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Question: Chroot/X11 Window/Xorg/Xserver in Android

Hi Everyone,
I have few questions regarding Android.
Currently, I don't have an Android and I consider getting one.
Kindly, please answer my following questions [Related to hacking]:
1- Does Android Support Chroot-ing? (Assuming it is been rooted)
2- If it does, is it possible to start/run Xorg/Xserver (Natively)?
3- If Chroot-ing is not possible nor starting an X-server. How easy to dual boot Debian/Fedora/Etc ... in Android phones?
I'm considering to buy Android to chroot or booting a linux in it (ARM Type).
I have already wasted a lots of time trying get my an answer for my questions, the only thing I found is about using VNC on android, but nothing about X11 Forwarding.
If you don't recommend doing any of the above, could you tell me why not [RAM/Technical reason]?
Thanks in advance | You will get thanks after answering me

I guess, I shouldn't scratch "Thanks in advance". Otherwise I might had a better luck.

Hi, may be is too late, i find your post searching info on chrooting.
It's possible installing busybox and like you may had find : on nexus ubuntu can be used.
You can use it from terminal or from vnc so you will have X.
I installed busybox but the bootubuntu script don't find chroot, i installed it from GOT's OpenRecovery (first option)

Xorg does run, I tested it, but the screen becomes garbled, because of Android and Xorg tries to write to screen simultaneously.. I'm trying to find a solution for that lately.

@theGanymedes you run xorg without vnc ? you havn't display error ?
screenshot ?
thanks

New X server written as app for Android
Somebody has written an xserver for android:
my20percent.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/android-x-server/
It is open source:
code.google.com/p/android-xserver/
And is on the market (search for 'x server').
Needs some work but could be the answer to running all gui apps from a chroot inside android!

android rooting without a pc ?

hi, is it conceivably possible to root a fone with something like connect-bot. since it's local command-line shell has access to the directory tree above /mnt/sdcard , couldnt someone download the files needed for the root to the fone via the web browser and copy them to the correct locations with something like connect bot ?
i am new to android so i am wondering if there is a hole in my theory ?
thanks,

Depends on the phone really. Some need to flash files you normally can't while OS is still up. Some, perhaps?

There are root deployment applications which can be ran on some phones
Sent from my Verizon Supersonic using XDA App

thanks, i wonder if there is a roster of files that need to be updated/ replaced for rooting a 'samsung galaxy s2 epic 4g touch by sprint' (i hate that name).
the reason why i ask is because since android has a perfectly capable linux command-line and file browser then there is no need for windows. (i managed to install heimdall on fedora but i have a suspicion that the apb just runs the commands as if it was run directly on the fone).

Most of the phones need to connect into PC usb port... unfortunatelly

The way of rooting depends on which android version you are using. Some exploits allow applications to get root privilege; others, like psneuter(2.1) or zergRush(2.3.3) work restarting the ADBd with root privileges by making it believe it's running on a test(rooted) phone.
On the first case, I remember an application called "Universal Androot", which I used to root my first Android phone, SE Xperia X10 mini, when using Android 1.6. That app exploited some security error on the system, and gained root itself, so I rooted my phone without need of a computer. Also, for 2.3 API Level 9, I think GingerBreak has an android app which does the same.
For the second type(the most common), it's necessary to use a computer, as the only way to get the root privilege once exploited is via the ADB console "adb shell". The other processes will remain running with their original privileges.

^ thx for the explanation. kinda' like you cant upgrade the kernal of a running system.

hmm that would be nice if someone sort this out..

Like Z4?
HTC Thunderbolt running MIUI

sort of, but more related to android security: exploits like psneuter & zergRush attack ADBd to make it run as root. other exploits, like gingerbreak, give root privileges to the application which run the exploit(somehow equivalent to running "su" on the terminal)
Sent from my MK16i using XDA App

[Q] Samsung Galaxy Pocket GTS-5300 - android - win file transfer

hi all, i know this is a developers' community but it's also a unique source of information on related matters so inevitably here i am (an end user)
system:
pc: windows 7 x64 pro os
phone: samsung gts-5300 (galaxy pocket), android os (gingerbread xxlj4), ('rooted' following these instructions)
question:
is there a way to be able to manipulate files in the phone through usb cable with a windows program (like a file manager)?
or at least can it be done using console commands?
note that by 'files' i mean android os files too
the issues:
'rooting' that phone does not actually grant root access to the system files but merely grants access to the su app and a glimpse of the system files
so yes we say it's 'rooted' but you can't actually pull any system file to a windows folder for example bcz you don't have the permissions required
i have installed numerous applications, on the pc and the phone, android sdk, android commander, qtadb, droid explorer, adb insecure, rom manager so i suppose that if someone gives me a set of steps i could hopefully quickly reply the problem that comes up on each step (obviously i don't think there is a quick solution to this, i know im an optimist...)
as far as i can understand, adb insecure should be the solution to this problem for similar devices where 'rooting' is not actually rooting, but im having the already mentioned and i suppose resolved issue of it causing the usb debugging mode to go off, and the problem is noone in the related thread actually mentions how that problem is overcome
thnx for your time

Rooting with Mac OSX? Heimdall?

Hi there,
I finally decided to root my Note Pro (P900), which is just 10 Days old (refurbished tho, so no warranty issues).
My Backstory (only read if you are bored
The main Reason for me is privacy. Coming from a Xiaomi Android Device with its excellent Permission Manager I was shocked at the Permissions some Apps require, that cannot be changed.
I did my research and tried a relatively unknown option named "Appguard". (Google actually removed it from the PlayStore after a short period of time, still available from their Website). This app was developed by a IT Professor at a german university with the help of his students. It allows to manage app permissions on the fly for installed apps and doesn't require root. However, this requires to reinstall the apps you want to monitor (no big deal) and it also allows apps to get PlayStore upgrades (great!). However as it functions without requiring root, there is no way to monitor system apps (including all the Samsung bloatware!).
I did further research and am now opting for the xPrivacy Plugin for the Xposed Framework.
This of course requires root to function. So here I am.
My device is a stock, unrooted P900 Wifi (32 GB) currently running 4.4.2 (KOT49H.P900XXUANI1). And, I'm on a Mac!
Bummer!
I understand that the current setup to gain easy root is using Odin on a windows machine (wich i dont have!)
I did some more research and found Heimdall. Its a multi platform tool that allows flashing Samsung devices.
Did anyone already try Heimdall and can maybe give me a hand on setting it up?
Does it even work with the P900?
Any other Methods rooting the P900 on Mac OSX?
Thanks a lot in advance!

For times when I need to use Odin I use windows in a VMWare virtual machine on my macbook. The VM image takes up precious SSD space on my rig though so when not in use I'll copy over the image to removable storage to free up space and then copy it back to the macbook when I need it.

Thank you for your reply.
Ive done some tinkering in the Meantime and it seems like at the moment there is no possibility for the P900 using Mac OSX.
There are actually two options (or one technique used by two programs). Both of them are open source, available for Windows, Linux and Mac and can be found on github.
One is Heimdall, which seems to work fine for older Samsung devices and actually uses a special kext to replace the samsung drivers on Mac OSX. It comes with a command line tool as well as a straight forward user interface.
The other one is JOdin3, a Java/Casual based program that can be used directly in the browser or downloaded and run as a java program. It also uses the Heimdall drivers, but offers a user Interface that looks and functions exactly like Odin, plus it inludes a "noob friendly" step by step process in the UI.
The problem is that the heimdall drivers are still having issues with newer samsung devices (including the note pro) preventing it to fetch the PIT file from the device.
As of now, April 23rd 2015 there is currently no way to root your device using Mac OSX
I'm currently downloading a virtual windows machine in virtualbox and will try to root that way.
I have no Windows license, but thanks to the Internet Explorer Team from Microsoft you can download already complete virtual Windows Enviroment for both OSX and Linux directly from the windows servers. For free!
Will report back once I rooted my device.

I successfully rooted my P900!
For those Mac Users out there interested:
I tried Virtualbox first, but it didn't work. I installed the exact same windows image (Win7 Enterprise) with VmWare Fusion and was able to detect my device using Odin with the latest official Samsung drivers.
I used Odin (v. 3.10.6) to flash TWRP Recovery (v. 2.8.6.0). You have to boot directly into recovery after flashing, otherwise the OS will revoke the custom recovery at the first boot.
I then used TWRP recovery to flash SuperSU (v. 2.46) from a USB Drive and made a full backup to the ext. SD card.
Currently downloading the Hyperdrive custom rom. Really looking forward to it.

Did you end up tripping KNOX?
Keep us posted on your progress.

KNOX will be tripped when you install a custom recovery via Odin.
So yes, my KN0X has been tripped.
I'm currently running the Hyper drive Rom with different kernels. Performance seems good and customization Options excellent. l have a problem with random shutdowns (not reboots), no matter what kernel l use.
Pretty sure It's related to the Rom setting/ Setup rather than root method. Some users of the Hyper drive Rom reported similar issues,' however l have to figure this out before university starts again on monday and i absolutely need the tablet for lecture.
If I dont find a solution for the shutdowns until sunday i might have to consider flashing stock + .Xposed

modification pf stock/vanila android os

Dear all,
i am no developer. My knowledge of how android os even works is zero. I am but a simple android phone user. While using an android phone, I find myself wondering as to whether the stock/vanila android operating system can be modified such that it
1) has a termux-like terminal but with the capability of giving the user temporary root access something like in ubuntu
2) is possible to install it using a bootable flash disk instead of flashing only.
I hope that android developers can kindly let me know as to whether the above is possible or not.
With regards