Tapping into Developer mode with Android 4.4. James Martin/CNET Rooting is the Android equivalent of jailbreaking, a means of unlocking the operating system so you can install unapproved apps, deleted unwanted bloatware, update the OS, replace the firmware, overclock (or underclock) the processor, customize anything and so on. Of course, for the average user, this sounds like -- and can be -- a scary process. After all, 'rooting' around in your smartphone's core software might seem like a recipe for disaster. One wrong move and you could end up with bricked handset. Thankfully, there's a utility that makes rooting a one-click affair:. It's free and it works -- though not with all devices.

How to sideload an APK or install an Android app from outside the Play Store. Simon Hill/Digital Trends You may have heard about sideloading and APK files. How to get APK file onto your phone. There are two ways to get the Google Play APK installed on your device: directly on your phone or with your computer. We'll do the easy option first. Install Google Play with just the phone method.

I originally tested Kingo on a Virgin Mobile Supreme and Asus Nexus 7; the process proved quick and easy. More recently, I used it to root a OnePlus One, and this time it was even easier -- because an app did all the work.

However, I couldn't get the utility to work on a Verizon Samsung Galaxy S6. Your mileage may vary, of course, and I definitely recommend checking before proceeding. (Even if your device isn't on it, the utility may work with it.) Here's how to get started. The app version The easiest way to use KingoRoot is to install the app version, which literally performs the root process with just one tap. In fact, the only complicated part is actually getting that app onto your Android device. That's because it's not available in the Google Play Store; instead, you must download the KingoRoot APK and manually install it.

Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNET Ideally, you'll just point your device's mobile to the and download it directly. If that doesn't work for some reason, or you're working from your PC, download the APK and email it to yourself as an attachment. Then, on your device, open that e-mail and download that attachment. To install it, however, you'll need to make sure your device is set to allow apps from unknown sources.

In most versions of Android, that goes like this: Head to Settings, tap Security, scroll down to Unknown Sources and toggle the switch to the on position. Now you can install KingoRoot. Then run the app, tap One Click Root, and cross your fingers. If all goes well, your device should be rooted within about 60 seconds. (On my aforementioned Galaxy S6, the process made it to 90 percent, then the phone crashed and rebooted. Cheat game guitar hero ps2.

Luckily, no harm done.) The desktop version Kingo's support pages suggested I might have better luck with the Galaxy S6 if I tried the Windows version of KingoRoot. Here's that process: No adware! Leave this box unchecked and be sure to click Decline during installation. Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNET Step 1: Download and install, making sure to leave unchecked the option to 'Install Yahoo powered Chromium browser' and then click Decline to prevent any other adware incursions.

Step 2: Enable USB debugging mode on your phone. If it's running Android 4.0 or 4.1, tap Settings, Developer Options, then tick the box for 'USB debugging.' (You may need to switch 'Developer options' to On before you can do so.) On Android 4.2, tap Settings, About Phone, Developer Options, and then tick USB debugging.'