Last Updated on February 5, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake

Here on this page, you can find all the different KingRoot versions that have become available over the years to get root access to your Android device. The files are direct links posted on the XDA-Developers website by the KingRoot team after each release happened. The direct KingRoot links on this page are the same you would get if you downloaded them from the official KingRoot website, the difference being that the KingRoot website only makes the latest version of the tool available to install.

KingRoot is a universal one-click rooting tool that makes you the root user over the Android operating system. You might already know many one-click rooting tools available out there online already such as PurpleDrake, Wug’s Toolkit, WinDroid, Towelroot or Framaroot. There are also many others out there like Kingoroot, Root Genius, PingPong, and VRoot. One-click rooting tools have one aim: to make things easy and fast for the user (yourself).

There are some downsides with a one-click rooting tool, like in this case with KingRoot for example, means it does not have anything to do with unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recovery so you can’t just find download links to custom ROMs are start installing them directly from the custom recovery image. You can, however, still install root applications that allow you to install custom ROMs. Just be aware that old applications like ROM Manager that used to offer an easy way to find custom ROMs are no longer being maintained, so you’ll need to look for other offerings out there such as the ROM Toolbox application instead if you wanted to install ROMs directly from root apps.

If you are someone who wants to install custom ROMs, then you are often advised to root Android. However, rooting and installing custom ROMs are not directly related. They can be indirectly related because there are root apps such as the ROM Manager that need root access to run, and they can help you install custom ROMs. But the custom ROM itself does not need root access before it can be installed if you are installing a custom ROM the usual way which is loading it from a custom recovery image. That is one of the main reasons why people who plan on installing custom ROMs get root access from a custom recovery (because the custom recovery ends up being required anyhow).

Anyone who wants to learn more about KingRoot can check out our post on ten things you should know before rooting with KingRoot, and it goes into as much detail as we have on this rooting method. Otherwise, you can find the direct download link for the KingRoot one-click rooting tool below.

What Is Rooting the Android Operating System?

When you buy a new smartphone, you might not know it, but the Android operating system is in a “locked” state. For the most part, it will not make much difference to you: most apps are still available to use, and there are benefits to this locked state such as better security. When you root the Android operating system, you are gaining full administrative rights over the OS.

Why Would You Want to Root Android?

Gaining full administrative rights over the operating system has some perks to some people. For example, out of the millions of applications available on Google Play, some of them will not be able to run on your device unless it has root access. Until you have a specific need for wanting Android rooted, you probably want to leave Android as it comes out of the box. But if you need to unlock an app, then that is when you want to look into rooting methods. Using more apps is only one example of why you may want root access, here is the full list of benefits:

  • Unlock more applications. Some of the apps available for Android cannot run unless you have root access. This is because the app’s features cannot run without the root permissions because the features require the full system access before they can be useful.
  • Better battery life. Smartphones are great, but they have one caveat, which is each time you recharge the battery, it loses some of its overall lifespan. That means smartphones, in general, do not make great investments, and if your weekly paycheck is low, you will want to limit the number of smartphones you go through. One of the ways you can do that is by removing bloatware and creating a better battery life.
  • Bolster performance. If you are the budget-conscious shopper, you may want to increase the device’s performance. This can be done by removing the bloatware as well. The more processes you have running, the more memory that is used. By removing some of the apps, it can help lighten the load on your hardware.
  • Customize Android with themes. With root access, you can download and install any theme that’s at your disposal. That includes any customized theme you can find.

What Are the Risks of Rooting?

If you are buying a smartphone that is not running iOS, then it is probably the Android operating system that you want running as the ideal software to pair with your shiny new hardware. It is, in fact, the Android OS that offers you the chance to customize the OS considerably more than iOS: custom themes, run any app you know about, the works. For many users, the “openness” of an operating system is important, because it offers them more freedom which means running into fewer problems with their investments. But there is a reason iOS likes a far more locked approach: the ability to customize is not for everyone, and if you do not know what you are doing it can lead to a lot of problems which can define your time with the OS rather than freedom.

With power (full admin permissions) comes greater responsibility. Here are some of the main risk factors when it comes to rooting:

  • Malware becomes a larger threat. You might read the occasional news article about how new malware is wreaking havoc in parts of the world on Android. But the Android operating system with root access becomes considerably more vulnerable to exploits because applications are no longer prisoned off in their own sandbox environments. This means if you accidentally download malware, it can do more damage because it can spread throughout the operating system and even jump into other applications and potentially view sensitive data.
  • You can accidentally brick the smartphone. There is always a chance that you end up bricking the smartphone before you had the opportunity to use it with root access. That is because if you are going to brick it, it is going to happen during the rooting process.
  • You may void the warranty. Most manufacturers do not allow you to root the Android operating system and still get to bring it in for repairs under warranty. Whether they are legally meant to do that or not is another question, but it is now common knowledge that most do not want to help you if they find out you have unlocked the OS with root access.

KingRoot versions:

The newer your device and the later version of Android you are running, the later version of the KingRoot tool you should try installing. No version of the KingRoot tool is going to harm your devices; it just comes down to if it will work or not.

Android versions:

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (10-18-2011)

Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) was the last version of Android to offer support for the Adobe Systems’ Flash Player. It also includes heaps of new features over the older Android 3.1 Honeycomb, including new Holo interface and Roboto font, widgets now appear like applications, drag and drop folders, pinch to zoom for the Calendar, the ability to take screenshots without needing apps, improved spelling on the keyboard, improved copy and paste functionality, facial recognition for unlocking, Android Beam, the chance to check your data usage, new built-in photo editor and more.

Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich (12-16-2011)

Android 4.0.3 comes with quite a few bug fixes, making it better than the original Android 4.0. There’s also a bunch of optimizations. The graphics are better even though you haven’t had any hardware changes, spell checking works better, Bluetooth works better, developers get some new APIs, the camera app gets better features with new updates and better access to content for screen readers.

Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich (03-29-2012)

The Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich update was the ICS update that everyone knew about, and typically, it came with the fewest new features—but overall was the best version of ICS because it carries all for the same features as the previous version and then builds a little bit on that. The new features that did come along for the ride include quite a few bug fixes and additional optimizations, added stability, the camera is now working better, it comes with a smoother screen rotation, and has an improved phone number recognition.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (07-09-2012)

The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update came with stacks of new features over Android 4.0.4, but its main prerogative was to help make Android a buttery smooth operating system and to improve the overall functionality and performance. Some of the features that came with the Android 4.1 update include a smoother and faster user interface, installable keyboard maps, expandable notifications, an improved camera, Android Beam Bluetooth data transfer, the chance to choose how you want your notifications delivered differently depending on the application that you are using, and support for more languages.

Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean (07-11-2012)

The Android 4.1.1 software update only came with the one difference which was a bug found on the Google Nexus 7 tablet. Google was pleased with everything else for the time being.

Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean (10-09-2012)

The Google Nexus 7 found another update delivered solely for it, which was screen rotation support. All devices now have one finger gestures available for expanding and deleting notifications. There are also bug fixes and performance enhancements for the operating system.

Android 4.2 Jelly Bean (11-13-2012)

Android opted to keep the Jelly Bean name for an extended period. Android 4.2 arrived with heaps of new features like an entirely new software version, but it’s still called Jelly Bean. Some of the features found in the Android 4.2 software update include some improvements to the lock screen, new Quick Settings menu, new screensavers called “DayDream,” a new Bluetooth stack, tablets can now support multiple user accounts at once, SELinux, group messaging, a new clock, more extended notifications for more apps, and more.

Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean (11-27-2012)

A bug was fixed in the December section for the people application. New Bluetooth joysticks and gamepads are now supported HIDs (human interface devices.)

Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean (02-11-2013)

Bug fixed for the Bluetooth audio streaming, you can now long press the icons for the Bluetooth and WiFi from within the Quick Settings menu to turn them on or off, there are new download notifications, new wireless charging sound, a new Gallery app, USB Debug whitelist, and a bunch of bug fixes and more performance improvements.

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (07-24-2013)

Android chose to still stay with Android Jelly Bean in Android 4.3, and it comes with a lot of new features yet again. It comes with Bluetooth low energy support, restricted access mode in new user profiles, can no longer change the volume for ringtone and notifications separately, a new camera user interface, native emoji now available, performance enhancements, security updates, support for 4K resolution displays, changed DRM API, bug fixes and more.

Android 4.3.1 Jelly Bean (10-03-2013)

The Android 4.3.1 is the last update available under the jelly Bean name. It didn’t come with many features — only bug fixes for everyone and some minor tweaks made for the Google Nexus 7 LTE device.

Android 4.4 KitKat (10-31-2013)

The jump up to Android 4.4 KitKat is arguably the largest ump that Android operating system have ever had between versions. Some people didn’t like the style that KitKat offered, but one thing is for sure: it did come with a lot of features. The new user interface was one of them. Additionally, Android 4.4 came with a redesigned clock, a translucent status bar and navigation bar option, an immersive mode option to hide the status and navigation bars, wireless printing, NFC host cards, SELinux enforced, Android RunTime, WiFi and mobile data statistics are now in the Quick Settings and more.

Android 4.4.1 KitKat (12-05-2013)

The Android 4.4.1 software update arrived with autofocus improvements for the Google Nexus 5 camera, better app compatibility for the Android RunTime feature that came in Android 4.4, Google Plus photos load by default for the camera application instead of the Android Gallery app, some other unknown tweaks, and general performance improvements.

Android 4.4.2 KitKat (12-09-2013)

The Android 4.4.2 KitKat software update arrived with some security enhancements and bug fixes. It also took away the App Ops app permissions that first came in the Android 4.3 software update.

Android 4.4.3 KitKat (06-02-2014)

The Android 4.4.3 software update came with a new Dialer application user interface, an update for the Chrome-based web view, additional bug fixes, and general enhancements.

Android 4.4.4 KitKat (06-19-2014)

The Android 4.4.4 software update didn’t come with many features or update at all. About the only thing it did was take away the OpenSSL “man in the middle” exploit.

Android 5.0 Lollipop (11-12-2014)

Android RunTime now comes with ahead-of-time (AOT), there is support for 64-bit processors, printing preview support, material design user interface, different design on the lock screen, changes to the notification tray and Quick Settings menu, new battery life improvements thanks to a project “volta,” shortcuts to apps from the lock screen, updated emoji faces, customizable priorities for notifications, USB device can now offer audio in and audio out, guest logins and multiple user accounts now extended to all phones, block-based over the air updates, and still a heap more.

Android 5.0.1 Lollipop (12-02-2014)

There were some bug fixes available for all of the feature changes that Android 5.0 Lollipop brought—a couple of those being the video playback issue resolved and passwords failing resolved.

Android 5.0.2 Lollipop (12-19-2014)

Another bug fix—this time for the TRIM support. The bug was preventing devices from being cleaned up (with regards to the file system) when it was being charged. There’s also another change with how the alarm wakes the CPU and how much of the system resources the alarms use.

Android 5.1 Lollipop (03-09-2015)

The Overview screen has seen some changes as well as bug fixes, the Quick Settings menu can now control WiFi network connections as well as Bluetooth connections, multiple SIM cards are now supported (though trying to use multiple SIMS between countries is another story), a new “device protection” feature aimed at preventing theft of phones, high-definition voice calls, and some improvements to the notification priority system.

Android 5.1.1 Lollipop (04-21-2015)

Android 5.1.1 didn’t come with many changes at all. There were some bug fixes that Android developers didn’t go into details about what they were for, plus the welcomed addition of native WiFi calling support.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow (10-05-2015)

Users can now do contextual searches from within applications that are installed on the device, a new Doze-Mode is introduced to lower the CPU usage when the screen isn’t on to help try to save more battery, fingerprint reader support for devices with hardware that have it as an option, 4K resolution mode available for apps, MIDI support for music, a different multi-window feature in its experimental stages, direct sharing between apps, USB type C support, larger app folders and a few more.

Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow (12-07-2015)

Unicode 7.0 and 8.0 for emoji support, all USB connections are now given descriptions, so you know what devices are connected, the Google Pixel C smartphone gets a unique navigation bar design, and the chance to open the camera by double tapping on the Power button.

Android 7.0 Nougat (08-22-2016)

Android Nougat brings Unicode 9.0 for emoji support, an option to screen zoom, an option to display the color calibration, DayDream for virtual reality user interfaces, picture-in-picture support for Android TV, additional options available from the Quick Settings menu, improvements to the Doze-Mode for saving battery life, improvements to the file browser, the chance to switch between applications by double-tapping in the Overview screen and more.

Android 7.1 Nougat (10-04-2016)

Changes to the notification shade, a new night light, improvements to the touch display, DayDream is given a full virtual reality mode, quite a few new features for developers, a manual storage manager, and seamless A/B updates.

Android 7.1.1 Nougat (12-05-2016)

Emoji has been updated again to include new pictures, there are several updates for the Google Nexus range of devices, you can send GIFs now from the keyboard, and actions can now be launched for apps by long-pressing the application icon.

Note: There is no direct correlation with the KingRoot version and the version of Android. We’ve just given the release dates of KingRoot and the release dates of Android just in case you know a particular version that you need. The KingRoot team does not explain the difference between the KingRoot versions, but most people assume that the later versions of the tool will be compatible with more devices. If you download a version of the KingRoot tool and it didn’t manage to root your device, try downloading a later version of it and see if that helps.

All dates for the KingRoot versions and the Android versions are being displayed in the USA format (MM/DD/YYYY.)