Related
Please feel free to move this in another section if a mod feels like it's out of place.
I'm new to Android, but not new to HTC devices. I used to have a WM6.1 (later 6.5) HTC Fuze/Touch Pro. Part of the reason I preferred an HTC phone over a Samsung or other manufacturer is the XDA community.
That being said, I understand that rooting seems to be the equivalent of doing the hard SPL on WM which enables you to flash a custom ROM.
I also understand there was an OTA patch on the launch day that addressed the microSD card issue and the root vulnerability.
So I guess this is really a two part question - the only thing I'm interested in rooting for is free tethering (I don't really care if it's over wi-fi or USB cable, either is fine but I suppose I'd prefer wi-fi). As far as programs and all that, I'm happy with everything that is already on the phone.
I've also read that cooked ROMs "degrade" over time - is this true? And is it true for stock ROMs as well?
1. Is there a root that gets by the latest OTA update?
2. Other than wi-fi tethering and some other apps, what advantages does rooting have? I'd rather not totally **** my phone up... but if it's just as easy if not easier to root than it is to do a hard SPL, then PLEASE let me know. I feel dumb reading some of these "easy guides" for rooting and they don't answer all of my questions. For example, if any of the root methods bypasses the most recent OTA.
Perhaps there are more answers in the comments, but I don't want read that much while I'm at work. Yes, call me lazy if you want.
Many, many thanks in advance, and if someone wanted to write a pre-school level rooting guide with pics, that would be AWESOME and I'd be eternally indebted to you... that is if rooting gives me more hookups then just wi-fi tethering.
pekosROB said:
I've also read that cooked ROMs "degrade" over time - is this true? And is it true for stock ROMs as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what you mean by the "degrade"... but if you're talking about ROM's not being maintained for their entire life cycle, that happens rarely here. Alll the Dev's here seem to maintain there ROM's very well, users send feedback in a variety of ways so that the ROM's are always up to date and customized with each new version. Stock ROM's are just that, stock. They don't usually get much customization and aren't maintained, because of the newer more customized ROM's that are put out by the Dev's.
pekosROB said:
1. Is there a root that gets by the latest OTA update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can use either the UnRevoked method or Toast's method -- I recommend using Toast's method as it will give you full root access.
pekosROB said:
2. Other than wi-fi tethering and some other apps, what advantages does rooting have? I'd rather not totally **** my phone up... but if it's just as easy if not easier to root than it is to do a hard SPL, then PLEASE let me know. I feel dumb reading some of these "easy guides" for rooting and they don't answer all of my questions. For example, if any of the root methods bypasses the most recent OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're someone that likes to overclock your phone, you now have that ability; on top of the other things you mentioned (tethering, customizable ROM's, etc). Also, rooting isn't very hard at all, just follow the directions as stated and you'll be good to go. If you really want a seamlessly (but limited) root hack -- you can use the UnRevoked method, which is a simple application that basically toggles root access for you on your phone. Toast's method is a bit more in depth, but if you have experience with hacking your phone, you'll be fine.
And yes, these root methods BYPASS! the most recent OTA.
pekosROB said:
Perhaps there are more answers in the comments, but I don't want read that much while I'm at work. Yes, call me lazy if you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed you are.
pekosROB said:
Many, many thanks in advance, and if someone wanted to write a pre-school level rooting guide with pics, that would be AWESOME and I'd be eternally indebted to you... that is if rooting gives me more hookups then just wi-fi tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a couple of threads already featuring "How-To" root with pictures. Please look in the Android Development thread.
I did a root. The only real positive thing is the free wifi tethering. But you can do that w/ the unrevoked root which is mind numbingly easy.
The different ROMs aren't dramatically shocking exactly. When 2.2 is final and error free I will flash to that. Otherwise my phone works just fine.
pseudoremora said:
Yes, you can use either the UnRevoked method or Toast's method -- I recommend using Toast's method as it will give you full root access.
rutter9 said:
I did a root. The only real positive thing is the free wifi tethering. But you can do that w/ the unrevoked root which is mind numbingly easy.
The different ROMs aren't dramatically shocking exactly. When 2.2 is final and error free I will flash to that. Otherwise my phone works just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it sounds like I just need to look for the UnRevoked method since all I really care about is wifi tethering.
Has this been working with full 4G access as well? Not that it matters right now since I'm not in a 4G market, but soon hope to be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pseudoremora said:
Yes, you can use either the UnRevoked method or Toast's method -- I recommend using Toast's method as it will give you full root access.
Oh yeah, and anything that backs up all the apps and settings and **** on my phone? Otherwise I'd have to write it all down the old fashion way... that's the main reason I don't wanna fully root, because I'm lazy and I doubt I'll use all the benefits... but then again... if i Could find something that backed everything up and my info, I'd be in heaven.
Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pekosROB said:
Oh yeah, and anything that backs up all the apps and settings and **** on my phone? Otherwise I'd have to write it all down the old fashion way... that's the main reason I don't wanna fully root, because I'm lazy and I doubt I'll use all the benefits... but then again... if i Could find something that backed everything up and my info, I'd be in heaven.
Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In order to have the ability to backup everything on your phone, you can use Titanium Backup (it's in the Market; and you mighr need root -- use UnRevoked) or use Toast's method and be able to do Nandroid back ups, which would image your phone and save it, so you can restore it at a later date.
pseudoremora said:
In order to have the ability to backup everything on your phone, you can use Titanium Backup (it's in the Market; and you mighr need root -- use UnRevoked) or use Toast's method and be able to do Nandroid back ups, which would image your phone and save it, so you can restore it at a later date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it sounds like my best option is to use unrevoked in order to use Titanium Backup and then after that save the backup on the SD card and use toast's method to get full access, use titanium backup to recall info, and then use nandroid from there on out? Sounds like a lot of work - but at least I don't have to redownload and enter all my info in everything again.
pekosROB said:
So it sounds like my best option is to use unrevoked in order to use Titanium Backup and then after that save the backup on the SD card and
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Skip this ^ part, it's redundant with the next part.
use toast's method to get full access, use titanium backup to recall info, and then use nandroid from there on out? Sounds like a lot of work - but at least I don't have to redownload and enter all my info in everything again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit: nevermind, forgot you wanted to back it all up prior to full root.
pekosROB said:
So it sounds like my best option is to use unrevoked in order to use Titanium Backup and then after that save the backup on the SD card and use toast's method to get full access, use titanium backup to recall info, and then use nandroid from there on out? Sounds like a lot of work - but at least I don't have to redownload and enter all my info in everything again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No No No.
You don't even have to worry about backing up your phone before rooting; there is a stock RUU image that will allow you to bring your phone back to factory default settings if you happen to screw up anything during rooting your phone or if you just want to go back to Stock period.
I would just root your phone using Toast's method, its really not that hard. If you want to tether and be able to backup your phone; having a full root access hack is preferred, plus then you have the ability to customize your phone with new themes, kernels, etc... and you may say you don't want to do that; but believe me you will.
Also, in regards to "recalling info" -- what do you mean? Since you're new to Android, i'll tell you that Google manages all your information for you. Your contacts, you Email, your apps, etc. If you move to another phone, your contacts and your Email will come with you. When you first get your phone, you have to sign in with a Gmail account, that account houses all your information for the phone and as such also keeps tracks of all your contacts and what not. Titanium Backup isn't really needed, if you're worried about losing information or whatever initially before rooting, then sure -- use it. Otherwise, if you already have all your information associated with your Gmail account that's being used by the phone, then I'd just root and after you've rooted, then do a Nandroid backup.
Jye75 said:
Skip this ^ part, it's redundant with the next part.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I thought doing a full root wipes your device clean? I'm trying to back it up before doing Toast's root in order to not have to configure everything again (Besides phone settings).
pekosROB said:
But I thought doing a full root wipes your device clean? I'm trying to back it up before doing Toast's root in order to not have to configure everything again (Besides phone settings).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I edited my post... forgot about that.
pseudoremora said:
Also, in regards to "recalling info" -- what do you mean? Since you're new to Android, i'll tell you that Google manages all your information for you. Your contacts, you Email, your apps, etc. If you move to another phone, your contacts and your Email will come with you. When you first get your phone, you have to sign in with a Gmail account, that account houses all your information for the phone and as such also keeps tracks of all your contacts and what not. Titanium Backup isn't really needed, if you're worried about losing information or whatever initially before rooting, then sure -- use it. Otherwise, if you already have all your information associated with your Gmail account that's being used by the phone, then I'd just root and after you've rooted, then do a Nandroid backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Recalling info" means website logins, eBuddy accounts, settings for particular programs, my checkbook program with all the info in it.
I understand a lot of programs put **** on the SDcard, but will the actual programs that I've downloaded to the phone still be there? Rooting doesn't require a hard reset unless you mess up the process?
I understand the contacts and email - I'm not worried about that. Since I'm such a dedicated Gmail user I wanted to get into Android.
pekosROB said:
"Recalling info" means website logins, eBuddy accounts, settings for particular programs, my checkbook program with all the info in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't do any of that, I wipe my cache and history, just because. But I would presume Titanium backup would take care of this, I've never needed to use Titanium, so I don't know.
pekosROB said:
I understand a lot of programs put **** on the SDcard, but will the actual programs that I've downloaded to the phone still be there? Rooting doesn't require a hard reset unless you mess up the process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently the programs will not be there. Froyo 2.2 should allow for this to happen though. Our phones are currently running Android 2.1 and Toast's method will wipe everything on the phone when you begin the rooting process (so yes, its a "hard reset").
Here is an awesome question and answer blog to root or not to root. Good read for the noobs!
http://www.androidcentral.com/rooting-it-me-some-qa
I come from a similar background as you, WinMo to Android. I will say the current options after rooting are limited. I went ahead and did it, and honestly the only thing I feel happened was I spent hours reconfiguring my home screens and settings/apps. The phone doesn't feel any faster and it doesn't have any new capabilities.
I appreciate the time the people put into ROMs and rooting and I know its hard work, its just too early to get a lot of tangible benefits.
If I could I would go back, I would just use UnrEVOked (I did for a few days). It's your stock ROM with the ability to tether. That's all most people would really want right now anyways.
Breakthecycle2 said:
Here is an awesome question and answer blog to root or not to root. Good read for the noobs!
http://www.androidcentral.com/rooting-it-me-some-qa
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks!
Pops_G said:
I come from a similar background as you, WinMo to Android. I will say the current options after rooting are limited. I went ahead and did it, and honestly the only thing I feel happened was I spent hours reconfiguring my home screens and settings/apps. The phone doesn't feel any faster and it doesn't have any new capabilities.
I appreciate the time the people put into ROMs and rooting and I know its hard work, its just too early to get a lot of tangible benefits.
If I could I would go back, I would just use UnrEVOked (I did for a few days). It's your stock ROM with the ability to tether. That's all most people would really want right now anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I might just stick with UnrEVOked then. Do I just search for a tether app on the marketplace that says "root required"?
pseudoremora said:
I don't do any of that, I wipe my cache and history, just because. But I would presume Titanium backup would take care of this, I've never needed to use Titanium, so I don't know.
Currently the programs will not be there. Froyo 2.2 should allow for this to happen though. Our phones are currently running Android 2.1 and Toast's method will wipe everything on the phone when you begin the rooting process (so yes, its a "hard reset").
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, so will the Sprint TV program and that kinda stuff be back? Because it sounds like it'll wipe it back to factory settings, allow for root access, but it'll still have the default programs when I'm done rooting that came with the phone out of the box?
Sorry, I am a total noob at Android Rooting. But I can hard SPL and flash cooked ROMs on WM all day long... haha pathetic.
XDA members ARE THE ****! :-D
pekosROB said:
OK, so will the Sprint TV program and that kinda stuff be back? Because it sounds like it'll wipe it back to factory settings, allow for root access, but it'll still have the default programs when I'm done rooting that came with the phone out of the box?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. That's exactly what will happen. You'll have a stock, rooted phone, which you can now install a custom recovery image onto (The recovery image is how you would make backups of your phone, install custom themes, ROM's, wipe your phone, etc).
pekosROB said:
Sorry, I am a total noob at Android Rooting. But I can hard SPL and flash cooked ROMs on WM all day long... haha pathetic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's understandable, everyone here at some point or another was a "noob", but that changes quickly!
pseudoremora said:
Yes. That's exactly what will happen. You'll have a stock, rooted phone, which you can now install a custom recovery image onto (The recovery image is how you would make backups of your phone, install custom themes, ROM's, wipe your phone, etc).
It's understandable, everyone here at some point or another was a "noob", but that changes quickly!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm doing this at work and want to make it as stress free as possible...
I'm looking at the Rooting instructions by Toast, and I've noticed it says to not accept any OTAs once you root. So is there a chance my microSD card will not work? Or has this issue been resolved/updated?
Here is the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=690762
or this one? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=685835
Once I root with the PC36IMG, do I then immediately have to install a ROM like this to get it back to stock?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=693980
But only after doing the Recovery? I think I got this figured out about 75%... heh
pekosROB said:
I'm doing this at work and want to make it as stress free as possible...
I'm looking at the Rooting instructions by Toast, and I've noticed it says to not accept any OTAs once you root. So is there a chance my microSD card will not work? Or has this issue been resolved/updated?
Here is the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=690762
or this one? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=685835
Once I root with the PC36IMG, do I then immediately have to install a ROM like this to get it back to stock?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=693980
But only after doing the Recovery? I think I got this figured out about 75%... heh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright,
You need to follow the steps in THIS thread first. This is the first part of rooting your Evo using Toast's method. The first part will allow you to gain only about 50% root access and you'll also be able to use Amon_RA's recovery to make a Nandroid backup and flash a custom ROM; but hold off on that until you've completed the next step, continue reading...
Then you need to follow Toast's SECOND part of the rooting process, this process will complete the root hack altogether. This second part will give you full root access on every partition on the phone (which was missing in part 1). After you complete this second part, you can NOW install a custom ROM, recovery, etc.
So, basically, do the first part -- after you've completed it, do the second part... the second part will look similar to the first, but download all the new files and follow the directions as written! You'll see that the last step in the second part will instruct you to install Amon_RA's recovery image, do that. After that's done, you now have:
1. Full root access
2. A Custom recovery image (Amon_RA's)
3. You can make a Nandroid back up
4. Can install/flash custom ROM's
5. Tether
6. Etc.
To boot into recovery mode, do as follows:
1. Turn of your phone -- hold the power button, choose power off.
2. Press Volume Down + Power, until you see a white bootloading screen, using your Volume rocker keys (up and down), choose recovery.. then to select "recovery", click the Power button. Your phone will reboot, and go into recovery. This is where you can make a Nandroid backup and flash custom ROM's. Follow the instructions in recovery to navigate around it.
Also, as far as flashing custom ROM's goes, please look at this link
This is the Wiki page for all the current ROM's that have been made for the Evo.
If you get stuck or need anymore help -- continue asking questions; but please also look at this before doing so.
pseudoremora said:
Alright,
You need to follow the steps in THIS thread first. This is the first part of rooting your Evo using Toast's method. The first part will allow you to gain only about 50% root access and you'll also be able to use Amon_RA's recovery to make a Nandroid backup and flash a custom ROM; but hold off on that until you've completed the next step, continue reading...
Then you need to follow Toast's SECOND part of the rooting process, this process will complete the root hack altogether. This second part will give you full root access on every partition on the phone (which was missing in part 1). After you complete this second part, you can NOW install a custom ROM, recovery, etc.
So, basically, do the first part -- after you've completed it, do the second part... the second part will look similar to the first, but download all the new files and follow the directions as written! You'll see that the last step in the second part will instruct you to install Amon_RA's recovery image, do that. After that's done, you now have:
1. Full root access
2. A Custom recovery image (Amon_RA's)
3. You can make a Nandroid back up
4. Can install/flash custom ROM's
5. Tether
6. Etc.
To boot into recovery mode, do as follows:
1. Turn of your phone -- hold the power button, choose power off.
2. Press Volume Down + Power, until you see a white bootloading screen, using your Volume rocker keys (up and down), choose recovery.. then to select "recovery", click the Power button. Your phone will reboot, and go into recovery. This is where you can make a Nandroid backup and flash custom ROM's. Follow the instructions in recovery to navigate around it.
Also, as far as flashing custom ROM's goes, please look at this link
This is the Wiki page for all the current ROM's that have been made for the Evo.
If you get stuck or need anymore help -- continue asking questions; but please also look at this before doing so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sweet, thanks. I've already gotten the first part of the root access done, I'm just on that part where I have rename the file on the card.
I've been getting a lot of requests from people, simply asking how I went about Rooting and Flashing new ROMs to my lovely G2 Vision. Well, I'm gonna make a guide with step by step instructions on how to do so. This Guide will teach you how to Root, Unroot, S-OFF (security off, to enable development), and how to Flash a new ROM to your G2.
NOTE!: I am NOT a developer, and i will only accept thanks for putting this information together, I did not create these instructions. Thank the individual developers/posters for their information!
WARNING!!: These procedures are not only dangerous if you don't follow them to the point, but also void the warranty on your phone!! Following these steps incorrectly can brick or otherwise damage your phone!! XDA-DEVELOPERS as well as MYSELF accept NO RESPONSIBILITY to what happens to your phone!!
Just in case you didn't get the message.. WE AREN'T RESPONSIBLE. HACK AT YOUR OWN RISK!!
I will do my best to help anyone along their way, but you've been warned. We aren't here to take the blame for a mistake, we're here to help you do what you're seeking to do.
Got it? Let's proceed, shall we?
First off? The Rooting!
ROOTING: Allowing the phone and it's softwares to have access to the "Root", or complete control, of the phone itself.
This procedure includes two major steps. Temporary Root and Permanent Root. The rooting process for the Temp Root will revoke itself after a reboot. The Perm Root method will not. The rooting process is not complete until the Perm Root process has been finished and the Root is still active after a reboot!
Temp Root the G2:
1. On your phone, go to Settings > Applications > Development > and make sure USB Debugging is ON (it MUST be ON) and make sure Fastboot is checked OFF (it MUST be OFF).
2. Visionary was removed from the Market, please download it from Here instead. Save it to your phone's memory card, then simply open it on your phone with any file manager app. (like Linda File Manager for free from the Market, for example) Find the visionary .apk file in the file manager and click it and follow the prompts to install it.
3. Install Visionary from Modaco.
4. Once installed, open Visionary and check ON Temp Root After Reboot, and check ON System R/W After Root. Then click TempRoot Now, and wait for it to finish. DO NOT CLICK ATTEMPT PERMROOT NOW! We'll get to that momentarily.
5. Once it is done, you have temp root and can use rooted apps without rebooting, OR continue to the next procedure to gain persistent root access.
Perm Root & S-OFF the G2:
An explanation of what S-OFF is and why you might want it - S Off means security off for your HBoot mode (aka Bootloader). The bootloader is what allows you to flash updates and write to the file system of your phone. By turning the Security OFF, we can flash any updates/ROMs we want without the phone checking to see if it is an official update or not.
Let's continue.
1. Download the rooting files: Right here.
2. Extract the files somewhere to your computer.
3. Plug your phone in via USB cable and mount the SD card so we can transfer files to it.
4. Copy the .ko and .img files from inside the extracted folder from step 2 to the root of your sd card on your phone (NOT in any folders, just on the SD card itself).
5. Unplug the phone.
6. Go to the Market on your phone and download/install Android Terminal Emulator (free).
7. Open the Terminal Emulator app and type the following with hitting enter at the end of each line (to get the touch screen keyboard to come up hit the menu button then toggle soft keyboard):
Code:
su
cd /sdcard
insmod /sdcard/wpthis.ko
*After typing the last line, you should see an error saying failed:
(function not implemented). If you DO see that, you have done it correctly
and can continue.
8. Now, type the following line in the terminal emulator hitting enter at the end of the line.
Code:
dd if=/sdcard/hboot-eng.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p18
[the last part is mmcblk(zero)p(one)(eight)]
9. After you have typed the dd line for your specific phone, it should say something was written etc. Now, type the following into the command prompt with hitting enter at the end of each line:
Code:
sync
10. After that is done, reboot the phone. When it boots back up, turn it off and back on holding down Volume Down and Power until the HBoot screen comes up. Confirm it says S-OFF at the top. If so, you have S-OFF.
11. Now, to get permanent root, turn the phone back on to get to the normal home screen.
12. Open Visionary and Uncheck TempRoot on Boot and click Temproot Now.
13. Then select Attempt Perm Root Now and the phone should reboot.
14. Once the phone reboots, open Terminal Emulator on the phone and type su and hit enter. If you get the # symbol, you have permanent root access and S-OFF!
Next? The ROM Flashing!
Alright, guys. If you've made it this far, You're golden. Grade A directions taker, In my opinion. Let's get to the last step, yeah?
Getting Recovery:
1. Once you have done the above to procedures, open the Market on your phone and search for ROM Manager (Free).
2. Install it.
3. Open the ROM Manager app and click Menu, then Settings and turn ON Delete Recovery.
4. Click Back and then select Flash Recovery.
5. Choose your phone model and then let it flash the recovery.
6. Click Reboot Recovery and you should be put into the custom recovery image screen. If so, you are all set.
Now, to Flash a Custom ROM:
1. Head over to theunlockr.com's ROM page here and choose your preferred ROM. Download it and save it to your computer.
2. Once it is saved, plug in your phone via USB cable and mount the SD card so we can save files to the sd card.
3. Copy the ROM's .zip file over to the root of the sd card (NOT in any folders on the sd card, just on the root of the card) (do NOT extract it, leave it as a .zip).
4. In the custom recovery screen, Backup/Restore and backup your current ROM.
5. Then select Wipe Data.
6. Then select Apply .zip from sd card and choose the ROM you downloaded earlier.
7. Once it is done flashing, click reboot system. Once it reboots, you are all set!
Congrats! You've flashed a new ROM to your G2! Hopefully..
There are some known issues out there, that prevent mostly the Rooting process. I'll touch on one of them real quickly.
The main issue I experienced was that I accepted and flashed the update that T-Mobile released to prevent Rooting. I've found an article on how to downgrade your firmware to pre-OTA, so that you can Root. Try this if you have severe issues trying to complete the Rooting process. Thanks to Apache14 for this info!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=831398
There's now also a process to UNROOT your phone! Here's the link. Thanks to David Cogen from theunlockr for all this information!!
http://theunlockr.com/2010/12/01/how-to-unroot-the-t-mobile-g2-htc-vision/
Thanks for reading, XDA friendlies, and Happy Rooting!!
Thnx for the link to the unroot man
Sent from my HTC Vision
No problem!
Sent from my HTC G2 using XDA App
Thanks for the effort. But I'm not sure what this is achieving other than duplicating the existing rooting guides in the dev forum.
Also this isn't a very up-to-date guide, it only seems to use one version of "wpthis.ko" and it isn't clear if this is for pre-OTA or post-OTA G2s. And it doesn't cover the DZ either, so it's not a "Vision" guide, just a G2 one.
The existing wpthis.ko was found by scotty not really to work properly anyway, and the newer gfree method of rooting (fully documented in the Wiki) is more reliable (though still does not work with all kernels). And you know Visionary hasn't been updated for months now, right ?
Sorry if this seems like I'm just trashing your guide, but I don't see how posting old information is going to help people ?
steviewevie said:
Thanks for the effort. But I'm not sure what this is achieving other than duplicating the existing rooting guides in the dev forum.
Also this isn't a very up-to-date guide, it only seems to use one version of "wpthis.ko" and it isn't clear if this is for pre-OTA or post-OTA G2s. And it doesn't cover the DZ either, so it's not a "Vision" guide, just a G2 one.
The existing wpthis.ko was found by scotty not really to work properly anyway, and the newer gfree method of rooting (fully documented in the Wiki) is more reliable (though still does not work with all kernels). And you know Visionary hasn't been updated for months now, right ?
Sorry if this seems like I'm just trashing your guide, but I don't see how posting old information is going to help people ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may be old, but I had yet to see a collective guide on xda developers' website about rooting, s-off, and flashing the 'G2' vision. In which I clearly stated this was for the G2. Not the Desire Z. This is the only method I knew about, and this guide was for a few select friends, and whomever else felt the need to use it. Its okay if you don't agree this post was helpful. But come on. This was the surefire way I used to root my G2, so I'm spreading the knowledge. Let not hate.
So visionary still works right?
Just checking before I go threw with this.
ijoshv2 said:
It may be old, but I had yet to see a collective guide on xda developers' website about rooting, s-off, and flashing the 'G2' vision. In which I clearly stated this was for the G2. Not the Desire Z. This is the only method I knew about, and this guide was for a few select friends, and whomever else felt the need to use it. Its okay if you don't agree this post was helpful. But come on. This was the surefire way I used to root my G2, so I'm spreading the knowledge. Let not hate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, it's old. If you're writing a new guide, why use very old, out-of-date info, when you could easily provide the latest info (e.g. from the Wiki).
Yes, it's a collective guide, but one with old info in, so I don't see how that's helpful.
Your guide uses wpthis.ko, but makes no reference to G2s that might be running the original shipped ROM, or the OTA update. So this will only work on some of those phones.
Your article talks about something that T-Mobile did "to prevent rooting". I don't know where you got that information from, but it's not correct. T-Mobile did nothing to prevent rooting, because the OTA came out before root was fully achieved. It's just that the way of disabling NAND write protection needed to be done differently on the OTA (more as an accident than anything that T-Mobile did).
You refer to Visionary as a "sure-fire" way of rooting. Are you sure ? Have you seen how many phones have ended up stuck in a boot loop after using Visionary ?
Also, I find it kind of weird/interesting how your guide points people to another website to choose their list of custom ROMs. Why not point them to the dev forum on this site ?
Sorry but your guide is full of mistakes and out of date. You haven't even posted it in the right forum, this is the Q&A forum.
It worked for me. Bottom line, That's because i did it step by step and actually followed directions.
Old or not, IT WORKS.
If you want to make something better, then do so. Otherwise, silence your lout. Thank you.
Thank you for this write up. I was having problems getting my root to stick even though it was showing s-off but I followed your steps
10. After that is done, reboot the phone. When it boots back up, turn it off and back on holding down Volume Down and Power until the HBoot screen comes up. Confirm it says S-OFF at the top. If so, you have S-OFF.
11. Now, to get permanent root, turn the phone back on to get to the normal home screen.
12. Open Visionary and Uncheck TempRoot on Boot and click Temproot Now.
13. Then select Attempt Perm Root Now and the phone should reboot.
14. Once the phone reboots, open Terminal Emulator on the phone and type su and hit enter. If you get the # symbol, you have permanent root access and S-OFF
AND IT WORKS!!!!
You're welcome, fellow G2 owner.
Why don't you join my group, for those who love their G2? just check my groups in my profile, hopefully we can get a good set of owners together. You never kno what a mass of similar thinking people could accomplish!
Plus, i'm going to start posting some cool guide on how to further customize / enhance your device! Good stuff to kno.
Can i use this tutorial for HTC Desire Z?
Dimitri1992 said:
Can i use this tutorial for HTC Desire Z?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This tutorial was create for THE G2. I would NOT recommend you trying this method. Go around and search google for a tutorial MADE FOR YOUR PHONE. Although the phones are almost exactly alike, they don't necessarily mean they are exactly the same.
Find a different method.
Need help
This is not working for me. I temprooted my phone using visionary but when i try to use terminal to permroot, whenever i type "su" it say permission denied. Please help. I've been trying to do this all night and have been unsuccessful.
steviewevie said:
Exactly, it's old. If you're writing a new guide, why use very old, out-of-date info, when you could easily provide the latest info (e.g. from the Wiki).
Yes, it's a collective guide, but one with old info in, so I don't see how that's helpful.
Your guide uses wpthis.ko, but makes no reference to G2s that might be running the original shipped ROM, or the OTA update. So this will only work on some of those phones.
Your article talks about something that T-Mobile did "to prevent rooting". I don't know where you got that information from, but it's not correct. T-Mobile did nothing to prevent rooting, because the OTA came out before root was fully achieved. It's just that the way of disabling NAND write protection needed to be done differently on the OTA (more as an accident than anything that T-Mobile did).
You refer to Visionary as a "sure-fire" way of rooting. Are you sure ? Have you seen how many phones have ended up stuck in a boot loop after using Visionary ?
Also, I find it kind of weird/interesting how your guide points people to another website to choose their list of custom ROMs. Why not point them to the dev forum on this site ?
Sorry but your guide is full of mistakes and out of date. You haven't even posted it in the right forum, this is the Q&A forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm...It is true that it is out of date but for me it works fine. I didn't use the wiki way cause it was to confusing for me and Unfrogivens method was working fine on me. Not saying this method is better or anything and I know this method is unsafe "if" you do not fallow what it says. Like always people try Gfree method 1st before trying this one...(Only for G2)
Sent from my HTC Desire Z/G2 Using XDA Premium App
lainvalenajr said:
Hmm...It is true that it is out of date but for me it works fine. I didn't use the wiki way cause it was to confusing for me and Unfrogivens method was working fine on me. Not saying this method is better or anything and I know this method is unsafe "if" you do not fallow what it says. Like always people try Gfree method 1st before trying this one...(Only for G2)
Sent from my HTC Desire Z/G2 Using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I rooted my DZ, I combined all referrences and guides
It was very hard at the beginning to understand the instruction, but after read and tried, it become easier to understand.. and I finally could root my DZ...
Cheers
Hello
Hello all totally new to android and was trying to root my g2. I followed instructions thourghly ( so i thought at least) and the s is still on after i exit the emulator and reboot. The last part about typing sync threw me off, how many times am i supposed to type sync while hitting enter after each line? Which lines, im sure overanaylzing something but didnt seem to work and tried multiple times. Thanks for your time..
[Extremely Nooby Questions Below]
So, I looked through the forums and didn't find anything that applied to the G2, or told me what I needed to know, so I need some help. This is my first Android
device and I like it so far.
My first question is about the "VISIONary" App. I installed this about a week ago and along with it I installed "Titanium Backup", "Shoot Me", and "SuperUser" just showed up somehow. I've been seeing many people say that "VISIONary" isn't too reliable. So, if I want to try out, the RAGE version of the temp/permaroot do I need to uninstall all of these apps? Or Just Visionary?
Also, to uninstall visionary, so I need to press the "UnRoot" button, and then uninstall, or can I just uninstall.
I also thought that, "adb" was the same thing as rooting. According to the Wiki , they aren't. So I need to do both to successfully root the G2?
Is "OverClocking" a completely different thing too?
What do I have to look out for while trying to root my phone? Any precautions to not brick my phone.
Also, I found a really good youtube turorial - /watch?v=zdmtkHkrgLE - to Root, a Droid, are these the same instructions to rooting a G2?
Thanks in advance. Oh and by the way, I didn't know whether to put this in development, (Since it was about Rooting), Or Q&A, since it had questions in it.
If I need to move it, please tell me.
I'm not trying to be mean but these questions have been answered many many times before.
You need to read and read and read some some.
I would suggest you check the wiki and look in the dev forum. There is plenty of info you have to look for it.
Follow the directions for your specific device only
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
CarlosReynoso said:
[Extremely Nooby Questions Below]
So, I looked through the forums and didn't find anything that applied to the G2, or told me what I needed to know, so I need some help. This is my first Android
device and I like it so far.
My first question is about the "VISIONary" App. I installed this about a week ago and along with it I installed "Titanium Backup", "Shoot Me", and "SuperUser" just showed up somehow. I've been seeing many people say that "VISIONary" isn't too reliable. So, if I want to try out, the RAGE version of the temp/permaroot do I need to uninstall all of these apps? Or Just Visionary?
Also, to uninstall visionary, so I need to press the "UnRoot" button, and then uninstall, or can I just uninstall.
I also thought that, "adb" was the same thing as rooting. According to the Wiki , they aren't. So I need to do both to successfully root the G2?
Is "OverClocking" a completely different thing too?
What do I have to look out for while trying to root my phone? Any precautions to not brick my phone.
Also, I found a really good youtube turorial - /watch?v=zdmtkHkrgLE - to Root, a Droid, are these the same instructions to rooting a G2?
Thanks in advance. Oh and by the way, I didn't know whether to put this in development, (Since it was about Rooting), Or Q&A, since it had questions in it.
If I need to move it, please tell me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm no expert myself, just an average user who depends on the work of this awesome community to learn a little bit more about how these things work, so take whatever I say with a grain of salt.
I think all that matters for rooting purposes is removing VISIONary as the wiki states. As for how exactly to do this, not sure since I've never used it myself. Since it's just a temp root anyways, I'm pretty sure if you uninstall it and reboot at any time, it will be unrooted anyways. Titanium Backup will not even work without root, so you might as well remove it too (although not sure if you have to). I'm not sure what Shoot Me is. If you're in doubt, removing it before you root and reinstalling might help, but I doubt it's necessary.
The rooting instructions for the G2 are very specific. Do NOT use the same instructions for the Droid from that youtube video. I'd only recommend following instructions specific for the G2 you find on this site. This right here is definitely the best way I know to do it:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision#Rooting_the_G2
I'd had some experience playing around with rooting my G1, but I never needed to deal with adb and was also initially confused. It's basically a shell that you can use to communicate with your phone when its plugged in via usb to your pc, using a command prompt or terminal or something. The instructions for setting it up aren't 100% clear from the wiki, but this guide was amazingly helpful in learning how to set it up in Windows:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865685
Once you have that running, following the recommended rooting method from the wiki (rage/gfree) is seriously a breeze. Just follow it carefully and you won't brick your phone. The devs have really simplified the process for us in a short period of time.
This was also a really helpful FAQ that pretty much answered all my initial questions when it came to rooting, if you read through all of this carefully, you'll be able to figure it out pretty quickly:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=835777
Also, if you plan on installing a custom rom like cyanogenmod (highly recommended), you may want to back up your copy of swype cuz you'll lose the swype keyboard when you do it. Here are some good instructions on how to keep that:
http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/10225-how-to-keep-swype/
Overclocking is a completely different game. Once rooted, you can use an app like SetCPU to speed up the clock speed on your phone's processor (stock is 800 MHz). I've seen some people able to achieve speeds of 1.9 GHz or so, but what's more common is around 1.4 GHz if i'm not mistaken. Obviously, for the increased, performance, you'll take a hit in battery life and such, you probably dont want to push your phone's cpu too far if its not necessary. Rooting gives you the option though.
Lastly, if you want to unroot, there are more complicated methods posted if you use the older rooting method which is currently not recommended. For this method, you can basically follow the instructions in this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10349347&postcount=81
from this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=835971
The PC10IMG.zip can be found in the original post of that thread. The instructions for turning S-on via gfree are also found in the wiki.
I know that's a lot, but hopefully it will answer a lot of your questions.
Small corection to the post up. Am not expert but I just did.
Set cpu will allow U slow down to 245 Your cpu or go 806. To go more then stock speed U have to flash new kernel and this metod is permanent overclock with will keep settings after reboot phone. Second metod is easy way using scripts. U can find scripts on xda. This will give U 1400.
Don't forget to setup profiles on SetCpu with save U Battery
Greetings
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Is this possible? I know most unroot the phone to take it in for service/exchange etc but my situation is different. I have to use Good for Enterprise to access my company's email and as you may know, Good does not allow rooted phones. So, I have no choice but to unroot my Evo.
The image that is used in unrooting is a stock ROM. What I want to do is setup my phone - the way I want it with Mikfroyo - with all the tweaks etc and then "just do the unrooting part". If that makes any sense - I don't need any superuser permissions etc.
Long story short - can a phone be unrooted with a custom ROM instead of a stock ROM?
im pretty sure this is impossible dude, sorry, just leave it all rooted, whats the problem
I know you can't unroot and keep a custom ROM but I wonder if there is a way to hide the fact that you're rooted from the app. What kind of message pops up when you install it?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
It just says that Good cannot run on a rooted phone and just locks the app - I have to call IT to get an unlock code using the device ID that is displayed in Good's pop-up message.
It has to be checking for something specific and I bet there is a way to fudge it but unfortunately that's outside my realm of understanding. I would ask one of the devs here about it.
What permissions does the App request when you install? It could just check for SuperUser
SSjon said:
What permissions does the App request when you install? If could just check for SuperUser
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I which case you could either delete superuser or use it to block the app... perhaps?
I am sure its more complicated than that - if they are touting themselves as a replacement for blackberry security for iPhones and Android - I seriously doubt a simple fudging of the superuser permissions will deceive it. Also, I'd like to comply with my company's requirements for using an Android phone so I don't get into trouble.
So from what I understand - you cannot have a custom ROM on an unrooted phone. Thanks so much guys - I'll just have to learn to live with the bloated stockware and manual restores arghh......
It's not possible.... to unroot, you'd have to RUU, which returns the phone back to stock. And then, you'd have no way of flashing a custom rom unless you rooted again
ok this is one thing that I am starting to not understand here...
so many people when they answer - say "yes" it can be done or "no" it can not be done...
...ummm where is the why? It would be very informative to know such things or if someone has even tried said thing before.
like why can't you just run a ROM or other flash file from renaming the file and letting the stock loader do the flashing? ......answer: because the stock loader does a file signature check - see? that makes sense and answers the why. it also helps users to retain the information as well as understand it.
I would love to know why the OP can't just run the unrevoked s-on tool from here http://unrevoked.com/rootwiki/doku.php/public/forever#custom_splash (in the FAQ section) without removing his custom ROM and just make sure he doesn't use any apps that need the su access. sounds like it should work? has someone done this and found that it does not work? flashing back to s-on should just prevent flashing to any other ROM's I would think from everything I have read in this forum.
or once s-on is back does it also check the current ROM on the phone and would cause some issues? would be great information to know. because if the security only checks file signatures of flies to be flashed and not the current ROM it seems like the OP could do what he is wanting to.
well, just thought I would ask to see if I could gain some more understanding as to the mechanics of everything
It would be good to know if this works with Good for Enterprise. I am stuck on an SGS 2.1 with Telstra and want a non stock ROM but really need to use Good.
ushkand said:
Is this possible? I know most unroot the phone to take it in for service/exchange etc but my situation is different. I have to use Good for Enterprise to access my company's email and as you may know, Good does not allow rooted phones. So, I have no choice but to unroot my Evo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not know that, and that SUCKS. My company's piloting Good now, and I was really looking forward to it. This just infuriates me. Mobile device makers are getting away with things that desktop/laptop makers never dreamed of trying. We shouldn't even NEED to "root" a phone. Imagine if you needed to hack your Windows machine in order to get the admin password and be able to install whatever you want. Now yes, I get that companies often do add those restrictions on their devices, and that they need to protect their data. Allowing access to company data on a personal device might make it a little more of a gray area, but it still blows. Good should be able to develop a system that can be secure, even if you have root access.
Here's a thread I just found. It sounds like you can just delete su and the superuser.apk. I think you can keep the custom rom, but you probably wouldn't be able to run anything that needs root, like Wireless Tether, Titanium Backup, or whatever. But you could probably have a flashable zip to re-add them when you need them. Or maybe one of the temp root methods would work. But it makes me furious that this is needed.
http://androidforums.com/droid-x-all-things-root/207397-good-enterprise.html
bkrodgers said:
I did not know that, and that SUCKS. My company's piloting Good now, and I was really looking forward to it. This just infuriates me. Mobile device makers are getting away with things that desktop/laptop makers never dreamed of trying. We shouldn't even NEED to "root" a phone. Imagine if you needed to hack your Windows machine in order to get the admin password and be able to install whatever you want. Now yes, I get that companies often do add those restrictions on their devices, and that they need to protect their data. Allowing access to company data on a personal device might make it a little more of a gray area, but it still blows. Good should be able to develop a system that can be secure, even if you have root access.
Here's a thread I just found. It sounds like you can just delete su and the superuser.apk. I think you can keep the custom rom, but you probably wouldn't be able to run anything that needs root, like Wireless Tether, Titanium Backup, or whatever. But you could probably have a flashable zip to re-add them when you need them. Or maybe one of the temp root methods would work. But it makes me furious that this is needed.
http://androidforums.com/droid-x-all-things-root/207397-good-enterprise.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My thoughts exactly
Update- I was able to get Good running finally on a custom rom - However, I had to forgo my superuser capabilities. I just renamed both the Su and Superuser.apk and then was able to run Good without any issues. I can easily restore Superuser access by adb when I need to. The good thing is that with the recovery being there, I can still flash updates without needing superuser access.
Thank you all for your help.
ushkand said:
Update- I was able to get Good running finally on a custom rom - However, I had to forgo my superuser capabilities. I just renamed both the Su and Superuser.apk and then was able to run Good without any issues. I can easily restore Superuser access by adb when I need to. The good thing is that with the recovery being there, I can still flash updates without needing superuser access.
Thank you all for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the information. What is the ROM that you are using?
bkrodgers said:
Or maybe one of the temp root methods would work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are there still temp root methods that work on the EVO?
I am using Mikfroyo 4.5.
Just came across this thread and was seeing if your GFE was still working? I have a DX and put a custom ROM and could not get it to work. I'm waiting for my new PIN and have removed SU to see if it works.
ushkand said:
Update- I was able to get Good running finally on a custom rom - However, I had to forgo my superuser capabilities. I just renamed both the Su and Superuser.apk and then was able to run Good without any issues. I can easily restore Superuser access by adb when I need to. The good thing is that with the recovery being there, I can still flash updates without needing superuser access.
Thank you all for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted my HTC Salsa to install apps2sd which is great, but what commands do i have to run and where to be able to rename su.apk ?
Thanks,
Mike
Hello XDA community,
I recently traded in my old iPhone for this new LG G4, and am so glad to be converted from iOS to Android! Anyways, one of the main reasons I switched is because root access would enable me to maximize the potential of my phone. The only problem is...I have looked vastly throughout XDA and other Android developer havens for root guides and have gotten so confused as to where to start. Can somebody direct me to the right place, or even better, guide me through the process?
Thanks!
(I am using the Verizon G4 (VS986) with Android 5.1.)
DId you have a good look through this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/g4/orig-development/root-tmo-vzw-intl-variants-soon-root-lg-t3164765
It seems daunting but the first things you can do prior to the flashing are
-Get the software you need installed and tested
-Learn how to put your phone into download mode
-test to make sure your phone can communicate with your computer the way it should
-Download all the files you need (stock kdz and matching rooted image version)
Take the time to read each step, and if you have any questions, ask before you proceed, not after you have completed the step.
Good luck! The group here is very helpful so do not hesitate to ask.
goofball2k said:
It seems daunting but the first things you can do prior to the flashing are
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will definitely look into that thread! Quick question, what exactly is flashing? I know it has to do with modifying the operating system..but I honestly do not understand the purpose and benefit. Could you explain that to me?
Flashing is basically copying OS onto your phone and installing it.
Okay. So in this root you copy an OS with root permission?
cl_miller said:
Okay. So in this root you copy an OS with root permission?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. With this method, you are basically putting a portion of the OS on that is already rooted. That is why it is important to make sure you have the correct versions.
Done?
I followed all of the steps provided in the link you shared, and believe that my device is now rooted! At least, I think and hope. How can I be sure? And if it was successful, what should I do next to make use of my root access?
Thanks again
You should see the SuperSU app. Open it, it may/should prompt you to update.
Otherwise, download root checker from the play store
Done! Now, are there any resources for what I can do next?