I have been a Linux based software developer for over 10 years but recently started looking into Android development and just purchased a Nexus 6 phone from Motorola to start hacking on. The first thing obviously is to unlock the bootloader (which seems really straight forward) and then root the phone. But this leads me to a question.
I have been searching the internet for root techniques for the Nexus device and I keep finding tutorials that point me to downloading premade files from others that root the phone in a blackbox fashion. I would rather understand the actual root process than just follow a cookie cutter process designed to make it easier for people who don't want to learn how to do it. So my question is this, does anybody know of any information anywhere that details and explains the rooting process without using others downloaded files or actually explains what those downloaded files are doing? I am a curious guy and don't really like blackboxes if I have an alternative. I would much rather learn the process so I can start figuring out how to hack on this phone more effectively.
Thanks for any information you can provide!
Adrian
aew_78 said:
I have been a Linux based software developer for over 10 years but recently started looking into Android development and just purchased a Nexus 6 phone from Motorola to start hacking on. The first thing obviously is to unlock the bootloader (which seems really straight forward) and then root the phone. But this leads me to a question.
I have been searching the internet for root techniques for the Nexus device and I keep finding tutorials that point me to downloading premade files from others that root the phone in a blackbox fashion. I would rather understand the actual root process than just follow a cookie cutter process designed to make it easier for people who don't want to learn how to do it. So my question is this, does anybody know of any information anywhere that details and explains the rooting process without using others downloaded files or actually explains what those downloaded files are doing? I am a curious guy and don't really like blackboxes if I have an alternative. I would much rather learn the process so I can start figuring out how to hack on this phone more effectively.
Thanks for any information you can provide!
Adrian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock the bootloader, flash TWRP recovery. Flash the SuperSU zip in TWRP.
Profit.
Thanks for the reply
Evolution_Tech said:
Unlock the bootloader, flash TWRP recovery. Flash the SuperSU zip in TWRP.
Profit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply! This seems like the general process I have seen in the tutorials. What I would really like to understand is the nature of the process though. Previously in all my other Android devices I blindly downloaded files and followed instructions to run them and it all just seemed to work. Now I'm trying to figure out the process and why it worked. You could say I am trying to understand how the people that create these downloadable files do it. I'm not looking for a quick root process, but a more thorough approach that actually teaches me what's going on.
For instance, I don't know why I need to flash the TWRP recovery (or even what it is doing in the process) and I don't understand what the SuperSU is doing? Consider me a very curious novice who would like to get to the point to where I could be a valuable contributor to a project like TWRP.
aew_78 said:
Thanks for the reply! This seems like the general process I have seen in the tutorials. What I would really like to understand is the nature of the process though. Previously in all my other Android devices I blindly downloaded files and followed instructions to run them and it all just seemed to work. Now I'm trying to figure out the process and why it worked. You could say I am trying to understand how the people that create these downloadable files do it. I'm not looking for a quick root process, but a more thorough approach that actually teaches me what's going on.
For instance, I don't know why I need to flash the TWRP recovery (or even what it is doing in the process) and I don't understand what the SuperSU is doing? Consider me a very curious novice who would like to get to the point to where I could be a valuable contributor to a project like TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe start here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2948481
aew_78 said:
I have been a Linux based software developer for over 10 years but recently started looking into Android development and just purchased a Nexus 6 phone from Motorola to start hacking on. The first thing obviously is to unlock the bootloader (which seems really straight forward) and then root the phone. But this leads me to a question.
I have been searching the internet for root techniques for the Nexus device and I keep finding tutorials that point me to downloading premade files from others that root the phone in a blackbox fashion. I would rather understand the actual root process than just follow a cookie cutter process designed to make it easier for people who don't want to learn how to do it. So my question is this, does anybody know of any information anywhere that details and explains the rooting process without using others downloaded files or actually explains what those downloaded files are doing? I am a curious guy and don't really like blackboxes if I have an alternative. I would much rather learn the process so I can start figuring out how to hack on this phone more effectively.
Thanks for any information you can provide!
Adrian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Find stuff from chainfire, for example: THIS.
You could check sources from superuser written by Koush. Although it is old, you will get the basic idea of what is going on with root.
Basically the entire idea is to get the linux su binary installed on the system.
The problem is that the user that you are using doesn't have permission to create or execute the su binary.
The root process is the process of making both of those true.
Sometimes a root kit needs to utilize an exploit for this to happen, or can simply be flashed (written to the system) before the system is booted (typically in recovery mode).
Picture twrp as your recovery tool for your comp. Basically same functions. SuperSU does the same thing as root on your Linux
Benefits if running Linux you only download 2 files. Twrp and SuperSU. Process is done in terminal so you can see everything that is happening. Also if you open a rom zip you can access the notes that tell it what to do and sorta see what's going on in there as well.
Related
hi ive been looking round how to root my g1 and had no conformation if the UK version g1 are different to root than the US.
can some give me some clarification on how to root them.
thanks in advance
i am a us g1 users so i might be incorrect but i believe that you need to use rc9 or a gold card. if it is rc9, the rest of the method is the same just a different .nbh
porkky said:
hi ive been looking round how to root my g1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you didn't.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=442480
Afirejar said:
No, you didn't.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=442480
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey I’m having some trouble getting to grips with rooting too; there is quite a lot of information (some of it contradictory or at least inconsistent) for someone new like myself to take in. I consider myself pretty tech savvy but my G1 is uninsured and I’m frankly terrified of bricking it as I’ve got a year left on my contract to pay.
Anyway my point being...the guide your pointing to is specifically tailored to US models as are most guides on the net it’s very hard to find anything definitive about rooting the UK models with regard to SPL and Radio, etc. Also, given that this stuff moves soo quickly (which is an amazing testament to the hard work that all the devs and everyone else involved puts in, thank you!) it’s hard to catch up on everything and understand what exactly to do.
One click root works fine on crc37 uk phones ive rooted a couple now just follow the usual instructions, there's little danger of anything getting bricked if you arent touching radio which you dont need to do to load CM using the one click root app
http://www.ryebrye.com/blog/2009/08/16/android-rooting-in-1-click-in-progress/
seaweeduk said:
One click root works fine on crc37 uk phones ive rooted a couple now just follow the usual instructions, there's little danger of anything getting bricked if you arent touching radio which you dont need to do to load CM using the one click root app
http://www.ryebrye.com/blog/2009/08/16/android-rooting-in-1-click-in-progress/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a little confused with all this too.
I've been to that blog and that seems simple enough.
It should work on this right? -
firmware - 1.5
kernel - 2.6.27 [email protected] #1
Build Number - CRC 1
Now, this means by phone is rooted, (Basically giving me sys admin rather than root user?)
Which in turn means I can install custom ROM images? Is there anything else this allows me to do?
And is all this permement? Or will it go back to the original ROM on the hardware when I hard reboot?
Sorry for all the questions, I got my phone today .
That's an original and most up to date UK version, so no you're not rooted. Easiest way is the one-click root, just install, put rom on SD card, run prog, reboot, flash (Read full instructions though).
Having root enables you to have full access, so you can do whatever you like from terminal and applications which require special permissions to run can, some cool stuff can only be done with root.
AdamPI said:
That's an original and most up to date UK version, so no you're not rooted. Easiest way is the one-click root, just install, put rom on SD card, run prog, reboot, flash (Read full instructions though).
Having root enables you to have full access, so you can do whatever you like from terminal and applications which require special permissions to run can, some cool stuff can only be done with root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply and I'm not trying to Hijack the thread, (But the OP will probably want to know this too), once I've rooted and installed the new ROM from the boot menu loader thing, how do I go about formatting my SD card to ex2?
I'm looking at this guide - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=535232
But in this thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=537204 CM himself says not to install APPS2SD. Can you do the format from inside that ROM or does it do it automatically for you?
Yeah cyanogen roms already contain their own method of app2sd, so trying to use another method on top just screws things up.
All you need to do is partition the card, then when you reboot it will see the partition, move your current stuff over and be good to go.
Follow this guide for partitioning from recovery console: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=534714
Hey Guys!
I just got my first android device (switched over from iPhone 3g) and I LOVE IT!
With that said, now to business! I read a lot about rooting the Evo, and other android devices, and I must say, I am quite lost in the lingo. I looked through a bunch of threads, and there are a bunch of tutorials about rooting the device in many different ways. And, after reading a lot of them, I found out about unrevoked, but I am not quite sure what it does. I gather it is a one step rooting program, but if that is the case, what is PC36IMG.zip needed for if unrevoked already roots the device in one click?
Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.
Arm0 said:
Hey Guys!
I just got my first android device (switched over from iPhone 3g) and I LOVE IT!
With that said, now to business! I read a lot about rooting the Evo, and other android devices, and I must say, I am quite lost in the lingo. I looked through a bunch of threads, and there are a bunch of tutorials about rooting the device in many different ways. And, after reading a lot of them, I found out about unrevoked, but I am not quite sure what it does. I gather it is a one step rooting program, but if that is the case, what is PC36IMG.zip needed for if unrevoked already roots the device in one click?
Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok so rooting removes the protected recovery on the phone. a recovery lets you restore/factory reset and install updates manually. with the non protected recovery, you can make the phone think it is being manually updated, but really you are modifying it to your hearts content. read up on roms. i reccomend flashing the ava froyo v7. very good. have fun with your newly rooted device!!!! just tell me if you need more info.
btw, this should be in questions and answers
Sorry if I posted this in the wrong place, and thanks for the respond. Figured, can't go wrong with General!
So, if i just root it without running a custom recovery, can I still run tethering apps and the screen shot app?
Basically the root gets you access deeper in the phones files than you previously had. You also gain a new set of permissions (superuser permissions) with the process so that your phone allows you to do more, similar to the iphone jailbreak.
You will need a custom recovery. The updates that sprint/htc usually send out over the air (OTA) can't be used anymore because you will lose your root, so you have to apply them manually through recovery instead. This is just one reason, but the custom recovery is a necessity. It can look complicated, especially the way it reads on the forums, but it is very simple once you have it in your hands.
After rereading your post, you may be referring to a custom rom, not recovery. You do not have to use a custom rom, you can just use stock with root access and superuser permissions and be good to go for wifi tether & screen shots
So, from what I gather, we use unrevoked to unlock the phone and get more privileges, and the custom recovery is used to not lose root privileges after Sprint or HTC puts out new updates to the devices?
essentially, you got it. The recovery is used for lots of different things, like adding themes, changing kernels, custom roms, backups, ect.
There are also methods besides unrevoked to gain root. It all depends on the type of person you are, if you want root and don't want to think about it, use one of the one click methods. If you want to learn a little check out regaw_leinad's root thread and the videos that are in the OP and you will get root and you will know how it happened when your done.
My recommendation is to choose your method of root and do it and stick with the stock rooted rom for a bit. Read the forums, mostly the OPs on the different custom roms and the kernel threads and you will start to get an idea of what you want from your rooted phone. After a week or two of hanging out on the forums, you will know what you want and you will have enough grasp to go for it. Read OPs thoroughly and follow directions to the T and you will not have any problems.
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?
Hi everyone,
I'm brand new to the world of androids (just got a galaxy S4 for verizon) and I'm looking to root it and do...other cool things with it. However, I really have no idea where to start. I'm thinking to follow the following guide to root my phone:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2290798
Then what's next? What I want to is to be able to optimize my battery, get rid of junk apps first. Then maybe have some widget button that can toggle wifi/4g easily? Not really sure what to do after rooting, but I want to have an understanding of what to do after following that guide. I don't know how if I'm supposed to install a ROM after, a CWM (not really sure what that is) etc. Are there any step-by-step guides of what to do after following that rooting guide I linked above? I'd appreciate any help guys!!
I would just get it rooted so you can kill ads and other basics and read up on the various possibilities. Check all the stickies in each section and go through those tutorials of which there are many. You don't need to read every word just get yourself an idea of what is possible. Once you have an idea of what you can do you are going to have a better idea of what you want to do.
Your link 404ed for me so I'm not sure which way you were going with that. IMO for a beginner starting with chainfires autoroot is probably your easiest most foolproof way to root. An alternative is to install a pre rooted stock rom as those are starting to show up now. The threads for each have detailed installation instructions
It can wait for a bit but if you are going to stick with Android and are the type that plays with roms I would highly recomment getting titanium backup. The pay version is more useful so I would cough up, once you figure out how much easier it makes swapping roms you wont regret spending that ching. Also consider getting a root file application. I use root explorer but there are other options that work well.
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?