Database Users

New to rooting - What is easiest?

Hi everyone,
I'm new to "rooting" android devices, although I have jailbroken all my iPhones and "rooted" my palm pre.
As a newbie, it seems the "root toolkit" is the best way to do this? Is this Windows only, or is there a Mac version?
anything else I should read up on / know before rooting? I basically want to root, initially at least, to get sixaxis support and stickmount working.
Thank you all for your help in advance.

First of all, this is the wrong section. You should post inquiries in the q/a section.
In terms of rooting, I personally find the easiest way is to unlock the bootloader, flash a custom recovery such as cwm/twrp, and then install the supersu zip via recovery. You should be able to unlock the bootloader and install recovery via fastboot. After that the rest is just copying a file to the device, booting into recovery and installing a zip file.
Sent from my Nexus 7

Take a peek at the nexus root toolkit thread in this forum...quick and easy.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

The tool kit is windows only, correct?

Any reason to NOT use the tool kit and go with other more manual methods?
An iphone is virtually impossible to "brick" - Is the same true for the N7?

Foxman2k said:
Any reason to NOT use the tool kit and go with other more manual methods?
An iphone is virtually impossible to "brick" - Is the same true for the N7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would agree with:
evonc said:
In terms of rooting, I personally find the easiest way is to unlock the bootloader, flash a custom recovery such as cwm/twrp, and then install the supersu zip via recovery. You should be able to unlock the bootloader and install recovery via fastboot. After that the rest is just copying a file to the device, booting into recovery and installing a zip file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then you know what is happening, and how it works... so if you run into troubles later, you know what to do.
Hard to brick this device.

Foxman2k said:
Any reason to NOT use the tool kit and go with other more manual methods?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For practice, and maybe the one-click solution is not flexible enough for your means. It's usually dependent on the developer to update it, so do check if it has any limitations.
Also, the ones I've seen are Windows only.
Foxman2k said:
An iphone is virtually impossible to "brick" - Is the same true for the N7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you don't mess up the bootloader, it should be possible to reflash stuff via recovery or fastboot. Bear in mind there have been exceptions (though that came about because of a serious kernel bug, rather than due to user error) so this can't be a guarantee.

I was new to rooting too, using the nexus toolkit helped me learn a lot about rooting and all the android stuff I wasn't used too!
I really recommend it

spdecoste said:
I was new to rooting too, using the nexus toolkit helped me learn a lot about rooting and all the android stuff I wasn't used too!
I really recommend it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another recommendation for WUGS rootkit - literally very easy foolproof step by step menus/instructions - only prob I had were the drivers - just manually pointing to driver directory sorted this out.

I made a guide that could help you. http://exzacklyright.blogspot.com/2012/07/nexus-7-guide-for-adbunlocking-rooting.html There's really only 3 commands. I don't recommend toolkits.

exzacklyright said:
I made a guide that could help you. http://exzacklyright.blogspot.com/2012/07/nexus-7-guide-for-adbunlocking-rooting.html There's really only 3 commands. I don't recommend toolkits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great, will check that out!
Can someone explain to me, in layman's terms, what "unlocking the bootloader" does?
I'm familiar with what "root" technically means as I've been using Linux since back when it had to be loaded on floppys and manualy configuring X LOL. So basically "root" means you have access to super user privileges.
Why is the bootloader locked in the first place? Once it's unlocked can it be locked again?

exzacklyright said:
I made a guide that could help you. http://exzacklyright.blogspot.com/2012/07/nexus-7-guide-for-adbunlocking-rooting.html There's really only 3 commands. I don't recommend toolkits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This seems to rely on Windows. Any Mac tools available?

Foxman2k said:
Great, will check that out!
Can someone explain to me, in layman's terms, what "unlocking the bootloader" does?
I'm familiar with what "root" technically means as I've been using Linux since back when it had to be loaded on floppys and manualy configuring X LOL. So basically "root" means you have access to super user privileges.
Why is the bootloader locked in the first place? Once it's unlocked can it be locked again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking the bootloader allows you to mess with the bootloaders progression at startup, which gives you the ability to install a custom recovery and gives us the method to gain root access. The bootloader can be unlocked by many different methods - some manual and some "one-click". I'd suggest doing it the manual way first, so you understand the process, and are able to fix it manually if anything goes wrong.
To my understanding, it's locked so that people who don't know what they're doing can't mess the device up. It's a safety procedure basically.
To relock the bootloader, you just type (I only know how to do this in windows - Linux and Mac work as well al beit differently)
Code:
fastboot oem lock
and you're all set.

Foxman2k said:
This seems to rely on Windows. Any Mac tools available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Android SDK and ADB tools are equally available on Linux and Mac. You won't have to do the "Adding to Path" thing. All of the ADB commands will be the same, though.

I didn't know anything about rooting at all too, despite having an android phone for more than 2 years.
I went with the one-click root process.
Download this file, plug your Nexus 7, follow the instructions- which means typing Y, N, Y etc
Done in 5 minutes. There's a youtube video on it too. Go check it out.
I still dont know much about the process.. except I'm unlocked and rooted =)

I have a few naive questions
Do I have to do the OEM unlock to root the device? I would prefer not to wipe it.
Assuming I don't hard brick the device, can I go back to stock for warranty work?
Does rooting the device mean I can't get OTA updates from Google? For now I just want to run the stock kernel/rom and get updates. I just want root to run titanium and certain other apps that require root.
I've seen a thread that suggest that the play store (market) doesn't work on rooted devices. Is that true?

Easiest way to update

Hi ,
I'm asking about the easiest way to update since now every month we have a new update.
my phone bootloader is unlocked and rooted.
I read a way using the nexus tool but I couldnt find it.
thanks

If you're rooted you can't take an OTA, so you need to flash the factory images. Don't use a toolkit, they can cause problems, plus you really need to have knowledge of how to use fastboot if you're modifying your phone. I have a detailed guide here (see section 9):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206928

How to root H990ds?

Hey there,
Is it possible to only root this device? As far as I can tell, in order to root it you have to unlock the bootloader and / or install a custom recovery. I don't want that - just root (e.g. via an app, or ADB, or something). I couldn't really find any similar questions.
Thanks in advance.

The simple answer to this question as it stands, is no.
FYI: Root, not even an unlocked bootloader exists for this phone model. I'd suggest reading the threads in detail in the Discussions board first...as performing any actions such as bootloader unlock attempts or flashing code/ROM's for root (etc) is likely to brick your phone beyond recovery. Devs are having some breakthroughs with OTHER v20 variants regarding root and boot unlocking, so like everyone else in the LG community - please sit back and enjoy the waiting game
RoOSTA

Easiest root possible

Hi everyone,
I just got my Huawei Nova and i wonder if there is any easy rooting-guide or app like KingRoot.
I used this app for Honor 7 and others and it's a great one, but i don't know if it's working for the Nova.
If possible, i don't want to change recovery/rom, only small root that allows me to really control my phone.
Thanks yall

At the moment, there are no automated tool or any application on XDA unfortunately...
The easiest way is unfortunately the ADB/Fastboot way.
It's not that hard, but you have to be a bit careful going through each step:
- Install ADB/Fastboot tools, and the drivers
- Unlock bootloader (you'll need an unlock code)
- Flash TWRP recovery
- Flash Root.
You'll find pretty much all the info needed in the Nova forums, but it is a bit of research. Nothing that is worth having is easy to get!

Yes, all info is in the TWRP post under development forum. Weird issue with data partition in TWRP.

Thank you for your replies. I've seen the TWRP post with all the instructions, i just don't want to take any risks with my brand new phone for now.
That's why i used King Root app before, one tap and it does everything, without flashing anything.
Anyway, i'll wait for some time then.
Again, thank you very much.

Is re-locking the boot loader after rooting possible without losing root again?

Found the tool?

A2017G (6.0.1) B08 - Root without Unlocking possible?

Hi there,
I found there is a thread describing how to root the US/Chinese model without unlocking the bootloader -
https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/wip-axon-7-root-bootloader-unlokced-t3441204
However it mentions that this'll brick the European model because of the included TWRP version and unfortunately I'm on a ZTE A2017GV1.0.0B08 (Android 6.0.1, Kernel 3.18.20).
Is there any news if this can be done now with the international variant -
I'm not interested in a custom ROM or updating Android, I'm happy at the moment with the 6.0.1 version I have, but really would like root for xposed framework, Titanium, Tasker ...
Is there a different TWRP version that can be used or is it not working due to the ZTE's signature key used?
Alternatively is there a way for the A2017G to re-lock the bootloader that's 100% working/safe, if you don't apply a custom ROM?
Thanks a lot for your help!

The answer you will find here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3441204
This is the way I did it with my first A7
sent from zte axon 7 with tapatalk

Hi.
It didn't really answer the question : Is unlocking necessary to root, or can we root without unlocking ?
Every tutorials founds all follows the same paths : Unlock first, then root. But why ? is there a reason for that, or is it just a "since i'm rooting, let's unlock it while i'm at it" thing ?
(edit : Sorry 4 my english ... i hope i've been clear enough)

marcus.linkenbach said:
The answer you will find here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3441204
This is the way I did it with my first A7
sent from zte axon 7 with tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hallo Marcus
Danke fuer die Antwort -
Maybe I didn't fully comprehend the thread - I was under the impression that it bricked some A2017G, while not others and didn't want to take the risk.
Reading through the instructions - which of these steps did you take (and in what order)?
I read it that you do not need to flash TWRP? So can I just root the phone without bricking it and all is good as long as I stay with my 6.0.1 B08 version?
I understand the instructions as
- boot into edl
- install Qualcomm driver
- run axon7root to already root the device (backup seems to be done in the next step?! according to instructions).
However there is no axon7root version for the A2017G (B08) as it was removed due to TWRP?!
All I can find is the axon7backup tool (would you actually do this before you run the axon7root the first time?)
If you run the axon7root, did you do 'axon7root.exe -p 4 -b'
so that it only flashes the boot.img (not TWRP recovery) and therefore this is safe?
Sorry for the long essay, help is really appreciated!

Hey, sorry for the delay.
I am quite busy. I really don't know the procedere anymore. It is a long time ago. But if you would give me some time, I will have a look on it and will let you know. But why won't you unlock your bootloader? Without unlocking not everything runs as it should with unlocked BL.
OK. I will let you know.
Marcus

Sn8K said:
Hi.
It didn't really answer the question : Is unlocking necessary to root, or can we root without unlocking ?
Every tutorials founds all follows the same paths : Unlock first, then root. But why ? is there a reason for that, or is it just a "since i'm rooting, let's unlock it while i'm at it" thing ?
(edit : Sorry 4 my english ... i hope i've been clear enough)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically, yes, you can root w/o unlocking the bootloader. This is how things are done typically with certain manufacturers (LG, Samsung) that rarely offer BL unlocking. To be able to flash TWRP on a locked BL is even more difficult, as it would require a BL-level exploit. The reason that's not an option here is the ability to unlock, which precludes such development.

Hi Marcus,
Thanks a lot, that would be really great.
Regarding Bootloader unlock - I didn't buy the phone in the EU, hence my warranty would be void if I unlock it. And my warranty even comes with screen replacement (not that I ever cracked a screen, but there's always a first).
I have to admit that I'm tempted by Lineage OS, but for now (as I just bought the phone) - if there's a reasonably safe way to root without unlock, I'd prefer to just root and then maybe in a year's time or so switch to Lineage OS...
For now I managed to have my phone recognized as QUSB_BULK and I can boot into edl.
I was trying to use the axon7toolkit (1.1.1), but for whatever reason I cannot use it in commandline mode (maybe as there seem to be different versions, or maybe cause I am on Win7 32bit, no idea).
Any help would be really great!
Hi jeboo, Hi Sn8k,
Hope above explained my motivation, regarding root without unlocking - there's a thread about this
https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/wip-axon-7-root-bootloader-unlokced-t3441204
HOWEVER there are two problems:
1) The bootloader can stay locked as it's using a signed version of TWRP, which can brick your device (A2017G)
2) The linked axon7root.exe is not for my device (A2017G B08).
Having said that, some users have been successful with rooting this version, so there seems to be a way, if you get the steps right.

Whoooo? said:
Hi Marcus,
Thanks a lot, that would be really great.
Regarding Bootloader unlock - I didn't buy the phone in the EU, hence my warranty would be void if I unlock it. And my warranty even comes with screen replacement (not that I ever cracked a screen, but there's always a first).
I have to admit that I'm tempted by Lineage OS, but for now (as I just bought the phone) - if there's a reasonably safe way to root without unlock, I'd prefer to just root and then maybe in a year's time or so switch to Lineage OS...
For now I managed to have my phone recognized as QUSB_BULK and I can boot into edl.
I was trying to use the axon7toolkit (1.1.1), but for whatever reason I cannot use it in commandline mode (maybe as there seem to be different versions, or maybe cause I am on Win7 32bit, no idea).
Any help would be really great!
Hi jeboo, Hi Sn8k,
Hope above explained my motivation, regarding root without unlocking - there's a thread about this
https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/wip-axon-7-root-bootloader-unlokced-t3441204
HOWEVER there are two problems:
1) The bootloader can stay locked as it's using a signed version of TWRP, which can brick your device (A2017G)
2) The linked axon7root.exe is not for my device (A2017G B08).
Having said that, some users have been successful with rooting this version, so there seems to be a way, if you get the steps right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you figured out a method to root the A2017G without unlocking?
I just got mine and need root for transferring all the apps from my old Nubia Z7....
Thx.

catadoxy said:
Did you figured out a method to root the A2017G without unlocking?
I just got mine and need root for transferring all the apps from my old Nubia Z7....
Thx.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't. Don't even try it if you don't want to face DFU...
Just use the same app that the phone comes with, I think it's WeShare or something like that. It should let you transfer all of your crap via a LAN wifi transmission (If you use a 5GHz hotspot it'll be fast as heck).
Or just unlock the phone. But don't relock it if you do, because you can make a huge mess