[Android General] username866:
KingRoot is Adware

I wanted to root my smart phone to find ways to better protect my privacy on the world wide web. Specifically, I wanted to root to find a way to limit the permissions and accessibilities of my installed apps.

First, let me start out by saying that I am a complete beginner when it comes to smart phone technology. I successfully rooted my Samsung Galaxy S3 quite a few years back, which I did by connecting my phone to my pc via usb cable and following confusing instructions that consisted of downloading and applying dubious applications, and included plenty of troubleshooting all along the way. But I eventually got it, and I really enjoyed the new functionality of my phone until I missed so many updates from my carrier that I could barely connect to the cell phone towers.

Anyway, I let that go because I didn't have the time to be constantly troubleshooting a root. 3 to 4 years down the line, yesterday, I decide that some added privacy might be worth the effort to root my phone. So I go online fully expecting to find a bunch of convoluted guides on how root my phone, but instead I find all these websites offering automated root, and for free to boot. I immediately became suspicious; however, after not being able to find a single guide on how to manually root my phone, I opted for KingRoot because I saw them mentioned all over the message boards. Against my better instinct, I downloaded the software, and let it "root" my phone, so to speak, and as I'm doing this my better instincts are alarmed once again by how flashy and entertaining the process is being depicted on my screen. KingRoot obviously put some effort into creating appealing visuals for you to enjoy while your phone is allegedly being rooted. To make you feel like you actually did something by running KingRoot on your phone, the app also has you meaninglessly tap a few icons to complete the "root." Upon completion of running KingRoot, my phone functioned exactly the same as before, except I couldn't access the playstore and I couldn't use any google apps, including gmail and googlemaps. Also KIngRoot had downloaded a bunch of crappy games to my phone that probably contained adds from their affiliates, which is probably why KingRoot is free because they get paid by the advertisers

Anyhow, I proceeded with my new "rooted" freedom by installing AdBlock Plus and Titanium Backup; however, both apps would close automatically immediately after I opened them, indicating that my phone was not, in fact, rooted. After a little frustration and more time than I cared to waste on this KingRoot garbage, I "uninstalled" KingRoot, but the app persisted. So I performed a factory reset, and while I regained the functionality of my phone, KingRoot still persists.

In conclusion, even if KingRoot does actually root your phone, it is Adware nevertheless. These folks seem very dishonest and I would highly recommend you avoid them.

---------- Post added at 10:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:22 PM ----------

You make an excellent point, but where is the incentive to do this? Creating such an application takes time, and time is money, and in this day and age in particular most people won't do anything unless they can profit from it.

Another good question is why does xda forums allow all this shilling of KingRoot all over its message boards when KingRoot is obviously adware/malware?

My answer, which may get me banned and my posts deleted, is that xda is being paid by KingRoot.

If you want to know why someone is doing something that seems irrational on the surface, as the saying goes, "Follow the money."