Android

Haven't rooted in years. Don't really need to anymore.

Plus root breaks my banking app and I need that.

Essential? no.

Worth it? maybe.

Nice to have control of your own device? absolutely.

I have two devices, primary with root (through Magisk as KernelSU still has some issues for me) and secondary without root. Anytime I have to do something more demanding on the unrooted device I really wish I had root. Local terminal access, ability to disable some annoying "features" (verified app links) and multiple other things I use daily make it worth it for me.

EDIT: I saw mentions of custom roms in other comments. I have a custom rom installed (AOSP based). If I was on a stock rom (or god forbid something like MIUI) root would be a must for me.

I been on custom ROMs for years without root. But recently, root has moved from magisk to kernelsu, which is a kernel based root solution. Much better than magisk in terms of avoiding detection and required no extra install if your kernel already supports kernelsu. I've started using root features again thanks to kernelsu

I purchased my first Android phone at 13, the Motorola Droid. In less than a month, it was rooted running a custom rom. I rom hopped weekly, tried all sorts of hacks and modifications, and eventually started releasing my own (very crappy) custom roms. I did this all the way through until I had the G6.

I eventually started getting phones where I can unlock the bootloader, and for a bit I would root such as my Essential phone or my Pixel 3a or 4a 5G but since the Pixel 6 I haven't had any reason for perpetual root. I unlock my bootloader, and I root when needed and remove magisk when no longer needed. The cat and mouse game of trying to bypass detection alone makes it a pain when I have banking, work apps, etc that all validate hardware attestation.

Even when I've done custom roms like lineqgeOS I haven't rooted. However when it comes to backing up apps root still does feel like the best way to back up specific app data with apps like swift backup.

Can't root, breaking Safetynet destroys about 30% of what I use my phone for.

A lot of the reasons why I used to root simply don't exist anymore. Personally, I haven't unlocked the bootloader or installed a custom ROM since maybe Nexus 4. Plus now, as others have said rooting your device makes most financial related apps stop working.

I used to root my phone, run custom ROMs and tweaks, the whole thing. Was basically forced to keep stock when I got a galaxy S8, and now I haven't rooted even with my past few pixels, it doesn't feel useful anymore. I might root my pixel 5 in the future as I plan to keep it for a long time, but right now I'm stock

blocking ads is as close to "necessary" as it gets for me.

rooting gets harder and harder with new android versions and devices - but it's been worth it for me every time.

lastly FUCK the app developers trying to block rooted devices, it's for their (sense of) security, not ours, and it's sad to see so many people in this thread bullied out of rooting by them

I like vanilla Android, but many phone companies has their own version of it with meaningless pre-installed apps. I typically root and install vanilla OS and thats it.

I still root my phone for system-wide adblock, call recorder and Xposed modules I have been using since Jelly Bean.

No. I still use custom Roms, but only ones I can relock the bootloader. I like GrapheneOS and CalyxOS.

I haven't felt a need to root a phone in years. These days you will get a usable UI and UX with basically all major brands and adblock can be done without root, so it's just not worth the hassle trying to hide the fact that you're rooted from banking apps etc. At least as far as I'm concerned, I'm sure that some people still see a benefit in rooting.

Edit: I actually just thought of a reason: updates once the phone is past its official support window but otherwise still functional (though you don't technically need root for that, just an unlocked bootloader, the new ROM doesn't need to be rooted either strictly speaking). I'd just buy a new phone, but that really just means I'm a part of the e-waste problem.

I use Lineage faithfully so my phone stays rooted. Also, I live in the US where carriers aggressively lock down their phones so they can upcharge everything. the whole "your hotspot will work at 3g speeds" is one reason to root. Adaway is another reason to root as well. I'm too cheap for home internet so I tether to get online. US carriers (and cable companies) hate that and try to prevent it. root and VPN gets around that. unlimited 5g hotspot.

I don't root anymore, not since I switched to GrapheneOS. It breaks the Android security model. On GrapheneOS it's like fortifying a castle and then blowing a wide open hole in the wall. Just didn't make any sense.

If you want to use your phone for a few years it's very nececary in my experience, they tend to get slow quick and with LineageOS (previously Cyanogenmod) I can still use a Galaxy s5, well I could if half of the hardware wasn't broken but that's beside the point. I think ROMs are definitely neccecary but mine isn't rooted rn and it's probably debatable if you realky need that, I miss a proper adblocker so I should have rooted mine and probably will sooner or later considering I got Lineage on it already.

For me yes, I can tweak my system at my liking, root breaking things is not something that has ever happened to me, all my bank app works without issues and I can't remember the last time they didn't.

I run Paranoid Android rooted along with tons of apps that require root acces such as Swift Backup, Adaway, App Manager, BBS, FKM, KonaBess, Pixelifly for Google Photos, Saver Tuner, Revanced, SD Maid, Termux, X-Plore etc.

And some modules like Zygisk, Detach, Pixel Launcher Extended

I know some of those apps doesn't require root specifically (can work with adb) but for me is just easier to just put Magisk and call it a day.

Necessary for me to fix the "bugs" present in Android (Safetynet fix, F-droid & Aurora auto updates etc.) and some from the OEM (flawed camera libs from Xiaomi that unintentionally hamper the use of Gcam).

Necessary for what? If you want to block ads system-wide, you can use the Private DNS feature. But to fiddle with system partition/install Xposed stuff you definitely need root

I find root essential if you use a custom rom. I usually buy cheap phones (like Poco/Xiaomi) and install a lineageOS build. Without magisk/kernelsu there are a lot of apps that are not going to work (like netflix, Google pay, bank apps, et...).

Nowadays most developers consider that you are a terrorist for having a non-oficial ROM and for me using the super bloated MIUI rom is not an option. If you have a good base os like pixelos, samsung's os or similar maybe you don't need it.

Also being able to fully block advertisement is a great plus of having root. I now that there are methods that does not require root but adaway, in my opinion, is the best.

I still root my phone for Freezing System Apps, reVanced, AdAway(system-wide adblock), Shell automation, circumventing Hotspot restrictions from my Carrier.

I've also been a customization junkie before (mainly with audio mods and UI plugins for Exposed). Not anymore.

But since then rooting to me become not only a means to the end, but an essential part of my phone, as in I get to control and choose what and why is installed/active, not the Vendor/Google. I would root my phone even if I didn't had the need, just cause I like owning things, opposed to modern standard of "everything is a service".