Database Users

[How To] Root

TGA_Gunnman created a one click root that new users will want to use, said thread is a sticky in Captivate Development. If you still want to use the old method (and install ADB) please use this one.
I followed my own guide! This works perfectly if you read everything and follow the instructions.
Also: once you are rooted, be EXTREMELY careful! Half of the new threads are people who have screwed up their phones by deleting this or corrupting that. Please, for the sanity of all of the devs and Android veterans, make backups and just be all around careful. Almost all problems that anyone has had are repareable AND PREVENTABLE with a little reading and care. Just to clarify, rooting does not automatically enable sideloading. Please follow http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=738376 to enable sideloading.
Follow these steps exactly and there will be no risk of bricking your Captivate, the worst that may happen is the phone rejecting the update.zip.
HOWEVER:
I take no responsibility if ANYTHING at all happens to your device that you don't like. Don't come crying to me if your brand new phone breaks in any way. Your warranty is also void, but you could have figured that out for yourself.
Now that that's over with, lets get to the fun bit. If you are on Windows, you can follow this procedure, or for TGA_Gunnman's one click root program (only on Windows), you can go ahead and skip to the bottom.
1) You may need Samsung drivers if you are on a PC, which you can learn about here: ADB Drivers at the Unlockr
For 64 bit Windows, you'll need these drivers: http://zedomax.com/blog/2010/07/14/s...iver-download/
Don't proceed until your phone is fully installed on Windows with the drivers!
2) Download the attached zip (at the bottom of the post) and rename it to update or update.zip if you are on a Mac. (If you are on a Mac, DO NOT USE SAFARI to download the file, it automatically unzips any zip file. Use Google Chrome or firefox instead.) Scroll down the notification bar and click "mount" to allow your computer to read the internal memory. Put the file on the INTERNAL SD card of the Captivate, which won't be tough to figure out if you don't have an SD card in the phone.
3) EDIT--There is an easier way to get to recovery, but do this step anyway. Turn the phone off, then hold power, volume up and volume down. If you still want the android SDK (which will be very useful throughout your rooted experiences) follow the old procedure:
This step requires the Android SDK, and Android Debugging enabled. You can get the SDK here: Android SDK. Just download the zip, extract it to something like C:\Android. You won't need the Java dev pack or anything.
You can enable Android Debugging like this: From the homescreen, press Menu, then click Settings. Navigate to Applications>Development and check USB Debugging. Now, hook the phone to the computer. Next,
On a PC, click start>run>"cmd" (in the text box) or on a Mac, spotlight "Terminal". Linux users, you know what to do.
The command you will use is in the tools folder of wherever you extracted it to (IE: C:\android\tools), so be sure your working directory of command prompt is in that tools location!
Finally, type:
Code:
adb reboot recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4) Once the phone is booted into recovery, use the volume keys on the phone to scroll to "Reinstall packages." Use power to select what you have highlighted.
5) Give yourself a pat on the back. You are now rooted. You should see a Superuser application now.
MD5 Sum: 1eb65923281c113e8751a7d8a6faff43

Can we please have more detailed instructions? I don't understand the part where it says "type in the terminal"
I am very new to android as this will be my first Android phone.
Also, after rooting will we be able to install 3rd party applications? Or do we have to do anything else to bypass ATT's restrictions?

adb terminal is software you need to install on your PC , will probably need samsung drivers also , guide is indeed not noob friendly. This will help you get needed bits including ADB
Probably None of us have captivate , so writing a guide is a bit troublesome

Ditto, a guide to the adb terminal please! I will acquire this phone, this Sunday.

Actually, you'd have to install a custom ROM for that. MoDaCo should be coming out with them pretty soon, and so will XDA. It won't be too long. BTW, once you have ADB installed on your computer, you can sideload apps all you want. The command is
Code:
adb install /directory/of/app/on/computer

point me to some functioning samsung drivers and I can do this!

If you cant get it to work on windows, try a ubuntu live cd. All you need to do is go to ubuntu and burn a disc and reboot.

Are there no Windows 64 bit drivers?
Edit- I found some that work. I think. Haven't tried it (yet).
http://zedomax.com/blog/2010/07/14/...ic-4g-and-fascinate-galaxy-s-driver-download/
Edit 2- Just did the root. Seems to have worked (no errors) but how do I know if it did? How do I delete say, ATT Maps?

Thanks for this. I am new to smartphones and plan on purchasing the Samsung Galaxy-S, but don't want to mess it up. I am new to editing the OS of any smartphone, but I think if I have a tutorial I will be fine

For Mac and Linux you put a ./ in front of the adb correct? (./adb install...)

NOSintake said:
For Mac and Linux you put a ./ in front of the adb correct? (./adb install...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are in the directory above yes. the ./ just saves you from writing out the full path
lets say adb is in "/home/user/Downloads/sdk/tools"
you could type out "/home/user/Downloads/sdk/tools/adb command" regardless of where your terminal window was focused
or if you were currently in the directory "/home/user/Downloads/sdk/tools"
you could use the shortcut "./adb command"

OP I'd change your post based on my experiences... Here's a little more detail and I've rearranged it (you need the drivers before running these commands, for example).
blackjackboy said:
Please let me know if this rooting method works as I have no Captivate to test on. I'm not taking any credit for any of these files, LeshaK made the original file to root the European Galaxy S, Justadude modified it for the T-Mobile Vibrant and chaoscentral edited the file for use on the Captivate.
Follow these steps exactly and there will be no risk of bricking your Captivate, the worst that may happen is the phone rejecting the update.zip.
HOWEVER:
I take no responsibility if ANYTHING at all happens to your device that you don't like. Don't come crying to me if your brand new phone breaks in any way.
Now that that's over with, lets get to the fun bit.
1) You may need Samsung drivers if you are on a PC, which you can learn about here: ADB Drivers at the Unlockr
For 64 bit Windows, you'll need these drivers: http://zedomax.com/blog/2010/07/14/...ic-4g-and-fascinate-galaxy-s-driver-download/
Don't proceed until your phone is fully installed on Windows with the drivers!
2) Download the attached zip (at the bottom of the post) and rename it to update or update.zip if you are on a Mac. Scroll down the notification bar and click "mount" to allow your computer to read the internal memory. Put the file on the INTERNAL SD card of the Captivate, which won't be tough to figure out if you don't have an SD card in the phone.
3) This step requires the Android SDK, and Android Debugging enabled. You can get the SDK here: Android SDK. Just download the zip, extract it to something like C:\Android. You won't need the Java dev pack or anything.
You can enable Android Debugging like this: From the homescreen, press Menu, then click Settings. Navigate to Applications>Development and check USB Debugging. Now, hook the phone to the computer. Next,
On a PC, click start>run>"cmd" (in the text box) or on a Mac, spotlight "Terminal". Linux users, you know what to do.
The command you will use is in the tools folder of wherever you extracted it to (IE: C:\android\tools), so be sure your working directory of command prompt is in that tools location!
Finally, type:
Code:
adb reboot recovery
4) Once the phone is booted into recovery, use the volume keys on the phone to scroll to "Reinstall packages." Use power to select what you have highlighted.
5) Give yourself a pat on the back. You are now rooted. You should see a Superuser application now.
Thank you to LeshaK, Justadude, and chaoscentral. Once again, I didn't discover how to root, that credit goes to LeshaK, bringing it over to the USA was Justadude's doing, and chaoscentral edited the file for use on our Captivates.
MD5 Sum: 1eb65923281c113e8751a7d8a6faff43
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Ubuntu 10.04 - adb
Any step by step instructions just to get adb running enough on 10.04 to root and side load software? I'm getting command not found when I try to run adb, even after downloading packages.

Hi,
Did this thread worked well to Root the Captivate or anyother suggested link? I'll appreciate any help.
Thanks

rerooting captivate
This worked perfectly on my Captivate. I now have the SuperUser Permission on my application screen. Now I can REALLY screw up my Captivate!!!

Thanks for the answer & More Queston
cellgeek said:
This worked perfectly on my Captivate. I now have the SuperUser Permission on my application screen. Now I can REALLY screw up my Captivate!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Thanks for your helpful answer. As I'm getting my Cativate tomorrow, can you please just answer yes or no to each of my questions as follow ?
After Rooting will I be able to:
1- download any 3rd party Android application?
2- install any "Samsung Galaxy S" ROM on my Captivate?
3- Recieve any "OTA" update as a "Galaxy S" phone?
Thanks again

Muhamadabdelaall said:
Hi,
Thanks for your helpful answer. As I'm getting my Cativate tomorrow, can you please just answer yes or no to each of my questions as follow ?
After Rooting will I be able to:
1- download any 3rd party Android application?
2- install any "Samsung Galaxy S" ROM on my Captivate?
3- Recieve any "OTA" update as a "Galaxy S" phone?
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No. You will have to use adb or the database modification method (which having root access makes possible). Both are described in detail elsewhere in this forum.
2. Rooting means simply getting superuser permissions. Loading a ROM has to do with the bootloader and recovery partition. Unmodded Galaxy S ROMs probably will not work on the Captivate, but be patient.
3. Not sure what you're asking. You will still get any Captivate OTA updates as if you hadn't rooted, but you won't get, for example, the rumored Korean FroYo Galaxy S update OTA when it drops. You'd have to wait for the Captivate OTA FroYo upgrade (or there may be a ROM or patch you can flash by then).
Rooting is basically just allowing programs to run as the superuser account. Many programs like Metamorph, some screenshot apps and some wifi tethering apps require more permission than Android normally gives an app.

Thanks Drachen
Drachen said:
1. No. You will have to use adb or the database modification method (which having root access makes possible). Both are described in detail elsewhere in this forum.
2. Rooting means simply getting superuser permissions. Loading a ROM has to do with the bootloader and recovery partition. Unmodded Galaxy S ROMs probably will not work on the Captivate, but be patient.
3. Not sure what you're asking. You will still get any Captivate OTA updates as if you hadn't rooted, but you won't get, for example, the rumored Korean FroYo Galaxy S update OTA when it drops. You'd have to wait for the Captivate OTA FroYo upgrade (or there may be a ROM or patch you can flash by then).
Rooting is basically just allowing programs to run as the superuser account. Many programs like Metamorph, some screenshot apps and some wifi tethering apps require more permission than Android normally gives an app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks alot for taking all this time & energy to reply to me! WOW, it seems like everytime I wanna step up one, I go back 10 steps. All I need is to use my Captivate for installing a Stock Rom of "Galaxy S" & be able to get rid of any "AT&T" restrictions for anything on this phone, what should I do please?
Thanks

Muhamadabdelaall said:
Thanks alot for taking all this time & energy to reply to me! WOW, it seems like everytime I wanna step up one, I go back 10 steps. All I need is to use my Captivate for installing a Stock Rom of "Galaxy S" & be able to get rid of any "AT&T" restrictions for anything on this phone, what should I do please?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ATT stuff doesn't actually run so they aren't a big deal at this point. I also don't see Amazon MP3 background stuff like some Android devices have, so... There's really not a huge case for rooting yet.
That said, when Custom ROMs for this come out I'll still be getting one.

For those of you having a hard time installing ADB Shell, try this video. It worked for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeWH6Bj1DYw&feature=related

How to Root your MT4G using a Mac.

Guess what, you're not going to root using a Mac. I've been screwing around for days trying to root my HTC MyTouch 4G only to find out that it just won't work using a Mac. Does ANYONE have any ideas besides buying a PC?
I tried to post in the Android Development forum, but I have to wait for my 10th post before I "qualify".
I've been getting errors, S=ON, root.rar, just about everything. STILL UNABLE TO ROOT. I can temp root with Visionary r11, but try finding r11. I can also view the contents of my SD card. I have done a factory hard reset, pulled the battery, pulled my hair out, and even invented a few cuss words with Apple and iMac as the suffix.
Is anyone else using an iMac that had success? I've seen a few threads where people have said it "should" work. After trying to root since Thursday, and now it's Saturday, I'm all out of patience. AND...my O.C.D. medication (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is running out. Should I throw in the towel and go back to my Metro PCS Go Phone?
"Please have a look at those threads before you start a new one." Yes, I did. I looked through every post I could find. I've downloaded Zip file converters, SyncMate (which will NOT uninstall- it invaded ther Mac O.S.), as well as other programs.
Please, if you have any ideas regarding Macs and rooting, I'd appreciate it. (My wife would too).
Brad

Whaaa you know you don't even need computer to root right? So forget the PC/Mac BS just use the Visionary meth and download root.sh to your SDCard and then from terminal run the script, reboot. If you need help let me know, I repeat you don't even need computer.

I tried that once in the beginning. I'll try that again. I'm just wondering if it's really worth it to root using this method. When I want to flash a new ROM, or get into the heavy duty mods, I'm sure it will be a pain in the keester without a computer.

Ill tell you little secret don't tell anyone okay? You don't even need freaking computer to do anything. You can download whatever you need directly in SDCard and flash it. If you do need to do something you can do it via terminal before or after. So root using Visionary as I said and then download the rom directly in your SDCard and then flash it.

That's the truth, you don't need a computer to do crap. You can use the gfree method if you want too, just temp root and use Root explorer, or any other system file manager to do all the things adb push would have to do.

simpler guide to root?

I've only ever rooted the G2 which was way too easy, but the guide they have to root the Shift is a little complicated for someone who doesnt really know whats going on(me). Says to make sure adb is set up properly and what not, but it doesnt tell you how to set it up in the first place, I dont even know what adb is. Is there and easier guide I can follow? Im not trying to brick my phone

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1005133
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk

how did i miss that....thanks

This is the first phone I have rooted and it was taxing on the brain, nerves, but very easy.
Sent from the beach with a conch shell

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1002152
I followed this guys video, I have never rooted a phone before, still don't really even know what rooting is or does but it worked for me. (I know its rooted because I was able to use the tether app and titanium backup)
So I'm thinking this is the easiest guide so far.

This is one of the most simple "first roots" I've seen on any device. Don't worry guys it's not all that bad if you copy and paste
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA Premium App

Honestly, the root on this device was a piece of cake. When I had my Hero I had rooted it before any of the easier methods. That had many more steps than this had. This was literally, download a bunch of stuff, temp root, install busybox, copy and paste a few lines in cmd, make sure they match, copy and paste a couple more lines, then copy and paste a couple more lines, make sure they match, reboot, temp root, perm root, the end.

theres a one click program available search farther down the page

I followed the same you tube video - worked great! the guy even has very good written instructions you can download
- I couldn't find the 1 click solution, is there really one? I've seen screen shots of some windows utility thats suposed to do it for you, but I could not find it anywhere

3 phones in 3 days...what are the odds?

Got my MT4G wednesday...couldn't root with visionary
Got it replaced yesterday...couldn't root with visionary
Got it replayed today...can't root with visionary.
3 phones, in 3 days...all cannot root with visionary
Something weird is going on here. The odds of this happening have to be astronomical, or is this phone going to sh*t now?

I also had problems Rooting a friends new MT4G a couple days ago with the VISIONary Method and Thats all I had ever used. I think it's somthing with the new phones? Did you try the G-FREE Method?

No cause Gfree is windows and I have OSX, so I'm SOL on that...which is why I'll probably switch to the G2X if I can't get to another computer with windows.

use cm method

bosina said:
use cm method
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which is what? Never even heard of that...

You keep replacing your device because you can't root it? Seriously? Why? You think the devices are damaged in some way because you can't root them?

coupetastic-droid said:
You keep replacing your device because you can't root it? Seriously? Why? You think the devices are damaged in some way because you can't root them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it's my computer's fault?
There is a thread going on about bad eMMC's that won't allow you to root...so yes, it is the device...
way to be a d*ck dude!

I think you're likely incorrect about the reason you can't root it. My myTouch4G has the good eMMC, yet I was unable to root it using Visionary. Gfree worked without a hitch though. Also, why do you think gfree is exclusive to any OS? I think it should work on any OS, as gfree is executed on the phone, not via your PC. You run gfree through terminal emulator or through adb shell.

I've gone through half a dozen mytouch 4gs because they all keep turning off on me. I get the feeling that t-mobile just sends out refurb after refurb so you keep getting phones with the bad chip. At least I wouldn't be surprised considering my experience with this phone.
I also have the M4G2DE chip and I could not root with visionary. I don't know if my sleep of death problems are related to this but like I said before I wouldn't be surprised.

crawler9 said:
I think you're likely incorrect about the reason you can't root it. My myTouch4G has the good eMMC, yet I was unable to root it using Visionary. Gfree worked without a hitch though. Also, why do you think gfree is exclusive to any OS? I think it should work on any OS, as gfree is executed on the phone, not via your PC. You run gfree through terminal emulator or through adb shell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
excuse me, according to the thread in the general section, the MT4G can come with bad eMMC's. I have no proof of this of course, just going off what I read. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, when I see other's with the same issues at least.
The instructions on the gfree method are for windows...do the same exact commands apply to OSX if I use terminal? I'm not a mac guy, by any means, but I figured commands and all would be different between OS's.

Yes, it's highly suspected that certain eMMcs are more prone to failing, though this hasn't definitively been determined yet.
The instructions in the gfree thread should be universal. I used them successfully on Ubuntu. For some reason, I couldn't get Visionary to properly function on my device either. Apparently it did work after a factory reset, after I restored it to stock again, but first time around, I used z4root to temp root and manually installed the superuser application from the market instead of the step that tells you to use Visionary in the gfree instructions.

crawler9 said:
Yes, it's highly suspected that certain eMMcs are more prone to failing, though this hasn't definitively been determined yet.
The instructions in the gfree thread should be universal. I used them successfully on Ubuntu. For some reason, I couldn't get Visionary to properly function on my device either. Apparently it did work after a factory reset, after I restored it to stock again, but first time around, I used z4root to temp root and manually installed the superuser application from the market instead of the step that tells you to use Visionary in the gfree instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but what's the "C" drive called on OSX (as per the instructions)...right now my android-sdk-mac_x64 folder is in the macintosh hd

bballcat03 said:
but what's the "C" drive called on OSX (as per the instructions)...right now my android-sdk-mac_x64 folder is in the macintosh hd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see any mention at all of the C drive in the gfree thread. Are you following the same thread I am? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=858996

crawler9 said:
I don't see any mention at all of the C drive in the gfree thread. Are you following the same thread I am? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=858996
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup same thread, but in order to get to the "tools" portion, you had to do C right? It says I'm supposed to "cd your way to your SDK tools directory"...how do you do that on OSX?
cause when I do step 4 ""adb push gfree /data/local""....I type that into terminal and it says "command not found"

bballcat03 said:
yup same thread, but in order to get to the "tools" portion, you had to do C right? It says I'm supposed to "cd your way to your SDK tools directory"...how do you do that on OSX?
cause when I do step 4 ""adb push gfree /data/local""....I type that into terminal and it says "command not found"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never used MAC OS, but it seems like the cd command would work the same way. Just open terminal or a prompt or whatever you use in MAC and type "ls" and hit enter. That should show you all the files or directories in that folder. Use that to find your way around to where your SDK is located. To go up a folder, you can type "cd .." or to enter another folder located in your current working directory, "cd insertfoldernamehere". Maybe someone with a little more experience with MACs can help you with exactly where your SDK is, but that should help if you can play around with it for a while.

@crawler9 u must have great patients for ignorance... if he can't figure out how to use his comp, goodluck on getting him to understand android... not trying to sound like a **** OP but educate urself a bit more on things u r unsure of..
Sent from my demonSPEED Glacier

thederekjay said:
@crawler9 u must have great patients for ignorance... if he can't figure out how to use his comp, goodluck on getting him to understand android... not trying to sound like a **** OP but educate urself a bit more on things u r unsure of..
Sent from my demonSPEED Glacier
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks @$$.
I had a MT4G before, but I was on windows...I could do everything perfectly fine, never had an issue. Flashed and rooted flawlessly
But I switched to mac, and don't know my way around this full yet. So I'm trying to admittedly re-learn everything as I went a few months without my MT4G before getting it replaced.
Thanks for your input! Next time just keep your mouth shut if you don't have anything constructive to add, hmmm?

bballcat03 said:
which is what? Never even heard of that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=TMobile_myTouch_4G:_Full_Update_Guide
that is cm method...
\the best you can find and the most easy

Thanks everyone for the help! Got it rooted and up and running...finally. Trial and error might not be fun, but it get's the job done and you learn!

I rooted mine using the gfree method and didn't even have to touch a computer... All through terminal...
Sent from my doped up HTC Glacier.

Paid service to Flash New ROM?

Hi Everyone,
I have spent hours trying to root, get S-Off and back up my HTC Desire Z.
It's the first time I have done it and I'm a complete newbie to all of this and it's way out of my level of proficiency.
Even though the guides have been written very well this whole thing is really beyond me.
Is there a paid service or is there someone on here who has done this before a few times that could do this for me remotely? I'd be happy to pay and sit here while you work your magic.
Hopefully someone can steer me in the right direction.
Thanks!
Jason

umm, its often not the best idea to give someone access to your computer remotely, but your choice. id suggest trying to find someone local to help you. but there is always more options, often free
first of all there is little expertise needed to do it yourself, and I suggest learning how to root and why the rooting process itself works, as in the future you are bound to run into issues and not understand them, this could lead you to inadvertently brick your phone. for the most part having a rooted phone allows you to do anything to it, meaning a brick is much more possible.
I suggest reading up a bit on the process, finding out what benifits it has, and if you really need this. my guess is you want custom roms and the ablitity to use rooted apps, great, we all do. so do a little reasearch on the pros and cons and you will feel much better about it.
use google, its helpfull, search "cyanogen wiki g2 root" and "xda wiki vision root" and similar terms to find the proper rooting guides. also "reasons to root android"
read through the guides, log onto freenode irc #g2root (google it) and there will be many helpful people there that can explain what to do and why it works.
you'll be much happier and much more well informed. this will help you understand the process so future devices won't be overly complicated to you and lessen the chance for a brick, good luck!
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium

You get good at it the same way you get to Carnegie Hall: practice.
Sent from Spaceball One.

jason.choy said:
Hopefully someone can steer me in the right direction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi mate,
I'm kinda in the same boat as you but I agree with the others, just stick at practising and you'll get better at it. You've managed to get root right? So that is the hardest part over and you did it. Flashing new ROM should be the easy part.
You can get real time help from the more experience members of this forum by going to this chat site:
Or you could join the irc channel, #G2ROOT on http://webchat.freenode.net/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
where the likes of Nipqer and Setherio will be able to assist providing you ask nicely.
Go to this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1178912&page=65 and ask away.

There aren't many guides here that actually work. Trust me, I've had trouble with other G2 phones. The process of downgrading and then rooting the phone is still difficult. The only guide I've ever found to work is this one. Just go down where it says "Rooting the Vision (G2/DZ) and DHD ". It explains how to downgrade, root, and install custom recovery onto your phone.
I can give you a few pointers from the guide.
#1 Get the Android SDK kit. You'll need it just to be able to do anything.
#2 Know some DOS. You may need to get yourself into the Android SDK directory or other directories. For example, cd "" is a great command. All you do is browse to where you need to go in Windows Explorer and right click the bar on top and select "copy address". Just paste that address between the quotations and you would have done half the work in modifying your phone. Also, you can paste stuff right into DOS by right clicking and selecting paste.
#3 Know some Terminal commands. Using "ADB shell" starts a terminal like shell that isn't dos, but is done through dos. Some commands need to be done in pure dos and some through ADB shell. The $ in adb shell means no root, and # means root.

Dukenukemx said:
The only guide I've ever found to work is this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the same guide that I used last night to root and it worked perfectly for me. I did have issues with the temp-root to backup but Nipqer helped me out in IRC. It didn't end up working (the backup) but we decided that it didn't matter too much (I just used a different backup utility that did not require root).

I suggest you not to look for a payment method but to try it your self, use a guide or ask help to a friend (or here on xda), it's not so hard.