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Greetings XDA,
Ive recently got me a GN (yakju) (couldn't wait for N4) and wait to get updated to 4.2. Now i run 4.2 and i want to unlock its boot loader & root it.
Not yet interested of having new roms on it, im cool with its stock android BUT i need to get full control of my device and not being restricted on apps that don't need root.
In case you want to ask me WHY i just didn't follow any of the guides for rooting nexuses in the forum, the answer is because im not sure which is the best/easiest/newest/safest
Im not very familiar with such staff i want to make is as simple as it gets and avoid breaking my phone (if thats even possible).
So please can you assist me to take this first android steps ?
Thanks in advance
safest and easiest.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1529058
Hi, welcome to the GNex and the possibilities with it. I have had my GNex since Jan 2012 and it was rooted 2 weeks later. I'm sure if you search in XDA you find lots of help on rooting. However I started out with the www.galaxynexusforum.com forum and followed the unlocking and rooting by Wug.
Assuming you have a verizon GNex here is what you should follow
Wug's Nexus Root Toolkit v1.6.0 [Updated 11/26/12]
It is a nice tool installed on a windows pc or laptop and I have used it to do my GNex and also another one from a friend about 6 month after mine.
Works great and i think if you follow these thread you are rooted in no time.
Good luck
I have the GSM nexus.
Ok its unlocked now, preparing to root.
I just got 1 more final question, considering i will not flash any other rom or such, with my device ONLY unlocked & rooted, will i be able to get OTA updates from now on or i will have to flash myself ? (also do i need Custom Recovery ? what does it do ? )
equilibriumgr said:
Ok its unlocked now, preparing to root.
I just got 1 more final question, considering i will not flash any other rom or such, with my device ONLY unlocked & rooted, will i be able to get OTA updates from now on or i will have to flash myself ? (also do i need Custom Recovery ? what does it do ? )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You dont need a tool to unlock...you just need adb and fastboot.
Ensure ADB Debugging is enabled.
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot oem unlock
At this point you can push a custom recovery to your phone - I think there are recoveries now that support 4.2.
After flashing the custom recovery, boot into it and flash your superuser.zip
Lol...thats it.
I think you can still get OTA's but you will lose root. I suppose if the OTA was that important, you can relock the device (you will lose data) and then OTA up to the newest version and unlock again.
If you have a GSM device you are lucky, because the factory images are pretty plentiful. On Verizon CDMA we only have 4.1.1 (and because of this I only use 4.1.1 stock).
I had to relock and unroot on Tuesday because of a SIM card issue - didnt want Verizon knowing it was rooted. Came home and unlocked and rerooted all over again. Took about 10 minutes total.
After OTA 4.2.1 root is lost. Do i need to repeat the process to re-root ?
equilibriumgr said:
After OTA 4.2.1 root is lost. Do i need to repeat the process to re-root ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rooting a nexus will always be the same steps.
Its been forever sicne ive done this so i feel a bit embarrased.. but i just got a fresh nexus 7 wifi only 2013 model from amazon and looking to root it unlock and whatever i need to do else. Its has 5.0 installed and asking to update to 5.1. Can someone point me to a guide to root and install the newest twrp and unlock the bootloader? Ive seen a few but nothing new so i dont know if they would soft brick my device. Thanks for your help! I appreciate it all.
First decide if you want OTA updates because they will end if you root it.
Next, consider the already-rooted alternative.
Then we can answer your questions...
No updates, i like to do it on my own
Will One Click Bootloader Unlock, Root, Recovery Install With Wugfresh Nexus Toolkit: @ http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2381698 suffice for this 2013 nexus 7 with 5.0 installed work for all that?
Nevermind, that link is still down. So im still open to any ideas or leads lol.
unlock bootloader (#4, section "To flash a system image")
install TWRP and accept its rooting offer
install SuperSU app
Done.
Thank you. However im getting bootloop. flashed razor-lrx22g and twrp-3.00-0-flo.img when i reboot to fastboot and then to recovery it simply hangs at twrp, or if i just go for a restart it hangs at the boot screen with the multicolor balls. any suggestions?
No worries at all - it is easy to fix, but why did you flash razor-lrx22g? Didn't you want root/twrp only?
Anyway, now you have to flash the image yet again and let it boot completely to Android user interface. Then do the 3(-1) steps I posted earlier.
Hello,
I bought a Zenfone 2 in 2015 and have loved it ever since. Back then it was simple to root, unlock the bootloader, and neither required the other.
To root, just enable ADB and run this.
To unlock the bootloader, just download this from azus.
Now, buying a phone fresh, to remove all the bloat is becoming a challenge.
To root, you need an unlock the bootloader. To unlock the bootloader, you need to downgrade to an early 5.0 image.
So I downgrade, unlock the bootloader, and root. To get back on 6, I need to upgrade to a newer version of 5.0, so I do. Root gone, bootloader still unlocked, splash screen is normal. Fine, I root again.
Finally, after upgrading to 6.0 (using adb sideload) both root and the bootloader unlock are gone. So I have to start again, and either live with unbloated 5.0, or unrooted, bloated 6.0.
As far as I can tell the only way around this is downgrade to 5.0, unlock my bootloader, then flash a pre rooted unsigned system.img.
Sadly I cannot find a recent pre rooted unsigned system.img, and have no way of knowing how to create one. If someone could help me make one I would greatly appreciate it.
Am I doing this all wrong? Is there a better way?
Because now I have a phone that I'm either stuck with a buggy 5.0 or a bloated 6.0; and the original, two year old zenfone is stuck in the bootloader because I was experimenting with various tools from around here.
I am well aware that I could just nuke the old phone with xFSTK to get out, but I refuse to. I have no such problems nuking the new one though.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated, the Zenfone 2 is still a great device and is fantastic value for money, so if I can sort out all this I will happily make a full, comprehensive guide with my new knowledge to replace the errors in the outdated one here, and to add far more comprehensive knowledge about unbricking:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone2/general/asus-zenfone-2-flashing-recovery-mode-t3096596
Thank you all for your time
assuming you are already on MM version ww4.21.10.233... if no update to this version and download the following tool..
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B72QQTXqZSRwTDNtU1N6OEdMdmM
reboot phone in fastboot mode. now extract the downloaded zip and double click unlock.bat phone will reboot 2 times. then you will get white screen and stuck there. when you see white screen. simply turn off mobile. reboot in fastboot mode with volume plus and power button. and run restore.bat from extracted zip.
now download twrp from official twrp website version 3.1.1.0. and flash it in fastboot mode. hope you know how to ( place twrp image in adb fastboot tool and open command windows in same folder reboot phone in fastboot mode and connect to pc. run the following command
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.1.1-0-Z00A.img
then use volume button to find recovery mode and click power button to boot into twrp.
now download super su from following link use this version only as i have just tested it few minutes ago.
https://download.chainfire.eu/1114/SuperSU/SR1-SuperSU-v2.82-SR1-20170608224931.zip
place superuser zip on internal memory or sd card and click install in twrp and install super userzip. alternatively you can sideload supersu zip as well. then wipe cache and dalvik cache and reboot system. note phone may bootloop or restart 2,3 times. don't interrupt it. it will boot itself into system.
this is 100 percent safe way.
---------- Post added at 11:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 PM ----------
x86fanboy said:
Hello,
I bought a Zenfone 2 in 2015 and have loved it ever since. Back then it was simple to root, unlock the bootloader, and neither required the other.
To root, just enable ADB and run this.
To unlock the bootloader, just download this from azus.
Now, buying a phone fresh, to remove all the bloat is becoming a challenge.
To root, you need an unlock the bootloader. To unlock the bootloader, you need to downgrade to an early 5.0 image.
So I downgrade, unlock the bootloader, and root. To get back on 6, I need to upgrade to a newer version of 5.0, so I do. Root gone, bootloader still unlocked, splash screen is normal. Fine, I root again.
Finally, after upgrading to 6.0 (using adb sideload) both root and the bootloader unlock are gone. So I have to start again, and either live with unbloated 5.0, or unrooted, bloated 6.0.
As far as I can tell the only way around this is downgrade to 5.0, unlock my bootloader, then flash a pre rooted unsigned system.img.
Sadly I cannot find a recent pre rooted unsigned system.img, and have no way of knowing how to create one. If someone could help me make one I would greatly appreciate it.
Am I doing this all wrong? Is there a better way?
Because now I have a phone that I'm either stuck with a buggy 5.0 or a bloated 6.0; and the original, two year old zenfone is stuck in the bootloader because I was experimenting with various tools from around here.
I am well aware that I could just nuke the old phone with xFSTK to get out, but I refuse to. I have no such problems nuking the new one though.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated, the Zenfone 2 is still a great device and is fantastic value for money, so if I can sort out all this I will happily make a full, comprehensive guide with my new knowledge to replace the errors in the outdated one here, and to add far more comprehensive knowledge about unbricking:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone2/general/asus-zenfone-2-flashing-recovery-mode-t3096596
Thank you all for your time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you state that you have an old device which you are unable to revive with xFSTK. what error do you get? put device on charge for 5,6 hours with original charger and use the following guide. use correct gp flag value use 4 zeros not 5
https://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone2/help/thead-bricked-phone-updating-to-mm-tips-t3452785
wow, no need to do all this... just use one of the available tool, my prefered one is this one:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone2/general/bl-unlock-ze551ml-toolkit-t3546293
very easy to use, to unlock, it will temporaly downgrade your boot to 5.0, unlock bootloader, then reflash boot 6.0.
Once there, just flash TWRP recovery and Magisk, from the tools.
I also had a locked ZF2 in MM 6.0 and using this tool it took less than 5 minutes to have an unlocked rooted phone, and I haven't wiped or lost anything.
I've successfully flashed my first ROM. My purpose in doing so was to get the monthly Android security updates, and more broadly have my phone as secure as practical. In that vein, can I safely relock the bootloader? Should I? I am aware that many (most?) people here choose to keep the bootloader unlocked, and I respect that choice, but I'm seeking maximum security.
Searching here at XDA I see conflicting guidance. Some folks say that re-locking the bootloader with a custom ROM installed is begging to be bricked, while others say they have re-locked with no trouble. So what is your advice, why is that your opinion, and do you speak from experience?
I have not rooted the phone, nor do I plan to. I'm running AICP 8.1 on Nextbit Robin and don't plan to make any changes other than receive OTA updates. Should I make future changes beyond that I would not be bothered by the very minor inconvenience of having to unlock then relock it.
I too want to simply flash the stock recovery and lock my bootloader, but from what I've read to update the ROMs we need an unlocked bootloader. So that needs to be unlocked again does that mean everytime I lock-unlock I will be wiping my data all over? Thats would be a pain.
So this is an experiment I want to run from quite long and might do it sometime next month maybe. I will be wiping-unlocking-flashing-locking and see again if I can unlock without wiping my data and lock again, this way I can know for sure if this is doable because most online answers are weirdly confusing.
javelinanddart found that locking the bootloader on the Robin results in similar behavior as on the Nexus devices. The phone will check and make sure that the key used to sign the recovery partition remains the same as it was when your device got relocked, so as a result, TWRP should still work, and updating to a new version of TWRP would work too since it's (presumably) signed with the same key. System partition checking is handled by the kernel itself (dm-verity), but all the custom roms for the Robin have that disabled, so that wouldn't be a problem.
I've also been running custom roms with my bootloader locked and haven't run into any issues with flashing roms with TWRP.
I will be honest though, since TWRP lets you do so much to your phone, relocking your bootloader wouldn't really help security wise. You can pull up a damn root shell right in TWRP, for crying out loud.
@jabashque
Wait so are you saying despite locking the bootloader I can still go in custom recovery? Whats the point then?
I mean for me why I a considering locking the bootloader is so that if I lose my phone no one can access my data. As of now with custom ROM anyone has free access to my data via TWRP/custom recovery.
/root said:
@jabashque
Wait so are you saying despite locking the bootloader I can still go in custom recovery? Whats the point then?
I mean for me why I a considering locking the bootloader is so that if I lose my phone no one can access my data. As of now with custom ROM anyone has free access to my data via TWRP/custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose you could flash Lineage recovery instead, which was designed to be an OEM-grade recovery and doesn't include the ability to pull up a root shell or use adb.
Grab that here: http://downloads.codefi.re/jdcteam/javelinanddart/ether/ether-lineage-recovery-20180310_170949.img
Personally, I locked my bootloader so that I could actually see my custom splash screen without having to press the power button to dismiss the warning message.
EDIT: the build of Lineage recovery I linked still has adb shell access enabled it seems; I was wrong on that. Also, I haven't tried flashing another rom's system partition that's been signed with different keys.
jabashque said:
I suppose you could flash Lineage recovery instead, which was designed to be an OEM-grade recovery and doesn't include the ability to pull up a root shell or use adb.
Grab that here: http://downloads.codefi.re/jdcteam/javelinanddart/ether/ether-lineage-recovery-20180310_170949.img
Personally, I locked my bootloader so that I could actually see my custom splash screen without having to press the power button to dismiss the warning message.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So for an OTA update do I have to wipe all data to unlock again? I am on Omni btw.
I only unlock my bootloader to flash a cool splash screen then relock it. Even if the bootloader is locked I can still flash custom ROMs using ADB sideload. Works like a charm every time. I'm running the AEX custom ROM with Android 8.1.0
akeemk said:
I only unlock my bootloader to flash a cool splash screen then relock it. Even if the bootloader is locked I can still flash custom ROMs using ADB sideload. Works like a charm every time. I'm running the AEX custom ROM with Android 8.1.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you still locking it while on TWRP isn't it? Which means anyone has access to shell via TWRP defeats the purpose of security provided by a locked bootloader, isn't it?
/root said:
But you still locking it while on TWRP isn't it? Which means anyone has access to shell via TWRP defeats the purpose of security provided by a locked bootloader, isn't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess that's why Nextbit never had a problem with us unlocking the phone's bootloader.
I was trying to root/custom rom/etc in a hurry and I was interrupted a million times, so I screwed up. SM-N910v. I started out on kitkat, 4.4.1. I tried this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/no...t/howto-bootloader-unlock-upgrade-to-t3398144
I odin N910VVRU2BPA1_N910VVRU2CPD1_FullFirmware.tar.md5. That upgraded me lollipop 5.5.1. I then follow a guide similiar to this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/no...asy-guide-how-to-root-verizon-galaxy-t3454593
Its not the exact one, but there is several guides that are the same. I temporary rooted with kingoroot, installed TWRP. One of the guides said not to let it boot normally, so I freaked out and made sure I didn't do that. I booted back into twrp. Using this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-verizon/development/cyanogenmod-t3253973
I can't remember or find the exact guide I was on... But I flashed these files in the following order:
BETA-SuperSU-v2.71-20160331103524.zip
Emotion-TW-5.1.1-nightly-r21-RC1-SM-N910P.zip (this was really dumb)
cm-13.0-20160919-UNOFFICIAL-trltevzw.zip
I tried to boot, I left it on for atleast 30 mins, and the clockworkmod logo kept animating abnormally fast.
I then installed N910VVRU2BPA1_N910VVRU2CPD1_FullFirmware.tar.md5 again (... doh ...).
Now it bootloops.... so I said.. 'ok, maybe I just need my TWRP recovery back'. Tried to install TWRP and fail....
I can boot into safe mode fine, but not normal mode. The problem with safe mode is you can't install apps.
I've tried factory reset, wipe cache, dalvik, etc etc. Nothing. I've also tried a different firmware I believe as well.. I am lost...
Current Android Info:
5.1.1
security patch level: 2015-12-01
baseband version: N910VVRU2CPD1
Kernel version: 3.10.40 Jan 20 2016
Build Number: LMY47X.N910VVRU2BPA1
The information above indicates that I am still in this version: N910VVRU2BPA1_N910VVRU2CPD1_FullFirmware.tar.md5
Ok so.. I just odin this file N910VVRU2BPA1_N910VVZW2BPA1_N910VVRU2BPA1_HOME.tar.md5
Same story, I can boot into normal mode, but not safe mode.
I check my info:
5.1.1
security patch level: 2015-12-01
baseband version: N910VVRU2BPA1
Kernel version: 3.10.40 Jan 20 2016
Build Number: LMY47X.N910VVRU2BPA1
Factory reseting now... and seeing if that fixes my problem... nope... same bootloop problem...
my thinking is... if I undo "samsung_unlock_n4-fix" and that would fix my bootloop. If thats true..... I guess my biggest question is: if the boot loader is unlocked, then why can't I flash TWRP like I was able to the first time??
I appologize, I will be unaviable for the next 5 or 6 days..... any help would be much appreciated!
I followed Max Lee's guide on youtube for rooting/unlocking the bootloader I recommend downloading the files he has linked, just ensure that your phone is the SM-N910V the hardest part or more time consuming part is getting kingo root to get you that temporary root needed to unlock your bootloader/root phone. Kingo root is very unstable and your phone will freeze/restart many times, You definitely need a spare sd card, at least a 2GB from my experience and patience, set aside a few hours because your follow through is crucial. If all goes well you will be able to install TWRP. I hope this helps. Tip, if you decide to follow his method, the file titled 'samsung_unlock_n4-2' you need to rename it to say 'samsung_unlock_n4-fix' good luck!
UmbrellaTakedown said:
I followed Max Lee's guide on youtube for rooting/unlocking the bootloader I recommend downloading the files he has linked, just ensure that your phone is the SM-N910V the hardest part or more time consuming part is getting kingo root to get you that temporary root needed to unlock your bootloader/root phone. Kingo root is very unstable and your phone will freeze/restart many times, You definitely need a spare sd card, at least a 2GB from my experience and patience, set aside a few hours because your follow through is crucial. If all goes well you will be able to install TWRP. I hope this helps. Tip, if you decide to follow his method, the file titled 'samsung_unlock_n4-2' you need to rename it to say 'samsung_unlock_n4-fix' good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate your post. However I don't think you quite understand whats going on.
https://galaxynote4root.com/cwmtwrp-recovery/
His site specifically states: "Verizon SM-N910V unless you have a developer’s edition phone as retail version come with locked bootloaders meaning you cannot install regular CWM or TWRP!!!"
It also shows that comment in the video. I definitely DO NOT have the developers edition.
In summary: I flashed the firmware that has the bootloader unlock vulnerability->Installed twrp->Installed CWM->Installed Firmware with bootloader vulnerability, which replaced everything I did. Now it seems like the bootloader is re-locked, and I can't boot into normal mode, which means I can't run kingo again. I can't flash TWRP, the only things I can do are: adb sideload, odin, boot any 5.1.1 in safe mode.
TouchOdeath said:
I appreciate your post. However I don't think you quite understand whats going on.
https://galaxynote4root.com/cwmtwrp-recovery/
His site specifically states: "Verizon SM-N910V unless you have a developer’s edition phone as retail version come with locked bootloaders meaning you cannot install regular CWM or TWRP!!!"
It also shows that comment in the video. I definitely DO NOT have the developers edition.
In summary: I flashed the firmware that has the bootloader unlock vulnerability->Installed twrp->Installed CWM->Installed Firmware with bootloader vulnerability, which replaced everything I did. Now it seems like the bootloader is re-locked, and I can't boot into normal mode, which means I can't run kingo again. I can't flash TWRP, the only things I can do are: adb sideload, odin, boot any 5.1.1 in safe mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not have a developers edition either, I have retail, this method makes your phone into the developer edition. This method is designed for verizons note 4. So what i'm saying is, I followed his method using a retail note 4 branded verizon and this exploit makes it into a developers edition so you may install twrp and roms. You are able to odin flash stock firmware for marshmallow and then downgrade to 5.1 to run max's method.
Ok so.. I managed to get everything working... so I'm happy. Thank you UmbrellaTakedown for invoking thought and thank you for replying, your the only person who replied, so much appreciated!
1. Boot into safe mode
2. Install app by: adb install c:\kingoroot.apk
3. At this point, its installed but the launcher needs to be refreshed for the icon to show up. I don't know how to refresh the launcher without a reboot.. so...
4. Find the kingoroot package name: adb shell 'pm list packages -f'
5. In my case it said: package:/data/app/com.kingo.root-1/base.apk=com.kingo.root So your answer is: com.kingo.root
6. Now in order to launch kingo, you need to find the activity of the package: adb shell pm dump PACKAGE_NAME | grep -A 1 MAIN
7. Start the activity: adb shell am start -n com.kingo.root/com.kingoapp.root.MainActivity
From here I was able to temp root through kingo, and run samsung_unlock_n4-fix. This time I had to only run samsung_unlock_n4-fix once. After that, TWRP installed no problem (where before it would not).
Update:
I am now officially on Jasmine ROM marshmallow. I had to copy the jasmine folder to /data/media/0/TWRP/BACKUPS/xxxx/jasmine
xxxx= you get that from adb devices
Then simply do a restore, after restore, restore the partial firmware file (it has to be done in that order or else it won't work)
TouchOdeath said:
Ok so.. I managed to get everything working... so I'm happy. Thank you UmbrellaTakedown for invoking thought and thank you for replying, your the only person who replied, so much appreciated!
1. Boot into safe mode
2. Install app by: adb install c:\kingoroot.apk
3. At this point, its installed but the launcher needs to be refreshed for the icon to show up. I don't know how to refresh the launcher without a reboot.. so...
4. Find the kingoroot package name: adb shell 'pm list packages -f'
5. In my case it said: package:/data/app/com.kingo.root-1/base.apk=com.kingo.root So your answer is: com.kingo.root
6. Now in order to launch kingo, you need to find the activity of the package: adb shell pm dump PACKAGE_NAME | grep -A 1 MAIN
7. Start the activity: adb shell am start -n com.kingo.root/com.kingoapp.root.MainActivity
From here I was able to temp root through kingo, and run samsung_unlock_n4-fix. This time I had to only run samsung_unlock_n4-fix once. After that, TWRP installed no problem (where before it would not).
Update:
I am now officially on Jasmine ROM marshmallow. I had to copy the jasmine folder to /data/media/0/TWRP/BACKUPS/xxxx/jasmine
xxxx= you get that from adb devices
Then simply do a restore, after restore, restore the partial firmware file (it has to be done in that order or else it won't work)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an FYI, you need to run the sasmung_unlock_n4 application twice. The first time, it will write your eMMC CID to the correct one, and the second time you execute, it will write the CID signature/blob to the bootloader - completing the unlock process. Glad to see you got it working.