Related
Hi all.
Ok, I'm fairly confused as to how to go about rooting my transformer prime 9.4.2.21 tablet.
As I understand it, I should be able to unlock the tablet, then install a 'ROM' that is already rooted, which means..I can boot into the 'ROM' and have root access??
So, I set out and unlocked my tablet (I'm aware of the warranty repercussions). Done. Now I want to root the tablet so I can install Ubuntu or perhaps Debian on it...does anyone know how I go about this?
I'm SURE this has been asked, I just can't seem to find it...I'm also quite new to the mobile 'hacking' world, and I'm a bit confused about all the buzz words (i.e. 'flashing a ROM', etc)..
I appreciate any help!
Cheers
I am pretty sure the next step after unlocking it is installing CWM, then using that to install the ROM of your choice.
Anyone else want to chime in here?
A.) Unlock.
B.) Flash ROM (you may want to pick before unlock0.
C.) Enjoy.
Unless it says otherwise you can assume any ROM that isn't from the manufacture, is rooted. The development section has ROMs, unlock, and Ubuntu crap. I use Debian in a chroot rather than native, and forgo X11. You may have to search for some things.
Can you point out a thread on how to install CWM from an unrooted device? Been searching,, but every thread points to Viperboy's thread, which will not work on .21.
aawshads said:
Can you point out a thread on how to install CWM from an unrooted device? Been searching,, but every thread points to Viperboy's thread, which will not work on .21.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't install CWM if you haven't unlocked. Root doesn't have anything to do with unlocking.
I suggest using Viperboy's tool to unlock your device. Be careful to follow ALL the directions and you'll be just fine.
Now I want to root the tablet so I can install Ubuntu or perhaps Debian on it...does anyone know how I go about this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting and unlocking are different. If you are unlocked, research which ROM you'd like to install and follow the directions in that thread. Virtually every ROM thread has the directions listed. There's even a thread if you want to try Ubuntu, though it has limited functionality right now.
Personally, I like Jermaine's AOKP ROM. It is really fast and smooth.
That's all well and good, how do you install CWM after unlocking? All of the posts say to use viperboy's tool, but it is not available at this time, the link is dead.
On version 4.5 that I already have option 5 unlock says "MUST BE ROOTED!!"
Are you saying it works without root? Or will the Fastboot method here work?
ok mcliar, I found in another thread from you this:
EDIT: I fixed it! I was able to pull an .apk of OTA Voodoo Rootkeep from a previous Titanium Backup file. I installed the app, and it restored root for me! Its possible that I was already still rooted, but without the ability to d/l apps I couldn't do anything about it. Anyway, I'm back with a rooted .21!
I have a similar situation, lost wifi, did a factory reset, lost voodoo and now can't reroot. How did you pull the apk and install it on the prime?
aawshads said:
That's all well and good, how do you install CWM after unlocking? All of the posts say to use viperboy's tool, but it is not available at this time, the link is dead.
On version 4.5 that I already have option 5 unlock says "MUST BE ROOTED!!"
Are you saying it works without root? Or will the Fastboot method here work?
ok mcliar, I found in another thread from you this:
EDIT: I fixed it! I was able to pull an .apk of OTA Voodoo Rootkeep from a previous Titanium Backup file. I installed the app, and it restored root for me! Its possible that I was already still rooted, but without the ability to d/l apps I couldn't do anything about it. Anyway, I'm back with a rooted .21!
I have a similar situation, lost wifi, did a factory reset, lost voodoo and now can't reroot. How did you pull the apk and install it on the prime?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a backup apk from titanium backup. I'll attach the apk so you can see if it works for you.
Yes, Viperboy's tool will unlock and install CWM without root (EDIT: come to think of it, I was rooted when I ran this. You can follow this if it doesn't work for you--->). Alternatively, you can use the ASUS tool itself, and then follow this thread to install CWM.
seems like everything needs root...
Ok...
So, I need to 'Flash a ROM'...right. I'm looking in the development section, and the ones I'm looking at require CWM to be installed..but that (from what I can find) requires root to install...
There was a mention of ViperMOD. However, from what I can tell that program will install CWM after you root the device, which it can't for me, as I'm running .21.
I've also read several mentions about using Rom Manager. I installed the free version, and tried to install CWM that way, but it failed with 'An error occurred while attempting to run priviledged commands', presumable because I need to root the device first.
Soo...it really looks like I need to root the device before I can do anything. Is this incorrect? It seems like it is, but when I look into the suggestions listed here I seem to run into a brick wall because I need a rooted device...
I appreciate all the suggestions guys, I really want to get stuff working on my TFP. Any help is (as always!) appreciated.
Thanks
McLiarpants said:
I had a backup apk from titanium backup. I'll attach the apk so you can see if it works for you.
Yes, Viperboy's tool will unlock and install CWM without root (EDIT: come to think of it, I was rooted when I ran this. You can follow this if it doesn't work for you--->). Alternatively, you can use the ASUS tool itself, and then follow this thread to install CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oops sorry, I missed that CWM link...I'll check that out.
I have been researching all day, you will need to use fastboot in order to install cwm for the first time if you don't already have root. It will be what I use if I cannot get this titanium backup apk to work.
Mcliar, I appreciate you getting me the APK. I will let you know how it goes.
Could you post the backed up "su" for "OTA Voodoo Rootkeep" (i am guessing it stores the file in the application folder). I am wondering if it would be able to use this back to root the TF201
thanks
k
Hi there.
Actually i got my prime updated to Jeally Bean 4.1.1
Today i was used Asus Unlock Tool and it has been unlocked. My question is if can i go to get root access now ?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1929189
pooblej said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1929189
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you. i will try to do this but i am an amator
eS* said:
thank you. i will try to do this but i am an amator
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will have to have an unlocked bootloader which will void your warranty.
hx4700 Killer said:
You will have to have an unlocked bootloader which will void your warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I know it.
Does anyone can explain how to do this ?? or if there's possible to downgrade to ICS from JB ???? Im just starting play with android and tablet asus prime and i really need to root my tf201 as i updated to jeally bean 4.1.1 been stupid...
Thanks to everyones
Root TF201 after update to JB 4.1.1
eS* said:
Yes. I know it.
Does anyone can explain how to do this ?? or if there's possible to downgrade to ICS from JB ???? Im just starting play with android and tablet asus prime and i really need to root my tf201 as i updated to jeally bean 4.1.1 been stupid...
Thanks to everyones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is from my post to another person with the same problem. In addition to the steps here, you'll also need to find and download adb.exe, fastboot.exe, and associated files. It's not that hard, you can do it.
I lost root on my TF201 after flashing Craig Gomez's us-tf201-jro03c-10.4.2.15-stock-deodexed.zip ROM. In addition to losing root access, I still had Superuser installed, and it would not grant superuser permission to anything I was trying to use to fix the problem, such as Voodoo OTA Rootkeeper, GooManager, etc. Also, Superuser did not even have superuser permission, but could not be deleted in the File Manager. Another big problem is that I could not boot into recovery, and I could not downgrade to ICS.
After trying a number of possible solutions that I found on this and other sites, I discovered Urkel's Fresh Start 1.0.zip. Here's the post:
<http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=32677560>
If you are at a dead end, I highly recommend that you give this a try! Your bootloader needs to be unlocked, but I had already done that when I was still using ICS. I'm not sure if the unlock tool available on the Asus site will work with JB. All you have to do is download the Urkel's Fresh Start zip file to your computer, unzip it to the same folder on your computer where you have adb and fastboot, add the JB ROM that you want to use to that folder, and rename the ROM file to system.blob. You'll also need to install the drivers on your computer so that it can send data to your TF201. I used the drivers that are on the Microsoft site, but there is a link to some universal drivers in the post above. Connect the cable from your TF201 to a USB port on your computer, and after deciding which option you want to try, double click Fresh Root.bat or Fresh Start.bat. Fresh Start.bat will first install the TWRP 2.2.2.1 recovery (that's what recovery.blob is). It will then install whatever JB ROM you decided to use. I went with the 10.4.2.15 ROM that's now on the ASUS site. The Urkel batch file may then restore root access, but that didn't work for some reason in my case. I think my problem was not mounting \System. You can do this by booting into TWRP recovery that you now have, select the Mount button, and put an X in the top box. In my case it seems that the box becomes unchecked during reboot. I tried it several times and gave up, but there is another simple way to regain root access if you have made it this far. Download Superuser-3.2-arm-signed.zip and flash that using TWRP, and you will at long last have root access once again. I see that this file has already been mentioned in this thread, and it worked like a charm for me.
alexmojo said:
This is from my post to another person with the same problem. In addition to the steps here, you'll also need to find and download adb.exe, fastboot.exe, and associated files. It's not that hard, you can do it.
I lost root on my TF201 after flashing Craig Gomez's us-tf201-jro03c-10.4.2.15-stock-deodexed.zip ROM. In addition to losing root access, I still had Superuser installed, and it would not grant superuser permission to anything I was trying to use to fix the problem, such as Voodoo OTA Rootkeeper, GooManager, etc. Also, Superuser did not even have superuser permission, but could not be deleted in the File Manager. Another big problem is that I could not boot into recovery, and I could not downgrade to ICS.
After trying a number of possible solutions that I found on this and other sites, I discovered Urkel's Fresh Start 1.0.zip. Here's the post:
<http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=32677560>
If you are at a dead end, I highly recommend that you give this a try! Your bootloader needs to be unlocked, but I had already done that when I was still using ICS. I'm not sure if the unlock tool available on the Asus site will work with JB. All you have to do is download the Urkel's Fresh Start zip file to your computer, unzip it to the same folder on your computer where you have adb and fastboot, add the JB ROM that you want to use to that folder, and rename the ROM file to system.blob. You'll also need to install the drivers on your computer so that it can send data to your TF201. I used the drivers that are on the Microsoft site, but there is a link to some universal drivers in the post above. Connect the cable from your TF201 to a USB port on your computer, and after deciding which option you want to try, double click Fresh Root.bat or Fresh Start.bat. Fresh Start.bat will first install the TWRP 2.2.2.1 recovery (that's what recovery.blob is). It will then install whatever JB ROM you decided to use. I went with the 10.4.2.15 ROM that's now on the ASUS site. The Urkel batch file may then restore root access, but that didn't work for some reason in my case. I think my problem was not mounting \System. You can do this by booting into TWRP recovery that you now have, select the Mount button, and put an X in the top box. In my case it seems that the box becomes unchecked during reboot. I tried it several times and gave up, but there is another simple way to regain root access if you have made it this far. Download Superuser-3.2-arm-signed.zip and flash that using TWRP, and you will at long last have root access once again. I see that this file has already been mentioned in this thread, and it worked like a charm for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you alot. it works for me but i flashed using TWRP not by Superuser-3.2-arm-signed.zip but by Superuser-3.1.3-arm-signed.zip and today i gone get the root access
Questions Tf201 4.1.1
pooblej said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1929189
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello all. I'm about to try rooting my TF201 JB 4.1.1 and was hoping to ask a few questions about the method from the link quoted above. I couldn't ask them there because it's my first time on xda-developers.
1) I don't know which JB update to get from the ASUS website, if its supposed to be the newest firmware from my region, or the earlier firmware which actually updated the OS to Jelly Bean?
2) Are the Urkel's software, the JB update from the ASUS website, and the drivers all that is needed as far as downloads go that will be needed for root? (Have already unlocked the bootloader)
Thank you for any help.
This was fantastic! Unlocking is a breeze, and your follow up on flashing Super User manually saved my day.
I wonder if its possible to flash a custom Rom, mod it the way you want and than "unroot" (don't have root access in android) it. recovery is ok.
I just don't want any app get root access.
is it maybe just to uninstall SuperUser app?
Thanks for your Help.
You can do as you say root flash custom rom remove root .
jje
JJEgan said:
You can do as you say root flash custom rom remove root .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, i need to do this too because my company requires MobileIron to access email and it checks for root. How exactly do you remove root after installing the custom rom? Do I just uninstall Superuser? I found a thread from another phone that said you could just rename the following to files:
/system/app/superuser
/system/bin/su
It said to append .bak to the end which I guess allows restoring it later if needed. Will this work, particularly with MobileIron? Thanks.
MIUI or CM roms?
Maybe trying to stop the service that's checking for root will be a better idea...
You can still use MIUI or CM based roms, there is an option to turn off root access.
if you use super user, just open the app. There is a button to remove root
files...
Files...
I am trying to accomplish the same thing with MobileIron. Has anybody tested this by removing root manually after flashing a custom rom?
xeni said:
I am trying to accomplish the same thing with MobileIron. Has anybody tested this by removing root manually after flashing a custom rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed ARHD 21. Came from pure stock. After mucking around with what I needed for root, like changing the camera shutter sound to make it silent, I then did the unroot in SuperSU's settings. Rebooted then went into MI and was able to connect to company email. FYI, I tried to connect to company email before doing the unroot and I couldn't connect. I'm hoping ARHD will give me better battery life than stock. I also installed the 23 toggles theme before unrooting but I'm not sure if you have to do it before unrooting but I figured might as well. Hope it works for you.
Oh, if your company requires encryption like mine does, if you use ARHD the encryption unlock screen when you first boot is all in Polish. You just type in your pin or password but it's a little annoying. Everything else from what I can tell on ARHD can be changed to English once you select the language. If you figure out how to change the Polish from the unlock screen, let me know. Thanks.
I found this online
Zirus69 said:
I wonder if its possible to flash a custom Rom, mod it the way you want and than "unroot" (don't have root access in android) it. recovery is ok.
I just don't want any app get root access.
is it maybe just to uninstall SuperUser app?
Thanks for your Help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... I was searching once about a topic similar to this one and I found that you can unroot manually by deleting the following files (if found (all of them)):
/system/bin/busybox,
/system/xbin/busybox,
/system/bin/su,
/system/xbin/su,
/system/app/superuser
Then reboot and you should have unrooted your phone!
I haven't tried this yet!! But anyway here's the source:
androidtipsz/two-simple-methods-to-unroot-any-rooted-android-device. It's dot com but I can't put links
Hope this helps! I know it may be frustrating! Good luck!
For those with MobileIron.
Read up and install xposed, then read up and install rootcloak.
I once had a rooted tf201 when in v.10.4.2.15
after upgrading to v.10.4.2.17 by manual, it seems that I totally lost my root (not partial)
I tried wolf's method that downgrade to ICS to regain my root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622628
when I use method2
Code:
mv /data/local/tmp /data/local/tmp.bak
I always get "permission denied"
is there any way to root my tf201
Simple answer : NO
Long answer: If you would have searched the forum, you would have seen numerous thread in regards to rooting Jelly Bean. No methods is succesful for TF201 with a locked bootloader. If you are ready to unlock your prime. TWRP method has been found succesful.
urself25 said:
Simple answer : NO
Long answer: If you would have searched the forum, you would have seen numerous thread in regards to rooting Jelly Bean. No methods is succesful for TF201 with a locked bootloader. If you are ready to unlock your prime. TWRP method has been found succesful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about one that is unlocked? Mine remains unlocked after going to 10.4.2.17 but root is gone, gone, gone. I also tried flashing Superuser-3.2-arm-signed.zip after re-flashing the ROM (which worked fine going to 10.4.2.15 from ICS) but no go. The SuperUser app doesn't get installed either.
Come to think of it the JB bootloader is unlocked to begin with. What other rooting methods are there? If they've made this thing unrootable I'm kicking it to the street for the sheer joy of seeing it crushed. No more ASUS anything, ever. They really don't need to be pissing anyone off right now.
Oh, the 10.4.2.17 flash also took out TWRP but you can flash that back with fastboot.
Install TWRP, then you can use that to flash root and a superuser control app (via the "install" option in it).
Rydian said:
Install TWRP, then you can use that to flash root and a superuser control app (via the "install" option in it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, TWRP is what I use. I tried flashing Superuser-3.2-arm-signed.zip immediately after flashing 10.4.2.17 to no avail. It did work, though, when I previously flashed 10.4.2.15. Is there another root/superuser .zip I might try?
I wonder if I can just re-flash 10.4.2.15 and superuser over 10.4.2.17. There doesn't seem to be much in 10.4.2.17 other than denying root.
I've just got my hands on a Prime, and it has JB on it. Meaning, TWRP, in SOME CASES, work to unlock the bootloader, which is needed to root.
Am I right at this one? Because Samsung phones has it a LOT easier...
HKboy92 said:
I've just got my hands on a Prime, and it has JB on it. Meaning, TWRP, in SOME CASES, work to unlock the bootloader, which is needed to root.
Am I right at this one? Because Samsung phones has it a LOT easier...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it has TWRP that implies that it is already unlocked. When you power up what does it say in the upper left corner of the display? If any event here is a good set of instructions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2038464
If you are already unlocked with TWRP, just skip down to where is says "Super SU:" download it, skip again down to where it says "Install Super SU:" and go from there.
DonGateley said:
If it has TWRP that implies that it is already unlocked. When you power up what does it say in the upper left corner of the display? If any event here is a good set of instructions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2038464
If you are already unlocked with TWRP, just skip down to where is says "Super SU:" download it, skip again down to where it says "Install Super SU:" and go from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, doesn't. Just the Asus message with the Tegra in the bottomright. I was asking if it was the only option, which doesn't have an 100% guarantee rate. I'm pretty happy with stock though. Built-in backup manager, all I need
Let me start off by saying I'm a total noob. I have rooted my device before, but that was so long ago I forgot everything. Anyway I don't remember how my tablet got this way because I haven't used it in a while, but I have superuser installed yet I have no root access. I opened up the Voodoo Rootkeeper and it says super user app is installed, device is rooted, but root permission hasn't been granted.
So I tried to root again on top of it hoping it would work but now I just have another superuser app. Somebody please help me get root access.
Transformer Prime TF201
Android Version 4.1.1
Build number 10.4.2.18
tbw1116 said:
Let me start off by saying I'm a total noob. I have rooted my device before, but that was so long ago I forgot everything. Anyway I don't remember how my tablet got this way because I haven't used it in a while, but I have superuser installed yet I have no root access. I opened up the Voodoo Rootkeeper and it says super user app is installed, device is rooted, but root permission hasn't been granted.
So I tried to root again on top of it hoping it would work but now I just have another superuser app. Somebody please help me get root access.
Transformer Prime TF201
Android Version 4.1.1
Build number 10.4.2.18
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use motochopper to root it properly.
sbdags said:
Use motochopper to root it properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what I used this last time when I tried to root it. It installed the second superuser app and when I opened it, it said that I needed to update binary or something like that. But I still had no root access after using motochopper.
tbw1116 said:
Thats what I used this last time when I tried to root it. It installed the second superuser app and when I opened it, it said that I needed to update binary or something like that. But I still had no root access after using motochopper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same issue after the last OTA. Root was lost and OTA rootkeeper didn't work.
This worked for me: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2038464
After successfully unlocking and installing TWRP and root, I went on to install this (but you can stop here if you don't want a different ROM): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1674827
I'm delighted by this ROM. Much better than stock.
ascallop said:
I had the same issue after the last OTA. Root was lost and OTA rootkeeper didn't work.
This worked for me: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2038464
After successfully unlocking and installing TWRP and root, I went on to install this (but you can stop here if you don't want a different ROM): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1674827
I'm delighted by this ROM. Much better than stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont want to unlock the bootloader though. Have any suggestions of how to root without unlocking?
tbw1116 said:
I dont want to unlock the bootloader though. Have any suggestions of how to root without unlocking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did a lot of searching, and tried several methods, but I couldn't find a solution which worked. Is your Prime still under warranty? If not, there's no reason not to unlock.
ascallop said:
I did a lot of searching, and tried several methods, but I couldn't find a solution which worked. Is your Prime still under warranty? If not, there's no reason not to unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No its not. I just have no reason to unlock. I dont care about custom ROMs and I would like to be able to return it to stock if I want to later.