Introduction
The Huawei P10 is a flagship smartphone, which made its debut in 2017, it brought amazing hardware and software features that attracted many electronic enthusiasts. However, like most Android devices, a user might be trying to push boundaries imposed by the manufacturer. Rooting is one such way that opens up total device control for users, allowing customizing, optimizing, and installing apps that would require root access.
In this review, we will explore the rooting of Huawei P10, the advantages and disadvantages offered by rooting, and possible risks. Moreover, we will mention some of the tools and methods available to root the device and prepare a step-by-step guide to help users carry out the entire process.
What is Rooting?
Now before we get on to the nitty-gritty about rooting the Huawei P10, let’s understand what really rooting means. Rooting is the act of acquiring “root access”, or administrative access, in an Android device. This granting of entry then gives way for deeper modification of system files, installing of special apps, and manipulation of the operating system in many more restricted ways.
It is not safe for the average Android user, who, by default, is secured from performing any type of system changes. That is the beauty of Android: to have some safeguarding against malicious software and prevent the OS from being corrupted. For expert users who yearn to get something more from their device, rooting can be the best gift.
Reasons for Rooting the Huawei P10:
The Huawei P10 is still a very decent device, even by current standards, but rooting it can open up even more features and functionalities that are otherwise unavailable. Below are some of the reasons that could make you consider rooting your Huawei P10:
Uninstalling Bloatware: Like any other smartphone, the Huawei P10 too has quite a few applications that come pre-installed in it, and these applications are usually termed as bloatware at times. Such applications use important storage space and may run in the background while consuming resources. Rooting causes these apps to be uninstalled from the phone permanently.
Customization: Rooting allows users to customize their device to a far greater extent than before. This covers everything from changing the UI look and feel to tweaking the system settings, or even installing custom ROMs for a different Android experience.
Performance Optimization: Again, users with root access can optimize the performance of their devices by overclocking their CPUs, tweaking some system settings and applying battery power or processing power enhancement applications.
Root-Only Apps Access: There are many apps available on the Google Play Store and other platforms that require root access to run. These apps perform features that are impossible with a non-rooted device, such as backing up entire data, CPU control, and modifying system files.
Ad-Blocking: Rooting allows the user to install system-wide ad blocking applications to block ads on the device in all the applications and browsers.
Hazards and Disadvantages of Rooting
However, beyond all these merits, rooting poses huge risks and disadvantages that the user must know before setting himself free:
Void Warranty: The most common aspect of worry while rooting is that it voids the warranty of the manufacturer. If anything goes wrong in the device, then Huawei also refuses to accept it for warranty purposes citing that modifications have been done in the device.
Bricking the Device: Rooting largely modifies system files. If anything goes wrong in the course of it, it usually makes the device “bricked”. A bricked device is to all intents and purposes unusable and recovery from this state can be difficult or impossible in the absence of professional help.
Security Risk: Rooting removes some of the built-in security features of Android and renders the device more vulnerable to malware and other security threats. A rooted device is also at risk of data breach especially when the root access is granted to a malicious application.
Software Updates: The moment a device gets rooted, official software updates from the manufacturer may no longer reach him. This could prove tricky as the user will miss updates with important security patches and new features.
Certain App Unavailability: As for root installation, some applications like banks and other streaming apps do not allow root installation due to security reasons. That can make using the device hard for some users.
Preparing to Root your Huawei P10
Moreover, even if preparations are made in the process, the necessary tools must be obtained before heading towards the rooting process. Here is a checklist that should ensure that one gets a smooth rooting experience:
Backup your data- Rooting brings about significant changes in the system of the device and causes the loss of data. Therefore, one must backup all the important data before moving forward such as contacts, images, messages, applications, etc.
Charging the Device- Make sure that the Huawei P10 is completely charged or has at least 80% battery life. Rooting usually takes time, and it may turn off in the middle if power source is suddenly lost.
First, unlock the bootloader. The bootloader is a program that is run when the operating system should be loaded on the device. Unlocking the bootloader will be one of the things required if you want to root your Huawei P10. It is different for different device models and regions, but usually involves registering on Huawei’s website to receive an unlock code.
Turning On Developer Options: Turn on developer options for Huawei P10 by going to Settings > About Phone and tapping Build Number seven times. Doing this will open the Developer Options menu where you can enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking.
Installing ADB and Fastboot: ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and Fastboot are two tools that are essential for rooting Android devices. With these tools you can send commands to your device from your computer. You can download ADB and Fastboot from the official Android developer website, or you can use a third-party installer to download them.
Download the Rooting Software: Depending on the rooting method selected, this may require downloading specific software like Magisk or SuperSU to be used for rooting your device.
Step-By-Step Instruction: How to Root Huawei P10
Now that you have set up your device for rooting and got the required tools on your device, let us now head towards rooting. This guide will walk you through rooting your Huawei P10 using Magisk, which is a very popular and versatile rooting tool.
Step 1: Unlock Bootloader
Get the Unlock Code: if you don’t have a Huawei account, go to the official website, create one, and proceed to the bootloader unlock page to enter your device details and get an unlock code sent to your registered email address.
Enter into Fastboot mode: Switch off your Huawei P10. Now press and hold Volume Down and Power button to bring your phone to Fastboot mode. Now Connect to Pc: Connect your Huawei P10 to your system via a USB cable. Open a command prompt or terminal window on your computer and go to the directory where ADB and Fastboot were installed.
Unlock Bootloader: Open command prompt or terminal type on the following command:
css
Copy code
fastboot oem unlock [unlock code]
Replace “[unlock code]” with the one you got from Huawei for the unlocking of the bootloader which will erase your entire data from the device.
Rebooting the Device: Once your bootloader is unlocked, your device will restart on its own and you will have to configure your device again and further go to the next step. Step 2: Install a Custom Recovery.
To flash Magisk and root access, you have to install a special recovery called TWRP. TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a tool that enables you to install custom software on your own device, such as the Magisk ZIP file.
Download TWRP: You are to download the TWRP image file for the Huawei P10 from the official TWRP website or any trusted source, Ensure to download the right version for your device model.
Boot into Fastboot Mode: Turn off your device completely and again hold Volume Down and Power buttons together to boot it into Fastboot mode.
Flash TWRP: Connect your device to the computer and open a command prompt or terminal window. Navigate the directory where the image file of TWRP is located and type the following command:
css
Copy code
fastboot flash recovery [TWRP filename].img
Remember to replace “[TWRP filename]” with a name of an actual TWRP image file.
Reboot into Recovery Mode: Once TWRP is installed, reboot your device directly into recovery mode by holding the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously.
Step 3: Flash Magisk for Root Access
You can now flash the Magisk ZIP file with TWRP to gain root access.
Download Magisk: Download the latest Magisk ZIP file from the official Magisk GitHub page or another trusted source. Transfer the ZIP to internal storage or SD card of your Huawei P10.
Boot into TWRP Recovery: If not already in recovery, power off the device and boot into TWRP recovery by holding Volume Up and Power simultaneously.
Install Magisk: In TWRP, select the Install option and navigate to where you saved the Magisk ZIP file. Select the file and swipe to install it.
Reboot Device: Select “Reboot System” to restart the device after Magisk installs.
Verify Root Access: Once the device reboots, install the Magisk Manager app from the official Magisk GitHub page. Open the app to check for your device’s root access.
Post-Rooting Tips and Recommendations
Congrats! You’ve successfully rooted your Huawei P10. Now that you’ve gained root access, these are some tips and recommendations that would serve you best to enjoy your rooting while ensuring its safety and usability.
Install Root-Only Apps
Roaming has opened up many avenues and places to applications for it is making apps on the device possible without the permission of other root apps. The following are among the most popular such apps:
Titanium Backup: This is a powerful backup tool, enabling a backup capturing all applications and data, including operating system apps. Backing up becomes necessary when custom ROMs, system modifications, or other changes or adaptations are made in your experimental area.
Greenify: Save your battery power by hibernating the apps running in the background unnecessarily. It works effectively even on rooted devices since it can also freeze system apps.
AdAway: Tired of seeing so many ads within the applications and browsers? Well, AdAway is the permission to give to block them completely from the system. It modifies the host files on the device to prevent ads from loading.
Tasker: An automation tool allowing you to create custom scripts and tasks according to a lot of different triggers. It works just fine on devices that are not rooted but may get more powerful if accessed root level.
Viper4Android: Audiophiles will certainly fall in love with this fantastic tool, because it is an all-in-one sound manipulation tool that can help you change the sound output of your device.
Keep the Device Safe
Rooting might pose a security risk to your device, which is why it is important to take precautions accordingly:
Be Careful with Root Permissions: Always check back what the app actually is, from who it’s coming, when it asks for root access. Granting root access to malicious apps may harm your device security. Use a root management application: Magisk Manager is a Mind-blowing Root Permission Manager, which lets you manage which apps have root access and enable the hide root status feature Amazon apps that might not work with rooted devices.
Set up your Firewall: Applications like AFWall+ allow you to establish a firewall in your device whereby controlling which apps are allowed to have access to the internet. This will prove feasible in the case of those harmful apps, which send data without your knowledge.
Regular Backups: Using utilities like Titanium Backup, start back-up for your device systemically. This will help you to get access to your data, in the event of anything happening as you tinker with rooted apps or custom ROMs.
3. Learn about Custom ROMs
The best part about rooting is its ability to install custom ROMs. These are versions of Android altered to bring new features, increased performance, and a whole new experience. Here are some famous custom ROMs:
LineageOS: After the very popular CyanogenMod, LineageOS is a version that has been acclaimed for stability and the availability of extensive customization. This version supports numerous devices, including P10 by Huawei.
Pixel Experience: It is intended to replicate the cleanest and stock Android experience seen on Google Pixel devices, among others. This is an excellent ROM if you want a minimalistic and fast experience of Android.
Resurrection Remix: It contains features from various custom ROMs and hence suits best for those users who love to tweak their devices for the best feature-rich custom experience and configuration.
As far as installing a custom ROM is concerned, first back up your currently running ROM using TWRP’s backup feature. This would bring the device back to its previous state in case of an eventuality, or if you would like to revert to the original firmware.
4. Troubleshooting Common Problems
Rooting sometimes creates strange problems. Here are the common ones and the solutions to them:
Bootloop recovery: To resolve an issue where your device is stuck in a bootloop (rebooting over and over), you will have to try booting to TWRP recovery with the hope of restoring a backup. If backup is not available, reflash the stock firmware using tools like HiSuite from Huawei.
App compatibility issue: Root access is needed for some apps to work; otherwise, an app may fail to run with the message “failed to access.” For those that are supported, use the “Hide” feature of Magisk Manager to hide root status from specific apps.
Battery Drain: Rooting and installing some apps can result in high battery consumption. If it affects the battery, use applications such as Greenify or change CPU setting to soothe the process.
OTA Updates Failed: After rooting, it may render Over-The-Air (OTA) updating nonfunctional. Download the latest firmware through free and easy methods by TWRP and flash it to update the device manually.
5. To Unearth Stock Firmware
When you switch off rooting, or you plan to take the phone back to the provider because of warranty service, you can go ahead and revert the Huawei P10 to stock firmware. This is how: Download Stock Firmware: Go to Huawei’s official website or a trusted source to download the stock firmware for your Huawei P10.
Flash the Firmware: Boot the device into Fastboot mode and run the command fastboot flash against the stock firmware files (boot, recovery, system, etc.) for flashing. Otherwise, use HiSuite from Huawei to flash the firmware, or TWRP will also do the job. Relock Bootloader: You can then relock the bootloader with the command fastboot oem relock [unlock code] after flashing the stock firmware. This will wipe all data on your device, so be cautious.
Factory Reset: Factory reset your device to make sure it’s truly been reverted to stock.
Conclusion
There is a lot one can do with the rooting of Huawei P10, from uninstalling bloatware and changing the UI to improving the performance and installing root-only apps. However, rooting is not without risks-it might violate the warranty, brick the device, or expose it to security vulnerabilities.
Weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of rooting before jumping into it. If one can grapple with the risks and safe passage, rooting would be per-good and can only enrich the smartphone experience.
This review has thoroughly discussed rooting the Huawei P10 and advice on optimizing the usability of a rooted device while keeping it from harm’s way. Rooting the Huawei P10 can also be a valuable exercise for even the most devoted Android enthusiasts pushing their devices to the limit or people who just want more control over their smartphones. Just remember to take care and always back up your important data.