Help Best route to root DROID DNA?

[cosmicdust]

I am trying to retrieve the Wireless Network data from my Droid DNA and find it's not possible without rooting. There seems to be no way to transfer the Wireless network data directly to my new Galaxy S5. In reading I am discovering that the 4.4.2 update is not easy to root. Is that accurate? Is there a page or resource that might offer a good set of directions on how to root this device?

 

[Hadron]

You should find the information here. This thread would be a good place to start.

Read the first bit of the rooting guide thread (which you'll find in the thread linked above), since that tells you how to do it without using the official HTC bootloader unlock. That's important because the official bootloader unlock will wipe the phone, and hence erase the data you are wanting to copy.

 

[cosmicdust]

Thanks, Hadron. Unfortunately, it looks like (unless i am wrong) this guide requires me to be able to connect the phone to my PC. The last Verizon/HTC update removed this ability. Is there a way to root a phone without wiping it? Alternately...the "backup" on the phone SAYS it backs up to Google "WiFi passwords" - any idea how to restore those to another phone?

 

[Hadron]

There are very few root methods that don't require a computer, and those that there are only work on some devices. But are you sure that you can't run adb and fastboot? They are not the same as regular USB file access. If you are able to follow Scotty's instructions and run the Moonshine S-Off then install a recovery I'd think that you'd not wipe the phone - it's unlocking the bootloader the official way that does that (Step 1 of post 2 of the rooting guide, the one that Scotty tells you to skip in post 1).

If you are using the same Google account on both phones can you not synch the passwords back to the new phone? I don't use this option, so don't have any direct experience, but I'd have expected it to work.

I don't actually own a DNA (I'm a Brit, so no Verizon here), so if you want people with direct experience of the device to advise on rooting options we could move this thread to the device forum. I could ask one of the moderators, or you could do it yourself: just use the "report" button and ask if the thread can be moved to "DNA All Things Root", that will send the request to the moderator team.