[International / GSM] Checking things before rooting

[Winfried]

Hello

I currently run the stock Android 4.2.1 (JOP40D.I9250XWMA2) unrooted, but there's an application I'd like to use that must run as root.

I started reading "How to Root Your Android Device & Why You Might Want To", which uses the SuperOneClick utility that offers USB drivers and a utility to root the phone.

As the official site doesn't point to a valid link ("This file does not exist, the access to the following file is limited or it has been removed due to infringement of copyright"), the application is also available from www.superoneclickdownload.com, which says the following:

Make sure you DO NOT mount your SD card. [...] Remove the Memory Card before Rooting your mobile

So I have a couple of questions for people who have successfully rooted their Galaxy Nexus with stock Android:

1. Does the Nexus actually have an SD/Memory card, and if yes, how do I remove it?
2. Is www.superoneclickdownload.com a reliable source for the application, ie. virus-free?
3. Is SuperOneClick still the recommended way to root the Nexus, or is there a better tool?

Thank you.

 

[Winfried]

Like others, SuperOneClick is stuck at "Shell rooting device: Step #5".

Next, I tried the "GNEX TOOLKIT V11.1.0". It looks like rooting a device first requires unlocking the bootloader, which wipes out the whole contents of the phone.

So a full backup is required (Option 2 "Backup/Restore your Device"), although there are quite a few options to do so:

1. Backup ALL installed apps [-all]
2. Backup Individual Packages [a single app] ONLY

3. Backup your Internal Storage [virtual SD Card]

4. CWM NANDROID Backup [boot, cache, data, recovery, system]
5. TWRP NANDROID Backup [boot, cache, data, recovery, system] [coming soon]

6. Pull /data folder [excluding /data/media] ONLY to your PC
7. Pull /system folder ONLY to your PC

8. Backup your EFS Partition [Recommended]
9. Backup Radio image [GSM ONLY] from Device to PC

10. Dump selected Device Partitions to PC

 

[Tim K]

Most people swear by Wug's toolkit. Its a simple all-in-one package to unlock and root.

The Gnex doesn't have an SD Card, rather it just has an "SD Card partition" of the device's built in storage.

Yes, it will wipe the entire phone when you unlock it....so backup everything. Google will backup your phone settings and apps, but you need to backup any sort of pictures, videos, etc. I don't think Google will save your call logs or SMS messages, so you may want to back those up as well. I believe the toolkit offers to make a backup for you but I am not sure.

Nexus Root Toolkit v1.7.2 | WugFresh

 

[Winfried]

Thanks Tim. I've never backed up my stuff besides syncing the relevant infos with Outlook.

I'll check Wug's Toolkit before going ahead.

 

[Winfried]

One more thing: After rooting, but keeping the stock Android OS (ie. not reflashing the OS with CyanogeMod), will I still be able to download applications from Google Play?

 

[Tim K]

Yes, rooted stock will be exactly the same as stock. You'll just have more options as far as features and app functions. You'll still have access to the play store and all the other google apps and services. The only thing that will change is when updates come out, one of two things will happen....

either...

A) When you update you will lose root (there are ways to maintain root through an update - usually - or you can usually re-root after the update.

or

B) The update will fail to install. In this case, you usually have to re-install the stock recovery (instead of TWRP or Clockwork) and then update.

 

[Winfried]

Thanks for the info. After learning how to backup/restore apps and data and rooting the Nexus, I might move to CyanogenMod anyway.

 

[axlu]

Like others, SuperOneClick is stuck at "Shell rooting device: Step #5".

Next, I tried the "GNEX TOOLKIT V11.1.0". It looks like rooting a device first requires unlocking the bootloader, which wipes out the whole contents of the phone.

So a full backup is required (Option 2 "Backup/Restore your Device"), although there are quite a few options to do so:

Hi,
Where can I download GNEX Toolkit v11.1.0. The link in your reply points to a site where the download link has been removed:-((
Axlu