[Q] learn to root - General Questions and Answers

I used to have an OG Droid that I rooted, but it was just following the directions on Cyanogenmod. Now I have the Samsung Admire (btw, I hate Metro PCS) and I want to root it, however it appears that no one has rooted it yet. So I figured I would learn to do it myself, but I don't know where to start. So my question is, how does one go about learning how to root a phone? What skills do I need to have, etc. Hate not having a rooted phone. Thanks for any help!

which version of Android?

Sorry. 2.3.4
build: gingerbread.eh02

before you make decision about root...please make sure that you will enjoy it..because as my experience, when you was root your phone, your journey in android has been start many problem (maybe) you will found..but for me, that's the challenge when I got try and error to make my phone just like what I want...
and please focus to learn all of tips and trick (not just in this forum) about how to root your phone..
finally, if you think all of your prepare was ready,,ROOT IT!!
sorry for my english...regards from Indonesia :shakehand

Oh I definitely want to root. My last phone was rooted (was running CM7 at time of death) and I got spoiled, haha. I'm not looking so much how to root my specific phone (as far as I know, it hasn't been safely done yet), but how to manipulate the OS's vulnerabilities to become super user myself. I guess more from the dev standpoint. Kinda hard to get across what I'm looking for I guess.

I would like to know as well. I want to root the Admire BAD. It brings a lot of Metro crapware. LOL.

Related

[Q] Shouldn't Bother Rooting?

I'v jailbroken itouches several times flawlessly so the concept of rooting is not new to me. I understand what has to be done and what it does for the device, positively anyway. I'v had the G2x for about 2 weeks now and i'm thinking about rooting it, but i don't want to do it without knowing all of the cons. I know i would be voiding my warranty, and that i might not get direct updates from my service provider anymore. I'v also read a lot about people rooting it without error, but for some reason after rooting the phone crashes. i took the risk of jailbreaking my itouch because i had it for 2 years already when i decided to jailbreak it, and because it's basically still just an mp3 player. This time it would be a phone which is more important to me. im also aware that gingerbread is coming out soon, so if someone could explain to me what the negatives are or at least point me in the right direction if this thread is already answered i would appreciate it.
With my phone, unrooting is easy if you know what you're doing, so I don't worry about the warranty part. The usual horror stories about rooted phones are usually due to user error. If you don't know what you're doing and don't fully read the instructions, you can end up doing some damage that is either difficult or impossible to fix. I think some people root their phones just for wireless tether, ad blocking, screenshots, or some "root only" app they see in the market. Then they decide they want to change their status bar icons or something and flash something that was not made for their phone or the stock rom... or whatever the situation may be.
My point is, if you know what you're doing you'll be fine. You should be able to go back to stock, unrooted - I'm not familiar with your phone, so I'm speaking in generalities. There are already Gingerbread roms out for many devices that haven't received official updates yet, even for phones that will never receive an official 2.3 update.
The only downside of rooting that I can think of is that you won't be able to put your phone down. Ultimately the choice is yours. If you don't want to put the time into learning, don't do it. It's a ton of fun though, I couldn't imagine not being rooted... there's so much more available for rooted phones.
My Evo + xda Premium App = This post.

Why Not Root?

Why wouldn't somebody want to root their phone? I just don't understand why. I mean maybe they're worried about warranties or wanting to return the phone, but that's all I can think of. Does anybody know why people are so scared to root? My friend just refused to let me root his phone because he thinks I'm "breaking" it.
Lay out the advantages of having a rooted device and an unrooted device. Try not to mention returning a phone or warranty issues, because that isn't totally relevant to my argument with my friend (he is NOT turning in his phone anytime soon ). Right so I'm just curious. I can't imagine having an Android phone and it NOT being rooted.
Pros:
POWER (so much power)
BLN/BLD/Voodoo/Touchwake/OC/UV
Custom Kernels
Custom ROMs
Proper terminal/busybox
Adblock
ClockSync (these android phones have appalling timekeeping)
General customisation (build.prop, icons)
And of course wifikill (this links back to POWER)
etc etc
Cons:
Warranty, though hardware should be under warranty anyway as long as it has nothing to do with software malfunction (power button, usb port, etc).
Damn windows drivers
Maybe if it requires a lot of work and they do not appreciate customization or control. Perfect iPhone user if you ask me.
My brother in law had a Droid X and you had to jump through 15 hoops to root it and flash custom ROMs. He has a Galaxy Nexus now and has no desire to unlock and root it. :screwy:
My coworker has a Xoom and a Bionic and has not rooted either. Then he was complaining how long it was taking for the OTA ICS to be rolled out.
Nick N said:
Maybe if it requires a lot of work and they do not appreciate customization or control. Perfect iPhone user if you ask me.
My brother in law had a Droid X and you had to jump through 15 hoops to root it and flash custom ROMs. He has a Galaxy Nexus now and has no desire to unlock and root it. :screwy:
My coworker has a Xoom and a Bionic and has not rooted either. Then he was complaining how long it was taking for the OTA ICS to be rolled out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.......
for Nexus series , unlock and root is absolutely required , because they are google's sons and pure blood of Android , with Nexuses you can do all kinda things
Nexuses are for people like us who is DEV or likes flash ROM over and over and over ...
okay , i 'm sorry that off the subject.
but , honestly , for crazy users like we are do need it , because lots thing we do daily needs root access
but for a normal user , that kinda people who doesn't know much things about flash ROM or something , it's kinda not need to be rooted...
root or not , it depends on your usage.
for the people who only use phone to talk to SMS to Gmail and to browser webpage, what roots for ???
qtwrk said:
.......
for Nexus series , unlock and root is absolutely required , because they are google's sons and pure blood of Android , with Nexuses you can do all kinda things
Nexuses are for people like us who is DEV or likes flash ROM over and over and over ...
okay , i 'm sorry that off the subject.
but , honestly , for crazy users like we are do need it , because lots thing we do daily needs root access
but for a normal user , that kinda people who doesn't know much things about flash ROM or something , it's kinda not need to be rooted...
root or not , it depends on your usage.
for the people who only use phone to talk to SMS to Gmail and to browser webpage, what roots for ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're arguing that unrooted is simplicity from what I gathered in that text lol ? I don't know. I'm still not convinced. I believe it is better to root. If you root you will finally be able to get that "one" thing your phone is missing. Ever single person in this world has had a moment where they say "I wish my phone could..." ... well it can if they root it
Nexus S - AOSP+ Neapolitan flavors 3.0, Glados kernel 2.8
For my friend, his reason not rooting is because he's really lazy. And the possibility of his phone bricking is too worry some for him to root especially when he doesn't really need to.
When I was deciding not to root or not was because of the warranty. I just realized I could lock it again and return it for warranty if anything
Well, how should I suppose to say this. The only reason I buy Android phone is because it could be rooted. And this is where all the fun is!!!
You'll only brick it if you're are "smart" enough not to read what the ROM or whatever you're using supports your phone. Warranty issues are not includes for just such reason lol. If somebody can give me 3 point how rooting is better I will praise you and my friend. So fair stock:0 rooted:a heavy amount
Nexus S - AOSP+ Neapolitan flavors 3.0, Glados kernel 2.8
I am always worried of the EFS folder
BTW : would that folder be at risk if the device is rooted ? and would rooted devices are at more risk that some app would screw an original one ?
Because most people only care about 3 things
1) Can it make calls
2) Can it send SMS/MMS
3) Can I browse the web
If a phone matches that criteria most are good to go
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
I am not a dev, nor am I a programmer. The most I can do is follow instructions and edit simple things like font style and color in XMLs. I don't dare flashing bleeding edge stuff, so I always read reviews and go with something other people have tried first.
Still, I think that for an Android phone, rooting is much better than not rooting if you want to get the most out of your money. The performance and battery life can be improved, depending on the phone model, one can get a mild improvement (like with Nexus S) or dramatic change that makes you feel as if your phone gets a new life. Some people may not be inclined to backup often or spend time read up on XDA, but if they have a friend/relative who likes those stuff, it would be nice to have that friend/relative pick a stable setup and put those in (and set periodic auto backup for apps/messages). When others are whining "updates where? I have waited for MONTHS for GB/ICS", custom ROM users are already enjoying the new features.
Warranty still applies as long as you have the card. I've fixed the power button of my under-warranty LG Optimus One and they got it done with no questions asked. I know someone who had their Nexus S bricked due to wrong flashing and they still get to claim warranty.
If a person only uses their phone for calls, text and the occasional browsing, buying an Android phone is probably a waste of money.
Hey budday...
To answer the initial question as to why some one, but in this case I do not want to root is out of fear bricking my phone. Also I've found it fairly easy to customize without ..but in this case if you can lay out an easily read diagram or some sh!t then maybe people(me) will be more compelled to. Or for your sake make your argument a better one !
Especially with this ridiculously delayed OTA for my nexus ..and with no indication as to why! ? That's what I really wanna know!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Maybe they want to leave it stock to not deal with the headache. Most ppl root just to tether for free and thats it.
Sent from my MIUI.us Sensation 4G using XDA App
..
My work place is gey. In order to access the Corporate Exchange server using the Good for Enterprise app, my phone has to be unrooted. The Good app sees that I have superuser binary on my phone and won't allow access. I can't use my phone without it rooted, I'll go nuts. So I ditched Good, and my phone stays rooted. Why are Corporations afraid of rooted phones?
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
..
Election Day said:
Try calling someone's customer support and explain any problem you are having in full detail. They will still treat you like a complete idiot that does not have a clue what he/she is talking about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, i know what you're saying. but they don't do that to insult you or imply you don't know anything. They don't know who you are or how much you know. It is simply the best way to approach a problem. If a user said they did something, how do you really know? (e.g. user says they rebooted the computer. but what they did was log out and log back in)
Anyways, there are different reasons why someone might not wanna root. If they don't wanna hear it then stop pushing. who doesn't hate that religious guy insisting you go to his church? when you keep pushing people to root you are that guy.
..
fergie716 said:
Because most people only care about 3 things
1) Can it make calls
2) Can it send SMS/MMS
3) Can I browse the web
If a phone matches that criteria most are good to go
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any finished (decent) ROM does that better and it does ALOT MORE
Nexus S - AOSP+ Neapolitan flavors 3.0, Glados kernel 2.8
As a new Nexus S user who is yet to root, it is something I am planning on doing, but the shear number of ROMs and kernel's is very daunting, and it seems I'm going to have to set aside a fair few hours when I finally decide to do it. I'm sure once it's done I'll be hooked, it's just the initial jump that's delaying it for me.
Due to the huge number of people involved in Nexus S development (and this is not a bad thing by any means!) I am finding it difficult to find a suitable starting point.

[Q] Noob Here :), How To Root Telus Xperia Ray?

Hi, I've had this phone for three months but after I heard about the ICS update which will be laggier, and because of the crazy amount of bloatware on this phone, I've decided that I want to root and get CM7.
I have a Telus ST18a Xperia Ray, Android 2.3.4, and build number 4.0.1.A.0.283.
Most of the guides I see are for 4.0.2.xxx, so I'm not sure what to do.
I know I'm not supposed to do stuff if I don't understand it, but that's how I usually learn, by making mistakes. I bricked my first iPod when I tried to jailbreak, but now I know what to do. However, with jailbreaking all you have to do is make a custom ipsw, and ifile is really easy to use to modify some games, and I have a feeling rooting is going to be more complicated.
Time to get back on topic, can anyone point to me a link that shows how to root this particular phone, and if not how to update to 4.0.2.xxxx build number?
And one last question, does Telus penalize you for rooting your phone? I think the warranty becomes void, but is that it?

Hesitant to root

Hello there... this is probably going to get laughed at by the more experienced users on the site, but what the hell, here it goes.
I've had a Droid 2, an HTC Thunderbolt, a Dell Streak 7 tablet, and now, my pretty new TF300 tablet. I've never rooted any of them (the Thunderbolt looks scary as f*** to root), mainly because I was scared. I want to unlock all the capabilities of my device, but the idea of bricking anything I have just scares the piss out of me.
I've heard people say that the Transformer (not necessarily the TF300, mind you) is fairly easier to root than other devices because ASUS provides you the software you need to root it. Well, to my surprise, that software was nowhere to be found when my tab showed up. So I guess it's up to me to seek out the details and do some hardcore tab rooting... but damn am I scared.
Bottom line: I'm verrry inexperienced at rooting things... I probably couldn't root my way out of a paper bag. I see the lingo people use in the topics where they talk about rooting their device, and I am just totally lost. I guess I'm looking for input from others who were new to rooting until they hit this device, or input from pros about how risky it is, the ease of the rooting process, a more in-depth explanation of the rooting process... anything. The more, the better. Anything anybody could say to help me nut up enough to root my device, I'm looking forward to hearing it.
All you have to do, if you're still on the OG firmware (.17), is find the app called Sparkyroot, open it, and follow the directions. There is no danger of a brick by using Sparkyroot.
Note that if you've updated to .26 or .29 firmware, you'll have to downgrade to root, which could potentially cause a brick. But really, as long as you can control your attention span and follow directions, you should be fine.
Check out this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1645029
I'm a computer programmer and I rooted only because I wanted to remap the keys on the dock. If you are so hesitant, and don't have a good reason to root, maybe your tablet is just fine the way it is. If you don't have a good reason to root, but you have time to kill, and want to learn new things, then it may be a good thing to do.
As a first safe step, on your laptop you can just install the android sdk with platform-tools, install the usb driver for tf300t, and see if you see anything when you type "adb devices" in command prompt. Maybe doing this will give you a better idea on things that you'll need to do.
Honestly, I'd wait until you have a real need or reason to root. You say you want to "unlock all the capabilities" of your TF300. But what do you mean by that? Is there a specific app you want to run?
I rooted my phone because I wanted free WiFi tethering. I haven't rooted my TF300 because I haven't yet run into any increased functionaliy that I feel I really need or want.
Another thing to consider is that OTA updates can fail or brick a rooted device (or you may simply lose root). So if you want an OS update, you sometimes have to flash an older, un-rooted stock ROM on your device, then take the upgrade. A bit of a hassle. I expect that, since the TF300 is so new, we'll be seeing a few OTA's over the coming months. Until things settle down I, personally, am happy as is.
You're gonna think this is so stupid... but the reason I want to root is so I can run an app called GameCIH, which would help me cheat in a game. lol
In my own defense, the developers have made that game so difficult that your only real hope is to buy in-game currency for real money. Enough other people say, "Cheating is wrong, but in this case, it's pretty warranted."
Lol, you have piqued my curiosity. What game? And its stupid easy on .17. I did it about 4 hours after receiving. If you wish to waive your warranty, you can unlock, install CWR(clock work recovery), then flash the SU(super user) zip.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
The game is called Defender II from Droidhen. If you go to Play, you'll see a whole poop ton of one-stars, people complaining that the game basically became impossible after the last few updates.
Now, since I'm such a know-nothing when it comes to stuff like this, I don't feel bad asking: I saw that Asus released a bootloader thing for unlocking the TF300 today. Is unlocking different from rooting, and can I hack that game having just used the bootloader apk? I tried using the GameCIH app, but it told me my device wasn't rooted so I couldn't use it.
And to answer somebody's earlier question, I have provided my device with all the firmware updates supplied it over the air by Asus. Does the bootloader app I downloaded tonight make that any less problematic?
-Tim
Here are my reasons to root:
- app backups/restore with saves (mostly games )
- tune settings (look at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1641219)
- some apps require root access for more functionality (nova laucher, titanium backup)
- I'm a linux user so I like having god-like control over my system even if I don't use it offen
- and many more...
The only reason to not do this is loosing your warranty.
At this moment I have root only in my phone (Galaxy S II) but I'm also thinking about rooting my TF300T
^^
Another good reason would be to overclock imo. I've seen threads on XDA where people are getting 1.5 or 1.6 from root/overclocking, which is +EV imo.
If you can follow directions, you should be ok. At some point, everyone roots for the first time. I had no clue about any of this either (and I'm still not the best, especially with adb commands on the comp) but once I rooted my first device, I found it to be pretty interesting and now I do it with anything I get.
I'd advise you to read the root threads thoroughly, you will see a lot of Q&A which will show you where people tend to get stuck in the process. You also might want to just use it as-is for a week or two and make sure you don't have any defects, since your warranty could be void, and you wouldn't want to find out about an unrelated problem later that you can't get fixed.
I'm extra hesitant because it sounds like the downgrade is more dangerous than anything else, and damn it, in every thread, they use so many technical terms that I don't understand...
Make sure the blob file is in there with ADB tools and *circus music playing in my head*
Haha, trust me, I know where you are coming from. Rooting may be a good place to start actually, if you truly screw it up I don't think they will be able to know that it's rooted and will still cover it (someone else can chime in here if I'm wrong). Unlocking, however, apparently sends them information and will void your warranty for sure.
The only way to learn it is to do it
Then again, if things are working well for you, leave it as-is, won't hurt anything to run it stock.
Yeah, if that's the case though, then I really wish I didn't unlock it... I thought it was like rooting but it did nothing for me except kill my warranty and OTA updates... so until I nut up enough to root it, I guess I'm stuck on .29. Not a bad update, mind you, but as they keep upping the tab, I'm going to be stuck in the stone age. That kind of sucks.
Can someone reply to this ASAP:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1668173
Does following the steps in that post allow for a much easier root than I would have had to do less than a week ago? It sounds like it's a cinch to install CWM onto the tab (which, by the way, I know zip-**** about), and then after that, it says to "flash" a file to achieve root.
And on a side note, what the Bejesus does it mean to flash a file?
If you are unlocked, then yes that's the best way to go. Just to confirm, when you boot up, it says "bootloader unlocked" in the top left?
Flashing a file means to install the .zip from CWM.
In the top left, it says "Device UnLocked" or something like that. It's not near me at the moment, but yeah, it definitely says the word unlocked when I boot her up.
And thank you for the clarification
Sack up, and Root it!
It's FUN!
nordis,
I've flashed CWM onto my tab and I'm navigating it now, but I'm still unclear about how to root it.
The step says:
"After flashing CWM, you might also want root. It's easy, just flash the attached zip "
How! What?! Damn it! Can somebody detail what he means, or if I have to enter a specific command using my computerizer, what do I have to input? Because if I have to guess, I'll do it wrong, and this bastard will detonate in my arms.
Edit: I'm also in the process now of backing up my device. I don't know if rooting makes me wipe everything, so why the hell not. If I'm making a mistake doing this, then someone post back right away and I'll fling my tablet at the wall and hope for the best.
Edit: I did it! I'm rooted! I'm the smartest man alive! Nobody else needs to answer any questions I asked about this then
See, it ain't so bad. Pretty fun figuring this stuff out really. Now get to work rooting your phone and all your friends phones and tablets immediately
-T-mobile SGS2 Hercules
Tim 13 said:
I've flashed CWM onto my tab and I'm navigating it now, but I'm still unclear about how to root it.
The step says:
"After flashing CWM, you might also want root. It's easy, just flash the attached zip "
How! What?! Damn it! Can somebody detail what he means, or if I have to enter a specific command using my computerizer, what do I have to input? Because if I have to guess, I'll do it wrong, and this bastard will detonate in my arms.
Edit: I'm also in the process now of backing up my device. I don't know if rooting makes me wipe everything, so why the hell not. If I'm making a mistake doing this, then someone post back right away and I'll fling my tablet at the wall and hope for the best.
Edit: I did it! I'm rooted! I'm the smartest man alive! Nobody else needs to answer any questions I asked about this then
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can anyone explain what flashing CWM is and how it's relevant to rooting? It has nothing to do with unlocking the tablet right?

[Q] Why Root the One plus one?

Hi all
i Just got my one plus one last week
it was amazing , it was snappy , the screen is gorgeous , and the CM is plain great , albeit many apps did find unresponding oddly enough
i've had many phones in the past that are not so great x10 mini , x8 , galaxy ace, galaxy nexus
all of which are miles away when compared to the one plus
and since they are so freaking lag i decided to root them and gave them root and changed their bootloader
but from one phone to the other all of them seems to die out in about 9 months after i root them , and i don;'t know what i did wrong , most of them are dead because i fried the motherboard or something
still why would you root the one plus when it's already so fast ? i am considering rooting mine but i am really scared i might kill it
First, rooting doesn't make it faster or slower. Also, it doesn't broke the phone neither now or in 12 month time.
Second, you need root for some in depth access on your phone, or some programs like Titanium Backup may require root to work.
Third, the rule of the thumb say, if you don't need it, don't do it!
greenify, adblock, titanium more than enough reasons to root.
I go by the old saying "If you have to ask, you'll never know"
Generally anyone who's asked me if they should root their phone, or install 3rd party firmware, my answer is no. It has to be something you want to do and something you're willing to accept the risk doing. I'm a flashaholic. I flash a new rom every few days, or update existing ROM i have. I'm never content with the status quo on my phone and devices and always play. I accept the risk of running into a situation where I go to make a call, watch a movie, or open a email and my phone locking up due to running bleeding edge untested code. Mind you I can always recover from bootloader and know how so I know I won't permanently screw a phone, just until I can flash a older rom, or recover with a PC. If you have to ask, it means you're not sure about what you're getting into. If you fall into this situation I would refrain from asking others and instead read around in the 1,000's of posts in this OnePlus forum and decide for yourself.
Not that being said, root is simple. It's a more of a "Set it and forget it" type of deal, at least until a OTA update arrives. Custom roms is where the aforementioned comes into play mostly. If you want to start getting into the Flashing world with Android its the place to start. Myself I read and read after I got my Galaxy S4, first real Android phone, and went straight to CyanogenMod with it. Skipped rooting.
WoodburyMan said:
Generally anyone who's asked me if they should root their phone, or install 3rd party firmware, my answer is no. It has to be something you want to do and something you're willing to accept the risk doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He may not be aware of what can be accomplished with root access and find the profits interesting. He doesn't necessarily know if he wants to do if he doesn't know it exists/is possible.
I don't want to flame or anything, but since you've been around for almost 3 years, you should really know better.
Firstly, rooting does not fry your motherboard. Seriously, why would you think so?
The fact that your previous phones became slow after a short while is because you probably got them stuffed with bloatware and have not maintained your phone in a healthy way.
As to why you should root your phone,...
Well, most apps that help you maintain your phone and keep it as optimized as possible require root.
This kind of proves my previous point regarding the speed of your previous phones.
I would start reading some more and eventually you'll be able to answer your own question.
Good luck!
Well that's easy, if your not interested in using apps that need root access there's no use in rooting your device. It's nothing magic which will make your device fly or make a cup of coffee for you.
Why not?

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