Understanding the Rooting Process
Hi,
I have never rooted a phone before, so I am a bit curious before I get into it. I have a Galaxy Nexus – brought directly from Google without going through any carrier. I have Android 4.2.1 on it, and it has never been rooted.
I want to root the phone in order to copy data on and off a USB Stick using Chainfire’s Stickmount App (among other things.) This means I am not interested in any custom ROM. The stock works OK for me.
I am using the following tutorial: How to Root Galaxy Nexus! [Universal Guide][GSM/Verizon/Sprint][Windows/Linux/Mac][GB/ICS/Jelly Bean] which has the following steps to root:
1. Unlock the Bootloader
2. Install ClockworkMod Recovery
3. Install the SuperUser binaries using Recovery to get Root
In this regard I have a few questions that I am not getting easy answers using Google. (All I get is tutorials with steps – no logic.)
1. The first step is “Unlocking the Bootloader”. The following link says that unlocking the Bootloader is to install custom ROMs What does it mean to unlock the boot loader?
As mentioned above, I am not interested in putting custom ROMs on to the device. I am satisfied with the stock. Do I need to do this step?
2. “Unlocking the Bootloader” seems to delete all data on the phone. Is this true? Why does it do this.
3. Is it possible to backup the current ROM before I root? That way I can always restore it in case of any problems. I do not have much data/apps on the phone, so backing up that is not an issue.
Thank you all for your help.
O. O.
o.o. said:
1. The first step is “Unlocking the Bootloader”. The following link says that unlocking the Bootloader is to install custom ROMs What does it mean to unlock the boot loader?
As mentioned above, I am not interested in putting custom ROMs on to the device. I am satisfied with the stock. Do I need to do this step?
2. “Unlocking the Bootloader” seems to delete all data on the phone. Is this true? Why does it do this.
3. Is it possible to backup the current ROM before I root? That way I can always restore it in case of any problems. I do not have much data/apps on the phone, so backing up that is not an issue.
Thank you all for your help.
O. O.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes. Unlocking the bootloader is not the same as installing a different ROM, you will still be on stock after unlocking. Unlocking will ALLOW you to flash different firmware/mods/etc, but you dont have to flash anything you dont want to.
2. Yes, it will wipe your phone clean. Every time you do it. No getting around this.
3. Not to my knowledge. I would recommend doing the back up first thing after unlocking bootloader and installing recovery.
WiredPirate said:
1. Yes. Unlocking the bootloader is not the same as installing a different ROM, you will still be on stock after unlocking. Unlocking will ALLOW you to flash different firmware/mods/etc, but you dont have to flash anything you dont want to.
2. Yes, it will wipe your phone clean. Every time you do it. No getting around this.
3. Not to my knowledge. I would recommend doing the back up first thing after unlocking bootloader and installing recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
addition to point 3)
its really irrelevant to backup the rom if you're staying stock since you can just download the images freely from google and use fastboot to flash them all and you'll be running a clean stock rom since you just unlocked the bootloader.
Thank you WiredPirate & Zepius. I am trying to understand how the Rooting process works – not just the steps, without having a clue as to what I am doing.
1. My question here was not “Whether I needed to Unlock the Bootloader” – but why do I need to Unlock the Bootloader in order to Root? My question here is Why? When I do not need to install custom ROMs why should I be unlocking?
2. Why does Unlocking the Bootloader wipe the phone?
3. Thank you Zepius. I think I agree with you here.
Thanks again,
O. O.
Zepius said:
addition to point 3)
its really irrelevant to backup the rom if you're staying stock since you can just download the images freely from google and use fastboot to flash them all and you'll be running a clean stock rom since you just unlocked the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true. The exception might be if you don't have access to a comp at the time your phone needs to go back. But downloading and flashing images like you said is probably a cleaner/ better way of getting back to stock.:good:
o.o. said:
Thank you WiredPirate & Zepius. I am trying to understand how the Rooting process works – not just the steps, without having a clue as to what I am doing.
1. My question here was not “Whether I needed to Unlock the Bootloader” – but why do I need to Unlock the Bootloader in order to Root? My question here is Why? When I do not need to install custom ROMs why should I be unlocking?
2. Why does Unlocking the Bootloader wipe the phone?
3. Thank you Zepius. I think I agree with you here.
Thanks again,
O. O.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wish I was more help with the "Why?". I just kind of go with it lol. I mean I have ideas as to why, but I'm not a dev and/or familiar with code, I'm just a user so I don't wanna say something and it be wrong.
o.o. said:
Thank you WiredPirate & Zepius. I am trying to understand how the Rooting process works – not just the steps, without having a clue as to what I am doing.
1. My question here was not “Whether I needed to Unlock the Bootloader” – but why do I need to Unlock the Bootloader in order to Root? My question here is Why? When I do not need to install custom ROMs why should I be unlocking?
2. Why does Unlocking the Bootloader wipe the phone?
3. Thank you Zepius. I think I agree with you here.
Thanks again,
O. O.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) an unlocked bootloader allows you to flash unsigned images. This allows you to flash a custom recovery, which is required for root access. basically, if you want root, you have to unlock the bootloader the first time with the command "fastboot oem unlock"
2) thats the way its designed. there are ways around it, but you have to have root to unlock the bootloader without wiping your data.
Zepius said:
1) an unlocked bootloader allows you to flash unsigned images. This allows you to flash a custom recovery, which is required for root access. basically, if you want root, you have to unlock the bootloader the first time with the command "fastboot oem unlock"
2) thats the way its designed. there are ways around it, but you have to have root to unlock the bootloader without wiping your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Zepius. I am hoping that someone can provide some better understanding of this issue. I know that there is a design, which is obviously illogical. Nowhere have I found an explanation for this illogicality – hence my question.
O. O.
o.o. said:
Thank you Zepius. I am hoping that someone can provide some better understanding of this issue. I know that there is a design, which is obviously illogical. Nowhere have I found an explanation for this illogicality – hence my question.
O. O.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My guess is it is to keep your data mostly secure by wiping it out.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
go here. if it helped, thank efrant.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=31751966
sent by an android
The other option if you want to root without losing your data is to use a computer with the adb tool to make a backup and then restore that backup after you've rooted your phone. A guide on how to do this can be found here: http://www.thesuperusersguide.com/adb-backup--restore.html
Zepius said:
My guess is it is to keep your data mostly secure by wiping it out.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Zep. This is more like what I was looking for i.e. this sounds reasonable. Anyway I guess this is not the best place to ask such questions i.e. everyone seems to know what to do, but are clueless about the logic.
O. O.
o.o. said:
Understanding the Rooting Process
I want to root the phone in order to copy data on and off a USB Stick using Chainfire’s Stickmount App (among other things.) This means I am not interested in any custom ROM. The stock works OK for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another option for USB OTG is an app called Nexus Media Importer it almost does what stickmount does and does not require root.
You can read data, but you cannot write to the attached device (USB flash drive etc.), only copy to the Android device.
Hope this helps a little in case you are uncomfortable rooting.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
As has been mentioned, unlocking the bootloader is necessary to allow flashing images. AFAIK, the data wipe (factory reset and memory card wipe) is to protect your data, contacts, etc., in case your phone is lost or stolen and somebody tried to restore your phone to stock so they can use it or sell it. That's assuming you have a security screen that can't be bypassed so that the criminal can't just hit "factory reset" and delete your memory contents.
The bootloader unlock is necessary to root because you are flashing the custom recovery (TWRP or CWM) and root (Superuser or SuperSU) binaries, or flashing an "image" if that helps. This is the same process as flashing a ROM, so the bootloader needs to be unlocked to allow this. The data wipe is there to "protect" you.
Once rooted, you can lock and unlock the bootloader at will with the "Bootunlocker" app by Segv, though if you ever loose root via OTA update, you have to unlock the bootloader via fastboot again, which causes you to loose your data. I learned this the hard way so trust me, just leave the bootloader unlocked. Even if a criminal tries to flash a new ROM or factory image, they have to completely erase everything to get around your security screen.
If you have data that want to save, use the Android MTP to move you memory contents to your computer. This is mostly for music, pictures, documents, and downloads. To do a full backup (apps, settings, data) there is a guide in the stickies I believe that explains how to do a full backup to your computer without root.
That is my attempt at the logic, hope that helps.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Related
http://www.unlockroot.com/index.htm
It mentions galaxy nexus. I didn't unlock my phone right away and now I regret it. I don't want to lose my app data and since I don't have root I can't use TB to back up my apps.
So will this be a good alternative, or should I avoid it?
Is there a down side to using this method instead of doing it the old fashioned way?
if this is useless, any recommendations on how I can safely back up my app data before unlocking the bootloader?
Thank you for the help.
never seen or used this. you can, but i prefer doing it manually. not really that hard.,
and theres a thread somewhere in general that tells you how to back up your stuff without root or unlocked bootloader.
something involving ADB commands. might be just better off starting again from fresh
zephiK said:
never seen or used this. you can, but i prefer doing it manually. not really that hard.,
and theres a thread somewhere in general that tells you how to back up your stuff without root or unlocked bootloader.
something involving ADB commands. might be just better off starting again from fresh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocked / rooted mine right after I got it. Wipes it (the unlocking part), but it was easy, but I'm pretty good with adb and fastboot. Give it a try, there seems to be a bunch of one click tools out now.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
this method seems to implement security vulnerability in android to escalate user privileges and install super user.
So this method is not an automatic version of the regular (boot unlock using fastboot), meaning it skips the whole wipe after unlock requirement.
anyway, I am gonna try it when I get home and report results.
Hey guys, I recently got my Gnex(internation version from expansys) last week, but I'm a little bit on the fence when it comes to rooting as this is my first Android device. What are the benefits? I mean, I know that you guys get a ton of options with the variety of roms available to download/install, but I'm liking the stock ics that came with the device. If somebody cold convince on on doing it, then I'd be grateful. My baseband is XXLA2, is that the recommended one if I'm living in the US?
The ability to control your phone like you should. However being a really new person to android I wouldn't recommend you do it right away. Maybe browse the forum and learn somethings. Knowledge is power.
Sent From My Sprint Galaxy Nexus
Root gives you admin access to your phone. Definitely you should root, even if you want to stay on stock factory rom.
RogerPodacter said:
Root gives you admin access to your phone. Definitely you should root, even if you want to stay on stock factory rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only if he sees the benefits for himself. There's absolutely no reason for him to root if he doesn't understand what it does or how it will help/hurt him.
As mentioned previously, root access is admin access to the phone. Some benefits of it include being able to use the Adfree app to block advertisements in apps or Titanium Backup to backup apps the data associated with them. I'd take the time to get to know the phone and operating system first and then decide if you have a need for apps that require root access.
Off the top of my head:
-Fastest updates
-Ad removal
-Firewall
-True call blocking
-Lightflow
-Theming
-Backups (titanium, nandroid)
-Custom ROMs and all the millions of features they have (you could write pages and pages about this alone)
-Custom kernels (better battery+performance, touch wake, etc)
Since you have the Galaxy Nexus(a dev phone) as opposed to another locked-down phone, rooting is very, very easy. Unless you do something totally retarded you'll be safe. Just don't use toolkits -- do it manually.
fredryk said:
-Fastest updates
-Lightflow
-Backups (titanium, nandroid)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-You don't need to root to get fast updates. You can flash update files the day they come out via fastboot w/ an unlocked bootloader.
-Lightflow also works w/o root.
-You can do backups with ADB also.
martonikaj said:
-You don't need to root to get fast updates. You can flash update files the day they come out via fastboot w/ an unlocked bootloader.
-Lightflow also works w/o root.
-You can do backups with ADB also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I was thinking of "root" being synonymous with unlocked bootloader. My old phone required root...still need root for TB.
fredryk said:
I guess I was thinking of "root" being synonymous with unlocked bootloader. My old phone required root...still need root for TB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes this is usually the case with other phones. With the Nexus, its extremely easy to unlock the bootloader and not root. I'd recommend unlocking the bootloader on this phone, but I'm not so quick to recommend rooting. People on XDA or too quick to recommend rooting to people who have absolutely no idea what it is and end up bricking their device.
martonikaj said:
Yes this is usually the case with other phones. With the Nexus, its extremely easy to unlock the bootloader and not root. I'd recommend unlocking the bootloader on this phone, but I'm not so quick to recommend rooting. People on XDA or too quick to recommend rooting to people who have absolutely no idea what it is and end up bricking their device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. Exactly.
You do not need root to flash custom ROMs, get updates, etc. if you have an unlocked bootloader. I totally agree with martonikaj: you SHOULD unlock your bootloader, but you shouldn't mess around with root until you know what root is and need it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I would unlock the bootloader immediately if you think you'll ever want to root the phone. Reason why is that you can unlock the bootloader easily with a single command, but it will wipe your phone, and there's no good way to do a real backup without rooting it. Better to do it now, before you have everything set up the way you want it and all of your apps installed.
For rooting, I agree that you shouldn't do it until you have a better idea what it is and why you want to do it.
I've been back and forth between root and non-root (always unlocked bootloader) and other than a few things already mentioned (Ad-free, Titanium Backup) I'm the type that can live with Stock ICS. I do flash custom ROM's once in a while to see if I enjoy them but I've always come back to Stock (for now) because of random reboot issues.
I'm reading this thread while on my way to root my phone (virgin like the guy who started this thread) I've been reading about rooting for a year, what's the difference between root and unlocked bootloader
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
kennwoodkenn said:
I'm reading this thread while on my way to root my phone (virgin like the guy who started this thread) I've been reading about rooting for a year, what's the difference between root and unlocked bootloader
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From someone who knows just enough to get by....
Unlocking your bootloader allows you to flash custom recovery/ROM/Stock version/etc. You don't need root for this.
Root allows you full access to the phone with superuser permissions and install some apps that require full access to system files.
kennwoodkenn said:
I'm reading this thread while on my way to root my phone (virgin like the guy who started this thread) I've been reading about rooting for a year, what's the difference between root and unlocked bootloader
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You couldn't have been doing a lot of good reading if you've been reading for a year and don't know the difference. But don't feel bad -- there are lots of senior members that use the terms interchangeably which is completely and utterly wrong.
Root means having root user access to the file system. Kinda like being the administrator user on Windows machines. You can access all the files and modify and delete anything. The process consists of placing two files on the /system partition of your device. The problems with this process, is finding a way to make /system write-able to place those two files there (as it is read-only by default when you are booted in Android). Chicken or the egg -- You need root to get root.
Think of the bootloader as the BIOS of a computer. It loads up before the operating system, and allows you to perform certain basic tasks. In our case, the bootloader allows you to flash images to your device, and to boot images on your devices (without actually writing them to the NAND). Unlocking the bootloader removes the security on the bootloader, which means that the bootloader no longer verifies the signature of images you are trying to flash or boot and, thus, allows you to flash or boot non-Google signed images.
Now, are rooting and unlocking your bootloader related? Well, to a certain extent yes. If you unlock your bootloader, you can easily obtain root access. This is true because you can flash or boot a custom recovery, which will allow you to write files to /system without being booted into Android. So, with an unlocked bootloader, "rooting" becomes trivial. However, there are other ways to root -- by using exploits. GNex Android builds up to ICL53F can be rooted by mempodroid (see link 4 in my signature), but to-date, an exploit has not been found for IMM76D and higher.
For the epic touch it looks pretty easy to root in Odin mode it seems to be a way to go I know I want root for all the reasons above
My process
Root with ODIN
Install CWM
And like what I see in the AOKP ROM
I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN TO BACKUP
Am I on the right track
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
kennwoodkenn said:
For the epic touch it looks pretty easy to root in Odin mode it seems to be a way to go I know I want root for all the reasons above
My process
Root with ODIN
Install CWM
And like what I see in the AOKP ROM
I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN TO BACKUP
Am I on the right track
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you ask in the Epic Touch forum??
Rooting your gnex doesn't need to be seen as taking a dive off a cliff while blindfolded. This is a myth perpetuated by people who have either never rooted their devices or did something retarded and bricked it. It's easy, painless, and uncomplicated if you follow the instructions. If you can take advantage of the ad removal, backups, call blocking, etc with ease....why not do it?
Use this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1529058
Thanks for all your help!
I'll proceed to unlock the bootloader, but will remain on stock for a while until I get the hang of it and want to expand my options.
hi, I did a trade with some here on the XDA for a galaxy nexus. The phone comes with BAMF ROM but I am thinking of returning to the completely stock rom. Since I do not know much information on this phone, I thought I will ask before doing anything stupid.
I am not sure exactly if this is a international or playstore phone (I think it is international) but I do know it is a GSM phone.
Also, it appears to me that the phone is already unlocked (and I think rooted but cannot be sure).
So my question is how exactly should I go through to get the completely stock as I kind of want to try stock JB first. Do I need to relock it and download the image from google (which image as I see there are two version of phone.
I may try different rom in the future so can I just download teh image and flash the rom without relock it? Or I should still lock the phone, flash, unnlock, unroot?
A little bit of background. I am using the phone on T Mobile's network here in the US, so I want to be able to continue using hte phone on the same T MO.
Thanks a lot for all of the helps guys.
Link to the step-by-step, amazing, descriptive guide here
thanks a lot. I follow that thread and I think I have returned the phone to the stock rom.
Quick question, I think my bootloader is still unlocked as when I checked the bootloader, it looks it still says unlocked. Now after I have flashed the stock rom, should I still root it and also install the recovery if I ever plan to play around with the different roms? As of now, when I into recovery, I see the little andrid icon but no selection.
thansk a lot guys.
PUTALE said:
thanks a lot. I follow that thread and I think I have returned the phone to the stock rom.
Quick question, I think my bootloader is still unlocked as when I checked the bootloader, it looks it still says unlocked. Now after I have flashed the stock rom, should I still root it and also install the recovery if I ever plan to play around with the different roms? As of now, when I into recovery, I see the little andrid icon but no selection.
thansk a lot guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If/when you want to root and mess with ROMs, you'll be using a custom recovery like CWM. You don't need to flash it until you choose to do those things.
thanks. Would I need to root again? The phone is already unlocked (as I did not lock it again). So, I would just have to root and then flash the custom recovery then?
BTW, I notice there's a very nice tool on the sticky that does everything. I am curious if I use that tool and let say choose to unlock it again or root again and such, would that be any issue? Ie, if it's already unlocked and you run unlock again, would that relock, etc?
PUTALE said:
thanks. Would I need to root again? The phone is already unlocked (as I did not lock it again). So, I would just have to root and then flash the custom recovery then?
BTW, I notice there's a very nice tool on the sticky that does everything. I am curious if I use that tool and let say choose to unlock it again or root again and such, would that be any issue? Ie, if it's already unlocked and you run unlock again, would that relock, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can easily root too if you want to in the future
I think you're talking about the toolkit... Me and others here don't recommend using that... Unlocking/locking the bootloader is easy anyways...
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app
PUTALE said:
thanks. Would I need to root again? The phone is already unlocked (as I did not lock it again). So, I would just have to root and then flash the custom recovery then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a custom recovery is part of the rooting process.
BTW, I notice there's a very nice tool on the sticky that does everything. I am curious if I use that tool and let say choose to unlock it again or root again and such, would that be any issue? Ie, if it's already unlocked and you run unlock again, would that relock, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't use 1-click toolkits. You know how to do it manually, do it manually.
got it, thanks a lot guys. Will have to read up more on the root and flashing rom. Android is still relativly new to me.
I am new to the nexus 7.
Can I root without unlocking the broader?
What is the side effect of unlocking the boot loader?
Is there existing method to root without installing customer recovery?
Thanks
macaumen said:
I am new to the nexus 7.
Can I root without unlocking the broader?
What is the side effect of unlocking the boot loader?
Is there existing method to root without installing customer recovery?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is currently no known way to root without unlocking the bootloader and using a custom recovery.
Unlocking the bootloader allows you more control over the tablet. Specifically to install custom recovery, ROMs, etc. Most of the benefits from an unlocked bootloader are things you do from a custom recovery, not through the bootloader itself. The only real negative 'side effects' are that you lose some of the safety benefits, since you can do dangerous things if you don't know what you are doing, and that it may void your warranty.
So, if want to root, I must unlock bootloader?
Well I still get ota with bootloader unlocked?
macaumen said:
So, if want to root, I must unlock bootloader?
Well I still get ota with bootloader unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes
2. Technically you can, but not recommend; just wait for the rooted stock and flash that.
teh roxxorz said:
1. Yes
2. Technically you can, but not recommend; just wait for the rooted stock and flash that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding your #2, there is no reason not to unlock the bootloader to get OTA updates. The only thing that breaks OTA is custom recovery.
phonic said:
Regarding your #2, there is no reason not to unlock the bootloader to get OTA updates. The only thing that breaks OTA is custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Completely correct. I just said not to do it, cause he seems less experienced, and from my experience, they get freaked out afterwards trying to put it back on. So trying to save him a headache, lol.
I recommend staying stock unless you absolutely need a specific root required app.
Right now there isn't a reason for root access except titanium backup.
I do recommend, however, to go ahead and unlock. It will wipe your device including personal data, so might as well get that out of the way now before you risk losing something important.
You can easily flash a custom recovery and root anytime after that, but I would wait until knowledgeable devs figure out the device a little more first.
Sent from Nexus 7 FHD from XDA Premium HD
player911 said:
I recommend staying stock unless you absolutely need a specific root required app.
Right now there isn't a reason for root access except titanium backup.
I do recommend, however, to go ahead and unlock. It will wipe your device including personal data, so might as well get that out of the way now before you risk losing something important.
You can easily flash a custom recovery and root anytime after that, but I would wait until knowledgeable devs figure out the device a little more first.
Sent from Nexus 7 FHD from XDA Premium HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure why you would suggest people not to root now. You mentioned a very good reason to do so - Titanium Backup. Not only is it useful for backups in general, but it's also a lifesaver for copying apps and their data from one device, like someone's old N7, to their new N7.
While I would certainly agree that people should wait before flashing custom ROMs, kernels, hacks, etc., nothing is going to change with rooting your N7 today versus a week or month from now. All the pros and cons will still be the same.
phonic said:
I'm not sure why you would suggest people not to root now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They guy doesn't need root. He also doesn't understand root. So his chances of softbricking are good, and then, instead of us trying to talk him out of rooting, we now have to talk him through how to fix it.... .. Can we count on you to provide this support since your are so OK with him rooting now?
tweaked said:
They guy doesn't need root. He also doesn't understand root. So his chances of softbricking are good, and then, instead of us trying to talk him out of rooting, we now have to talk him through how to fix it.... .. Can we count on your to provide this support since your are so OK with him rooting now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neither you nor I have any idea what he needs or doesn't. He hasn't said anything other than asking some basic questions about the process. There are numerous guides on here that walk people through rooting step by step. There are also a handful of people who have soft bricked their device and asked for and received help. And yes, I have assisted people with similar issues in the past. Everyone on this board has at one point in their lives screwed something up - that's how we learn.
In any case, my point was that there is no clear reason for him not to do it if he wants to. The device is pretty forgiving unless he kills the bootloader.
Hello everyone,
I am new to android family, as recently i bought an Xperia M, now i would like to ask a few questions and please bear with me since my English are not good enough.
My first objective was to immediately wipe that xperia OS and change it to stock like experience. [the closest i could find is CM11],
so after some searching i found out that in order to do that, i had to unlock the bootloader. But since the phone is new i also would like to not loose warranty, so i read i had to backup TA partitions Before even unlocking the bootloader, but in order to do this i have to root using an exploit. So please enlighten me:
1] wich rooting program should i use since i read many complains on many rooting programs
2]witch program should i use to backup the firmware before taking action [i do not care about photos and contacts]
3]if something goes wrong where do i download the official firmware of my divice to restore it back to normal? [similar to itunes that no matter what happens it restores your device back to normal]
(*) another question: after i root my phone and backup TA partitions, next step should be to unlock my bootloader [that means i only need to install a superuser.apk to gain root access again, right?] or just flash the cm11 and gapps and not worry about rooting?
Thanks in advance guys!
Querd said:
Hello everyone,
I am new to android family, as recently i bought an Xperia M, now i would like to ask a few questions and please bear with me since my English are not good enough.
My first objective was to immediately wipe that xperia OS and change it to stock like experience. [the closest i could find is CM11],
so after some searching i found out that in order to do that, i had to unlock the bootloader. But since the phone is new i also would like to not loose warranty, so i read i had to backup TA partitions Before even unlocking the bootloader, but in order to do this i have to root using an exploit. So please enlighten me:
1] wich rooting program should i use since i read many complains on many rooting programs
2]witch program should i use to backup the firmware before taking action [i do not care about photos and contacts]
3]if something goes wrong where do i download the official firmware of my divice to restore it back to normal? [similar to itunes that no matter what happens it restores your device back to normal]
(*) another question: after i root my phone and backup TA partitions, next step should be to unlock my bootloader [that means i only need to install a superuser.apk to gain root access again, right?] or just flash the cm11 and gapps and not worry about rooting?
Thanks in advance guys!
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ok, first of all you need to unlock your bootloader first, check in here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=46489205&postcount=1, after unlock bootloader and second if you want try to root and install custom recovery you can find in here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=51414331&postcount=1, this will install cwm recovery on your phone so you can access recovery mode on your phone that you can do backup for your current rom, and for stock rom you can find in here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=53315273&postcount=1. ok have fun with android ok
Nicklas Van Dam said:
ok, first of all you need to unlock your bootloader first, check in here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=46489205&postcount=1, after unlock bootloader and second if you want try to root and install custom recovery you can find in here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=51414331&postcount=1, this will install cwm recovery on your phone so you can access recovery mode on your phone that you can do backup for your current rom, and for stock rom you can find in here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=53315273&postcount=1. ok have fun with android ok
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thanks a lot my friend, but the main question has not been answered yet. before unlocking the bootloader i need to backup TA partition so i won't lose warranty, But in order to backup them i need root first! so i still dont know witch program of rooting should i trust because i have no experience. in other words i need to root using an exploit before actually unlock bootloader and root again
Querd said:
thanks a lot my friend, but the main question has not been answered yet. before unlocking the bootloader i need to backup TA partition so i won't lose warranty, But in order to backup them i need root first! so i still dont know witch program of rooting should i trust because i have no experience. in other words i need to root using an exploit before actually unlock bootloader and root again
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http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53565495, here you are Bro, try to find root in locked bootloader condition bro
hello again, i still got a problem, i try to install fastboot drivers for my xperia m device, and even though the installation finish with success, my computer does not recognize the device properly, [on device manager its yellow] btw i use windows xp