Reports warned users planning to root any Android smartphone or tablet running the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop due to a risk of losing future software updates. This is an effect to the new patching style used by Google on Android 5.0 Lollipop OS.

Rooting Android 5.0 Lollipop Devices Can Risk Future Software Updates

Rooting features huge benefits for several users such as usage of selected apps, installation of custom ROMs and modification of system related files. However, Android Police warned tinkers to think twice before performing root access on any Android device running Android 5.0 Lollipop.

In the past, Google rolls out software updates for Nexus and Google Play devices which patch up system files individually. It is considered a very slow process on updating the software but beneficial among owners of any rooted device. Individual patching checks each file and signature in the system partition then apply updates if everything matches up. Provided no essential files have been modified, users can get both root access benefits and improvements on the latest software version.

On Android 5.0 Lollipop, a software update does not work as individual patches anymore and treats the system as one enormous file. It is a faster way to patch up files, but won't work if any part of the OS no matter how small has been modified which root access does.

"From a technical standpoint, the reason behind the change has to do with verified boot which was first introduced in KitKat. Even though Google has yet to enable this feature on a Nexus device, this move seems to indicate that the company could be preparing to go that route in the future," quoted from Android Police.

It means that users with rooted devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop will need to reinstall the stock ROM in order to receive the future software updates. It also hints out the same style expected to be used by Google on future Android versions. As of now, ChainFire's CF-Auto-Root supports LG Nexus 5, ASUS Nexus 7 2012 and 2013, HTC Nexus 9 and Samsung Nexus 10 running Android 5.0 Lollipop.