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Hey everyone. I was wondering if you could root without unlocking the bootloader first. I know i wouldn't be able to flash roms and such, but I just want the Superuser app so I can use apps like Titanium backup and sixaxis controller. Thanks in advance!
timour79 said:
Hey everyone. I was wondering if you could root without unlocking the bootloader first. I know i wouldn't be able to flash roms and such, but I just want the Superuser app so I can use apps like Titanium backup and sixaxis controller. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry to tell you, but there is no way of rooting without unlocking the bootloader, since its secured and you won't be able to flash the necessary super user scripts. i could be wrong, but i think its necessary to unlock the bootloader.
Billchen0014 said:
sorry to tell you, but there is no way of rooting without unlocking the bootloader, since its secured and you won't be able to flash the necessary super user scripts. i could be wrong, but i think its necessary to unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I unlock the bootloader, root, then relock the bootloader and keep the root?
timour79 said:
Can I unlock the bootloader, root, then relock the bootloader and keep the root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you choose the relock bootloader option in the toolbox, it removes superuser as well
Billchen0014 said:
if you choose the relock bootloader option in the toolbox, it removes superuser as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, thanks
Billchen0014 said:
if you choose the relock bootloader option in the toolbox, it removes superuser as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a good example of where using a toolkit fails.
You can re-lock the bootloader without affecting root. Boot the phone in fastboot mode, connect to computer and run the following command:
Code:
> fastboot oem lock
timour79 said:
Can I unlock the bootloader, root, then relock the bootloader and keep the root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's your reason for wanting it relocked?
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda app-developers app
noneabove said:
What's your reason for wanting it relocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not the OP, but I don't like the open padlock icon that shows that the device's bootloader is unlocked.
Any disadvantage to re-locking the bootloader?
Nate2 said:
I'm not the OP, but I don't like the open padlock icon that shows that the device's bootloader is unlocked.
Any disadvantage to re-locking the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I dont want to completely void the warranty, unless rooting already does that. If it was mine then i would've unlocked and rooted. I'd probably already have a rom and kernel on it. But it's actually my dad's, and he said I can root it if I don't do anything too serious(like I said, I just want Superuser so I can use things like the sixaxis controller app.)
comminus said:
This is a good example of where using a toolkit fails.
You can re-lock the bootloader without affecting root. Boot the phone in fastboot mode, connect to computer and run the following command:
Code:
> fastboot oem lock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would that be manual rooting?
NRT questions
hey there
have some newb questions about rooting along the same lines of the OP. hope you can help me
1. what are the chances of bricking the nexus by rooting if all i am going to do is the same as the OP. use sixasis and the usb stick apps. has anyone completely bricked their device or is there always a way back. i have seen a lot of info and guides to suggest you can always get the factory image restored.
2. does the superuser app already need to be installed on the nexus or does the toolkit install it for me?
3. if i am only rooting for basic stuff like sixasis is there any point installing clockword mod?
4. i have downloaded the toolkit and tried the driver installation. my experience was different from the screenshots in the toolkit and guides i have seen but when i run the driver check/step 3 it comes back with success and i have managed to make a backup. so does this imply i can safely unlock and root.
5. if i have to get my device repaired and relock the device and un-root it will my warranty be ok or can google still detect rooting has been done?
sorry for the newb questions but there are so many different guides out there and some of them refer to older versions of the NRT so just want to clarify these points.
timour79 said:
Would that be manual rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. All you are doing there is unlocking the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader is the equivalent of pre-heating your oven. You haven't messed with any ingredients or cooked anything yet.
---------- Post added at 01:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:53 PM ----------
Lemegeton300 said:
1. what are the chances of bricking the nexus by rooting if all i am going to do is the same as the OP. use sixasis and the usb stick apps. has anyone completely bricked their device or is there always a way back. i have seen a lot of info and guides to suggest you can always get the factory image restored.
2. does the superuser app already need to be installed on the nexus or does the toolkit install it for me?
3. if i am only rooting for basic stuff like sixasis is there any point installing clockword mod?
4. i have downloaded the toolkit and tried the driver installation. my experience was different from the screenshots in the toolkit and guides i have seen but when i run the driver check/step 3 it comes back with success and i have managed to make a backup. so does this imply i can safely unlock and root.
5. if i have to get my device repaired and relock the device and un-root it will my warranty be ok or can google still detect rooting has been done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. The chances are pretty slim for permanently bricking. That is the beauty of Nexus devices - the entire factory image is available to be flashed back on if you screw things up. That is the equivalent of reformatting your harddrive & reinstalling your OS on your desktop.
2. mkskip's toolkit will install it for you. I am sure wug's will too.
3. You don't have to install CWM, especially if you are thinking that you will pretty much always stay stock. But, the bug might hit you in a month or two to start playing around, and then CWM or TWRP is your friend. I installed CWM & made a backup pretty quickly in case I do something I shouldn't, such as accidentally deleting a vital system app. That way you do not have to do the factory reinstall route. Every few weeks you can make yourself a fresh backup just for fun.
4. You should be fine - the drivers must be working if the toolkit is doing backups for you. I am assuming you are using mkskips toolkit based on this question - his instructions say that sometimes in 1 step it says drivers didn't install correctly when they actually do - Windows is...Windows. If you want to be sure, ask away on mkskip's thread. He is quite helpful.
5. If you reflash the factory image & the bootloader is relocked, there is nothing for them to see...not that they'd really care since the point of a Nexus is to develop on it. You would only be returning it for a hardware issue, and the software unlocking has no impact on the hardware problem, since your hardware issue would've happened no matter what software you had on it. The only way a software thing could cause a hardware issue would be if you over-overclocked it & cooked some parts. You'd really have to work at doing that since these things usually shut down when the temperature gets too high.
In short: root it & enjoy it!
Thanks for the info. Its wugs tool I am using so not sure what happened with drivers but like you said its good to go. So will the clockwork mod essentially create a restore point for me ?
Going to go ahead and root the device now. Thanks for the help.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Lemegeton300 said:
Thanks for the info. Its wugs tool I am using so not sure what happened with drivers but like you said its good to go. So will the clockwork mod essentially create a restore point for me ?
Going to go ahead and root the device now. Thanks for the help.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. When you restore a backup it will be just as it was when you made it. Have fun!
Hello N7 community, I had a question about the boot loader toolkit vs doing everything manually. This is my first nexus device and so far I'm loving it but I want to root it and from what I've read the boot loader has to be unlocked first similar to HTC devices, I did a Google search and came up with two links to AC one was a one click toolkit and the other was instructions for the SDK method. I havent done much with SDK but can easily read and figure it out but if the toolkit is reliable I'd rather go that route since I'm a firm believer I'm work smarter not harder lol. So my question is, is the toolkit a reliable way to unlock the boot loader and root the N7 or should I figure out the SDK method? I have the N73g running 4.2.1 if it makes a difference
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
dmonger11b said:
Hello N7 community, I had a question about the boot loader toolkit vs doing everything manually. This is my first nexus device and so far I'm loving it but I want to root it and from what I've read the boot loader has to be unlocked first similar to HTC devices, I did a Google search and came up with two links to AC one was a one click toolkit and the other was instructions for the SDK method. I havent done much with SDK but can easily read and figure it out but if the toolkit is reliable I'd rather go that route since I'm a firm believer I'm work smarter not harder lol. So my question is, is the toolkit a reliable way to unlock the boot loader and root the N7 or should I figure out the SDK method? I have the N73g running 4.2.1 if it makes a difference
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the best way to do it is also the right way, via fastboot. google made it easy to unlock the bootloader and root any nexus device(the method is the same for all nexii). there are links here that explain it, but this is it in a nutshell.. fastboot OEM devices(these three words unlock the bootloader), fastboot flash a custom recovery, flash either the su binaries or any custom ROM in your new recovery, reboot. that's all, easy. you can use a root toolkit, but you won't learn the basic processes needed for solving issues later on. I've seen people ruin their devices trying to resolve an issue that could have been resolved easily with some basic knowledge. also, read the forums, you'll notice how many threads there are with issues that include the words "I used a toolkit", you wont find any that use the words "I used fastboot". also, occasionally, these root toolkits create their own issues.
I appreciate the response but I've learned over the years of fiddling with my phones and time spent on xda that most of the "I bricked my phone" threads are people being careless. I'll look into doing everything through adb. Seems very similar to how the Sprint OG Evo was done.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
dmonger11b said:
I appreciate the response but I've learned over the years of fiddling with my phones and time spent on xda that most of the "I bricked my phone" threads are people being careless. I'll look into doing everything through adb. Seems very similar to how the Sprint OG Evo was done.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you know adb, fastboot will be very easy for you. you'll need it to unlock the bootloader at least, everything else can be done via adb. the all important line and the gift that google gave us.. fastboot oem unlock.
I'm an idiot. In Some mysterious way, I managed to kill my Nexus 7.
I've tried everything I can thing of to make the bloody thing work again. This is the closest I've come.
screencast.com/t/QoEOgOAAuy
What I did then was to follow this guide to get it back on track.
forums.androidcentral.com/nexus-7-rooting-roms-hacks/191477-guide-nexus-7-factory-image-restore.html
Before that, I've tried to use Nexus 7 Toolkit as well as Wug's Nexus Root Toolkit.
As you can imagine, I'm close to giving up. Any suggestions by the pro's in here are happily received.
Cheers
jacobsthlm said:
I'm an idiot. In Some mysterious way, I managed to kill my Nexus 7.
I've tried everything I can thing of to make the bloody thing work again. This is the closest I've come.
screencast.com/t/QoEOgOAAuy
What I did then was to follow this guide to get it back on track.
forums.androidcentral.com/nexus-7-rooting-roms-hacks/191477-guide-nexus-7-factory-image-restore.html
Before that, I've tried to use Nexus 7 Toolkit as well as Wug's Nexus Root Toolkit.
As you can imagine, I'm close to giving up. Any suggestions by the pro's in here are happily received.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dont use toolkits. root the device the right way, via fastboot. notice how there are many threads here on xda about people messing up their devices? notice how they all mention that a root toolkit was used? rooting is very easy the right way, just do a little reading about it, familiarize yourself with the terms and process.
simms22 said:
dont use toolkits. root the device the right way, via fastboot. notice how there are many threads here on xda about people messing up their devices? notice how they all mention that a root toolkit was used? rooting is very easy the right way, just do a little reading about it, familiarize yourself with the terms and process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And with nexus devices it's like done in less than 5 minutes... I've learned it myself and its really easy to keep all the commands in mind (;
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
.
I didn't try to root it with the toolkits, I just tried to restore it with them since no manual method seem to work.
i just noticed your screenshot. why did you erase EVERYTHING?
you tried these instructions? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1907796
If you Did not erase the bootloader then it can easily Be resolved.if you have erased the Bootloader as well then nothing can be done.
"fastboot update" takes a ZIP archive, you are giving it the system.img raw-image file - this can't work.
Either use "fastboot update update.zip" with the ZIP (!) file from the factory image, or flash the seperate raw-images seperately with "fastboot flash <partition-name> <image-file-name>"
So I am going to be getting a N7 for Christmas, and I was wondering, should I root and unlock the tab before even setting it up? And should I accept the 4.2.1 update before or after doing all this?
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G
I just did mine today on nexus 4 and 7. I had to read everything carefully to find out this was the method that I find it was easy. Make sure you read everything first. Look at the video for 4 and it should be similar to 7 and instructions are provided in link as well. btw I rooted it on 4.2.1.
As rooting will factory reset your device, it will delete all your data. Make sure you backup first.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1766475
Do yourself a favor and learn to do it manually first before using toolkits. There is a lot of tutorials on doing so.http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1741395 Use fastboot to unlock device:
Command= fastboot OEM unlock
Select yes on your device to unlock boooader.
Install a custom recovery( I would reccomend twrp) and flash supersu zip and you are now rooted.
Need to go back to stock then this is great http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1907796
Yes toolkits do work but if things go wrong its good to know what to do.
Travisdroidx2 said:
Do yourself a favor and learn to do it manually first before using toolkits. There is a lot of tutorials on doing so. Use adb to unlock device:
Command= adb OEM unlock
Select yes on your device to unlock boooader.
Install a custom recovery and flash supersu zip and you are now rooted.
Need to go back to stock then this is great http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1907796
Yes toolkits do work but if things go wrong its good to know what to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had no intention of using a toolkit lol. Link to the best method to root/unlock?
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G
Lol good deal added another link that you are looking for.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1741395
Travisdroidx2 said:
Lol good deal added another link that you are looking for.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1741395
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answered my edit before I could post it. You read my mind!
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G
Nexus 7 root and unlock.
Slender Troll said:
So I am going to be getting a N7 for Christmas, and I was wondering, should I root and unlock the tab before even setting it up? And should I accept the 4.2.1 update before or after doing all this?
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought my Nexus 7 about 2 weeks ago. I set it up then downloaded the jb 4.2.1 update. You will have to unlock before you root. I then downloaded Wugfresh Nexus 7 Tool kit to my computer. Very easy to follow instructions. The kit will take you through the steps on unlocking and rooting. There are videos on this procedure. I did not flash CWM and opted to flash TWRP. Excellent recovery system. I downloaded Goo manager app and you can install TWRP within the app. Very easy. You can then make nandroid backups and install custom roms. I am currently on Cyanogenmod 10.1 nightly.Cyanogenmod now has an updater within and it will search for new nightlys and also install them. Very easy. Hope this helps.
I do prefer twrp over cwm. And I was a long time cwm user before. You can fastboot the twrp.IMG file. And if you Fastboot twrp you will not have to rename .bak the stock recovery.
And yes you will want to unlock it and root it first thing since the unlock wipes the entire device.
What's the difference between CWM and TWRP?
Edit: Swipe was acting up.
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G
In my opinion twrp gets more support and updates. Is way faster than cwm and you will never look back. Twrp is a great recovery.
Ok. So if/when I root the 7, I will be using a computer running windows xp, and I don't know how to install the correct files and where.
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G
Hey, I'd like you to help me decide whether I should root my Nexus 7 or not. This is my first android device and I'm a complete 'noob.' Since then I've been reading about rooting continuously and I would've done it already but I'm a bit concerned. I don't want to lose my warranty and I'm aware that I can unroot the device to get my warranty back but what if something happens to the screen or the power button, or what if it bricks after losing battery power? (I read somewhere that this happened to him during night, the device ran out of juice and he couldn't turn it on ever again) Would I still be able to unroot it so I could return it for repair?
My other concern is about the rooting process itself. I've read that it's 99% safe with a toolkit but anything can go wrong. Is this 1% a big risk? Would I be able to unbrick it if something happened? Since I'm a noob my only reason to root my device is to be able to run memory editors like gamecih or something like that. Are the risks worth it?
Thank you for your answers.
BenFuF said:
Hey, I'd like you to help me decide whether I should root my Nexus 7 or not. This is my first android device and I'm a complete 'noob.' Since then I've been reading about rooting continuously and I would've done it already but I'm a bit concerned. I don't want to lose my warranty and I'm aware that I can unroot the device to get my warranty back but what if something happens to the screen or the power button, or what if it bricks after losing battery power? (I read somewhere that this happened to him during night, the device ran out of juice and he couldn't turn it on ever again) Would I still be able to unroot it so I could return it for repair?
My other concern is about the rooting process itself. I've read that it's 99% safe with a toolkit but anything can go wrong. Is this 1% a big risk? Would I be able to unbrick it if something happened? Since I'm a noob my only reason to root my device is to be able to run memory editors like gamecih or something like that. Are the risks worth it?
Thank you for your answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In all honesty, a toolkit is almost completely unnecessary for the Nexus 7. You can do everything yourself in about 5 minutes. The thing about the Nexus 7 is that Google knew that people would try and do things with it, so they made it easy (How it should be with every device). One thing you should take into consideration when unlocking/rooting any device is "Why am I doing this?" If the answer is "Cuz I can!", you probably shouldn't. If you want to be able to use advanced apps that require root, go right ahead. Even if you are having performance problems, and just want to fix them by installing a new ROM after you unlock, go for it. If not, don't worry about it.
Hi all,
After deeply snorkeling in the whole forum I ended up realizing that (perhaps) there's no answer for my question. So, I think now I'm able to post it here (since I'm so new in this forum that I'm not able to post in Development thread).
Ok, here is my issue:
I recently got my brand new N716G (JB 4.2.1), so far so good it has everything I need, except by game playing experience in some games: using a touch screen for playing some games is really anoying... The good news is that my gamming experience could be improved a little bit if I use my PS3 joystick, but again I got frustrated by the (again) anoying USB cable... I didn't give up and continued my journey to joy, by doing some extra research. I ended up finding a really nice tool on google play: "sixaxis controller" but it is required to root my device in order to run this software in my N7.
Since I just want to root my N7 in order to allow "sixaxis controller" to work, I need something really simple.
I've found that "Asus google Nexus 7 Toolkit" from mskip could help me on this but I've to be honest: I've never rooted an android device before.
Of course, I read almost the whole thread (link) in order to learn what I'm going to do and now I'm pretty sure that I really need to root my tablet but I'm not interested (at least now) on putting a custom ROM nor tweak any configuration. Also, I want to keep my tablet stil able to keep updating by itself whenever a new android version is coming (OTA) after rooting it (I know I'd need to re root after OTA but I might avoid that by installing another tool from google play that avoids that).
So, by using that tool I guess I would need to perform the following steps:
a) 1. Install Google Nexus drivers on your PC
b) 2. Back up your device
c) 3. Unlock your loader
d) 4. Root your device
e) 4.2. Root device + Install busybox
f) 2. Restore backup
Steps a) and b) are done. I didn't continue because I don't know if there's something else I've to do... Do I really need to flash a recovery? How should I continue? In my specific case, what sequence should I have to follow in order to succeed? Just a,b,c,d,e,f and that's all?
I know there's a "1-click for all" option but I don't know if that will fit my needs...
By the way, thanks for reading up to here and many thanks in advance... For sure, any help or tip will be highly appreciated.
Nico.
easiest way to gain root, and without a toolkit.. fastboot oem unlock(unlocks the bootloader), fastboot flash a custom recovery, flash the su binaries in that custom recovery, reboot.
simms22 said:
easiest way to gain root, and without a toolkit.. fastboot oem unlock(unlocks the bootloader), fastboot flash a custom recovery, flash the su binaries in that custom recovery, reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi simms22,
thank you for your reply!
Sorry but I don't understand. Do you mean that I can root my N7 manually by fastboot it and then flash a custom recovery? How?
I'd rather let an application (or script) to perform such actions for me since I'm really new on this and I just want to avoid any brick
Thanks again!
Nico.
IlNiCoLiNo said:
Hi simms22,
thank you for your reply!
Sorry but I don't understand. Do you mean that I can root my N7 manually by fastboot it and then flash a custom recovery? How?
I'd rather let an application (or script) to perform such actions for me since I'm really new on this and I just want to avoid any brick
Thanks again!
Nico.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats the problem, since youre new. by letting something else do it for you, you learn nothing. so when it comes time for simple maintenance, you get stuck, possibly ruining your device. rooting any nexus is easy, it was designed to be easily "rooted". all you need is to install fastboot onto your computer, and make sure the drivers are installed. there are a few threads here that explain how to do it. then, with one line(three words), you unlock the bootloader. with another four word line you flash the recovery. then all youndo is flash the su binaries zip imnthat custom recovery and reboot. anyways, it still comes down to it being your choice how you want to root your device
Agree with simms. I used a toolkit when I first got my Nexus because I thought there's no way I'll be able to figure it out and I'll probably brick the thing. Then when I had to figure out how to use adb for something else I had no idea and was starting from scratch.
Basically, go ahead, it's easy.
+1 for no toolkit. My first rooting experience was on my HTC IncS which involved downgrading HBOOT, doing everything manually, and the like. I'm glad that was the case as it certainly provided me a challenge at the time but it forced me to learn at least the basics of adb and fastboot. (although I certainly know more now) You should try to gain root manually as it is actually very easy on the Nexus 7 and the basic knowledge you will gain will stand you in good stead if you ever have any problems or want to delve into custom ROMs or kernels in the future.
simms22 said:
thats the problem, since youre new. by letting something else do it for you, you learn nothing. so when it comes time for simple maintenance, you get stuck, possibly ruining your device. rooting any nexus is easy, it was designed to be easily "rooted". all you need is to install fastboot onto your computer, and make sure the drivers are installed. there are a few threads here that explain how to do it. then, with one line(three words), you unlock the bootloader. with another four word line you flash the recovery. then all youndo is flash the su binaries zip imnthat custom recovery and reboot. anyways, it still comes down to it being your choice how you want to root your device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right. I guess I'll give that tool a try and see what happens.
Thank you for your patience!
Nico
I'm going to throw one thing out there. If you install super user and busy box THEN restore a backup, all you have done is unlocked your boot loader and flashed custom recovery. Install super user/busy box after you restore your backup. Also, you posted in the right section. If you had posted this in development you would have been flamed. Big time.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I think there are some basics that I must learn before even rise an opinion here
Is there any tutorial or something you'd recommend to start with?
I don't know, may be "android rooting for noobs" or "teach yourself android basics in 21 days"
Thanks!
Nico.
As a fellow noob, I thought you'd appreciate a simpler answer. I'd like to learn more but it can be confusing having all these different methods to consider. I've just unlocked the bootloader and rooted the device using the toolkit. You can go ahead with steps c, d, e & f Nico. You don't need to install a custom recovery unless you plan on flashing a custom rom. I'm sticking with the official OTA updates for now so I've stuck with the stock recovery.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
For future reference read all these links
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2070419
Used wugfresh toolkit with not one single problem and its simple...in fact I even rooted my galaxy nexus with the same toolkit.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
FlexiPack said:
As a fellow noob, I thought you'd appreciate a simpler answer. I'd like to learn more but it can be confusing having all these different methods to consider. I've just unlocked the bootloader and rooted the device using the toolkit. You can go ahead with steps c, d, e & f Nico. You don't need to install a custom recovery unless you plan on flashing a custom rom. I'm sticking with the official OTA updates for now so I've stuck with the stock recovery.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, FlexiPack! You really made my day with your reply.
Regarding the back up, I was not able to back up the virtual SD from the back up menu (0 files were backed up) but I did a complete applications backup (including system files and SD card). I don't know what was the difference but at the end, the .bak file was noticeably bigger. Hence I assumed that in fact all SD contents were backed up.
How was your experience with the backup option and after restoring your data? Did you lost something?
Again, thank you!
Nico.
Hello there guys, I too am a utter android noob and this my my first android device. I'm basicly in the same boat as the poster, all I want to do is root. No custom ROM and flashing of any sort. All I want to accomplish is root to enable USB OTG.
I know there are apps that enable reading such as Nexus media importer but I want to be able to read and write data to external storage via USB (Flas drives, external hard drives and cameras and the sort)
What I've discovered the first big step (after installing drivers and the lot - which is all rather simple) is to unlock the bootloader if I'm correct? But in this process the device will format? I honestly dont want to format my device. I'm totally confused and put off by the whole process.
Another question, what is a good backup program to use - of course for unrooted devices.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
smartass145 said:
Hello there guys, I too am a utter android noob and this my my first android device. I'm basicly in the same boat as the poster, all I want to do is root. No custom ROM and flashing of any sort. All I want to accomplish is root to enable USB OTG.
I know there are apps that enable reading such as Nexus media importer but I want to be able to read and write data to external storage via USB (Flas drives, external hard drives and cameras and the sort)
What I've discovered the first big step (after installing drivers and the lot - which is all rather simple) is to unlock the bootloader if I'm correct? But in this process the device will format? I honestly dont want to format my device. I'm totally confused and put off by the whole process.
Another question, what is a good backup program to use - of course for unrooted devices.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Toolkit you can backup the whole thing to your comp
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
VonEsch said:
Toolkit you can backup the whole thing to your comp
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, and formatting to unlock the bootloader?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
This is kind of a rant but applies here: Don't be afraid to unlock, install custom recoveries, and root.
I hear so many people say, "I just want to be stock... but I want all these features". I can't understand why people hold on to this "stock" state so dearly. It's like device virginity (and it is since you "can't" [mentally] really ever go back). There are so many features and updates that are worth enjoying today. At least, a custom recovery is critical for backups.
I understand this stuff isn't for everybody... but if you are reading this, you aren't grouped with everybody.
player911 said:
This is kind of a rant but applies here: Don't be afraid to unlock, install custom recoveries, and root.
I hear so many people say, "I just want to be stock... but I want all these features". I can't understand why people hold on to this "stock" state so dearly. It's like device virginity (and it is since you "can't" [mentally] really ever go back). There are so many features and updates that are worth enjoying today. At least, a custom recovery is critical for backups.
I understand this stuff isn't for everybody... but if you are reading this, you aren't grouped with everybody.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me vanilla android offers me everything I need at the moment. All I want more from it at the moment is USB OTG functionality - which it has its just been locked by Google for this device.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
For all people who call themselves noobs, you really aren't cuz you now know certain things better than the average user.
Trust me, I saw a Customer buying Note 2 today, and when the sales guy told him that it's jelly bean, the retort was "what's that!!!"
And yes, all nexus devices are the easiest lot to root, unroot, unlock and then relock.
Trust me, Google and xda are your best friends.
Just remember one thing, backup before anything, you can always revert then!!!
You guys (noobs as you yourself call) have already jumped, now swim...
One most important thing, search, read, and take the plunge...
All forums have at the least one tutorial stickied!!!
As regards adb, fastboot, google, read, and trust me, you'll not be stuck for more than an hour!!!
Just my 2 cents, actually more!!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
It really is like that. But once you start you can't stop. I started by rooting my original android phone ( there were no toolkits and no problems) and ended up with two nexus devices compiling unofficial nightlies for them. I didn't even boot stock on my 7 before I flashed twrp. There's a whole world of fun if you're willing to get your feet wet. If you can stop with just root you're a stronger person than I.