Place for android newbie I'm newbie too

3Sep/100

Samsung Galaxy Tab Gains Root Access

Posted by Alex Smith


You read the title correctly folks! The Galaxy Tab, which was just unveiled to the world yesterday, has been rooted. In the image above you can see the Superuser prompt, which is a pretty clear sign. We’ll probably hear about the Galaxy Tab being rooted again as Tim over at Sera-apps says this is just a prototype of the Android tablet. It’s still nice to see though, right?


Via: Engadget




26Aug/100

Root Access Gained on Motorola Droid 2

Posted by Alex Smith

Root access has been obtained on the Motorla Droid 2. The guys over at XDA can check “root” off the list and now that step one has been owned, let’s see if they can follow in the footsteps of the Droid X and get a custom recovery image on this device. Remember folks, root access does not mean that a custom ROM can be thrown on this device just yet, there is still plenty of work to be done to make this possible. This root method is said to have been derived from the Droid X method, so this should be made easier very soon. Interested in rooting your D2? Click the source link and enjoy!


Via: XDA


Anyone rooted their D2 yet?


14Aug/100

New Root Method for MyTouch 3G Slide

Posted by Simon Walker

@ChiefzReloaded and nbetcher have been secretly working hard to develop a new root method for the T-Moble MyTouch 3G Slide and it looks like they’ve done it.  The new method will work with all the current known updates to the phone. The guide is based on the exploid exploit method slightly modified to support the T-Moble MyTouch 3G Slide:

After many long hours of trying to restore my phone, I have now ported the exploid exploit to the MyTouch Slide! This means that you can gain root on any version of the Slide, INCLUDING the latest OTA! However, this isn’t necessarily “easy” as in the One-Click Root program, but there are reasons for this. While Android is running we cannot write to /system, even if we force Linux to let us, the NAND protection will prevent Linux from completing the write!

This is currently a manual process but we have been told that an APK version of the root method will be available soon.

Follow the guide below and you’ll have root on your Slide before you know it.

  1. Download the exploid root files to your computer and extract the zip file.
  2. Make sure your phone is in USB debugging mode AND you are in “Charge Only” mode.
  3. Connect your phone to your computer.
  4. Make sure you’re in the same directory as where exploid is extracted before continuing to the next step.
  5. Issue the following command: adb push exploid /sqlite_stmt_journals. Note: It MUST be in that directory – NO exceptions.
  6. Run: adb shell
  7. Run: cd /sqlite_stmt_journals
  8. Run: chmod 0755 exploid
  9. Run: ./exploid
  10. Turn on your phone’s Wifi (however you wish to do that).
  11. Now (again) run: ./exploid
  12. It should prompt you for a password, enter: secretlol. If it didn’t prompt you for a password, but instead just output the same text that it did the first time you ran it, then something isn’t setup right. Make sure to follow the directions verbatim. If you suspect you did follow them correctly, please reply to this post letting me know.
  13. You should now be rooted! At this point you can do many things, but if you’re looking to downgrade, continue Eugene’s instructions in his previous posts on how to flash “ENG”.
    Download the ESPRIMG on that page to your SD card, then follow the rest of the instructions, followed by rebooting into HBOOT (using Volume Down + Power) and flashing the “update” once it asks you if you want to.


Important:
If you do nothing after step 12 then you are not “rooted.” This program grants itself root permissions in a shell, that is ALL. If you want to root your phone after this step then you need to follow instructions on how to do so. Due to the NAND-protection complexity on our device we cannot “One Click” root it, so just don’t ask!

This process will be much easier once the APK version of this exploid is released, but for now, let us know how it works for you.

A big thanks to @ChiefzReloaded for sharing this guide with us.


10Aug/100

Custom Recovery Image Is Available for the LG Ally

Posted by Alex Smith

The LG Ally might be a lesser known device, but the community has been hard at work on it. The LG Ally acquired root back in June and since then, development for this device has been quiet. This custom recovery image enables custom ROMs and full image backup. Android Forums member drellisdee is the one who created this recovery image from Amon_Ra’s source so it comes with all of the goodies. Currently there aren’t any custom ROMs for the LG Ally, but with this custom recovery image available, we are sure to see some surface really soon.

For more information and links head over to Android Forums.

Source: Phandroid

How many of you are itching for a custom ROM on your LG Ally? Let us know in the comments below.


5Aug/100

All About Root for the Samsung Vibrant

Posted by Jason Bowdach

Everyone remembers how much of a pain it was to root the G1\Dream: you had to downgrade to an earlier version to exploit a ridiculous bug which interpreted everything as superuser system commands. It took 10-15 minutes, required a complete wipe of your device, and had the potential to brick if you performed the mod incorrectly. The new MyTouch Slide is still frustrating developers who are trying to properly gain root access over a month after its release.

Luckily, for owners of the newly released T-Mobile Vibrant & the AT&T Captivate (soon to include the Verizon’s Fascinate and Sprint’s Epic 4G), rooting has never been easier. The process involved copying one file (update.zip) to the Internal SD card, booting into recovery, and flash. All in all, it takes about 5 minutes, and is completely reversible (see below for instructions).

NOTE: The following update.zip is for use on the Samsung/T-Mobile Vibrant ONLY. The instructions are identical for other Samsung Galaxy S devices, but the update.zip is different. Captivate’s update.zip is available on the Captivate XDA forums. The one-click root method discussed in the Captivate root article should also work for the Vibrant if you prefer that method.

Download Link for update.zip

Why Root

  • Ability to make image-based backups using ROM Manager and Clockwork Recovery (priceless!)
  • Ability to modify/system partition (delete bloatware, disable annoying boot-up/shutdown sound, etc)
  • Ability to have full app backups using software like MyBackup Pro or Titanium Backup
  • Full SuperUser access  (ability to use scripts, apply the “Galaxy S lag” fix, mounting an ext partition on boot-up, etc)
  • Get ready for the soon-to-be-released custom builds thanks to talented and dedicated developers

How to Root

The following method should be relatively care-free but there is always a risk with activities like rooting a device or flashing a new firmware.

1. Download the above zip and rename to: update.zip
2. On your device, navigate to Settings > Applications > USB settings and select Mass storage
3. Plug your device into your computer, select mount USB from your device’s pull-down window
4. Copy the update.zip to the INTERNAL SD memory (~14gb on this drive, not the one w/ Avatar if you’ve still got the 2gb SD card in)
5. Turn your phone off.
6. Hold down volume up and volume down while powering on the phone, this should get you to a recovery menu, you may have to try this a few times.
7. In Recovery menu select ‘Reinstall Packages’ (use vol_down then power to select)

Phone will reboot
and you have
1. su+Superuser
2. busybox (/system/xbin/busybox)

How to un-root

The following commands must be typed in terminal on the device, on by using adb shell

su
rm -r /system/app/Superuser.apk
rm -r /system/xbin/busybox
rm -r /system/bin/su
reboot

root samsung-captivate-root

Sources:

Original credit goes to LeshaK at Samdroid, I modified the script within update.zip to work on the Vibrant.
Other credits to the fine folks in this thread that noted the vol up+down recovery menu

XDA Developers Thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7150299


5Aug/100

Evo 4G Froyo Update – Rooted Already!

Posted by Stormy Beach

I have got to hand it to the guys over at xda-developers. As soon as something new drops, someone somewhere is rooting it for us. Where would we be with out these guys?

XDA -Dev Senior member netarchy has already gained root on the 2.2 Froyo update that just came out yesterday. Here is all the relevant information from netarchy.

Have at it folks.

You might be able to just flash this over the leaked ota, but I advise doing a full wipe before flashing just to be safe.

MD5 Sums:
f11ac5b0cc1548c722f8df32440a312a – HTC-OTA-3.26.651.6-Final-Froyo-Rooted-Odexed-netarchy-signed.zip
a3d42bf93dce2977748b90d5084d1b44 – Wimax26023.zip
85c7f0e31c66c80397dcc3cece0f5c76 – Radio-2.15.00.07.28.zip

HTC OTA Froyo 2.2, *FINAL*, build 3.36.651.6 (Rooted) Odexed

Mirror 1

Mirror 2

And the updated radios:

Radio update: 2.15.00.07.28
Wimax Update 26023

Flash these radios one at a time in recovery, you will have to reboot once for each one.

As always, the disclaimer: We nor the dev will assume any responsibility  for any device problems or failure. Just saying. Enjoy, Everyone…and enjoy your Froyo!

Source: androidpolice


4Aug/100

Root Your New AT&T Samsung Captivate in One Click

Posted by Stormy Beach

XDA member TGA_Gunnman has just posted up his one-click root application for the Samsung Captivate. This is good news and makes your life and gaining root a whole lot easier. I know I always get a few people wishing to find these things for Mac and Linux,  so let me put this out in advance. This a Windows based application. Sorry guys.

Here are the steps which are directly from xda-developers website.

Root:
1. Make sure your phone is on USB Debug mode: (MENU > Settings > Applications > Developement > USB debugging = Checked )

2. For Windows x86 and x64 systems make sure that the Samsung Drivers are installed. You can get them here.

3. Extract the contents of GalaxyS_Captivate_One-Click_Root.rar to a folder.

4. Connect your phone to your PC via the USB cable and launch the file “AT&T Captivate One-Click Root.exe” file.

5. Click the “One-Click Root” button. This will launch a command prompt follow the instructions in the CMD window.

You can download the application here.

The only current PC requirement is .NET Framework 4.0, which if you don’t have, you can get here: Dot Net Framework version 4

This has only been tested on the stock  Android 2.1 Eclair. So once the Android 2.2 Froyo update starts to roll out, I’d highly recommend NOT using this method until it is updated with Android 2.2 support.

Source: xda-developers


31Jul/100

Xperia X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro Fall Victim to Root

Posted by Alex Smith

The Android hacker/development community over at XDA-Developers check two more devices off the “yet to be rooted” list as we welcome the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini and the X10 Mini Pro to the club. If you own these devices and would like to join in on the fun, you can head over to XDA and get your “root” on or you can follow the instructions below.

AndroidSPIN is not responsible for bricked devices. You are doing this at your own risk.

Download: exploid_x10mini.zip
- download and extract the archive…

You will need ADB from Android SDK and USB drivers for X10 mini (part of Sony Ericsson PC Companion).
Enable USB debugging on the phone in Settings>Applications>Development and connect the phone to PC via USB.
Add the Power management widget to your active widgets on the phone, so you can quickly trun off and on the wi-fi function.
From the command line (on windows it’s cmd.exe):
cd c:\exploid_x10mini (or another folder where you’ve extracted the files from exploid_x10mini.zip)
adb push Superuser.apk /sdcard/Superuser.apk
adb push su /sdcard/su
adb push exploid /sqlite_stmt_journals/exploid
adb push busybox /sqlite_stmt_journals/busybox
adb shell
cd sqlite_stmt_journals
chmod 755 exploid
chmod 755 busybox

Immediately after the next command, you will need to disable and enable the wi-fi using the power widget on the phone:
./exploid
then run:
rootshell
enter password rootnow
prompt will change to # – now we have root
./busybox cp /sdcard/Superuser.apk /system/app/
./busybox cp /sdcard/su /system/bin/
./busybox cp busybox /system/bin/
chmod 4755 /system/bin/su
rm /system/bin/rootshell
exit
– out of rootshell
exit – out of adb shell

Verification:
When you run the abd shell again and issue su command, the Superuser.apk will run on the phone and will ask whether to allow root permissions…

Source: XDA

Share your thoughts below.


24Jul/100

Root Claims Another Motorola Device, the Motorola Devour

Posted by Alex Smith

It seems like the rooting of the Motorola Droid X seems to have given Android hackers a personal motive to hack other Motorola devices. The Motorola Devour is the latest device to fall victim to the cause. The Android Central forum member bitswitch, has successfully rooted the Motorola Devour using some helpful tips from the Droid X rooting method and some files found around the community.

So, if you are a current Motorola Devour owner and interested in rooting your device you can follow the helpful steps below. Rooting your device will void your warranty and requires intermediate or advanced knowledge of “root.” That said, lets get started.

*Tip* –> (Run means type the command in quotes [but not the quotes] then press the Enter key)

“This whole set of instructions was lifted directly from the instructions
on how to root the Droid X with a few edits here and there.”

Step 1.)

  • Download the attached archive and expand it to a folder you can find (eg. c:\devour_root)

Step 2.)

  • Set up ADB (You’ll need to google this part)

Step 3.)

  • On the phone: Home, Menu Button, Settings, Applications, Development: Make sure the “USB debugging” option is enabled/checked.

Step 4.)

  • Status bar, USB connection: Make sure “PC Mode” is selected.

Step 5.)

  • Open a command prompt (Windows: Start, Run, “cmd”, OK; Linux: Terminal)

Step 6.)

  • Run “adb devices”. If you don’t see your device listed under “List of devices attached”, return to step 2 and follow the link to setup ADB (use that topic for support) and return here when “adb devices” lists your X.

Step 7.)

  • Run “CD c:\devour_root” (or where ever you expanded the archive)

Step 8.)

  • Run “adb push Superuser.apk /sdcard/Superuser.apk”

Step 9.)

  • Run “adb push su /sdcard/su”

Step 10.)

  • Run “adb push busybox /sdcard/busybox”

Step 11.)

  • Run “adb push exploid /sqlite_stmt_journals/exploid”

Step 12.)

  • Run “adb shell”

Step 13.)

  • Run “cd sqlite_stmt_journals”

Step 14.)

  • Run “chmod 755 exploid”

Step 15.)

  • On your phone, navigate to a screen where you can switch wifi/bluetooth on/off easily (settings, or a home screen with a widget)

Step 16.)

  • IMMEDIATELY after executing the next step, toggle wifi or bluetooth off and back on

Step 17.)

  • Run “./exploid” and follow directions on screen. Once this completes you’ll be back at a shell prompt.

Step 18.)

  • Run “rootshell”. You’ll be prompted for a password.

Step 19.)

  • Type in password “secretlol” and press Enter then you are root! (You’ll know because your prompt will now be a “#” instead of “$”)

Step 20.)

  • Run “mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system”

Step 21.)

  • Run “busybox cp /sdcard/Superuser.apk /system/app/Superuser.apk”

Step 22.)

  • Run “busybox cp /sdcard/su /system/bin/su”

Step 23.)

  • Run “busybox cp /sdcard/busybox /system/bin/busybox”

Step 24.)

  • Run “chmod 4755 /system/bin/su”

Step 25.)

  • Run “chmod 4755 /system/bin/busybox”

Step 26.)

  • Run “rm /system/bin/rootshell”

Step 27.)

  • Run “exit” to drop from root to a non-root user shell (on phone still)

Step 28.)

  • Run “exit” to drop back to your machine command prompt (instead of phone)

Confirm root is established by:

  • Run “adb shell”
  • Run “su” (now you should see the # sign which indicates you are root)
  • Watch your screen so you can allow Superuser root access.

“You’re done! feel free to kill the bloat apps and such. (I haven’t tested killing anything yet.)”

NOTE: It might be a smart idea to do “rm /system/bin/rootshell” after you have su and superuser in place as ANY program will have access to your root if you leave it (cause everyone will know the password)
NOTE: If the ‘busybox cp’ commands do not work try
“dd if=/sdcard/Superuser.apk of=/system/app/Superuser.apk”
“dd if=/sdcard/su of=/system/bin/su”
“dd if=/sdcard/busybox of=/system/bin/busybox”

The edits:
-added busybox in front of the cp commands
-mounted the system read write

BTW: I’ve only tested this on my Devour. Your mileage may vary.

AndroidSPIN is not responsible for your device as you are doing this at your own risk.

Source: Android Central

How many of you are going to try this on your Devour? Let us know in the comments below.


22Jul/100

How To Root The Motorola Droid X

Posted by Alex Smith

To accomplish the goal of having custom ROM’s on the Motorola Droid X, step one is now complete. The Motorola Droid X has been rooted although the hardest part is what lies ahead. If you would like to root your DX than by all means, please follow the instructions carefully.

Enjoy root! Now lets see if they can throw a custom ROM on this device.

Make sure you tell Birdman and Rainabba thanks for their hardwork

Source: AllDroid.org via DroidXforums

How many of you are breathing a little easier now? Let us know how you feel in the comments below.