OTA RootKeeper

Summary

Smartphones updates can feel a little bit like Christmas morning—except for users with rooted phones, who tend to miss out on original updates.

This is why I felt a like a kid on Christmas morning when I stumbled across OTA RootKeeper. This crafty app has for its mission to help everyone – including root-ers – benefit from updates. Let's find out if the app lives up to expectations in today's review.

Tested on
Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Android version: 4.1.2
Root: Yes
Modifications: None

App details
Runs as of: 1.5
Size: Ca. 0.2 MB
Optimised for Ice Cream Sandwich/Jellybean: Yes

Permissions: None

As mentioned in the intro, updates are a Big Deal in the world of Android. In fact, a lot of Android users are miffed that updates for new devices are so far and few between. And this is what prompts many of us to opt for alternative ROMs, providing our devices with updates, which tend to be more frequent on custom ROMs. Still, the majority of users won't be quite so adventurous and prefer to stick with the stock operating system, which is why it's so important that developers update regularly. I mean, we all want to benefit from smooth controls, better security and new features.

Users who have rooted their devices in order to gain access to the system generally don't get to profit from developer updates. The only option is un-rooting the device, but that usually means having to start all over again from scratch.

I have perused forums galore reading up on what other users can recommend I do with my Galaxy Note 2. When updating, Samsung recognises that a device has root access. There is also a tool that tracks changes that are made to a device (root or custom ROM).

After much reading up on the subject, I finally found an app that can help in this department: OTA RootKeeper is an app that temporarily removes root access. Should issues with installing the update remain, use the app “[root] Triangle Away”.

OTA RootKeeper works on all devices whose system partition is formatted with ext2, ext3 or ext4. My advice would be to simple test it out to see if it works. OTA RootKeeper works on many devices.

OTA RootKeeper has another function and that is to maintain root access beyond the operating system updates. This can only work for devices whose system partition wasn't overwritten during the update.

Bottom line:

OTA RootKeeper will not work on every device, but my guess is that is can be of help to a lot of users out there. I was able to circumvent setting up my Galaxy Note 2 anew, though I did have to reroot it after the update—but this takes but a few minutes at most.

Please note: Root access and changes to the system should be done on one's own account. We wish to caution users not to make changes to the system unless they really know what they're doing. AndroidPIT and the AndroidPIT reviews will not be held accountable for any damage that is caused.

OTA RootKeeper controls are child's play: Select “Protect Root” followed by “Temp. Un-root” in order to remove root access.

The app's interface is rather basic, making it easy to navigate.

OTA RootKeeper performed fluidly, though its performance will vary from one device to the next.

OTA RootKeeper is completely free (of charge and ads) and available from Google Play.