[Q] Obtain root access without computer? (apk? TermEmu?) - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Is this possible? I recently messed up my laptop and now I can't mess with my new N5! So is there a way I can root without a computer? Like a APK or do it in Terminal Emulator or something? Sheesh, not being able to mess with my phone is driving me nuts
Thanks.

Carloskeee said:
Is this possible? I recently messed up my laptop and now I can't mess with my new N5! So is there a way I can root without a computer? Like a APK or do it in Terminal Emulator or something? Sheesh, not being able to mess with my phone is driving me nuts
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you need to unlock the bootloader which requires a computer.
Sent from my Nexus 5

I was wondering about this too. My boot loader is unlocked but I'm completely stock at the moment
Sent from my Nexus 5

pepdavies said:
I was wondering about this too. My boot loader is unlocked but I'm completely stock at the moment
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the BL is unlocked you don`t need a PC to flash and modify your phone. Just download a custom recovery (.img file) and flash it with Flashify from Play.
-Edit- missread and assumed you had root. Nope can`t flash custom software from third (stock) recovery.

gee2012 said:
If the BL is unlocked you don`t need a PC to flash and modify your phone. Just download a custom recovery (.img file) and flash it with Flashify from Play.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not if he is unrooted. Flashify requires root
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

gee2012 said:
If the BL is unlocked you don`t need a PC to flash and modify your phone. Just download a custom recovery (.img file) and flash it with Flashify from Play.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashify requires root.. So if he just has the bootloader unlocked, he couldn't do anything with it..
Edit: Ninja'd..lol

rootSU said:
Not if he is unrooted. Flashify requires root
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just about to say that. I've used flashify before. I know how to root with a custom recovery, I was just curious if there was a way to do it on the move.
Sent from my Nexus 5

There isn't. Android blocks access to all / (root) by default. The only way to root android from within Android itself is to take advantage of an exploit but as yet there doesn't seem to be one for KK /N5.
All unlocking the bootloader does is allow you to fastboot flash a custom recovery. Rooting from a recovery is easy because android is running therefore not "blocking" / (root). But since the recovery partition is on the / root of the device, you cannot flash a recovery whilst android is running....unless you have root access.
....so fastboot flash a recovery is the only way to get root, which requires obviously a computer.
Hope this helps to understand
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Yes I understand. That is everyone.
Reason I asked. When I had my Nexus 4, all I did was download SuperSU. It was a stock device. But supersu asked to update us binary and it rooted the phone from there. I then downloaded a app to unlock the bl and did it all without a computer. Just curious if this could be done on the n5 as well. But I guess not. Thanks everyone.

Carloskeee said:
Yes I understand. That is everyone.
Reason I asked. When I had my Nexus 4, all I did was download SuperSU. It was a stock device. But supersu asked to update us binary and it rooted the phone from there. I then downloaded a app to unlock the bl and did it all without a computer. Just curious if this could be done on the n5 as well. But I guess not. Thanks everyone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
on the n4, and n5, there are apps that can lock and unlock the bootloader. but you need root for that. if you downloaded supersu and it asked to update the binaries, that means that your device had root(old) already, and just had its bootloader relocked..

Related

How to manually unroot

I recently upgraded to android 4.42 and it's honestly worse since I cant use MX player or some other apps, but I also lost my root. How would I manually unroot? I rooted used ChainFire and currently cant get into the app to unroot.
Raz431 said:
I recently upgraded to android 4.42 and it's honestly worse since I cant use MX player or some other apps, but I also lost my root. How would I manually unroot? I rooted used ChainFire and currently cant get into the app to unroot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you looking to unroot? or to re-root?
If you want to re-root, you just need to flash the SuperSU in recovery.
Raz431 said:
...I cant use MX player...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MX Player was recently updated for 4.4.2
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
jj14 said:
Are you looking to unroot? or to re-root?
If you want to re-root, you just need to flash the SuperSU in recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would I flash superSU?
Sorry, I didn't flash any custom ROMS at all with my nexus or any other android phone, so I'm completely blank on this subject.
Raz431 said:
How would I flash superSU?
Sorry, I didn't flash any custom ROMS at all with my nexus or any other android phone, so I'm completely blank on this subject.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you had rooted originally, how did you root? (are you sure you were rooted? If not, you will need to check whether your bootloader is unlocked. If you were rooted, your bootloader should be unlocked - unless you relocked the bootloader after rooting for some reason)
Did you flash a custom recovery like TWRP or CWM? If so, you should be able to copy the SuperSU file to your phone (any where), and reboot into custom recovery (hold down power and volume down when phone is off, and select recovery option) - once there, just select the option to install SuperSU.
If you don't have custom recovery, you will need to flash that first using ADB sideload - this link has more details about how to install custom recovery and root. (again, assuming you have an unlocked bootloader. If not, you will need to unlock bootloader, which will wipe your phone - all data will be wiped out)
Read the first post in the link I provided - carefully

[Q] I have root but can't do anything with it!!

I rooted my Nexus 5 yesterday (4.4.2) using CF-Auto-Root. RootChecker says I have root but I really can't do anything with it. Titanium Backup is constantly on "Asking for root rights..." even though I grant them. File Explorers cannot deleted APKs in /system/apps. ClockSync can't change the system time and sync it to NTP. I tried rebooting the device to no avail. Please help me! :crying:
UPDATE: Root checker basic now saying "Please wait for Root Check to complete. System appears to be running very slow".
Open superuser and update the binaries
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
fun, clueless people using root toolkits thinking it makes things easier but ends up taking longer. its easier to not use a root toolkit with a nexus, as its not needed. to root any nexus device..
1. in fastboot, fastboot oem unlock. this unlocks the bootloader.
2. flash a custom recovery via fastboot.
3. flash the su binaries(latest supersu) in your new recovery.
4. reboot and profit, thats all.
simms22 said:
fun, clueless people using root toolkits thinking it makes things easier but ends up taking longer. its easier to not use a root toolkit with a nexus, as its not needed. to root any nexus device..
1. in fastboot, fastboot oem unlock. this unlocks the bootloader.
2. flash a custom recovery via fastboot.
3. flash the su binaries(latest supersu) in your new recovery.
4. reboot and profit, thats all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to be condescending, bud. For my Nexus 4, I used fastboot to unlock the bootloader and install CWM then install su. Thought I'd join the CF-Auto-Root bandwagon for N5 and the root was working for some time before it started acting up.
Ben36 said:
Open superuser and update the binaries
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I do that from within the app? Do I choose the option to do it via the custom recovery or the "normal" method?
OK, I cleaned up SuperSU/uninstalled it, rebooted, reinstalled SuperSu from the market, updated the binaries "normally", rebooted and now all is well. Thanks!
boeder9 said:
No need to be condescending, bud. For my Nexus 4, I used fastboot to unlock the bootloader and install CWM then install su. Thought I'd join the CF-Auto-Root bandwagon for N5 and the root was working for some time before it started acting up.
How do I do that from within the app? Do I choose the option to do it via the custom recovery or the "normal" method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
normal method.
boeder9 said:
OK, I cleaned up SuperSU/uninstalled it, rebooted, reinstalled SuperSu from the market, updated the binaries "normally", rebooted and now all is well. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good good! Only just seen this, glad you figured it!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Lets be nice, or I will start passing out gifts on Christmas Eve.....Thanks.

[Q] Can you OTA update a Nexus 5 and keep root?

Ok so I just recently got my hands on a Nexus 5 which I rooted with CF Auto Root and relocked the bootloader with Bootunlocker for security (I'm guessing I should unlock before the update). I see reports surfacing of a possible 4.4.3 update in the near future. So before that happens I want to figure out the best practice for updating a N5 with CF Auto Root. It stands to reason I'll do a full backup so that's a given.
I'm not new to rooting. Done it a few times. Just haven't had a device that gets regular OTAs in my country so it hasn't come up.
Is there a way to update so that root is preserved? Obviously I'd like to keep the process as simple as possible but if I have to work from scratch it's not the end of the world.
As I understand it, you can do normal OTA as long as it's stock but you lose root. In that case, does the OTA relock the bootloader or will it stay unlocked? Which then basically means a new root which wipes the device.
Or perhaps it's better to ask what the best procedure for updating a stock Nexus 5 with CF Auto Root.
Everything that you have ever wanted to know about OTA can be found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/general/info-nexus-5-ota-help-desk-t2523217
Ah thanks. Appreciate it.
generally no, after ota you lose root. but there are apps that will save your root so that you keep root after an update.
I've been looking at Survival Mode in Super SU and RootKeeper but there seems to be some question as to their success.
Reaper1242 said:
I've been looking at Survival Mode in Super SU and RootKeeper but there seems to be some question as to their success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ive never used any since i dont ota, i update my custom rom as soon as its updated, but ive heard of success with rootkeeper. but it doesnt matter, it literally takes 3 minutes to root a nexus the right way(via fastboot).
Yea, I should use fastboot in future.
Reaper1242 said:
As I understand it, you can do normal OTA as long as it's stock but you lose root. In that case, does the OTA relock the bootloader or will it stay unlocked? Which then basically means a new root which wipes the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock Android OS update will not relock the bootloader. So, once you apply the OTA.zip file in recovery, all you will need to do is reflash the SuperSU, and you are done.
(Note that depending on your system status, you may not be able to apply the OTA.zip directly - for instance, if you have updated/deleted system files etc, in which case, you will first need to go back to stock - refer to the link that @mistahseller provided for details about how to go back to stock)
jj14 said:
The stock Android OS update will not relock the bootloader. So, once you apply the OTA.zip file in recovery, all you will need to do is reflash the SuperSU, and you are done.
(Note that depending on your system status, you may not be able to apply the OTA.zip directly - for instance, if you have updated/deleted system files etc, in which case, you will first need to go back to stock - refer to the link that @mistahseller provided for details about how to go back to stock)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you would need to flash a custom recovery first, then supersu in your custom recovery.
Thanks everyone for the responses.You've made everything much clearer.
simms22 said:
you would need to flash a custom recovery first, then supersu in your custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point. I assumed that op had installed a custom recovery when he rooted, but that is not always the case.
Ok so I'm going to sideload myself. Been a while so I just want to confirm the process so I don't screw up.
I'm using TWRP
Obviously I'll do a NANdroid and probably Titanium as well.
1) Unlock bootloader with Bootunlocker
2) Connect device to PC
3) Boot into TWRP recovery and go to Advanced > ADB Sideload
4) type adb sideload update.zip (or whatever I call the file)
5) reboot device and check if it's working
6) reboot to recovery and reflash superuser.zip
I think that's it. Is there anything else I need to be aware of? If I'm right it should then be updated, rooted and in the same state before I updated.
I am in the same situation. I am currently rooted with a unlocked boot loader. When 4.4.3 comes along I plan to upgrade it. I have only rooted and have CWM no custom ROM. I know o cannot perform a OTA update. So do I copy the update zip (4.4.3) and just flash in CWM? Is this correct, and if so do I lose root/ boot loader. Thanks. I have read the thread above but do not understand
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
dec1153 said:
I am in the same situation. I am currently rooted with a unlocked boot loader. When 4.4.3 comes along I plan to upgrade it. I have only rooted and have CWM no custom ROM. I know o cannot perform a OTA update. So do I copy the update zip (4.4.3) and just flash in CWM? Is this correct, and if so do I lose root/ boot loader. Thanks. I have read the thread above but do not understand
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash stock system.img and flash recovery.img and then do the update.zip from the stock recovery..
If you don't want to flash, then make sure you have removed all the modifications you have done to system apps. If you don't remember then I would certainly recommend flashing stock images...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Do i have to be rooted to flash a rom or just have a unlocked bootloader

do i only need to have a unlocked boot loader to flash a rom. or is root needed
Just an unlocked bootloader.
This. If it modifies boot.IMG you'll need an unlocked bootloader for any phone.
Root access has nothing to do with flashing a custom ROM
You can flash a custom ROM and not have root access
You can have root access without a custom ROM
You need an unlocked bootloader for both (unless you use Towelroot or whatever, which I don't recommend).
Read some threads in the first link of my signature.
Lethargy said:
Root access has nothing to do with flashing a custom ROM
You can flash a custom ROM and not have root access
You can have root access without a custom ROM
You need an unlocked bootloader for both (unless you use Towelroot or whatever, which I don't recommend).
Read some threads in the first link of my signature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that i plan on rooting but is it possible to root a device like the nexus 5 or samsung note 8 using the android sdk and adb
android.4.0 said:
Not that i plan on rooting but is it possible to root a device like the nexus 5 or samsung note 8 using the android sdk and adb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll need an unlocked bootloader and a custom recovery flashed in fastboot to root. Or you can use towel root without a custom recovery
Don't know about the Samsung device
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Lethargy said:
(unless you use Towelroot or whatever, which I don't recommend).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you just non recommend something made by the old great and powerful Geohot??? *gasp* lol
Sandman-007 said:
Did you just non recommend something made by the old great and powerful Geohot??? *gasp* lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On other devices with locked bootloaders and such it's useful, but this is the Nexus 5. Lol.
Lethargy said:
On other devices with locked bootloaders and such it's useful, but this is the Nexus 5. Lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair enough :silly:
so i guess you cant root from sdk and using adb.
Is it safe to use Android L Preview for everyday use if i have a antivirus im downloading it and wanna try it but idk if i should return to 4.4.4 later and flash 4.4.2 radios to it so i have so service. (stupid 4.4.3/4 bugs:silly
android.4.0 said:
(stupid 4.4.3/4 bugs:silly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the bugs in 4.4.3 and 4.4.4 annoy you, I wouldn't suggest you jump to L for too much more than a look around.
Wakamatsu said:
If the bugs in 4.4.3 and 4.4.4 annoy you, I wouldn't suggest you jump to L for too much more than a look around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that 4.4.3/4 bug my its the radio that i dont like i hardly have service. i may just look around L then go back and flash some radios that work.
android.4.0 said:
Not that 4.4.3/4 bug my its the radio that i dont like i hardly have service. i may just look around L then go back and flash some radios that work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then just flash another radio? It's not like you can't use the 4.4.2 radio on 4.4.4, you can even use KK radios on L and vice versa.
android.4.0 said:
do i only need to have a unlocked boot loader to flash a rom. or is root needed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neither. You need a custom recovery to flash a ROM.
You need one or the other to get a custom recovery though
No offence intended but this is a pretty basic question. I would recommend reading some of the sticky threads which you can get to via my signature
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk < Yes, I want you to know that I'm using a mobile client

[Q] Error message while installing android lollipop on Nexus 5

Im trying to install Android Lollipop on my Nexus 5, but once it downloads I try to install it and it gets about halfway through the install before an error message appears and my phone restarts. My phone is unlocked and has been rooted before, but it isn't at the moment. Any help would be great, Thanks!
eatcyanide said:
Im trying to install Android Lollipop on my Nexus 5, but once it downloads I try to install it and it gets about halfway through the install before an error message appears and my phone restarts. My phone is unlocked and has been rooted before, but it isn't at the moment. Any help would be great, Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a custom recovery or flashed a kernel? You must be 100% stock
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
I'm on stock android. The only thing I have changed is rooting it and unlocking it
Sent from my Nexus 5
eatcyanide said:
I'm on stock android. The only thing I have changed is rooting it and unlocking it
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am stuck in the same situation. Tried it twice with no luck.
I too rooted my phone with towelroot and unrooted it with superSu.
Did you find any solution? Please do share. Thanks.
eatcyanide said:
Im trying to install Android Lollipop on my Nexus 5, but once it downloads I try to install it and it gets about halfway through the install before an error message appears and my phone restarts. My phone is unlocked and has been rooted before, but it isn't at the moment. Any help would be great, Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rahul9five said:
I am stuck in the same situation. Tried it twice with no luck.
I too rooted my phone with towelroot and unrooted it with superSu.
Did you find any solution? Please do share. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You either have a modified system file or a file left over from being rooted. The easiest and fastest solution would be to fastboot flash the system image. You could of course flash the factory image.
wantabe said:
You either have a modified system file or a file left over from being rooted. The easiest and fastest solution would be to fastboot flash the system image. You could of course flash the factory image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well now i remember changing the mixer_path.xml ... Will i have to unlock my bootloader to flash the factory image as i had rooted my phone with towelroot so i didnt have to do it earlier..
Also is it possible to replace the mixer path file with the original one from the internet
rahul9five said:
Well now i remember changing the mixer_path.xml ... Will i have to unlock my bootloader to flash the factory image as i had rooted my phone with towelroot so i didnt have to do it earlier..
Also is it possible to replace the mixer path file with the original one from the internet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sucks! ; ) I've always used the sdk so I don't know a whole lot about towelroot. Your bootloader will have to be unlocked to flash the factory image. If you can reroot you could then use the app BootUnlocker.
I just looked and I don't have the stock mixer_paths.xml anymore or I would link to it.
wantabe said:
That sucks! ; ) I've always used the sdk so I don't know a whole lot about towelroot. Your bootloader will have to be unlocked to flash the factory image. If you can reroot you could then use the app BootUnlocker.
I just looked and I don't have the stock mixer_paths.xml anymore or I would link to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thankyou for your efforts and advise. I guess i will just rerrot with towelroot, unclock the bootloader with the app you suggestee and flash factory image..
Btw. Will flashing the factory image unroot my phone and lock the bootloader or is there some procedure that needs to be done to do that?
rahul9five said:
Thankyou for your efforts and advise. I guess i will just rerrot with towelroot, unclock the bootloader with the app you suggestee and flash factory image..
Btw. Will flashing the factory image unroot my phone and lock the bootloader or is there some procedure that needs to be done to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing the factory image or a system image will always unroot your device. Lock the bootloader using the sdk. The command is fastboot oem lock.
Is there a reason why OP needs locked bootloader? Just leave it unlocked, unless you have a really strong reason to. It will spare you hassles in the future.
That said, after unlocking bootloader, you can (at least, we could in the past) flash the update file through twrp (you just need to fastboot boot twrp.img and then flash the update), that will tell you exactly what file(s) doesn't match. Those are the ones you need to replace back to stock.
Edit: read also http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2949987. Maybe new selinux stuff is playing funny?
beekay201 said:
Is there a reason why OP needs locked bootloader? Just leave it unlocked, unless you have a really strong reason to. It will spare you hassles in the future.
That said, after unlocking bootloader, you can (at least, we could in the past) flash the update file through twrp (you just need to fastboot boot twrp.img and then flash the update), that will tell you exactly what file(s) doesn't match. Those are the ones you need to replace back to stock.
Edit: read also http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2949987. Maybe new selinux stuff is playing funny?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, you can't flash the ota through a custom recovery anymore
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
beekay201 said:
Is there a reason why OP needs locked bootloader? Just leave it unlocked, unless you have a really strong reason to. It will spare you hassles in the future.
That said, after unlocking bootloader, you can (at least, we could in the past) flash the update file through twrp (you just need to fastboot boot twrp.img and then flash the update), that will tell you exactly what file(s) doesn't match. Those are the ones you need to replace back to stock.
Edit: read also http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2949987. Maybe new selinux stuff is playing funny?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thankyou.. I am more of a soft modder. Like playing with rooted apps and xposed mainly. I dont see myself flashing a custom rom. Love the stock on my nexus 5. So i dont see the need to leave the bootloader unlocked.
rahul9five said:
Thankyou.. I am more of a soft modder. Like playing with rooted apps and xposed mainly. I dont see myself flashing a custom rom. Love the stock on my nexus 5. So i dont see the need to leave the bootloader unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Err... I didn't suggest that you flash a custom ROM. Read what I said.

Categories

Resources