[Q] Doubts in rooting - Nexus 7 (2013) Q&A

So far I've had only Samsung phones, which were rooted by flashing a zip file through the built-in recovery (containing signed SuperSU).
Now I have a 2013 Nexus 7 and I'm looking at the rooting guides and I see bootloader unlocking, flashing custom recoveries and a lot of other things which personally confuse the hell out of me as to why are they needed.
So I wanted to ask if there is a way to just flash a zip file with the SuperSU (and buzybox) app like how it's done on the Samsung phones? Or if there is a method that doesn't require replacing the stock recovery / flashing ROM components?

If anything its easier than any Samsung device but the thing is don't Root if it confuses you at least until you understand how to do it there is tons of guides online

spinninbsod said:
If anything its easier than any Samsung device but the thing is don't Root if it confuses you at least until you understand how to do it there is tons of guides online
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's kind'a my question, it's not that I don't know how, I just don't get if all the side-stuff in 90% of the guides is actually needed, so I asked if there is a way to just get SuperSU working without any custom-recoveries or other side-things.

To my knowledge, you need to have a custom recovery to root it. Unlocking the bootloader helps with this, as it ensures recovery and root sticks.

Or, just use the Wugfresh Nexus Root Toolkit to unlock and root.

CrisR82 said:
That's kind'a my question, it's not that I don't know how, I just don't get if all the side-stuff in 90% of the guides is actually needed, so I asked if there is a way to just get SuperSU working without any custom-recoveries or other side-things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was in the exact same position as you four days ago, up until then the only android devices I had owned were the Samsung Galaxy S2 and S4. It is quite different to the rooting process on the samsung devices but just as you did with the Samsung devices you will learn as you go along. My bootloader is unlocked, rooted with a custom rom and it was pretty easy to do

CrisR82 said:
That's kind'a my question, it's not that I don't know how, I just don't get if all the side-stuff in 90% of the guides is actually needed, so I asked if there is a way to just get SuperSU working without any custom-recoveries or other side-things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A sideload would only be needed if you didn't dump SuperSU on the phone first.
Unlock bootloader
Flash TWRP
Flash SuperSU
Done

Get wugfresh's nexus root toolkit. It's made for the novice in all of us.... Works great, self updates, awesome help section.. Look into it.. It's made specifically for the nexus line of products

Thanks for the replies guys, but noone seems to say what is the minimum that neds to be done for rooting.
I'll re-ask my question in a different way:
When rooting, does the bootloader always have to be unlocked and a custom recovery always needed to be installed?

CrisR82 said:
Thanks for the replies guys, but noone seems to say what is the minimum that neds to be done for rooting.
I'll re-ask my question in a different way:
When rooting, does the bootloader always have to be unlocked and a custom recovery always needed to be installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bootloader needs to be be unlocked, but can be relocked after rooting
AFAIK, you can use stock recovery, but custom offers better options/control over the situation. Most roms/kernels are flashed via twrp or cwm..... You can flash through rom toolbox if you choose to stay stock recovery

You can use Towel root to root your tablet in about 30 seconds. It'll also unlock your bootloader for you.
Cousin recovery is only needed of you intend to flash kernels and Roms and the like. If, like me, you only want root for installing things like xposed then you don't need to bother with one.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Free mobile app

CrisR82 said:
Thanks for the replies guys, but noone seems to say what is the minimum that neds to be done for rooting.
I'll re-ask my question in a different way:
When rooting, does the bootloader always have to be unlocked and a custom recovery always needed to be installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, all the steps that are listed are required for rooting your Nexus. I understand what you are asking and I was also hesitant at first, but it was super easy to root and I didnt use the WugFresh took kit I manually rooted mine, following Zedomaxs Video tutorial, that way I could stop and Pause it at every step to make sure things were happening as they should here is the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1cD-JXRGX8

I confirm towelroot works on the 2013 nexus 7. After rooting unlock bootloader with app from google play. This method does not wipe user data or need a computer at all. And if root is lost and the towelroot exploit is patched with the next os update you can reroot the old way.
Sent from my Le Pan TC1020 using Tapatalk

Related

[Q] root without adb

is it possible to root this phone without using adb?
nighthawk626 said:
is it possible to root this phone without using adb?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=805010
You can try this, I personally did it with adb so I honestly have no idea how well it works. Hell I'm I can't even say it works for sure.
Well good luck
xaodxkevin said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=805010
You can try this, I personally did it with adb so I honestly have no idea how well it works. Hell I'm I can't even say it works for sure.
Well good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You obviously did not read through that thread, it was shown to not work. That root method doesn't involve the flashing of the engineering bootloader, which is required to be able to flash self signed update packages in recovery, such as clockwork recovery. People ran into errors because they couldn't flash clockwork. They also couldn't flash the engineering build because they were not rooted.
So, in short, to the OP, no, you cannot root without ADB. You CAN download an app that will give you temporary root, but that will only allow you to use applications that require root, it won't allow you to actually flash a custom ROM. For that you need to follow nbetcher's root method, which is in the android dev section, it's a fairly obvious thread in capital letters near the top

Simple unlock/root/ota question

Apologies for the very simple question, but I've yet to find a definitive yes/no answer on this.
I'm interested in:
- unlocking the bootloader
- rooting my nexus
With a view to install root-enabled apps like Titanium etc.
I DO NOT want to install any custom ROM (at least for the time being!) as I am happy with stock ICS 4.0.4
If I do the above (unlock & root) - will I still be notified about and be able to install OTA updates from Google?
(I'm on yakju)
Cheers
brypie said:
Apologies for the very simple question, but I've yet to find a definitive yes/no answer on this.
I'm interested in:
- unlocking the bootloader
- rooting my nexus
With a view to install root-enabled apps like Titanium etc.
I DO NOT want to install any custom ROM (at least for the time being!) as I am happy with stock ICS 4.0.4
If I do the above (unlock & root) - will I still be notified about and be able to install OTA updates from Google?
(I'm on yakju)
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you will be notified and assuming you still have the stock recovery and not CWM and do not modify any system files, you can install it.
is method given by Jubakuba the only way to root Galaxy Nexus??
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1529058
<lie>
Yes.
</lie>
Really though...it's the best way.
If you want to use other methods *cough* toolkits *cough* they'll probably work.
But if you end up soft bricking your phone at some point (Trust me. You will.) You'll want the tools in place (and know that they're working and how to use them) to get you unstuck.
gagan007 said:
is method given by Jubakuba the only way to root Galaxy Nexus??
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1529058
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not the only but the safest and the proper way and the learning way
Galaxy Nexus AOKP m5 Franco kernel m3
Zepius said:
you will be notified and assuming you still have the stock recovery and not CWM and do not modify any system files, you can install it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
So, I assume form your answer that unlocking and rooting does not modify the system files enough to break ota?
brypie said:
Thanks.
So, I assume form your answer that unlocking and rooting does not modify the system files enough to break ota?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unlock: no
root: no
the problem is, most root methods flash clockwork recovery. this does break OTA.
Jubakuba said:
<lie>
Yes.
</lie>
Really though...it's the best way.
If you want to use other methods *cough* toolkits *cough* they'll probably work.
But if you end up soft bricking your phone at some point (Trust me. You will.) You'll want the tools in place (and know that they're working and how to use them) to get you unstuck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi.
I'll read through your guide - looks good.
However, you seem to imply that to get root, I have to install a custom recovery??
Is there a separate step to simply install root using the default recovery?
Easiest method...
https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images#yakju
You can (and should) download the factory images.
From there...unzip the .tar and the .zip inside of it.
The .zip contains a recovery.img
Flash that using my guide...post 3, I believe...detailing alternative (in this case, stock) recoveries after rooting.
brypie said:
Thanks.
So, I assume form your answer that unlocking and rooting does not modify the system files enough to break ota?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To expand on what Zepius said:
1) unlocking does not modify any system files at all.
2) "rooting" just means place two files on your system partition. Nothing more. As long as you don't modify or delete files already there, you can add whatever files you want.
brypie said:
Hi.
I'll read through your guide - looks good.
However, you seem to imply that to get root, I have to install a custom recovery??
Is there a separate step to simply install root using the default recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do not need to install a custom recovery to root. Booting a custom recovery allows you to do the same thing. In Jubakuba's guide, replace
fastboot flash recovery <name-of-recovery.img>
with
fastboot boot <name-of-recovery.img>
and it will temporarily boot the custom recovery from your PC.

Qick noob root question

Hello,
I am running stock one x rom. There is only thing that I don't get. If i root it does it mean that stock rom will become rooted or I need to flash custom rom after a root?
marijan_e said:
Hello,
I am running stock one x rom. There is only thing that I don't get. If i root it does it mean that stock rom will become rooted or I need to flash custom rom after a root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when you root your stock rom is rooted. Then you can use custom one if you want.
reply
Hello, as far as im aware you can root the stock rom using the super user but you need to have it unlocked first. I just got my new phone and followed the guide from HTC Dev down in the link below and i was up and running in an hour.
1. Unlock bootloader
2. Install a custom recovery
3. Make backup through recovery
4. Root using superuser but I installed ARHD which is rooted already so therefor I didnt need to.
If you follow the guides on here you really cant go wrong just make sure you get things in the right order and dont attempt without knowing each step as it took me 4 days to persuade myself I had everything right plus just ask on here and someone will keep you on the right track.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/HTC_One_X
Regards
I am running stock one x rom. There is only thing that I don't get. If i root it does it mean that stock rom will become rooted or I need to flash custom rom after a root?[/QUOTE]
You really want to think about putting an AOSP based ROM on your phone, they're much faster
What people don't realize is that "rooting" is just putting the su binary in the bin folder. That's it. Su is a standard Linux app that supersedes the permissions level on systems - SuperUser. When someone says that they have a rooted phone all they mean is that they have su in the /bin folder and usually an .apk (SuperSu) to manage the which apps have access to is (otherwise you'd have to su open app.apk in terminal).
That said, when some mentions that they "rooted" their phone typically they mean they unlocked their bootloader or used an exploit to get around the locked bootloader. And even then unlocking the bootloader lets you to write to system partitions (pre-Android boot of course, since the files are still read only by Android).
The easiest method is to unlock via HTCDev, flash CWM with fastboot, then flash either the supersu or superuser zips.
Basically you can have a rooted stock ROM, rooted custom ROM, or even a unrooted custom ROM. To unroot, just deleted the SuperSu.apk from /system/app and su from /bin (some systems make a symlink to /xbin so look there too).
Unlocking the bootloader has nothing to do with rooting.
I have a rooted transformer prime and my bootloader is intact.
Rooting is rom specific. What rooting does is giving you administrative access to system files on your rom whether it's stock or custom and uses the su binary to control access to root files.
Unlocking the bootloader gives you the ability to do things before the system boots. These things are usually running recovery software, flashing roms, or doing backup.
Rooting and unlocking the bootloader are two separate things.
Having said that, i have to make it clear that most rooting methods on forums do unlock the bootloader and install recovery code on the phone in addition to rooting. So if u want to keep ur phone covered under warranty i suggest you look for a root method that doesn't unlock the bootloader or install any recovery.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2
The only way to root this phone is by flashing Superuser, hence the need for ClockworkMod Recovery and an unlocked boot loader.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
CoSaWa said:
The only way to root this phone is by flashing Superuser, hence the need for ClockworkMod Recovery and an unlocked boot loader.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never used the one x. What u said might be true. But it's hard to believe that the only way to root an android device is only by unlocking the bootloader. There must be another way.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2
Manar Aleryani said:
I have never used the one x. What u said might be true. But it's hard to believe that the only way to root an android device is only by unlocking the bootloader. There must be another way.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe people are working on it but that's the only way at the moment to my knowledge, crappy HTC forcing you to unlock your bootloader just to root, whatever next... Voiding your warranty at the same time? Oh wait....
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

If I root?

Will I lose the ability to get the 4.4 ota update when available?
If you just root, then no. What would prevent it from installing is if you have a custom recovery. Then it would fail to install. If your just rooted and take the OTA though you may loose root.
Are you sure? lol.
Well if you lose root, you can always re-root?
Are you rooted and have a custom recovery?
REDFOCZ said:
If you just root, then no. What would prevent it from installing is if you have a custom recovery. Then it would fail to install. If your just rooted and take the OTA though you may loose root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom recovery is fine (from the standpoint of the OTA verification check). Custom kernel will cause OTA to fail, as would any changes/modifications/removals to/from /system (ie the ROM)
To root I need an unlocked bootloader?
SysAdmNj said:
To root I need an unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Unlocking bootloader just sets a flag so signature checks aren't performed. For security reasons it also clears your user data so someone can't just bypass your login.
Until I see the next version of Android and a few weeks of user comments on its abilities, I'm not sure whether I'll ever want to upgrade...
sfhub said:
Yes. Unlocking bootloader just sets a flag so signature checks aren't performed. For security reasons it also clears your user data so someone can't just bypass your login.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wish I knew this before I installed all my apps lol. Its easy to unroot and lock back up in case?
alpine101 said:
Until I see the next version of Android and a few weeks of user comments on its abilities, I'm not sure whether I'll ever want to upgrade...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean 4.3 is fine with you? Battery life and performance?
Or just wait until your current Custom ROM gets updated to the 4.4, and then flash with that newly created ROM. Boom. 4.4.
I just got this yesterday and I like it so far, reading on it isnt bad. Even at night, some apps have night mode etc. I dont feel like rooting/unlocking just yet, let alone custom rom'ming, until I'm sure I'm keeping it. Would like to hear the nexus 10 announcement but honestly the size of the nexus 7 is comfortable to carry around. The weight is good, and it kind of fits it in my old nexus 7 rubber case. If I do keep it, definitely looking forward to 4.4 custom roms and a better fitting case.
REDFOCZ said:
If you just root, then no. What would prevent it from installing is if you have a custom recovery. Then it would fail to install. If your just rooted and take the OTA though you may loose root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is that to have root you have to install a custom recovery first, since the root file (supersu) is installed from a custom recovery.
So how can we root without a custom recovery?
I haven't rooted my N7, just going off my experience with other devices.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Sensamic said:
The problem is that to have root you have to install a custom recovery first, since the root file (supersu) is installed from a custom recovery.
So how can we root without a custom recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this method not work?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2467014
It involves unlocking your device by putting your device in bootloader/fastboot mode, but I dont see anything about installing a custom recovery.
REDFOCZ said:
I haven't rooted my N7, just going off my experience with other devices.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whats your primary use for your n7?
Web browsing, video watching, and reading magazine's.
Sensamic said:
The problem is that to have root you have to install a custom recovery first, since the root file (supersu) is installed from a custom recovery.
So how can we root without a custom recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to "install" custom recovery. Booting custom recovery (leaving stock recovery on the tablet) is good enough.
The key to everything is you need to unlock the bootloader. Once you do that, any number of methods of installing root are possible.
If you don't want to unlock bootloader, then you need to wait for an exploit to be found which could arrive anytime between now and never.
---------- Post added at 10:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:48 AM ----------
SysAdmNj said:
Does this method not work?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2467014
It involves unlocking your device by putting your device in bootloader/fastboot mode, but I dont see anything about installing a custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works.
From a technique standpoint, it is equivalent to booting custom recovery and installing root, except everything is automated for you.
The key is you need to unlock.
In the most published method, after unlocking, you boot (or install) custom recovery and manually select the SuperSU or Superuser install update.zip
In CF-AutoRoot, there is a custom kernel that you boot whose job is to install root (essentialy taking care of the manual selection of the SuperSU/Superuser install update.zip), then after a subsequent reboot, you are back to using your original kernel, except root is installed.
sfhub said:
You don't need to "install" custom recovery. Booting custom recovery (leaving stock recovery on the tablet) is good enough.
The key to everything is you need to unlock the bootloader. Once you do that, any number of methods of installing root are possible.
If you don't want to unlock bootloader, then you need to wait for an exploit to be found which could arrive anytime between now and never.
---------- Post added at 10:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:48 AM ----------
It works.
From a technique standpoint, it is equivalent to booting custom recovery and installing root, except everything is automated for you.
The key is you need to unlock.
In the most published method, after unlocking, you boot (or install) custom recovery and manually select the SuperSU or Superuser install update.zip
In CF-AutoRoot, there is a custom kernel that you boot whose job is to install root (essentialy taking care of the manual selection of the SuperSU/Superuser install update.zip), then after a subsequent reboot, you are back to using your original kernel, except root is installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the explanation. I think I'm just going for it as I didnt see any announcements of the nexus 5 or kit kat, let alone nexus 10 I'll just keep my nexus 7 2013. I did more reading on this device the past two days then I've done on my previous nexus 7 and nexus 10 tabs. In other words I like it, good enough to keep. Comfy size, weight etc. Now to find the best rom for battery life with a kernel that would let me double tap to wake

Rooting questions (kinda newb again)

I have unlocked my bootloader, I have gone through the process of installing TWRP RC1, I have also installed SU 2.79 as guides have shown to do. I have also installed adaway after rooting, as well as titanium backup.
What is left to do now? I have read that if I stay on stock but rooted, when a security update comes out next month and I take it, my device turns into brickmode. I don't intend to stay on stock, I am taking the time to learn all the ins and outs of each rom that exists currently and trying to make a decision which one I like best, and especially what kind of challenging process exists for flashing the rom as well as putting TWRP back on then SU, and the confusing part about doing the vendor image. So yea, still learning. The last time I rooted and flashed anything was LGG3 days, so it's a learning curve again.
Am I supposed to be using a flash drive for anything? Or is that not needed if following the installation process for whatever rom is out there.
Thanks in advance, everyone has been very helpful so far.
There is no need for a flash drive. You can easily disable OTA on stock, and there is no need for a custom rom. In fact, I am rooted on stock. Also, the OTA should not be able to go through while rooted but I have seen myself that it does work surprisingly. My guess is this is because of the dual partitions, but no, you will not get bricked if you accept an OTA. The worst that would happen is that you would lose root. I'm guessing this is due to the dual slots. The OTA overwrites the other slot and swaps it on reboot. You should be able to just get in again but without root.
And if it does fail you can download the full OTA from google and install it with TWRP or adb install it.
Turn off updates in dev options. A couple of people have gotten hit with big data bills from it downloading over and over.
I'm unlocked but not rooted. I installed Franko kernel but need to be rooted to use his app. I'm trying to figure out root yet stay stock for now.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
b4u2 said:
I'm unlocked but not rooted. I installed Franko kernel but need to be rooted to use his app. I'm trying to figure out root yet stay stock for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you want to root it now so you can use his app? Second to the last post in the thread below.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel/help/stupidly-bootloop-help-t3554242/page2
TonikJDK said:
So you want to root it now so you can use his app? Second to the last post in the thread below.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel/help/stupidly-bootloop-help-t3554242/page2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and thank you very much!

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