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[Q] Are there Android phones that can be rooted without flashing ROM or bootloader?

Hi all.
I am a programmer and I haven't Android phone yet but I am going to buy it.
My goal is get full access to all the phone's resources so I can test and install applications which might need admin rights (and also my self-made applications).
I have read many stories and tutorials about rooting but most of them involve flashing a custom ROM or flashing the bootloader. I know that messing up with a bootloader is always a bit risky.
So the question is -
is there any phone which allows to set and unset root permissions without reflashing the complete ROM firmware or even worse - the bootloader?
P.S. Please, do not suggest official Google Developer phones, I haven't seen them in my country...
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Weird ... was it so difficult question? Anyway, I hope some experienced modder will take a look on this question.
For now I found only that Samsung Galaxy is pretty simple to root, no obvious bootloader or ROM reflashing, just some mystical update.zip. But I have no idea - maybe this update.zip contains modified bootloader?

There is root software for many phones that doesn't require flashing a custom rom. flashing a bootloader is quite rare. Rooting basically involves installing busybox and sudo.
Go look up what phones you like and then read about what 1click root methods are available, if any.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

Hm... and what about that S-OFF thing for HTC Desire phones? Doesn't setting S-OFF mean doing something with the bootloader?
Also according to SonyEricsson, to flash custom ROMs with root access, it is needed to unlock the bootloader:
unlockbootloader.sonyericsson.com

Most HTC phones come with a locked bootloader, so you have to make it S(ecurity)-Off.
All the galaxy S line phones are extemely easy to root, and hard to perm-brick.
If it has 2e recovery you can use an update.zip (it just copies superuser and stuff).
If you are on 2.2 then you need to use an exploit like z4root or super1click.
If you ever soft-brick get to download mode and odin flash stock. The only way to perm-brick is with a bad bootloader flash (only needed for ginger leaks, and flash stock).
Sent from my CM7 captivate.

The simpliest phone to root is The x10i
There are many ROMs and great tools,ideas and developers!
Buy an x10i !!!!!!!
Sent from my X10i TripNMiUI-IRIS using XDA App

[A510] Root A510

Hi guys. Is it hard to root the A510. I don'twant to install a custom ROM, just get root access to run stuff like Chainfire and have a little more control over GPU/CPU performance.
How long will it take? Can some one post me directions or a link?
Thanks!

Is it so hard to look at the whopping 8 topics here?
Sent from my A510 using xda app-developers app

Randomwalker said:
Is it so hard to look at the whopping 8 topics here?
Sent from my A510 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, there's not much. Even them, I'm a noob at this stuff. So I would've thought a little more hand.

There is a rooting guide and a program that will root your tablet, all within these 8 threads...
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app

There are many discussions about this topic.

Ok wait. So once I root, can I then update OS OTA. Will root be broken?

Its not hard at all, and while you surf xda in general, notice that there is the website part of xda with many good articles about the rooting process and its pro's and cons.
Theres a risk with any tinkering under the hood, but the guides a mostly quite accurate at what to do and its requirements for the process, but you, and solely you are responsible for doing it.
Another detail you have to obey to a certain extend is the posting of requests for advices in general, is that you ask in the appropriate section, eg. Questions and Answers, and the other sub threads like accessories, developement, and so on.
But dont mind too much about your first initial misplaced questions, and the subsequent grunty answers, unless you do it repeatedly that is. We all started as noobs, but follow posting rules as your first lesson.
And for your last question; No, you cant be sure of anything working as it did before you rooted, and further, flashed CWM, removed stock apps, setting up tweaks and mods etc etc.
OTA's is often depending on stock recovery, so nope, root can be lost easily, or the OTA execution might not be successfull at all.
Omnius
Sent from my A510 using xda app-developers app

himmatsj said:
Hi guys. Is it hard to root the A510. I don'twant to install a custom ROM, just get root access to run stuff like Chainfire and have a little more control over GPU/CPU performance.
How long will it take? Can some one post me directions or a link?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Rooting does not automatically give you the ability to control GPU/CPU
2. What from Chainfire do you want to install?
3. The above stuff is not "noobish", ie. if you want to do such things you really need to know what you are doing - so better first read a bit more about root
4. When you root, depending on the method you choose, be careful with any update and better, do not do any FOTA update. It might cause the root not to work after FOTA (on A510 you use an exploit to be able to root which may be fixed in newer releases), or even brick you device (see simoneser's update here)
Regards,
Nika.

Ok, another thing. Which is harder and longer process...root or flash custom ROM?
Also, if I root, is it possible to stay with stock ROM? All I want is root access. Or with rooting must I got custom?\
Additionally, whats the difference between root and bootloader unlock? If I want to use things like CHainfire and Titanium backup, is unlocking bootloader enough?
PS: I will really appreciate if I can get a link (I have been trying to find) where the whole root process for this specific device is shown. I saw the XDA thread but didnt understand much.
Daknen

himmatsj said:
Ok, another thing. Which is harder and longer process...root or flash custom ROM?
Also, if I root, is it possible to stay with stock ROM? All I want is root access. Or with rooting must I got custom?\
Additionally, whats the difference between root and bootloader unlock? If I want to use things like CHainfire and Titanium backup, is unlocking bootloader enough?
PS: I will really appreciate if I can get a link (I have been trying to find) where the whole root process for this specific device is shown. I saw the XDA thread but didnt understand much.
Daknen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root is entry level. It is usually more difficult to flash a custom ROM as you will also need an unlocked bootloader (which the A510 already has I think), and a custom recovery.
Root, in popular Windows terms, is simply getting administrator rights on your current PC.
Unlocking the bootloader, is like having the BIOS password as well.
If you need Chainfire and TB, bootloader unlocking will do nothing for you. You need root.
To get root, I believe A100's Mempodroid exploit works for the A510: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=25036001&postcount=93

A few questions about the GNote 10.1

Hey guys. Currently ruling this up on my S3.
I am in the market for a tablet...currently I have the transformer infinity. The sluggishness of the tablet really gets to me...so I was looking into this particular one.
I'm curious about warranty void issues. My Asus has to be unlocked which completely voids the warranty forever to install any type of custom ROM. Is that the case with this one? I know my S3 can be re locked and stock firmware flashed via Odin in case of the warranty claims.
Also performance wise...any sluggishness or anything? Thanks guys!
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

All devices if rooted will lose its warranty as far as uprooting it I think it can be done but not sure there are some threads on that but you only root it if you are not happy with the original rom or are a developer the Samsung original rom is pretty good and with jb update even better unlike the same prime so you won't need to root ir

Its fairly easy to unroot and return to stock, just like your S3...
Sluggishness, with 2gb of ram?!!
Are you serious, this thing flies... With the new JB release it is blazingly quick... No sluggishness at all, remember it is made to run more than one app at a time side by side.

samir_a said:
but you only root it if you are not happy with the original rom or are a developer the Samsung original rom is pretty good and with jb update even better unlike the same prime so you won't need to root ir
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to say, but that is nonsense... I use the original JB 4.1.1 rom and I rooted my device although I have no intention to install a custom rom.
But there is a significant set of apps which require root as the implement functions which need root.
- Titanium backup (to make a real complete backup of the device)
- Renzhi safe/LUKS Manager or EFS (to be able to mount encypted volumes into the file system and use them as "normal subdirs")
- AdFree (to modify the host file in the system partition to easily block unwanted ad sites on system level)
- BetterBatteryStats (to get proper usage stats)
and so on.
So there are many reasons to root the device.
As the original rom can be reapplied easily via Odin, I do not see the warranty problem. And in Germany, I doubt that a warranty case can be denied if there is a hardware failure. Of course, if you brick the device during rooting, that's bad luck.

yes I agree if you only root and use the stock rom it does not do any harm, but I still prefer not to do that because I think again correct me if I am wrong I will end up losing all my apps and data if I unroot or install another rom

Consider yourself corrected...
Depends upon a few things... Unrooting will not get rid of your apps and settings... It simply removes the files that allow it to be rooted. And if you simply root your stock rom it's easy to unroot (through su app to then reflash the stock recovery, nothing of which will delete anything you've done to your tab.
ROMs on the other hand are a whole different ballgame.... Though I have found that using the same rom version (jb - jb) doesn't always reset back everything either...

[Q] [NOT ASKING FOR HOWTO] A query about CM and rooting.

Hello XDA.
For a while now I've been thinking about rooting and adding a custom ROM to my phone. It seems like fun and I'd like to get involved.
Recently (as in I have no idea) Cyanogenmod released a new update that doesn't require the user to root their phone in order to install CM. However rooting allows full administrative access which is something that I'd like to have. Does CM root in the process of installation or does CM by itself have enough capability and features so you don't require rooting at all? If not, do people still root their phones before installing CM?
For starters I'm running Android version 4.1.2, if that will help in anyway possible.

taetiem said:
Hello XDA.
For a while now I've been thinking about rooting and adding a custom ROM to my phone. It seems like fun and I'd like to get involved.
Recently (as in I have no idea) Cyanogenmod released a new update that doesn't require the user to root their phone in order to install CM. However rooting allows full administrative access which is something that I'd like to have. Does CM root in the process of installation or does CM by itself have enough capability and features so you don't require rooting at all? If not, do people still root their phones before installing CM?
For starters I'm running Android version 4.1.2, if that will help in anyway possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you post a link to the source saying you don't need root to install cm? You can't actually post a link because you're brand new, but post the url anyway.
CM in itself does not root the device. The process of rooting is simply granting administrative permission as you already mentioned. It has root managing applications (such as supersu) installed, and a lot of its built in features require root access. I can't think of any instance where you could install the rom without root permission because it needs to change specific files to run, such as the kernel and system partition. This by default can't be changed without rooting the device.
Rooting is very easy and has to be done first, then you have to unlock the bootloader, then you can install custom roms. As long as you aren't on the 4.3 update.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

BadUsername said:
Could you post a link to the source saying you don't need root to install cm? You can't actually post a link because you're brand new, but post the url anyway.
CM in itself does not root the device. The process of rooting is simply granting administrative permission as you already mentioned. It has root managing applications (such as supersu) installed, and a lot of its built in features require root access. I can't think of any instance where you could install the rom without root permission because it needs to change specific files to run, such as the kernel and system partition. This by default can't be changed without rooting the device.
Rooting is very easy and has to be done first, then you have to unlock the bootloader, then you can install custom roms. As long as you aren't on the 4.3 update.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's on the wiki under "/w/CyanogenMod_Installer"
Code:
Do I need to root my phone before installing?
No. You can have a rooted phone, or not. The installer doesn't care. However, to be in a supported configuration, you need to be running a stock ROM.

taetiem said:
It's on the wiki under "/w/CyanogenMod_Installer"
Code:
Do I need to root my phone before installing?
No. You can have a rooted phone, or not. The installer doesn't care. However, to be in a supported configuration, you need to be running a stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, so no, this will not work on our device. Specifically because we have a locked bootloader.
A lot of the coding in the cyanogenmod wiki is extremely confusing. Even doing something as simple as installing the rom written on that website looks very unnecessary to me. There are much easier ways to do it that don't involve such complicated processes, with such potential to brick a device.
I feel like a lot of the developers know how to use heimdall which can write to any device. Our device can use Odin though which is much more user friendly. When they write guides, they write for many devices, and they're unaware of simpler methods on each phone.
In a nutshell, I'd follow guides here on xda on how to root and install custom roms. Just make sure to follow the correct guides for your baseband and you should be good to go. Once you root and unlock the bootloader, you can install any custom rom you want simply by flashing in recovery.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

taetiem said:
It's on the wiki under "/w/CyanogenMod_Installer"
Code:
Do I need to root my phone before installing?
No. You can have a rooted phone, or not. The installer doesn't care. However, to be in a supported configuration, you need to be running a stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agreed with Badusername, to be safe you should just stay within Verizon S3 thread and here is the info how to root/unlock 4.1.2 bootloader, install custom recovery then flash custom rom http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2046439

[ROOT] How to root your note 3!

This was basically the best way to root my device and i had a hard time to find any good thread about it, so this will probably work for any Note 3.
You do this on your own risk! I Don't take any responsibility for bricking your device nor world war!​
Downloads:
Kingo root: [Link]
Device drivers: [Link]
1. Install drivers
2. Follow this video: [Link]
When done this is what you get:
Root: Enabled (SuperSU)
Recovery: CWM 6.0.4.5
HIT THANKS BUTTON BELOW IF THIS HELPED!

I would not use kingo to root my device after seeing many people saying it is not safe.
I'm also certain this method you have described doesnt give you a custom recovery, as you have stated that it does. This would defeat the whole purpose, as your knox would be 0x1 after a custom recovery is on the device.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

kingo and some other root program was said not to be safe because they it ask some permission so XDA did not approve of it but from what i read XDA now says its ok and i think they even change it on there next update so XDA would recomment it( at least not banned it )

is it save to root with kingo now ?? i would like to use it if kingo not considered as malware

This would still trip knox If I am not wrong..
So I guess CF-root would be a better way..

using the usual way, odin cwm.. yeahh it triggered knox, but never mind

mattish.91 said:
...
Kingo root:
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kingo is not considered safe since:
1) you have to download and run an EXE on your PC
2) that EXE will download "things" from the internet
3) those things from the internet have TOTAL control over your phone
4) the "things" from the internet might not be the same for every type of phone/firmware; in that scenario it is very easy to have 10% of the people "injected" with some form of long-term security backdoor which can be (much) later used.
I am not saying that Kingo does step 4 above, but it could be doing it and there would be no way for people to know it until it is too late.

well...
i rooted my device using kingo without problems, no knox triggered or anything, and i got root and cwm recovery installed aswell, right after that i did a nandroid, wiped everything that has to do with TW and tripped knox by installing CM, the best thing i have done so far, faster, more stable with custom dpi and much more familiar since i always have been using cm on all my devices ^^
Why would someone want to inject an "advanced" user's device? Since most users are flashing updates, wiping all the time it's not worth injecting such a device, i guess most people don't save important stuff on ther devices if they are re-flashing all the time, atleast im re-flashing all the time anyways xD

kingo and knox
1- rooting note 3 on Android 4.3 with kingo does not trip knox. I don't know if there is a way to root the 4.4 update.
2- while no one knows exactly what information kingo sends from your computer to the Internet while your phone is being rooted, and you can be very suspicious of that step, AFTER your phone is rooted I can say with 99% confidence that there is no malicious software implanted in your phone by it.
3- after you root your phone, if you do anything that affects the bootloader, including installing a custom rom like cyanogenmod or custom recovery like cwm, you WILL trip knox.
4- in the absence of that possibility, the best you can do is to install safestrap (look it up) on your rooted phone.
---------- Post added at 06:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:34 PM ----------
By the way this applies to A&T
najoor said:
1- rooting note 3 on Android 4.3 with kingo does not trip knox. I don't know if there is a way to root the 4.4 update.
2- while no one knows exactly what information kingo sends from your computer to the Internet while your phone is being rooted, and you can be very suspicious of that step, AFTER your phone is rooted I can say with 99% confidence that there is no malicious software implanted in your phone by it.
3- after you root your phone, if you do anything that affects the bootloader, including installing a custom rom like cyanogenmod or custom recovery like cwm, you WILL trip knox.
4- in the absence of that possibility, the best you can do is to install safestrap (look it up) on your rooted phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse