How to root your HTC One X (for Windows, Mac and Linux)

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paulobrien

Senior Member
Nov 6, 2003
5,276
7,321
Norwich
www.MoDaCo.com
In order to root devices with unlocked bootloaders, I normally post a 'superboot' image. However, at the time of writing, the HTC One X (Tegra3) has an issue with it's bootloader whereby it is unable to 'fastboot boot' images, so this is not possible. The superboot is posted below for when this is resolved, however for now I have also included an alternate method.

I am currently working directly with HTCDev to solve the 'fastboot boot' issue.

Your bootloader must be unlocked via htcdev.com to use these solutions.

EASIEST ROOT METHOD - 'RECOVERY + SUPERSU'

The easiest way to get root is now to install the official ClockworkMod release and then flash the latest SuperSU zip file. This approach is highly recommended (I also recommend running a backup as soon as you've flashed clockworkmod!)

ALTERNATE ROOT METHOD - 'INSECURE BOOT AND ROOT'

This zip file contains an insecure boot image to flash to your device and a script which will then push the root (SuperSU) files to your device. This is only tested on 1.27.401.2 / 1.27.401.7. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Download

How to use InsecureBootAndRoot - Windows, Linux and OSX

- Download the InsecureBootAndRoot zip file above and extract to a directory
- Put your device in bootloader mode - Turn off the phone then turn on with the 'volume down' button pressed to enter the bootloader, then press the power button again to enter fastboot.
- WINDOWS - double click 'install-insecure-windows.bat'
- MAC - Open a terminal window to the directory containing the files, and type 'chmod +x install-insecure-mac.sh' followed by './install-insecure-mac.sh'
- LINUX - Open a terminal window to the directory containing the files, and type 'chmod +x install-insecure-linux.sh' followed by './install-insecure-linux.sh'

The device will now flash the new boot image and reboot. Keep the device attached to USB and when it has rebooted, ensure USB debugging is enabled - the SuperSU files will then be installed.

CONVENTIONAL ROOT METHOD - 'SUPERBOOT' (currently not functioning on shippping devices).

Superboot is a boot.img that when booted, will root your device the first time you boot (installing su and the superuser APK). No need to flash any partitions, no need to mess around with ADB, no messing with the contents of your data partition, no overwriting the shipped ROM on your device, just boot the boot image using the instructions below and you're done!

Download

The superboot image is also 'insecure', allowing you to use 'adb remount' as well as having full ADB root access to your device until such time as you reboot after running this process (it's a non permanent ADB root as it's a 'fastboot boot' and not a 'fastboot flash' but it IS a permanent root in all other regards!).

How to use Superboot - Windows, Linux and OSX

- Download the Superboot zip file above and extract to a directory
- Put your device in bootloader mode - Turn off the phone then turn on with the 'volume down' button pressed to enter the bootloader, then press the power button again to enter fastboot.
- WINDOWS - double click 'install-superboot-windows.bat'
- MAC - Open a terminal window to the directory containing the files, and type 'chmod +x install-superboot-mac.sh' followed by './install-superboot-mac.sh'
- LINUX - Open a terminal window to the directory containing the files, and type 'chmod +x install-superboot-linux.sh' followed by './install-superboot-linux.sh'

P


PS If you find this useful, details on how to donate if you wish to do so are in the topic at MoDaCo.
 
Last edited:

torxx

Senior Member
Mar 20, 2011
8,075
21,600
trickdroid.org
Hey Paul,

is there any chance to root the phone without unlocking the bootloader/S-OFF.
I know that the .img can be only flashed with S-OFF but it would be cool if you would be able to root the phone without using this way.
 

Audioboxer

Senior Member
Aug 24, 2010
3,040
672
Any downsides to using the 'insecure' method? Hoping by the time I get my phone there may be a fix for the usual method anyway.
 

paulobrien

Senior Member
Nov 6, 2003
5,276
7,321
Norwich
www.MoDaCo.com
Thanks for your quick response. Do you know if there is a way to unlock them?
Not yet that i'm aware of.

Hey Paul,

is there any chance to root the phone without unlocking the bootloader/S-OFF.
I know that the .img can be only flashed with S-OFF but it would be cool if you would be able to root the phone without using this way.
This will come in time, but it's not an option yet.

Any downsides to using the 'insecure' method? Hoping by the time I get my phone there may be a fix for the usual method anyway.
The only downside is the flash of the boot image overwrites your stock one, although you could in theory flash stock back after rooting (if you can source it for your ROM version).

P
 
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adnan.makarevic

Senior Member
Nov 9, 2009
472
82
44
Nothing Phone 2
hi paul,

many thanks for your work and your efforts with htcdev!!

could you give me the exact command line for adb-windows how to save the current boot.img before i flash the unsecure image?

thanks again!

In order to root devices with unlocked bootloaders, I normally post a 'superboot' image. However, at the time of writing, the HTC One X (Tegra3) has an issue with it's bootloader whereby it is unable to 'fastboot boot' images, so this is not possible. The superboot is posted below for when this is resolved, however for now I have also included an alternate method.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hanbjo

nowy57

Senior Member
Nov 3, 2007
1,055
674
Poland
i confirmed first solution is working !
I have root acces and mike 1986 ROM onboard
I did s-on by htc dev site
 

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  • 146
    In order to root devices with unlocked bootloaders, I normally post a 'superboot' image. However, at the time of writing, the HTC One X (Tegra3) has an issue with it's bootloader whereby it is unable to 'fastboot boot' images, so this is not possible. The superboot is posted below for when this is resolved, however for now I have also included an alternate method.

    I am currently working directly with HTCDev to solve the 'fastboot boot' issue.

    Your bootloader must be unlocked via htcdev.com to use these solutions.

    EASIEST ROOT METHOD - 'RECOVERY + SUPERSU'

    The easiest way to get root is now to install the official ClockworkMod release and then flash the latest SuperSU zip file. This approach is highly recommended (I also recommend running a backup as soon as you've flashed clockworkmod!)

    ALTERNATE ROOT METHOD - 'INSECURE BOOT AND ROOT'

    This zip file contains an insecure boot image to flash to your device and a script which will then push the root (SuperSU) files to your device. This is only tested on 1.27.401.2 / 1.27.401.7. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

    Download

    How to use InsecureBootAndRoot - Windows, Linux and OSX

    - Download the InsecureBootAndRoot zip file above and extract to a directory
    - Put your device in bootloader mode - Turn off the phone then turn on with the 'volume down' button pressed to enter the bootloader, then press the power button again to enter fastboot.
    - WINDOWS - double click 'install-insecure-windows.bat'
    - MAC - Open a terminal window to the directory containing the files, and type 'chmod +x install-insecure-mac.sh' followed by './install-insecure-mac.sh'
    - LINUX - Open a terminal window to the directory containing the files, and type 'chmod +x install-insecure-linux.sh' followed by './install-insecure-linux.sh'

    The device will now flash the new boot image and reboot. Keep the device attached to USB and when it has rebooted, ensure USB debugging is enabled - the SuperSU files will then be installed.

    CONVENTIONAL ROOT METHOD - 'SUPERBOOT' (currently not functioning on shippping devices).

    Superboot is a boot.img that when booted, will root your device the first time you boot (installing su and the superuser APK). No need to flash any partitions, no need to mess around with ADB, no messing with the contents of your data partition, no overwriting the shipped ROM on your device, just boot the boot image using the instructions below and you're done!

    Download

    The superboot image is also 'insecure', allowing you to use 'adb remount' as well as having full ADB root access to your device until such time as you reboot after running this process (it's a non permanent ADB root as it's a 'fastboot boot' and not a 'fastboot flash' but it IS a permanent root in all other regards!).

    How to use Superboot - Windows, Linux and OSX

    - Download the Superboot zip file above and extract to a directory
    - Put your device in bootloader mode - Turn off the phone then turn on with the 'volume down' button pressed to enter the bootloader, then press the power button again to enter fastboot.
    - WINDOWS - double click 'install-superboot-windows.bat'
    - MAC - Open a terminal window to the directory containing the files, and type 'chmod +x install-superboot-mac.sh' followed by './install-superboot-mac.sh'
    - LINUX - Open a terminal window to the directory containing the files, and type 'chmod +x install-superboot-linux.sh' followed by './install-superboot-linux.sh'

    P


    PS If you find this useful, details on how to donate if you wish to do so are in the topic at MoDaCo.
    13
    Paul:

    I saw you released a Recovery for the One S.

    Now when is One X' turn?
    In about 2 minutes. ;)

    P
    9
    Correct.

    I am working with HTCDev to solve the 'fastboot boot' issue.

    P
    5
    Hey Paul, as far as I know, it's possible to flash boot.img via fastboot with htcdev.com unlocked One X :) http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=24341330&postcount=204
    3
    It will not.

    P