HOWTO: Root without unlocking the Bootloader

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vinas1

Senior Member
Jan 29, 2011
226
69
Detroit
A lot of people have been asking, so here are my notes for gaining root w/o flashing or unlocking the boot loader. :good:



Thanks to Chromium and The Jack of Clubs for their initial concepts and documentation.

Download ADB and set up Tools
Download the full Android SDK here:
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html#download
(scroll to the bottom of the page -> DOWNLOAD FOR OTHER PLATFORMS -> SDK Tools Only)

Extract the android-sdk-windows zip to c:\android-sdk

Browse to C:\android-sdk\android-sdk-windows\

Double Click and run SDK Manager.exe

Uncheck everything except the Android SDK Tools and Android SDK Platform-tools

Hit the Install xx Packages button


Download Super SU and TWRP
Download the latest TWRP here:
http://techerrata.com/browse/twrp2/bacon

Extract the TWRP image file and save it as recovery.img in the following folder:
C:\android-sdk\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools

Download SuperSU here: http://download.chainfire.eu/452/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.02.zip

Plug your phone into your computer and Copy SU zip to the phone... (anywhere will work)


Get your Phone into Fastboot
Reboot the phone in fastboot mode (hold volume up + power). You should get a cyanogen guy smiling at you, this indicates the phone is in fastboot mode.

Open a command prompt and do:
cd C:\android-sdk\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools

Type:
fastboot devices

NOTE: You should receive a list of connected devices, this means your PC is connected to your phone. If not, something is wrong with ADB or your USB driver and you need to fix it before you can proceed!

Boot with TWRP and Flash
If “fastboot devices” worked without error, type this:
fastboot boot recovery.img

After the recovery.img transfers, your phone reboots into TWRP. Hit “Install” and choose the SuperSU.zip from the location on your phone that you saved it to earlier.


Once flashing is done, reboot and enjoy root. No re-imaging or unlocking your bootloader necessary.
 

playya

Senior Member
Jan 12, 2007
6,873
2,515
Florida
May I ad that there is an easier way to get adb. Its a program called minimal adb. This what I used originally in case someone prefers to just download that file. Just an option thats all... :good:

Nice tutorial
 
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    A lot of people have been asking, so here are my notes for gaining root w/o flashing or unlocking the boot loader. :good:



    Thanks to Chromium and The Jack of Clubs for their initial concepts and documentation.

    Download ADB and set up Tools
    Download the full Android SDK here:
    http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html#download
    (scroll to the bottom of the page -> DOWNLOAD FOR OTHER PLATFORMS -> SDK Tools Only)

    Extract the android-sdk-windows zip to c:\android-sdk

    Browse to C:\android-sdk\android-sdk-windows\

    Double Click and run SDK Manager.exe

    Uncheck everything except the Android SDK Tools and Android SDK Platform-tools

    Hit the Install xx Packages button


    Download Super SU and TWRP
    Download the latest TWRP here:
    http://techerrata.com/browse/twrp2/bacon

    Extract the TWRP image file and save it as recovery.img in the following folder:
    C:\android-sdk\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools

    Download SuperSU here: http://download.chainfire.eu/452/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.02.zip

    Plug your phone into your computer and Copy SU zip to the phone... (anywhere will work)


    Get your Phone into Fastboot
    Reboot the phone in fastboot mode (hold volume up + power). You should get a cyanogen guy smiling at you, this indicates the phone is in fastboot mode.

    Open a command prompt and do:
    cd C:\android-sdk\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools

    Type:
    fastboot devices

    NOTE: You should receive a list of connected devices, this means your PC is connected to your phone. If not, something is wrong with ADB or your USB driver and you need to fix it before you can proceed!

    Boot with TWRP and Flash
    If “fastboot devices” worked without error, type this:
    fastboot boot recovery.img

    After the recovery.img transfers, your phone reboots into TWRP. Hit “Install” and choose the SuperSU.zip from the location on your phone that you saved it to earlier.


    Once flashing is done, reboot and enjoy root. No re-imaging or unlocking your bootloader necessary.
    1
    May I ad that there is an easier way to get adb. Its a program called minimal adb. This what I used originally in case someone prefers to just download that file. Just an option thats all... :good:

    Nice tutorial