leave everything as it's, tap "No". 

Removing root rights via KingoRoot

If you've installed root rights via KingoRoot, a one click root app, you can also get rid of them via it since this feature is built into the desktop version of the product. 

1. Download KingoRoot (PC version) and install the app on a computer. 
2. Make sure your mobile device is turned on and its battery is charged for at least 50%.
3. Connect the device to a computer through a USB cable. Enable USB debugging on Android.
4. If this is the first time you connect your phone to this PC, you may have to install the device driver (but as a rule it usually happens automatically).
5. Launch KingoRoot, click on "Remove Root" in order to start removing root rights on Android. In general the whole process takes from 3 to 5 minutes. At this step avoid disconnecting the USB cable or performing any actions on the phone.
6. Press "Finish" in order to reboot your device. Now root access is successfully removed and you can use the phone.

How to check whether there is still root on your phone

This task is handled by a small app called Root Checker: 

1. Download the app from our website or from Google Play and install it on your phone.
2. Run Root Checker and tap "Verify Root Access" in order to check the current Root status. 

Root Checker app is free of charge. Unlike root installer apps, it doesn't make significant changes to your file system. 

Other apps for unrooting

If you type “unroot” in the search box of Google Play, the results will show many similar apps. Nevertheless, it's pretty easy to stumble upon an inefficient / insecure root uninstaller.  We recommend sticking to the following search criteria: 

1. Its rating should be from 3.5 stars.
2. The date of an app last update is within the current year.
3. The presence of positive reviews under the description of an app.
4. The number of downloads is above 500.
5. Your device is listed in the devices supported by this app (not necessarily, but desirable).

Unfortunately, there is no stable and generalized root rights uninstaller on Google Play. It may come out sometime, but as of 2019, only the following apps which meet our criteria are available: 

1. Root Uninstaller
2. Impactor Universal Unroot

Installing custom firmware on Samsung

Perhaps one of the most reliable and relatively safe ways of disabling root rights is to update your device to the next version of Android. However, if root is installed, you can't update the official firmware over-the-air. 

The workaround is to update the firmware via a special app called Odin3 (ODIN flash tool). It allows you to install official and custom firmware on your phone via a PC. There is a risk of turning your phone into a “brick”, but if you strictly follow the instructions from XDA forum, everything should work out fine. 

Note:

1. USB drivers (you can download them for Samsung from here) are required for going back on stock rom.  
2. When using this method of unrooting, first of all you have to uninstall SuperSU and other root-related apps. 
3. You should install the official, i.e. stock ROM update. 

The detailed manual on how to go back on stock rom is available here. 

FAQ on unrooting

The question: Is it possible to get rid of root by performing a Hard Reset ? 

No. If you've used the "Unroot" method by modifying the bootloader, you won't be able to remove root rights. After a Hard Reset you'll lose all your data and get a fresh Android OS, but the traces of root will still remain in the bootloader. 

Use either SuperSU or stock firmware update (if your phone is Samsung). 

The question: If I use SuperSU, will the data from my phone be deleted?

No, but you should keep in mind that unrooting via SuperSU can result in a bootloop judging by the reviews of this app users. However, if we aren't talking about modifying the bootloader, SuperSU app is pretty user-friendly and safe to use. 

The question: I removed root, then rebooted my phone and it got in a bootloop. 

Unfortunately, unrooting often leads to a device getting into a cyclic reboot (bootloop). 

You can get rid of a bootloop in the following ways:

1. By installing the firmware from a custom ROM via Odin program for a PC. 
2. By performing a Hard Reset.

In both cases, you'll lose all user files stored in the memory of your phone.