I've been doing a lot of reading and searching but still can't find a definite answer...
My understanding is that I need to root the device to flash a custom rom
But from the instructions for noobs, they don't usually specify that I have to root
I assume that rooting is a pre-requisite for everything...but then some roms advertise that they are rooted (for example, LeoFroYo)
So it the rooting process tied to the rom itself and I have to root everytime I flash a new rom (if the rom is not rooted)? Or is it universal like HSPL on WinMo?
Rooting is per rom. What is required to flash a custom rom is having an unlocked bootloader and a custom recovery image. From there you can flash a pre-rooted rom.
The root instructions assume that you're gonna keep using the stock version with root abilities added on top. Whereas if you're using flashing something like CM, that already has root and OS tweaks.
FaJu said:
Rooting is per rom. What is required to flash a custom rom is having an unlocked bootloader and a custom recovery image. From there you can flash a pre-rooted rom.
The root instructions assume that you're gonna keep using the stock version with root abilities added on top. Whereas if you're using flashing something like CM, that already has root and OS tweaks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! So does that mean when I get my phone out of the box, I have to root it once over the stock rom before I can flash any custom rom?
You need to root the phone originally and flash a custom rom. The "pre-rooted" means the rom is rooted. So if you flash that rom then you wont lose root. If you flash an un-rooted rom then you will lose it. So go through the steps and unlock your bootloader then flash a custom recovery image. Then decide which rom you wanted and flash it. All the custom roms are rooted.
futango said:
You need to root the phone originally and flash a custom rom. The "pre-rooted" means the rom is rooted. So if you flash that rom then you wont lose root. If you flash an un-rooted rom then you will lose it. So go through the steps and unlock your bootloader then flash a custom recovery image. Then decide which rom you wanted and flash it. All the custom roms are rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That explains it. Thanks for your answer
one more question:
I take it as when bootloader is unlocked, there's no way to lock it again? Not even flashing the stock boot image?
No, once you unlock the bootloader, it stays unlocked.
Just to be clear here you don't _have_ to "root your phone once"
On _most_ phones you need an exploit to be able to get to the bootloader, this exploit is often referred to as rooting. After the exploit you generally have superuser access until you reboot, on some phone this may allow you to get at the bootloader and write anything you want there (E.G. an OS that give you superuser access at boot time)
However the N1 lets you issue the command "fastboot oem unlock" that unlocks the bootloader, from there you can flash a recovery image that will allow you to flash the main OS without having access to Google's release signing keys. Hence you _could_:
1. Bootloader unlock
2. Flash Custom recovery
3. Flash Custom OS
Without ever actually having "root" access, it just happens that most Devs prefer having root access available in both recovery and any custom rom they cook up.
Related
I asked this question in Android development forum but it was closed (without any comment, mad at Mods) here it is again, need pro's advice:
Recently I succeeded to root my phone with this great guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=710842
(without cutting my battery )
Now I have two questions:
1. What should I avoid to keep my warranty? I now that I didn't unlock boot-loader so my warranty should be OK now, but what command exactly will unlock it and void my warranty? I know most people here assume that you unlocked boot-loader and they even use these two terms "unlock boot-loader" and "root" with the same meaning. Specifically does this command unlock boot-loader or void warranty? "adb root"
2. What should I avoid so I keep my root access? I know that if I flash the stock OTA FRF91 it will remove this root access, or if I flash an stock radio?! What would exactly force me to do the guide again to root the phone?
far as i know from G1 days flashing radio updates will not loose root, but flashing a ota update or "stock rom" over any will wipe and put you back from start with no root access, long as its a custom ROM you should be ok to flash away..
I too is on stock FRF91, with you root acess only and kinda want to keep it that way.. i may flash amon ra recovery img and go to enomther ROM, as thats closes to stock as possible..
bohlool said:
1. What should I avoid to keep my warranty? I now that I didn't unlock boot-loader so my warranty should be OK now, but what command exactly will unlock it and void my warranty? I know most people here assume that you unlocked boot-loader and they even use these two terms "unlock boot-loader" and "root" with the same meaning. Specifically does this command unlock boot-loader or void warranty? "adb root"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You only lose your warranty if you unlock your bootloader (specifically using the command fastboot oem unlock). Unlocking the bootloader turns of the OEM security and allows flashing of test signed images. Root is an entirely different concept where software on the phone is allowed to run with elevated root user privileges. Unlocking the bootloader allow you to flash custom images with the fastboot command. Without unlocking (and with root access), you would need the flash_image binary to do the same. Note that Google can void your warranty if you have root or a custom ROM when you send it for service, so u'll have to flash the shipping ROM and/or OTAs prior to sending.
bohlool said:
2. What should I avoid so I keep my root access? I know that if I flash the stock OTA FRF91 it will remove this root access, or if I flash an stock radio?! What would exactly force me to do the guide again to root the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installing any OTA or shipping ROM from Google/HTC with remove root access. Also, installing a custom ROM without root binaries will also remove root access (this would rarely exist).
Another Question
Thanks for replies, so helpful.
Now my question is does OTA updates include recovery software? if I installed a custom recovery and install OTA, do I still have custom recovery? I can install SU again because I would stay with stock ROMS with root access.
bohlool said:
Thanks for replies, so helpful.
Now my question is does OTA updates include recovery software? if I installed a custom recovery and install OTA, do I still have custom recovery? I can install SU again because I would stay with stock ROMS with root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Your custom recovery is separate from the ROM.
As long as you have a custom recovery, you can NOT properly download/install/flash the OverTheAir update.
OTA
OrganizedFellow said:
No. Your custom recovery is separate from the ROM.
As long as you have a custom recovery, you can NOT properly download/install/flash the OverTheAir update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why I cant install OTA update? it is a signed zip file and my custom recovery should be able to install it? What is special about this OTA?
bohlool said:
Why I cant install OTA update? it is a signed zip file and my custom recovery should be able to install it? What is special about this OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the official OTA are signed by Google/HTC and the signature checks in custom recoveries can only validate the test signatures... only the official recoveries can validate the OTA signatures...
how to install RA recovery without unlocking boot loader?
Read Nexus One Wiki, in section "Guides"/"Root", then in section "Recovery", instead of spamming multiple threads.
Jack_R1 said:
Read Nexus One Wiki, in section "Guides"/"Root", then in section "Recovery", instead of spamming multiple threads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sorry.
I have an N1 that I unlocked and rooted and was running CM7 RC1 when I decided to try the stock Gingerbread. This switch went perfectly, but now I don't think I want to stay on the stock GB but I can't seem to get ROM Manager to boot into recovery to allow me to flash another ROM. Do I have to do something differently now? BTW, I do not have root on the 'new' GB.
Thanks.
Unless you flashed a pre-rooted version of Gingerbread, you will have lost root and your custom recovery...
If this is the case, you have two options:
1 - Flash a custom recovery through an unlocked bootloader.
2 - passimg back to an older version of Android and root again...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
tsprks said:
BTW, I do not have root on the 'new' GB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is your problem. ROM Manager installs a custom recovery, but only when your phone is rooted. You need to re-root GB.
Can I ask them how people flash custom recoveries without having root? I see threads all over the place that say that you don't have to root your phone to run these custom ROM's.
tsprks said:
Can I ask them how people flash custom recoveries without having root? I see threads all over the place that say that you don't have to root your phone to run these custom ROM's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to root, but you don't have to unlock your bootloader.
You have to do one of the things:
1) Root.
2) Unlock the bootloader.
Rooting allows you to bypass security mechanisms from within the OS, and flash the custom recovery from there.
Unlocking the bootloader turns off the security mechanisms, and you can flash whatever you want directly from bootloader.
Both achieve the same thing, but in different ways.
Root privileges in OS are lost upon official upgrades.
Unlocked bootloader is never lost.
Unlocked bootloader allows for an easy way to gain root in the first place, regardless of the ROM.
How does an unlocked bootloader allow me to flash whatever ROM I want? ROM Manager won't run without root? Am I missing something? I've read the wiki's and threads about rooting an N1 and they all just seem to stop at unlocking the bootloader, well, my bootloader is unlocked but I can't get it to boot into CWM so that I can select another ROM. Is there another way to do this?
ROM Manager is only one, and not the most successful nor most powerful, way to flash ROMs or recovery. ROM Manager was made for non-understanding people to make the process look and feel easier. The most powerful way is directly from bootloader - which needs to be unlocked to allow it.
If you read all the threads, you'll see that unlocking the bootloader is just a first step - you can look carefully at "installing custom ROM" guide in Wiki. Or, for example, here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=636795
Read the Wiki, look for recovery installation instructions using unlocked bootloader, execute. I suggest Amon_Ra's.
Do you have to change the N1 RECOVERY to enable ROOT?
No.
You can root with superoneclick (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682) or unlock your bootloader and root it by hand (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=13446089)
Ferran
Excellent! Just what I wanted to hear!
C64c said:
Do you have to change the N1 RECOVERY to enable ROOT?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, it's the opposite: You have to root to change recovery, unless you unlocked bootloader.
Unless something has changed in the past few days, you DO need to change recovery to root. The only way to root stock GRJ22 is to flash SU.zip, and you can only do that with non-stock recovery.
GnatGoSplat said:
Unless something has changed in the past few days, you DO need to change recovery to root. The only way to root stock GRJ22 is to flash SU.zip, and you can only do that with non-stock recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, correct. But how are you going to flash a custom recovery without root?
As was said before, if you are on GRJ22, you only have two options to root:
1) unlock the bootloader, install a custom recovery and flash ChainsDD's Superuser update;
2) downgrade to Froyo by flashing one of the leaked Froyo shipped ROM (FRG33 or FRG83) via the bootloader, root that and update to Gingerbread the proper way...
I agree, you need root before you can flash a custom recovery.
Your option #2 is what I used. I downgraded to Froyo, then upgraded to 2.3.3, then rooted with Gingerbreak, installed custom recovery using clockworkmod app, and THEN upgraded to 2.3.4 with stock recovery folder removed which allows you to install SU.zip.
It's a few extra steps over unlocking the bootloader, but it doesn't take long and may be worth doing to not have to unlock the bootloader.
GnatGoSplat said:
I agree, you need root before you can flash a custom recovery.
Your option #2 is what I used. I downgraded to Froyo, then upgraded to 2.3.3, then rooted with Gingerbreak, installed custom recovery using clockworkmod app, and THEN upgraded to 2.3.4 with stock recovery folder removed which allows you to install SU.zip.
It's a few extra steps over unlocking the bootloader, but it doesn't take long and may be worth doing to not have to unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. Sounds good.
Or, you can just unlock your bootloader and never have to worry about losing root ever again... and besides, I haven't heard of any individual saying that HTC refused warranty service because of an unlocked bootloader...
My bootloader has been unlocked for months!
Dear all,
I have rooted my device which is running 4.3 (c5502) (build number: . 101) with towelroot. Now i need to install any custom ROM. I came to know that it requires to install recovery first before flash any ROM. I stuck there..Can you please guide me. I didn't unlock my bootloader yet but I had my TA backup with me.Thanks in advance guys.
whatever u need to know is already there. just search for it. if u expect to be spoonfed then you really shouldn't mess with your phone
The thing is, do we really need to unlock boot loader to flash custom roms, or can it be closed just with root and recovery?
No one tryed it till now I think.
Greetings.
Lemmi1 said:
The thing is, do we really need to unlock boot loader to flash custom roms, or can it be closed just with root and recovery?
No one tryed it till now I think.
Greetings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes for flashing custom Roms the bootloader must be unlocked and a recovery must be installed however if you want to flash a stock based Rom unlocked boot loader is not needed. Just Root and Recovery needed for flashing the stock based Roms. Correct me if i am wrong.
I converted docomo japanese so 02g to d5803 and now wants to unlock
bootloader for root?
any guide ?
You don't need to unlock the bootloader to root. There are several ways to do it, but what I did was:
- install dual recovery @ http://nut.xperia-files.com/html/xzdualrecovery-manual.html
(you might need to downgrade to stock 4.4.4 first @ https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=66275977&postcount=2030 )
- then you can either download or create a pre-rooted ROM, then install using custom recovery
Here's a list of stock ROMS if you want to create a pre-rooted ROM:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/general/list-stock-firmwares-d5803-d5833-t2906706
You only want to install 4.4.4 temporarily, to install a custom recovery, so it doesn't matter what language it is. And I would try installing Dual Recovery without downgrading first. It might work. I don't know.
It will work for any OFFICIAL ROM. If you want unofficial, you have to unlock the bootloader, which is a separate process. Never done it, but there are guides on these forums.