Hi
Sorry for the dumb question, I dont want to root my phone (the Barclays app, I know it can be worked around) but do want to play with ROMS. All the instructions I've read say to root the phone, but do I have to to be able to put new ROMs on. Thanks a lot in advance.
Yes you obviously need to be rooted to unlock your bootloader, to flash a recovery and to flash ROMs
Sent from my LG-P880 using xda premium
If you want to install Stock custom Roms like MagicRom you will need only root
but if you want to instal a Custom Rom like cyanogen-mod, miui you will need root and unlocked bootloader
Allex42HD said:
If you want to install Stock custom Roms like MagicRom you will need only root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's true only if the rom doesn't have a custom kernel and most roms do. If the kernel changes, you need to unlock the bootloader. Also, you can't flash a custom recovery without unlocked bootloader.
Related
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.
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.
I just got a W8 with a battery date of 11W51. So I can no safely unlock the bootloader without paying someone, something I do not want to do. I read the development forum and was about to root and install xRecovery. Now I would like to install a custom ROM. Am I able to do that without an unlocked bootloader?
Yes.
You may install a custom rom without unlocking bootloader.(only those one which require stock kernel).
dagger said:
Yes.
You may install a custom rom without unlocking bootloader.(only those one which require stock kernel).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there anyway to be sure a custom ROM requires stock kernel if it doesn't say so on the title or the thread?
See here,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1763389
Sent from my MANGO
@OP's second question
It is usually mentioned in the title. However if it's not, then you can read the thread to find out. The search feature helps you there.
As subject line states, I'm thinking about getting an htc one but I have a concern. I swore off htc devices b/c they can be such a ***** to open up for custom roms. For example, when I had the htc evo 4g (2012 flagship) I had to root, then install custom recovery, then obtain s-off. I'm just wondering if this device is the same. Is all u need root, then custom recovery? Or, do u need s-off too? If so, is it easy to do? If anyone could link me to a tutorial I'd be most appreciative.
Thanks!
you have to unlock your bootloader first then you can install a custom recovery and root. you dont need to S-off to get the basics
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2244060
cloppy said:
you have to unlock your bootloader first then you can install a custom recovery and root. you dont need to S-off to get the basics
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2244060
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do u mean by basics? Can I flash ANY custom rom, radios, kernels, etc? Thanks for your help.
yes most roms and kernels are flash-able with a custom recovery like TWRP - S-off i think is only for modifying things like the bootloader. i just unlocked and installed TWRP and am running CM-10.2 nightlies just fine.
radios are here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2406330
pathtologos said:
What do u mean by basics? Can I flash ANY custom rom, radios, kernels, etc? Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know what your skillset is but PLEASE don't flash any ROM, radio or kernel that is not specifically built for the Sprint HTC ONE (M7SPR or M7WLS). Other than that, you should be good to go with a root and recovery.
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.