If you have a rooted Android phone or tablet, these 5 apps are essential for protecting and enhancing your experience. If your Android device is not rooted (and you’re not interested in rooting), you can ignore the app list below since they require root access.Note: If you’re interested in rooting and want more information, check out the XDA-Developers forums (Android app).
1. Superuser
- Version: 2.3.6.1
- Size: 192KB
- Category: Tools
- Price: Free
Superuser requires that you have already rooted your Android device before it can be used. It is essential for granting and managing Superuser rights for your phone (allowing other apps to gain root access so that they can function properly).
2. Titanium Backup
- Version: 3.6.8
- Size: 1.73MB (apps2SD enabled)
- Category: Tools
- Price: Free (~$5.81 Pro version)
Simply put, Titanium Backup enables you to quickly and safely backup your current apps, settings, and other data before trying new ROMs, themes, etc. Now you can easily revert back to the stable configuration you had setup previously. Additionally, this app makes re-installing and re-configuring all of your applications a breeze. No need to search the market all over again after you install a new ROM. Another feature includes the ability to schedule regular backups to take place at defined intervals.
3. Root Explorer (File Manager)
- Version: 2.13.4
- Size: 205KB (apps2SD enabled)
- Category: Productivity
- Price: $3.95
Root Explorer allows you to access the entire file system of your Android device, even the data folder. By enabling the read/write option you can actively edit files in the Android system. This app is extremely powerful and easy to use, and should definitely be included in your app repertoire.
4. Rom Manager
- Version: 3.0.0.7
- Size: 1.52 (apps2SD enabled)
- Category: Tools
- Price: Free ($4.99 Premium version)
Rom Manager lets you flash the latest and greatest ClockworkMod recovery. You can easily manager various ROMs, organize and perform system backups, and install ROMs from your SD card or even over-the-air. One-click option to reboot into recovery is essential for manual management of your rooted device.
5. ShootMe (Screen Grabber)
- Version: 0.8.0
- Size: 0.90MB (apps2SD enabled)
- Category: Tools
- Price: Free
ShootMe allows you to take screenshots of your Android device’s screen without the need for the Android SDK and a USB connection to a computer (screenshot tutorial for non-root users). After you open this app, just give your phone a sustained shake or shout to activate the screenshot. The sound of a camera lens shutter lets you know when a screenshot has been taken. All screenshots will be saved to the ShootMe folder on your SD card and will show up in your gallery.
6. CacheMate for Root Users
- Version: 2.3.2
- Size: 144KB (no apps2SD)
- Category: Tools
- Price: Free
CacheMate lets you free up internal memory by clearing the system cache from all installed Android apps with one-click. There is a convenient feature to schedule auto-clearing of the cache at set time-intervals as well. Additionally, in the settings you can select which apps’ caches you’d like cleared or not.
