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Hey Guys
So one of the biggest questions I have seen in the last couple weeks since the Rogers captivate was released is how to root. I figured I would write a nice tutorial for everyone to make it easier!
Method 1: SuperOneClick
This is the easiest way, however most people have not been able to achieve root using this. Try this first if no luck move to method 2. Instructions on how to root using SuperOneClick can be found here
Method 2: Manual Root using ADB and Terminal
This one takes more time and not as easy to do as you have to do everything manually. But haven't heard of any problems with it yet
Step 1: Install <PDANet> Drivers. Just download the file and install. Select Samsung drivers. No need to actually install PDAnet on the Captivate you just need the drivers from the install. Follow the instructions with the installer to properly install the drivers.
Step 2: Download <Andriod SDK>.
- Extract the Android SDK .Zip file to C:\AndroidSDK (this should name the new folder created AndroidSDK in the C directory.
- Go to your start menu and search cmd or click run and type in cmd to open command prompt
- Type the following into command prompt, hitting enter at the end of each line
cd C:\AndroidSKD\Tools
adb devices
- You should see a serial number pop up. This is the serial number of your phone. This means ADB is set up
Step 3: Download <RageagainsttheCage Rooting Files>
- Extract them to the c:\AndroidSDK\tools\ folder. HAS TO BE IN THIS FOLDER FOR THE FOLLOWING COMMANDS TO WORK
Step 4: Unplug phone if it is plugged in. Then, on the phone, go to Settings > Applications > Development and make sure USB Debugging is Checked ON.
Step 5: Plug phone back in to computer. Make sure SD are not mounted
Step 6: Reopen Command prompt if not open. In the command prompt enter the following, pressing enter at the end of each line
cd c:\androidsdk\tools\
adb devices
adb push Superuser.apk /sdcard/
adb push su /sdcard/
adb push rageagainstthecage-arm5.bin /data/local/tmp/
adb shell chmod 0755 /data/local/tmp/rageagainstthecage-arm5.bin
Step 7: On the phone, go to Marketplace and download Terminal Emulator
Step 8: Leaving the phone plugged in, open the Terminal Emulator on the phone. Type the following, pressing enter at the end of each line
cd /data/local/tmp
./rageagainstthecage-arm5.bin
Step 9: WAIT. It will take a full minutes for the rage root to install. When finished you will see "Forked Childs". DO NOT DO ANYTHING TILL YOU SEE THIS. Terminal will allow you to type as it goes back to $ while it is installing BUUT DO NOT DO ANYTHING JUST WAIT(Cannot stress this enough)
Step 10: once "Forked Childs" appears, exit the Terminal App, and then reopen it. Instead of $ you should now see #. If not redo Step 7. Otherwise continue.
Step 11: Type the following hitting enter at the end
cat /proc/mounts
This should bring up a list (Easiest to view in landscape mode. Look for the following
/dev/block/XXXXXXXXXX /system YYYY ro 0 0 (the XXXXXXXXX part should be different depending on which device you have. The YYYY part will either be; ext2, ext3 or yaffs2 or something similar. )
My YYYY was rtf , not sure if it will be the same for everyone (though i assume it is)
Step 12: Now in the terminal window, using the info from above, enter the following, hitting enter at the end of each line (Be sure to enter spaces where needed as below)
mount -o rw,remount -t YYYY /dev/block/XXXXXXXXXX /system
cat /sdcard/Superuser.apk > /system/app/Superuser.apk
cat /sdcard/su > /system/bin/su
chmod 4755 /system/bin/su
mount -o ro,remount -t YYYY /dev/block/XXXXXXXXXX /system
exit
Step 13: Close terminal window if still open. Check your app drawer and, assuming everything was completed properly, you should see Superuser. If not redo Step 12, again watching for spaces and using the correct info from Step 11.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I, in no way shape or form, came up with the above method or tools. This method was modified from and composed from the method decribed over at Theunlockr.com for ease of use and to root the Captivate specifically. I big thanks go out to those guys!
ORINGAL LINK CAN BE FOUND HERE
WARNING
I am not responsible for any damage doone to the phone or its file system as a result of this tutorial. It is for educational purposes only. You have been warned!
THANK YOU!
No other method was working for me (not SuperOneClick, not these ADB instructions). Sure enough, using Terminal Emulator, I was able to get #. I wasn't able get this through adb, nor was I through SuperOneClick (infinite loop @ "mount" command).
I noticed a few things:
-When I compared filesizes from your provided Rage Root files, to the ones that were included in this thread (which also come with SuperOneClick—and which I was unable to get working), I noticed major differences. This gave me hope!, as I'd tried everything else that I knew how to prior to this point.
-My "XXXXXXXXXX" was actually only 4 characters: "stl6".
-My "YYYY" was only 3 characters ("rfs").
-SuperUser showed up on my applist without even requiring a reboot.
THANKS AGAIN
I shall now attempt to apply a lagfix; I will report back with results.
--Bah: no luck. RyanZA's OCLF V2.2+ returns error:
Could not mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p2 onto /dbdata/rfsdata: mount: No such file or directory
--OCLF V1+ returns error:
Could not create /data/linux.ex2 - dd: can't open '/data/linux.ex2': Permission denied
Uh-oh.
PhrProfess said:
THANK YOU!
No other method was working for me (not SuperOneClick, not ). Sure enough, using Terminal Emulator, I was able to get #. I wasn't able get this through adb, nor was I through SuperOneClick (infinite loop @ "mount" command).
I noticed a few things:
-When I compared filesizes from your provided Rage Root files, to the ones that were included in this thread[/url] (which also come with SuperOneClick—and which I was unable to get working), I noticed major differences. This gave me hope!, as I'd tried everything else that I knew how to prior to this point.
-My "XXXXXXXXXX" was actually only 4 characters: "stl6".
-My "YYYY" was only 3 characters ("rfs").
-SuperUser showed up on my applist without even requiring a reboot.
THANKS AGAIN
I shall now attempt to apply a lagfix; I will report back with results.
--Bah: no luck. RyanZA's OCLF V2.2+ returns error:
Could not mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p2 onto /dbdata/rfsdata: mount: No such file or directory
--OCLF V1+ returns error:
Could not create /data/linux.ex2 - dd: can't open '/data/linux.ex2': Permission denied
Uh-oh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup same problem here. I was able to root it manually a few days ago, but have as of yet been unable to lag fix it.
Strange. After I rooted I had no problem using RyanZa's Lagfix. Your still using the stock rom after rooted correct?
deacfire said:
Strange. After I rooted I had no problem using RyanZa's Lagfix. Your still using the stock rom after rooted correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. I've tested out quite a few apps from the market, though.
When I mount my device, I notice that there are some files on my internal SDCard:
-su
-Superuser.apk
-nv_data.bin
-busybox (why is this there, I uninstalled that)
-update.zip
...and some folders:
-layar
-twc-cache
-Android -» data -» com.cooliris.media
-Android -» data -» com.google.android.apps.maps
-svox
...These all have subdirectories.
Not knowing what a default internal SD directory ought to look like, I wonder: Could any of these be causing a conflict? I read that some said not to have any apps installed on the SDCard while trying to mess around (with ROMs, I think), so I tried removing what I could, and then rebooting (and some folders respawned), and reapplying the fix—no dice. I've since replaced all of the folders and the files.
Stock rom here as well.
Hrmm not quite sure why lag fix isn't working for you guys. Just a quick question, in RyanZa One Click, is "Un-Root Device" green?
I still have no problems applying RyanZa Lag Fix to my Captivate as I had to redo it last night after i switched back to the Rogers stock rom after testing Cog 2.2. My guess, and it is just a guess, is that the root never applied properly. Have you tried rerooting the device?
deacfire said:
Hrmm not quite sure why lag fix isn't working for you guys. Just a quick question, in RyanZa One Click, is "Un-Root Device" green?
I still have no problems applying RyanZa Lag Fix to my Captivate as I had to redo it last night after i switched back to the Rogers stock rom after testing Cog 2.2. My guess, and it is just a guess, is that the root never applied properly. Have you tried rerooting the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thought I might give you some info as well since i've been messing with mine for about a week now. I was able to root the device, oneclick did not work originally for this and I used ADB method similar to what you had here. After this I went for the lag fix, everything was green like it was supposed to be, installed the ext2 tools no problem and then get the same error about unable to mount when applying lag fix.
At this point I used OCLF to unroot the device and it did, I then used the oneclick to re-root which it did this time, in terminal I can su properly and again all the tools are green in OCLF. Tried to lagfix and failed again so I started making some changes manually based on the error messages that were out put. Created the folder it was trying to mount to for instance and then set the permission to this to 777 that would allow world write access, this allowed it to create the new partition in ext2 but when mounting the loopback device it fails saying it doesn't exist (which it doesn't I looked) so while I did get a bit further the lag fix still fails. I would gladly apply the lag fix manually through the terminal if I knew everything that was being done to re-format the partitions for ext3 but I can't seem to find that info anywhere.
Next best thing I would guess is to install a stock rom from rogers from someone else and see if there are any differences, I'm guessing based on the devices in the /dev folder that there are more then one image on the devices some set up more similar to AT&T that the lag fix will work on.
mrprefect said:
Thought I might give you some info as well since i've been messing with mine for about a week now. I was able to root the device, oneclick did not work originally for this and I used ADB method similar to what you had here. After this I went for the lag fix, everything was green like it was supposed to be, installed the ext2 tools no problem and then get the same error about unable to mount when applying lag fix.
At this point I used OCLF to unroot the device and it did, I then used the oneclick to re-root which it did this time, in terminal I can su properly and again all the tools are green in OCLF. Tried to lagfix and failed again so I started making some changes manually based on the error messages that were out put. Created the folder it was trying to mount to for instance and then set the permission to this to 777 that would allow world write access, this allowed it to create the new partition in ext2 but when mounting the loopback device it fails saying it doesn't exist (which it doesn't I looked) so while I did get a bit further the lag fix still fails. I would gladly apply the lag fix manually through the terminal if I knew everything that was being done to re-format the partitions for ext3 but I can't seem to find that info anywhere.
Next best thing I would guess is to install a stock rom from rogers from someone else and see if there are any differences, I'm guessing based on the devices in the /dev folder that there are more then one image on the devices some set up more similar to AT&T that the lag fix will work on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the stock rom in the main Rogers Captivate forum. It is one i used to go from Cog 2.2 back to stock and it applied the root and lag fix without a hitch. Give it a try and let us know!
deacfire said:
Try the stock rom in the main Rogers Captivate forum. It is one i used to go from Cog 2.2 back to stock and it applied the root and lag fix without a hitch. Give it a try and let us know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Happen to have a link right to the forum? so many threads to search through...
I'm new to the whole android thing though I've been working with linux for years but its a bit of a learning curve coming from a blackberry.
also what are you using to flash your device?
I'm having the same problem. Let me know if you somehow fix it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I896 using XDA App
I was finally able to get my last night.
Turns out my first root attempt was a failure. I had to unroot via an update.zip method as i did not have the permissions to remove the files from terminal.
Once unrooted i then did the update.zip method for the I897, and modified the script to look for I896 instead. It worked flawlessley. I am now getting the pop-up asking for root permissions. I had never seen it work previously.
I was then able to install OCLF without any problems. (and it popped up asking for root)
I am now rooted and lag fixed. Previous quadrant score was at 860's and i pulled a 2285 last night after the OCLF.
Can you please tell us how to modify script and how to flash back to stock..I need to return my phone and superuse app wont go away after unrooting and factory reset
inningsdefeat500 said:
Can you please tell us how to modify script and how to flash back to stock..I need to return my phone and superuser app wont go away after unrooting and factory reset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i cannot help you flash back to stock as i don't quite know how to do that yet myself. But i can help you unroot, re-root, and lag fix.
I have found the files again and uploaded them to rapid share with the necessary modifications.
Download THIS FILE and once downloaded, rename it to update.zip Be careful not to name it update.zip.zip by accident.
Place the file into the root of your sdcard.
Shutdown the phone with the power button, or pull the battery out and put it back in.
Enter recovery mode:
While holding the volume up and volume down buttons press and hold the power button until you see the white text that says SGH-I896, then release the power button only.
When in recovery mode use the volume down key to highlight reinstall packages, then press the power button. It should say completed and reboot the phone.
Once the phone has rebooted, do the exact same thing again, only use THIS FILE instead. Dont forget to rename the file again!
Then install the OCLF from market. Install the EXT2 tools first. Then run the lag fix installer.
I assume you already know how to enter recovery mode, but this way someone else searching for a fix will have all the info at their disposal here.
EDIT!!!
Some mirrors for the files
For the UN-Root files go HERE
For the ROOT files go HERE
Hi all i am very lost here....i have tried for hours the last few days on how to root this i896 with the super one click method with no luck....anyways i was speaking to my brother earlier and he has done it with his bell vibrant no problem....anyways what i want to know is what is the purpose of rootindg the phone? I thought it was for downloading 3rd party apps or whats the purpose for superuser? The reason why i am asking is that i can download 3rd party apps already...i allow them on my application settings and download a app downloader and works fine? Im lost someone please help.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I896 using XDA App
dandroid123 said:
Hi all i am very lost here....i have tried for hours the last few days on how to root this i896 with the super one click method with no luck....anyways i was speaking to my brother earlier and he has done it with his bell vibrant no problem....anyways what i want to know is what is the purpose of rootindg the phone? I thought it was for downloading 3rd party apps or whats the purpose for superuser? The reason why i am asking is that i can download 3rd party apps already...i allow them on my application settings and download a app downloader and works fine? Im lost someone please help.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I896 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a look here. It answered alot of my questions.
http://www.androidcentral.com/rooting-it-me-some-qa
Also, if you only follow the second half of my post above you should be able to root it as well.
Thanks deacfire! The one click wouldn't work for me but the second method did.
I am having a really annoying problem though. The superuser.apk that you included just gave me a black screen. So I updated it to this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=682828&highlight=no+apps+in+list
Which is newer. But now it just says "no apps in list". Tried installing it from the zip, tried from the market no different.
I do have apps that require superuser: ROM Manager, Root Explorer, Adfree. They all work, also have titanium backup but its is telling me it needs root access.
How can I fix this, it is a major issue.
EDIT:Thanks impulser91!! That work and was SUPER easy! Should probably get posted in the original post.
when i copy update.zip into the /sdcard and then try hitting reinstall packages, it results in an error and aborts. any suggestions?
Nevermind....it worked MUAHAHAHAHAHAH LET THE FUN BEGIN!
Sweet, 2 users. Not bad for under 10 posts
I'm glad its working for others. I had one heck of a time finding the right combination of files and process's for the I896. I am an IT professional and it took me a few days of fumbling around all the I896 and I897 posts.
Anyways, glad to hear it worked, and i hope other people find it useful as well. I will keep the originals, so if the links go down someone just PM me and i will load them somewhere else.
impulser91 said:
Well i cannot help you flash back to stock as i don't quite know how to do that yet myself. But i can help you unroot, re-root, and lag fix.
I have found the files again and uploaded them to rapid share with the necessary modifications.
Download and once downloaded, rename it to update.zip Be careful not to name it update.zip.zip by accident.
Place the file into the root of your sdcard.
Shutdown the phone with the power button, or pull the battery out and put it back in.
Enter recovery mode:
While holding the volume up and volume down buttons press and hold the power button until you see the white text that says SGH-I896, then release the power button only.
When in recovery mode use the volume down key to highlight reinstall packages, then press the power button. It should say completed and reboot the phone.
Once the phone has rebooted, do the exact same thing again, only use THIS FILE instead. Dont forget to rename the file again!
Then install the OCLF from market. Install the EXT2 tools first. Then run the lag fix installer.
I assume you already know how to enter recovery mode, but this way someone else searching for a fix will have all the info at their disposal here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could just about kiss you.... but I won't
Thanks for the update files they worked like a charm. I had a similar issue where the device didn't seem to be properly rooted, though it didn't give me any issues with most things when applying the lagfix it would die.
applied both your unroot and then root and it worked flawlessly the first time, lagfix then ran with no issues and my quadrant scores are 2250 now.
Not sure what you did exactly, I've tried rooting from update.zip from oneclick and neither worked I ended up rooting with the ADB and though it seemed to work it apparently did not.
Thanks again
So I received the OTA Update for my Samsung EPIC 4G stock build Eclair DI18.
Unfortunately it did not install due to missing packages.
I was rooted.
I was not running any custom roms,
I did use the SDX Stock App Remover to remove "nascar",
I have seen other people having problems because they are missing the "Asphalt Demo" apk.
Unfortunately if you remove Nascar or Asphalt you will get that error message when you try to install the OTA EC05 update, as well as if you try the manual method of upgrading by copying the update.zip. This happens because the installer is trying to verify packages for the upgrade (which you no longer have).
I went nuts considering all the different methods I could take to apply this update. I wanted the quickest and easiest method, and one that would leave my data intact.
So if this matches your situation, you don't have to reflash back to stock DI18 to recover a couple of missing stock apps and you don't need Odin or the 255 mb tar ROM that's out there (SPH-D700-DI18-8Gb-REL.tar.md5) etc. with this method.
So here is the method I used to restore my Stock Sprint apps so I could get the installer to run.
Before you start, make sure you know which packages you need to restore back to your /system/app folder. (unfortunately, their is no way of knowing which package(s) you're missing if you don't remember what you removed. You could cross reference what you have with someone who has all the stock apps OR the easiest way is to try to apply the update and write down or remember which apk it is complaining about. Chances are you already know which APK you're missing and that's why you're here. If you removed multiple stock apps, then you might have already guessed that you are going to have to restore each apk one by one, and so you may need to go through this process more than once to discover exactly which apk files are missing.)
These instructions also assume that you've already copied the DI18-EC05 update.zip file found in this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1005593 to your sdcard.
Download the stock Sprint apk packages from:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=987777
The file you are looking for that is linked from that thread is:
http://www.nubecoder.com/files/andro...store_EB13.zip (Even though these are EB13 app's it doesn't matter that you're on DI18, we just need the file to be there so we can trick the installer into running.)
Unzip this file and copy the apk's you need to your sdcard by first mounting your android phone in mass storage mode (usb debugging disabled). After you have copied the apk's to your sdcard, you will need to remount your system folder and copy the apks to that /system/apps location for the update installer to recognize it (simply installing the app to your phone won't cut it).
To continue you will need the Samsung drivers ( I am not providing links because this can be found anywhere on the web. My particular Samsung driver archive is called "usb_drivers_GalaxyS_x64.zip" (reboot your system after installing if necessary).
You will also need the "one click root" zip archive (or any other package that can give you access to the adb shell.) I used the adb shell from the "epic aio one click root" file archive "epic.aio.v1.13.zip".
Enable USB Debugging mode in your phone, and then plug your phone into usb.
Follow the instructions below to remount your /system partition as rw so that you can copy back (to /system/app) the missing apk packages that you've already copied to your sdcard.
Navigate to the location where your adb executable is installed:
1. cd C:\android-sdk-windows\tools> adb shell
2. $ su
3. # mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
4. # cd /system/app
5. # ls (make sure it is mounted)
6. # cd /sdcard
7. # ls *.apk (show the apk package filenames)
8. # cp "apkfilename" /system/app (copy from current working directory [/sdcard] to /system/apps)
On step 8, replace "apkfilename" with apk's you want to copy. Repeat process as many times as necessary to copy back all the default apk's that you removed.
Taken partially from http://androidforums.com/2079717-post6.html
After you have copied all of your stock apk's back, simply unplug your phone, and reboot. Once you have rebooted press and hold volume down, power and camera buttons until the recovery menu pops back up, then simply select install update.zip
This time the installer will not error out on missing packages.
If you want to root your phone after installing the EC05 Stock Update:
http://forum.androidcentral.com/epi...optional-ext4-new-updated-2-a.html#post760733
For those who only need the stock epic asphalt demo here it is.
(Note to mods, this is a 5 minute demo only, not a full game. As such I believe it is ok to post.)
I was looking inside the run.bat file and I used a run.bat file that did not remove asphalt5.apk and freeHDGamesDemo.apk.
Now I don't know if you need the freeHDGamesDemo.apk or where to find it.
I was going to reinstall the asphalt5.apk, but do I erase the /sdcard/gameloft/ folder and if I do will it be recreated again or should I leave it in?
You can get rid of the gameloft folder on sdcard, thats where it puts the file it downloads when you launch the asphalt demo and it prompts to download. Be careful though, if you have other gameloft games they will also use that folder.
I'm not sure on the free hd demo file, if the ota complains about it we should be able to pull it from the eb13 tar file. If it's not posted by time the ota rolls out I'll add it here for ease.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
rocket321 said:
You can get rid of the gameloft folder on sdcard, thats where it puts the file it downloads when you launch the asphalt demo and it prompts to download. Be careful though, if you have other gameloft games they will also use that folder.
I'm not sure on the free hd demo file, if the ota complains about it we should be able to pull it from the eb13 tar file. If it's not posted by time the ota rolls out I'll add it here for ease.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I am not a big game player so the little asphalt5 demo is about all I need - I never even opened the freeHDDemo file so I don't know what it does, I was only looking for it incase it stopped you from getting any minor updates via OTA's.
I didn't think the Odin EC05 no data loss upgrade version would remove those two apps on Androidcentral.
i did everything but when i went to the system menu to intall the update.zip i dont have that file...
where do i get it from?
Joph said:
i did everything but when i went to the system menu to intall the update.zip i dont have that file...
where do i get it from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1005593
Post One: Unlocking and Rooting
Post Two: Installing Roms / Kernels / Tweaks
Post Three: Panic Section / FAQ / Miscellaneous
Unlocking The Bootloader And Obtaining Root
*This part of the tutorial is geared towards Windows users. The MAC instructions are very similar, from what I understand. Install the package the same way. All ADB/Fastboot commands may need to start with "adb-mac" (no quotes) rather than "adb" (no quotes). Due to the vast amount of Linux distros available; instructions will vary for your device. Once ADB/Fastboot are set up all command will begin with "./adb" (no quotes) rather than "adb" (no quotes). Once ADB/Fastboot are set up; this guide is relevant to everyone.*
Time required:
20-40 minutes.
Setting up ADB for our device:
Download the AndroidSDK onto your computer.
Note: Google changes their mind every other week as to if this will be distributed as a .zip or an .exe. If you get an .zip file, simply extract the contents to your C:\ drive. For an .exe install it like you would any other program, but set the path directly to the C:\ drive when the installer asks.
Or...you can use this page to download the "ADB for Dummies AIO App."
This will automatically install ADB for you to your C:\ directory. It's very very simple this way.
If your platform-tools folder doesn't have a fastboot.exe, place this fastboot.exe file in your C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools (or possibly simply called tools, if you set up ADB ages ago) folder.
Now you have ADB installed! Congratulations.
Unlocking the Bootloader:
***NOTE***
This will perform a factory reset on your device. You will lose all applications. Even the data on your SD Card! I'd recommend making a Backup to your computer BEFORE performing this. There is a method for backing your data up, detailed HERE.
For the time being, there is a method available that will allow you to unlock your device (and root it) without losing your data.
For instructions, click HERE. Please note: this is a hack and isn't the "conventional" and "accepted" way of unlocking your bootloader on a nexus device. The wipe requirement is there for your safety, really, and I'm certain this will be patched in the upcoming releases.
Get the drivers:
Uninstall any previously attempted drivers if they don't work and move to the next.
Option One:
Navigate to the "Device Manager" (Control Panel > Device Manager) in Windows and Select the android device. Open the properties and select the "Install Driver" option. Pick the driver with "Install from disk." Ignore any warnings about the driver not being signed properly.
PDAnet's drivers may work if the above options don't. Simply install PDAnet (after uninstalling any previous attempted driver installations) to get the drivers.
While that is downloading, on your Nexus 4: turn USB debugging on.
To do so; you must first go to Settings>About>Build Number and click seven times.
The actual setting can then be found in Settings>Developer Options>USB Debugging
Once the drivers are installed, navigate to the C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools folder on your computer.
Hold shift and right click. Select "Open Command Window Here."
Plug your phone into the computer. Now in this command window type:
Code:
adb reboot bootloader
(Hit Enter)
Your phone should now boot into a screen with a green android with his chest exposed.
Type this:
Code:
fastboot oem unlock
(Hit Enter)
If your Command Prompt displays the message "waiting for device" your driver wasn't successfully installed.
Close the Command Prompt window and open Device manager while your phone is still plugged in. (Search for it using the search option).
Right Click the "Android" option and select Update Driver. Choose to "Browse My Computer" and "Let Me Pick From A List." Pick the Driver with the newest date and install it. Now retry the code above.
Your phone will ask if you want to unlock it. Select "Yes" by using the volume keys and use power to select it.
Now, navigate to "Recovery Mode" with the volume keys. Use power to select.
A screen with another Android will pop up. Press Volume Up and Power at the same time.
Select Factory Reset. This process may take a few minutes. Be patient and let it work.
Once finished, select "Reboot."
Your phone is now unlocked!
Obtaining Root Access and Custom Recovery:
Turn on USB Debugging.
To do so; you must first go to Settings>About>Build Number and click seven times.
The actual setting can then be found in Settings>Developer Options>USB Debugging
Download the following:
SuperSU (CWM .zip)
CWM (Pick the version for your device)
Place the recovery-clockwork-VERSIONNUMBER-mako.img file into your C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools folder.
Put the SuperSU.zip on your phone.
Open another Command Prompt if it isn't still open. (Navigate to C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools and shift + right click. Select "Open Command Window Here.")
With your phone plugged in type:
Code:
adb reboot bootloader
(Hit Enter)
And wait for your phone to boot into the android again.
Now type:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery IMAGENAME.img
(Change the file name to the correct file name and Hit Enter)
Once that is finished: select the "Recovery Mode" option again on your phone.
You should get a new recovery menu here. Select "install zip from sd card" and "choose zip from sd card."
Find the SuperSU.zip that you transferred earlier and select "Yes" to installing.
Navigate back to "Reboot" and reboot your phone.
You're now rooted!
However, ClockworkMod Recovery won't continue to load after this.
To fix this, find "Rom Manager" from the market. (The free version is fine.) Use the "Flash ClockworkMod Recovery" option.
If your recovery still doesn't stick around after a reboot, you have another couple options. Find a file explorer that allows root access, such as Root Explorer. Use this program to rename /system/etc/install-recovery.sh to /system/etc/install-recovery.bak. You'll need to mount the system as r/w to do this. Root Explorer provides a button at the top to do so.
Or, you can do this completely manually by firing up ADB again and running a few commands:
Code:
adb shell
(Hit Enter)
Code:
su
(Hit Enter)
Code:
mount -o remount,rw -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p1 /system
(Hit Enter)
Code:
mv /system/etc/install-recovery.sh /system/etc/install-recovery.bak
(Hit Enter)
Congratulations!
Your phone is now unlocked, rooted, and has a custom recovery!
Continue reading the next posts for info on getting custom roms, kernels, tweaks, and more!
***I take no responsibility for what happens to your phone due to following this guide! That being said, not only am I sure you'll be fine...but there are an endless amount of users who would be glad to help if you need it.***
Thanks:
Google, for making Android a reality.
VanillaTbone, for the ADB AIO app.
Efrant, for posting about a bootloader locking utility without USB.
ClockworkMod team, for being a part of making our phones as awesome as they are.
The assorted developers, who continue to push out amazing material for us to use.
The awesome community, for endlessly supporting both Android itself and its users.
Installing Custom Roms Kernels and Tweaks
All of the instructions below require your bootloader to be unlocked. Please follow the guide above and return here when you're done.
Backing Your Files Up:
Time required:
15-25 minutes.
Making a Nandroid
The first thing you're going to want to do is back up your phone's entire system. This is done by making a "nandroid."
To do this, boot into ClockworkMod Recovery. To accomplish this: Turn your phone off. Once it is completely off: hold both volume buttons and the power button until the Android with his chest exposed is displayed. Navigate to the "Recovery Mode" option and select "backup."
This will take some time. Be patient and let it finish. This process is important! You should always have a recent nandroid available on your device.
Backing Your Data Up
Install Titanium Backup from the market.
Open Titanium Backup. A Superuser request should pop up. Allow it. Note: if Titanium Backup then says it failed to obtain root access; press the menu button and select more>reload application.
Press menu>batch. Select "Backup all User Apps." Select all and "Run the Batch Operation."
Let the process complete. This may take quite some time: depending on how many applications you have installed.
You can now backup your Text Messages, Bookmarks, and WiFi addresses with Titanium Backup as well.
Press Menu>Backup Data To XML to do so.
Backing Your Contacts Up
Note: This process may or not be useful to you. The Google servers should automatically import any contacts you have stored back whenever you install a new rom. Also note that Facebook/Google+/etc contacts will need to be synced again through their respective applications.
Open the Contacts application.
Press the Menu button.
Select import/export.
Export to storage.
Installing A Rom (Or Kernel/Radios/Tweaks/Themes/etc.)
Time Required:
5-10 minutes.
Note:
Follow the guide above about backing your phone up before attempting!
This guide will also work for flashing kernels/radios/themes/tweaks/etc. Simply ignore the part about wiping data and wipe whatever the thread says you should. You only need to restore data after a rom install.
Find a Rom You'd Like To Try:
Nexus 4 Original Development
Nexus 4 Development
Download the rom you'd like to try on your device.
Most roms also require you to install "gapps" as well.
You can find the correct ones for the rom you're using in the rom thread.
Make sure the Rom and Gapps are on your SD card.
Now, open Google Wallet (if you have it installed) and press Options>Settings>Reset Google Wallet. This will prevent the "Secure Element" errors some users have experienced.
Boot into ClockworkMod Recovery by turning your device completely off. Hold volume up, volume down, and power until the green Android with the open chest is displayed. Navigate to "Recovery Mode" with the volume buttons and select using the power button.
Remember to have a recent nandroid before continuing!
Navigate to "wipe data/factory reset" and select it. Select "yes."
Wait for the process to complete. This may take some time. Be patient!
Once complete: Navigate to "Install Zip from SD card" and "Choose zip from SD card."
Find the rom's .zip and install it. Once that completes install any applicable gapps' .zip.
Select the "Reboot" option.
Congratulations! Your phone should now boot into the custom rom!
Follow the prompts to re-activate your phone.
Restoring Your Applications / Contacts / Nandroid
Time Required:
5-15 minutes.
Restoring Your Applicaions
Install Titanium Backup. Note: you may want the pro key. If you have it, you won't have to manually click "install" on each application. The process is completely automated. Open Titanium Backup (grant root access. If titanium says it failed to obtain root access, press menu>more>reload application). Press menu>batch>restore missing apps with data. Now, here you have a choice to make. Do you want a completely clean install? Select "app only" and run the batch operation (Deselect Google Wallet first. We don't want to risk restoring wallet in any way. Install it manually through the Play Store.). Do you want all of your application data (saved games/settings/etc)? Select "app+data" and run the batch operation (Deselect Google Wallet first. We don't want to risk restoring wallet in any way. Install it manually through the Play Store.). This MAY cause you problems or it may not. Personally, I often restore application data and seldom run into any trouble. If you do find that restoring data caused problems, follow the guide above to re-install your rom and restore without data. This process will take some time. Be patient (I'd suggest turning your screen off so the screen doesn't burn, but that's just me.) It will vibrate upon completion.
You can now restore your Text Messages, Bookmarks, and WiFi addresses if you backed them up by pressing Menu>Restore Data From XML.
Note:
Overclocking/CPU tweaking applications should never be restored with data. Simply deselect it from the list.
Facebook/Haxsync/Google+ may have problems restoring your contacts when installed through Titanium Backup. Simply uninstall and reinstall through the market (and be sure to log in and select to sync your contacts again).
Also, if you have NFC Task Launcher successfully launching Tasker tasks with your stickers: they may not immediately work.
Through my testing, it's as simple to fix as uninstalling NFC Task Launcher and Tasker. Restore Tasker first. Then restore NFC task launcher.
Restoring Your Contacts
If google fails to restore your contacts (not facebook/haxsync/google+/etc) you may import them manually if you backed them up.
Open the contacts application and press menu>import/export>import from storage.
Restoring A Nandroid
If your phone is acting funny or won't boot...restore a nandroid from a previous rom or working set-up.
You may also use a Nandroid to switch back to a previous rom if you decide you don't like the one you're on.
Do this by booting into ClockworkMod Recovery (hold volume up, volume down, and power while your phone is off and navigate to "Recovery Mode").
Simply select "restore" and find the most recent (or relevant) backup.
This process will take some time. Be patient and let it complete! Once done, select "Reboot."
Note:
Nandroids are stored in the "clockworkmod" folder on your SD card. They take up quite a bit of space. ALWAYS have at least one recent one on your SD card. However, since these are huge files: you may like to delete old ones to save space. You must delete backups by booting into CWM and navigating to Backup and Restore>Delete.
Important Notes About Restoration
I outline the method of using Titanium Backup above for a reason. Restoring system applications and data is the most common cause of problems on custom roms. For this reason, always ONLY restore "missing applications" from "user applications" that were backed up when restoring onto a new rom. Every time you restore system data or applications a narwhal sodomizes your favorite childhood cartoon. This is FACT.
Installing Alternate Custom Recoveries
If you find a custom recovery (such as the touch-recovery options) that came as a .img file:
Use these instructions to flash. Plug your phone into the computer. Open up ADB. Move the .img to the C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools folder.
Type the following:
Code:
adb reboot bootloader
(Hit Enter)
You can also manually boot to the bootloader by powering off and holding volume down, volume up, power buttons until the green Android with his chest exposed is displayed.
Then type:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery FILENAME.img
(Replace the file name with whatever the .img is called and Hit Enter).
Wait for the process to complete and reboot.
***I take no responsibility for what happens to your phone due to following this guide! That being said, not only am I sure you'll be fine...but there are an endless amount of users who would be glad to help if you need it.***
Panic Section! (Something is Wrong)
Q: My phone won't boot!
A: The easiest option is to get into recovery and restore a nandroid using the above guide (pull battery to put phone in an off-state if needed).
However, more advanced options are available if you don't have a nandroid available (You're naughty).
Do you have another rom .zip available on your SD card? If so, simply use the above guide for installing a rom to get you booting again.
If not, you can download one on your PC. Boot into fastboot (the green Android with open chest menu). Navigate to recovery and select it with the power button.
Move the .zip to the C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools folder.
Open ADB.
Change the NAMEOFZIP.zip below to the correct file name...and perform the action.
Code:
adb push NAMEOFZIP.zip /sdcard/NAMEOFZIP.zip
(Hit enter)
You may have to reboot recovery to get the file to show up. Now follow the guide above for flashing a rom to get you booting again.
Did you install a tweak that modified only a file or two on your phone? (Find this out by opening the .zip and looking in the folders (ignore META-INF). Good news! We MAY be able to recover you completely. If this doesn't work...you'll have to follow another method.
Get your phone into fastboot (the boot-menu that allows you to select recovery/reboot/etc). Navigate to Recovery. Start up ADB. Pull the files that were modified out of the stock rom's .zip (using whatever tweak you were installing as reference to find what was changed) that you're on into the C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools folder. Now we're going to push these files onto your phone...replacing the tweaked ones and hopefully getting you booted again. Use this code, but change the values of the file name and where it should reside. This is only an example!
Code:
adb shell
(Hit Enter)
Code:
su
(Hit Enter)
Code:
mount -o remount,rw -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p1 /system
(Hit Enter)
This will mount your system so you can write to it.
Code:
exit
(Hit Enter)
This should exit shell and allow the use of adb commands again. You may need to type it a couple of times (until the #_ changes back to the platform_tools> prompt).
Code:
adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework/framework-res.apk
(Press enter after each file that you need to replace).
Note: This last option probably won't work. I'd just skip over it unless you're absolutely adamant about restoring your current setup and want to try everything possible.
Q: I want my SDcard files from my phone...but I'm in a situation where I need to flash stock images! This will erase my SD content. What can I do to save it?
A: Do you have a custom recovery installed? If not, download a custom recovery from post one in this guide and flash it using those instructions. You'll need to be in a custom recovery in order to obtain ADB access without booting your phone. Boot into recovery (With phone turned off: hold Power and Volume+ and Volume- until the bootloader pops up and navigate to "Recovery"). Run the command:
Code:
adb pull /sdcard/ /SDCARD/
(Hit Enter)
This will put all of your files into a folder called "SDCARD" in your C:\ drive. Keep in mind that this will take a LONG time. Maybe a couple of hours.
To restore once you're booting again:
Move the "SDCARD" folder you created from your C:\ drive to the platform-tools folder. *Then input:
Code:
adb push SDCARD /sdcard/
(Hit Enter)
Q: How do I make an "ADB Backup?"
A: An ADB Backup will backup your phones data (applications and their settings). Follow the guide HERE about ADB Backups.
Q: My phone gets really sluggish and often turns off or reboots on its own.
A: Without knowing anything about your situation...I'd say you either have severely bad data somewhere or some bad kernel tweaks. Use the rom install guide above, paying close attention to the part about backing up and restoring if you haven't already. In the case of a kernel problem, you're likely undervolting too low. Restore the stock kernel values and see if your problems subside.
Q: My phone screen won't turn on! This requires a battery pull to fix.
A: This is called a "Black Screen of Death" or BSOD. This is generally due to using a hotplug governor (one that turns cores off with the screen off) or possibly undervolting your device too low. Change governors or up your slots a bit.
Q: My phone is doing really weird things. Regardless of kernel/rom and even if I don't restore any data at all! Either that or I simply cannot boot up! My phone is possessed no matter what I do!
Download the stock IMAGES for your device and extract the files using 7-zip. Move all of the extracted files to your platform-tools folder. Open the flash-all.sh file with a text editor. Copy and paste the commands (one by one) and wait for each process to complete for continuing.
FAQ
Roms/Kernels
Q: What is the best rom?
A: The "best" rom is a matter of opinion. Do you like a certain customization and can't live without it? Use a rom that has that option.
Q: What is the best rom for battery life?
A: Roms themselves really shouldn't impact your battery all that much. They can have an impact, but if you're really looking for better battery I'd suggest swapping kernels or tweaking yours.
Q: What is the best rom for stability?
A: All of the roms out are "stable." They may have options that don't work correctly, but generally: this is user error. If you follow my advice on installing a rom, you'll end up with MUCH fewer bugs.
Q: What is the best kernel?
A: The best kernel is a matter of opinion. Some users may love one, while others swear by another. Find one you like and tweak it accordingly.
Q: How do I tweak a kernel for better battery?
A: Generally, you'll want to either change your governor and or undervolt and or underclock your kernel. This is done either by using SetCPU or similar apps, or with an option in your rom (usually labeled "performance" or something similar). Take note: extremely high/low voltages may cause instability. Never "set at boot" until you've thoroughly tested the options you've set. Testing includes low strain (like turning your screen off for an hour) and high strain (like playing a game for an hour) scenarios. To be extra safe: run the values for a couple days before setting them at boot. Follow the users ideas in the kernel's threads for some guidelines. However, remember that not all values will play nicely with all phones.
Miscellaneous
Q: Why isn't Google Wallet working at [store]?
A: I'm not sure if it's a Google Wallet problem, or a problem with the terminal. But I personally struggle to find a terminal that consistently works in my area. Something that has generally worked for me is to open wallet and go to Options>Reset Google Wallet. You must then re-add any cards you had.
Q: Does my ass look good in these shorts?
A: Yes.
Neat Ideas / How to Show Off the Nexus 4
-Get some NFC stickers. Tagstand has them available.
You can use these to make your phone perform certain tasks when you touch the sticker. Use NFC Task Launcher to define the tasks. These are capable of doing simple things like muting your volume to the more complex like turning on Tasker tasks that do things like auto-reply to text messages while you're at work.
-Do you have any suggestions? Submit them below!
***I take no responsibility for what happens to your phone due to following this guide! That being said, not only am I sure you'll be fine...but there are an endless amount of users who would be glad to help if you need it.***
ADB Backups:
SDcard backup:
Code:
adb pull /sdcard/ /sdcard/
(This will pull all of your sdcard contents to an "sdcard" folder in your C:\ directory)
Applications and their data:
Take note, that you'll need to be using CyanogenMod's method for setting up ADB to do this. The ADB AIO application installs an older SDK without this functionality. First, get your drivers installed (detailed in post one). Once you get ADB installed (post one), navigate to the C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools folder on your computer. Hold shift and right click. Select "Open Command Window Here."
Input this while your phone is turned on and USB Debugging is Enabled:
To do so; you must first go to Settings>About>Build Number and click seven times.
The actual setting can then be found in Settings>Developer Options>USB Debugging
Type this:
Code:
adb backup -apk -noshared -all -nosystem
(Hit Enter)
Your phone will ask for a password. Input one and remember it.
Once the process completes: continue with unlocking and rooting your phone.
Restoration:
Upon unlocking and rooting your phone: open up ADB again.
Enter this code:
Code:
adb restore backup.ab
(Hit Enter)
Input the password you saved to this file earlier, and wait for the restore to complete.
To restore your SDcard backup, first move the "sdcard" folder that was made in the backup process to your platform-tools folder.
Then run:
Code:
adb push sdcard /sdcard/
Do you have to install "ADB" ?
As far as like...clicking it and letting the windows installer install...no.
The exe file will read the commands in cmd without "installation."
Nice Work!
I've just added this guide to the Nexus 4 Complete Index
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Great work!!! nice and clean reading!
Can this guide include information on how to re-lock bootloader and unroot the device? Does this informaiton exist?
I need to RMA my phone due to dead pixels and I want to make sure I dont have any issues with the warranty.
jayluke said:
Can this guide include information on how to re-lock bootloader and unroot the device? Does this informaiton exist?
I need to RMA my phone due to dead pixels and I want to make sure I dont have any issues with the warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Post 3.
fastboot oem lock
Locks the device.
How long is the first boot, after unlocking the bootloader, supposed to take? Mine's sitting there for quite a while already. (I had a lot of stuff installed, but still, this is really long.)
EDIT: When rebooting the custom recovery, you have to say "yes" to the message it gives you, something about keeping some recovery. I had originally said no because I didn't flash it, I just booted it once.
I just got my nexus yesterday, and this isnt the first phone that I have rooted.... however... my settings on the thing are extremely basic..
How do I enable usb debugging if I dont have the option in the settings?
Thanks
Chris
---------- Post added at 03:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:14 PM ----------
I just got my nexus yesterday, and this isnt the first phone that I have rooted.... however... my settings on the thing are extremely basic..
How do I enable usb debugging if I dont have the option in the settings?
Thanks
Chris
Edit: Got an app to enable it... still not in the menu though.
wizshaw said:
I just got my nexus yesterday, and this isnt the first phone that I have rooted.... however... my settings on the thing are extremely basic..
How do I enable usb debugging if I dont have the option in the settings?
Thanks
Chris
---------- Post added at 03:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:14 PM ----------
I just got my nexus yesterday, and this isnt the first phone that I have rooted.... however... my settings on the thing are extremely basic..
How do I enable usb debugging if I dont have the option in the settings?
Thanks
Chris
Edit: Got an app to enable it... still not in the menu though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh geeze!
I forgot.
Settings>about>version number I think...
Click 7 times to enable developer options.
Will update op soon.
Quick question: is there a reason the first post links to SuperSU version 0.98, when version 0.99 is the most recent? If version 0.99 has known issues with the Nexus 4, I don't want to use it on my device.
The 0.99 version came out after this guide was posted. I was offered to upgrade to the new version of supersu from 0.98 and so far no problem at all.
Does this work on the latest version of JB (4.2.1)?
When installing a new ROM it says to perform a factory reset through CWM, which will remove all apps and data but should keep all your pictures, videos, songs etc.
It doesn't mention to wipe the System partition as well. Is this not necessary when flashing ROMs on a Nexus?
Prior to owning the N4 I had the Galaxy S 2 and it was always stated in the OP instructions to wipe data/factory reset, wipe system, clear cache, clear dalvik and then flash ROM and Gapps.
However, I don't notice in any guides or instructions for N4 ROMS to wipe the system partition, just the data partition. Is there a reason for this or is it not necessary to wipe the system partition? Thanks. Great guide by the way.
Peace
thank u for ur effort
Chochiwpg said:
When installing a new ROM it says to perform a factory reset through CWM, which will remove all apps and data but should keep all your pictures, videos, songs etc.
It doesn't mention to wipe the System partition as well. Is this not necessary when flashing ROMs on a Nexus?
Prior to owning the N4 I had the Galaxy S 2 and it was always stated in the OP instructions to wipe data/factory reset, wipe system, clear cache, clear dalvik and then flash ROM and Gapps.
However, I don't notice in any guides or instructions for N4 ROMS to wipe the system partition, just the data partition. Is there a reason for this or is it not necessary to wipe the system partition? Thanks. Great guide by the way.
Peace
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually have a question along these lines.
I just came from a LG G2X so things were different for me whenever I flashed ROM's/kernels. For one thing, I had an external sd card so whenever CWM made it's backups, they went to that automatically and I didn't have to worry about wiping since everything was on the external. This phone doesn't have an external so where do the backups go? From the looks of the new CWM 6.0.2.0, the backups (and blobs now apparently) go to /data/media/clockworkmod. Well I guess my question here is if you have to wipe /data for installing new ROM's, how would I restore a backup because they would have been deleted off the /data partition. I tried adb pulling /data/media/clockworkmod to my computer but it won't go. Don't know if it's because that partition is mounted while the phone is in use or what. I tried the mount/umount command that OP listed but it won't work for me. Don't want to flash ANYTHING on this phone until I know for a fact I can get to the backups that I'm creating.
Earlier I posted about how to un-root the 3G Slide and go back to the latest 2.2.1 RUU from HTC. Big mistake -- who knew it would be so flipping hard to go back to rooted? My problem was, the WiFi in CM7.2 stable for this phone was terrible! But being confined to an un-rooted stock phone was worse. After doing the below, I flashed the latest radio, and put the latest nightly on the phone for CM7.2 and it's a little better, but still loses connection fairly often FYI - if anyone has any working solutions to the WiFi issues with this phone I'm all ears. But that aside, here's why I'm writing this post.
After spending nearly 4 days trying every root method I could find for the myTouch 3G Slide with the latest 2.2.1 stock ROM - I almost gave up when I decided to try something different. Luckily for me, it worked -- and best part is, I didn't have to touch a PC to do it! So I thought I'd share and hopefully save someone else some headache. Chances are, you've tried some other methods before finding this post too, so you should do a factory reset on your phone (Settings -> Storage -> Factory Reset) to get back to square 1. Also, delete any files you've used as well, and be sure to download the files using the links I've provided below, as they are known to work (for me at least).
What you'll need:
1) I know I said no PC required, but creating the goldcard hardly counts -- after this step, it's phone-only -- Goldcard - wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Howto:_Goldcard -- I found that the psas.revskills.de/?q=goldcard site was down quite often, so an alternate is here: huygens.hoxnet.com/goldcard.html - also, this tool helps: www.modaco.com/topic/308798-pc-application-goldcardtool/
I have to say, I had already created a goldcard for many of the other methods I had tried, so I'm not 100% certain it is required, but it only takes a minute to create, so do it anyways.
2) Download www.4shared.com/file/sz0VO2TL/SlideEng-package.html from this link and use an app on your phone like AndroZip Free to extract the zip on your sdcard. I extracted mine to the /sdcard/downloads/ directory. Which is the directory I'll use in the shell commands below.
3) Download the GingerBreak 1.20 apk, and install the app on your phone. Note, because this app isn't in the market you'll have to enable "Unknown Sources" in your settings to be able to install it. droidmodderx.com/gingerbreak-apk-root-your-gingerbread-device/ - Note that USB debugging must be enabled in your phone settings for GingerBreak to work.
4) Download www.4shared.com/file/OsmF_ZD7/ESPRIMG.html and place the ESPRIMG.zip file in the root of your sdcard (/sdcard/ESPRIMG.zip)
5) Download CWM recovery download.clockworkmod.com/recoveries/recovery-clockwork-2.5.0.7-espresso.zip and rename it to update.zip - place it also in the root of your sdcard (/sdcard/update.zip)
That's all you need, now let's get started:
1) Open the GingerBreak app and press the "root" button.
2) Wait a few minutes for it to run, if successful the phone will reboot. Once it has rebooted ensure that it was able to install the Superuser app.
3) Install any RAM booster app. I used the quick boost button in: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=imoblife.memorybooster.lite
4) Install Terminal Emulator app from the Market.
5) Open your RAM booster app and click on "boost" RAM. You'll need ~ 70% free RAM for the next step to work.
6) Open the Terminal Emulator app.
7) Type the following commands into the terminal (don't type the $ or #'s below):
$ su
# cp /sdcard/downloads/flash_image /data/local/
# cp /sdcard/downloads/mtd0.img /data/local/
# cd /data/local/
# chmod 04755 *
# ./flash_image misc mtd0.img
8) If you get a memory error when executing that last command it's because your ram booster didn't free up enough memory. Try again, sorry.
9) Now power off your phone.
10) Hold VOLUME DOWN and POWER buttons to power on the phone into hboot.
11) Wait while it searches for and verifies your ESPRIMG.zip file on the sdcard.
12) Once it's verified, press VOLUME UP on the phone to say "Yes" to the installation.
13) When it's done installing the ESPRIMG.zip file DO NOT restart the phone! Press VOLUME DOWN to say "No".
14) Use volume buttons to highlight "recovery" from the menu, and press Power to select it.
15) If you see a red triangle with an exclamation point in it press VOLUME UP + POWER to get past it into recovery.
16) Once in recovery, choose apply update.zip from sdcard.
17) update.zip will run, and afterwards you should be in Clockworkmod recovery. From there you can wipe the data, and install any custom ROM you want.
Hope this helps someone
Plssss help
I still find it difficult to update my touch 3G slide O.s from 2.1 to 2.2...
donvman said:
I still find it difficult to update my touch 3G slide O.s from 2.1 to 2.2...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread assumes you want to root the phone in order to flash something like Cyanogenmod. If you simply want to update to the latest stock firmware, this may work -- http://www.htcdev.com/ruu/ (Look for the Espresso exe).
[me176c/x] [K013] How to Root and update from .182 to Lollipop release
Stock ROMs up to v.182, all languages
ASUS' Download Center for the MeMo Pad 7 Link is now inaccessible as ASUS has redesigned their site. Even the support page for this tablet no longer has any links to download ROMs/updates. Sad panda. However, the ones below (ASUS' direct links included) still work! I am also in the process of reuploading/rehosting all of these as well, so stay tuned! So far everything is rehosted on Google Drive, and I plan to add more mirrors in the next couple of days. Pleasse bear with my snarkiness, I have been up late and it's now 4am. I must crash now.
Anyway........ Enjoy!!
WW 182 Full ROM
ASUS
Google Drive
WW OTA 191
ASUS
Google Drive
Google Drive (alt)
WW OTA 198
Google Drive
WW OTA 199
Mediafire
Google Drive
WW OTA 201
Google Drive
Zippyshare (ew)
WW Lollipop release
Mediafire
Google Drive
If you have other links to share, especially direct links from ASUS or non-GDrive hosts, please feel free to post them and I will credit you!
(Manually) Flashing Updates
Sometimes (read: often) an update will fail to install and reboot, and then the tablet will claim you're up to date when you check for updates (and we know it's full of crap). So you'll have to manually update yourself, and often, if only works if you start from .182 (or above), and flash each file in consecutive order. So here's how it works. Be sure to read over this before starting, to get an idea of what's in store for you. And to be safe, read it again. And to be doubly-sure, read it AGAIN (I cannot stress this enough).
Obligatory warnings:
Your warranty (expired by now, for sure) is now null and void. Regardless of whether you do this, it's no longer valid either way! :laugh:
I am not liable for any damages to your device (or your brain) that this process may cause. What you do to your device is on you, but if you play it safe and read this all carefully (and read it again! And AGAIN!), you shouldn't have any trouble.
Instructions:
First things first, install your drivers if you haven't already, and set up the Android Platform Tools (adb and fastboot exes and such, also attached to this OP). I highly suggest trying the Latest ADB Fastboot and USB Driver installer tool for Windows by @fawazahmed0 (or the various attached drivers below, if you still somehow have trouble with getting your PC to recognize this dinosaur of a device).
Next, before we continue, make sure USB debugging is enabled on your tablet. Go to Settings > About tablet, and tap on Build Number 7 times, and you'll see a toast, "You are now a developer!" Back out once and scroll down a bit, you'll now see Developer Options. Enter, and near the top you'll see an option for USB debugging, so check that box. Plug in your tablet to the PC, then open a command line interface (Hit Windows Key + R, then type in "cmd" and press enter). Type in "adb devices" (without quotes) and look at your tablet's screen for a prompt. Check the box and tap OK. Now. back in the command prompt, press up and enter on your keyboard (which will repeat that last command), and you'll see your tablet's serial number (a string of letters/numbers) and the word "device" if you did it correctly. Now you're ready for the next part.
1. Install the "RootZenFone-1.4.6.8r.apk" (attached to this OP, below) and run it. Beware, it may have some Chinese text/Engrish. It's fairly simple to figure out though, thankfully.
2. Turn on USB debugging if you haven't already (didn't you read this first? You're already slacking!).
3. Download the zip file(s) you need and rename it update.zip and transfer it to your tablet. Or copy all files to the tablet and rename them (with a file manager of your choice, see next step) as you go.
4. Download a file manager that has root access (such as MiXplorer or Root Browser).
5. Go to / (root) and manually copy your update.zip to the /data folder.
6. Download this command file (also attached below, in a zip) and copy it to the /cache/recovery folder. This must be present each time you install an update via this method, so leave a copy on your device.
7. Back to Windows Command Prompt, run the command, "adb shell" (without quotes, as before), wait a moment for it to reload the server, then type, "su" (again, without quotes). When you type in the "su" command for the first time, it will prompt for SuperSU access on your tablet, similar to how it requested the RSA perms with adb debugging. You must allow this root permission, or the following won't work!Now, type line by line (or better yet, copy and paste into the command prompt (a right click automatically pastes copied text into it, btw):
Code:
adb shell
su
echo 'boot-recovery ' > /cache/recovery/command
echo '--update_package=/data/update.zip' >> /cache/recovery/command
echo '--wipe_cache' >> /cache/recovery/command
echo 'reboot' >> /cache/recovery/command
reboot recovery
In brief, what this means is that you just ordered the "command" file to boot as a "recovery" in order to flash the update package you copied and renamed previously. Thus, the tablet will reboot and commence flashing. At least, I think that's what's happening here. Sorry, I'm no rocket surgeon. All I know, is that it works. However, if you are getting an error during the update process, as mentioned above, you will likely have to flash the next incremental update (the one just above your current version) instead and go from there, flashing each OTA in order using the coded commands above every time. Be sure to rename EACH ZIP to "update.zip" as you do this or the command cannot find the file! Yes, this sounds like a pain, and it is! But this has worked when the direct approach had failed.
Archive folder of everything needed, on Google Drive
ROOT ZenFone FAQ has a translated guide on how to fix ptotential issues with the root process.
Credits:
@plopingo and @jerbear294 for some of the links.
@lethardicus for finding most of the OTA zips again when one weirdly went missing @fawazahmed0 for the driver installer tool
@slayeralive for providing the basis for these instructions
Nice work sub
No need for adb just copy zip ti /data and command file to /cache/recovery and reboot to recovery
@GuyInDogSuit
Update
mirrored OTA 191, 198, 199, 201 & RootZenFone-1.4.6.8r apk => https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5G23fyE72tnLS0yaXlUamVmcXc&usp=sharing#list
@GuyInDogSuit @slayeralive
I've try to update manually but it failed
how to flash .182 if I'm already in .191 ?
slayeralive said:
No need for adb just copy zip ti /data and command file to /cache/recovery and reboot to recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to do all the typing anymore?
GuyInDogSuit said:
You don't have to do all the typing anymore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've try, the tablet show android logo with no command on the screen after reboot without entering command
you did something wrong. command file is just txt file , and echo command in terminal is used for writing text in txt files.try to copy command file and reboot to recovery from terminal emulator with reboot recovery command. I created this method mainly for unbricking read post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/memo-pad-7/general/unbrick-asus-memopad-7-me176c-cx-t2970049
GuyInDogSuit said:
Thanks to @plopingo and @jerbear294 for some of the links.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG, I can't believe I JUST found this thread.
I have two of these tablets that I use as wall-mounted controllers for HA. One of them accepted the OTA updates and I was able to get it to .201 and keep it rooted. The other one, no matter what I tried, would not pull down anything above the .182 it was running.
This post has EVERYTHING you need to go from whatever all the way to .201 quickly and very easily. I installed 15 Second ADB, the ASUS ADB drivers, and ran through all of the updates. This, my friends, is awesomesauce.
HUGE THANK YOU to @GuyInDogSuit, @plopingo, and @jerbear294!
No luck
im on .182. When I move the files to the directories and reboot to recovery it fails. i get an error. Could this be becuase i had modified the build prop with xblast
peldo123 said:
im on .182. When I move the files to the directories and reboot to recovery it fails. i get an error. Could this be becuase i had modified the build prop with xblast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could. I have made that last year and end up with a bricked tablet...
I had to make a complete reset.
I made a few tries until I get it right and found out that using certain terminal apps don't allow spaces between commands whilst others do... Try commands without breaks if you're using a terminal app. Or try temp cwm to update all the updates at once.
Can't get it to work
Every time i try this procedure this happens:
The tablet restarts after executing the adb shell step.
The tablet starts to update the firmware, but then suddenly throws an error. This happens with both the rom and the update files.
Anyone has any idea how to fix this?
Thx in advance!
kdlannoy said:
Every time i try this procedure this happens:
The tablet restarts after executing the adb shell step.
The tablet starts to update the firmware, but then suddenly throws an error. This happens with both the rom and the update files.
Anyone has any idea how to fix this?
Thx in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you unzipped the file? You see, there's a zip inside another zip. Unzip the 1st time into root/data folder and rename it to update.zip!
This fixed it! That was a stupid mistake
kdlannoy said:
This fixed it! That was a stupid mistake
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad it worked. I once made the same mistake.
I an on 191
there is no /cache/recovery folder
ls /cache
aplogs
backup
lost+found
modemcrash
Should i create /cache/recovery ?
mrseverin said:
I an on 191
there is no /cache/recovery folder
ls /cache
aplogs
backup
lost+found
modemcrash
Should i create /cache/recovery ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should be safe. I had a recovery folder, but nonetheless I don't see why it would harm anything.
I've had several Android devices. That was the easiest root I've ever done.
bravesoul said:
Did you unzipped the file? You see, there's a zip inside another zip. Unzip the 1st time into root/data folder and rename it to update.zip!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you give me a little more detail? I can't seem to make it work. Also, I don't have a "data" folder in /root? Can I create one? Thanks. Nevermind, I got it to work.
regele said:
Could you give me a little more detail? I can't seem to make it work. Also, I don't have a "data" folder in /root? Can I create one? Thanks. Nevermind, I got it to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"/root" isn't a folder. It's the source. For example. When you copy something to a hard drive you are copying to the root of that hard drive. The same goes with the root of the android. So. Copy the unzipped .zip file to root and to inside data folder. Rename it into update.zip and run the commands.
I realise you got it to work, but since this is a community I have explained to others.