Rooting Android OS and Installing Custom
Roms.
Roms.
Q: What is rooting?
A: Rooting is a process that allows users of cellphones, and other devices, running the Android operating system to attain privileged control (known as "root access") within Android's Linux subsystem. This similar to jailbreaking on Apple devices running the iOS operating system, overcoming limitations that the carriers and manufacturers put on such phones.
Q: Why should I root?
A: Most retail devices running Android need to be rooted for installing custom versions of the Android system such as CyanogenMod. This is because in the stock configuration (unrooted), user-installed applications do not have direct access to the flash memory chip on the device and, thus, are not able to replace or modify the operating system itself. Rooting is also necessary for certain applications and widgets that require additional system and hardware rights such as for rebooting the phone, overclocking, wifi tethering, certain backup utilities, and other access to other hardware such as status LED's. Rooting is also needed to disable or remove manufacturer-installed applications such as City ID. Rooting the phone typically also includes installing an application that supervises what applications are granted root rights.
These are some methods of rooting an Android Device:
Note: If you have a Droid 3 or similar device use the method in this link: http://imaster11000.blogspot.com/2011/08/droid-3-gets-one-click-root.html
1. SuperOneClick
SuperOneClick is a very painless and easy way to root an Android Device. It is a one click root and unroot tool. You can even enable "non-market apps" if you happen to have an Android phone that doesn't support it.
In this Video, I demonstrate how to root and Android Device. I used a Motorola Droid.
Tutorial:
Step 1:
Install the USB driver needed to access ADB received on your phone:Step 2:
Connect your phone to the USB debug option (Settings-> Applications-> Development) enabled.
Step 3:
Start SuperOneClick on your computer, which can be downloaded at:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682
Step 4:
Select exploit to the right of the program, press the root button.
Your Android phone is rooted.
You do not have to restart your phone.
Please Note:
1. Some devices have a NAND lock. SuperOneClick will only give a Shell root until you remove this lock.
The following phones can use http://unrevoked.com to remove this lock:
The following phones can use http://unrevoked.com to remove this lock:
- Sprint EVO 4G (HTC Supersonic)
- Droid Incredible (HTC Incredible)
- HTC Desire GSM
- HTC Desire CDMA (HTC BravoC)
- HTC Aria
- Droid Eris (HTC DesireC)
- HTC Wildfire (HTC Buzz)
2. If you run Microsoft Windows XP, install .NET Framework v2.0 or above
If you run Mac or Linux, you need to install Mono:http://www.go-mono.com/mono-downloads/download.html
3. Some Google branded Android devices like the Nexus One and Nexus S can be rooted by simply running the command "fastboot oem unlock" from a computer connected to the device while it is in bootloader mode. After accepting a warning the bootloader will be unlocked so that a new system image can be written directly to flash without the need for an exploit.
Go to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682 for more information.
Links:
Photos:
Installing Custom Roms:
(REQUIRED ROOT ACCESS!)
Recently I installed cyanogenmod 7 in order to get Gingerbread on my Motorola Droid. The installation process was overall easy. Here is what I did:
1. Install rom manager free from the Android Market.
2. Flash Clockworkmod recovery.
3. Install the latest version of Cyanogenmod 7 for my Droid from here: http://www.cyanogenmod.com/
4. I put the Cyanogenmod update file on my sd card.
5. Go to rom manager and select "install update from sd card" and selected cyanogenmod7update.zip
6. Selected "Wipe data/cache" and "Backup existing rom"
Once I did that, my phone booted into recovery and it updated my phone to cyanogenmod 7 (gingerbread). The installation process was more like the installation process of an OTA update. Anyways, 10-15 minutes later cyanogenmod 7 was up and running on my Droid. But wait, there were no gapps (google apps ie android market, youtube, etc.) and everything was erased. In order to get gapps back, I had to download gapps from here: http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=Latest_Version and I had to install it the same way I installed cyanogenmod 7 update onto my phone, but this time without wiping data or cache. Once that was done, I had all the gapps, but I was still missing my other stuff.
Before flashing cyanogenmod, I used titanium backup, from the android market, and backed up everything (apps, etc.) to my sd card. So after I was done upgrading, I just downloaded titanium backup and restored everything from my sd card. Now I had everything back.
So this process only erases stuff in your internal memory, but not the sd card.
This is how I installed Cyanogenmod 7 on my Droid and now I'm enjoying android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread on it.)
Cyanogenmod 7 is not compatible with all phones by the way. Check their website before attempting anything. Also there are other roms out there such as Buglessbeast, and I believe they can be installed the same way.
Disclaimer: I am not responsible if you brick or damage you phone. This process REQUIRES ROOT and voids your warranty.
