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Root Motorola Droid Bionic - All Things Root Guide

tehsusenoh

tehsusenoh

Android Expert
Neither I, nor any other member of AF, take any responsibility for anything you do to your device.

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Table of Contents:

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Before you do anything in this thread you will need to install the drivers for your Bionic:
  • 1. Download Moto Helper
  • 2. Run the motohelper and let it install the drivers for your Bionic
  • 3. Before you do any step plug your Bionic in and allow the drivers to install before continuing
If you just want to install the drivers. Motorola USB drivers v5.9.0 Thank you Johngalt

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All Things JB
As of 5/7/2013 bionic bootstrap does not work with 98.72.22. It will cause an encryption error and put you in a boot loop. You can use safestrap with 98.72.22 to create your back ups and flash zips.

If you do flash bootstrap and end up in a boot loop you must flash the 98.72.22 fxz and re-root.


How to root your JB Bionic 4.1.2:
Easy root for Bionic running stock Jellybean

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Return to stock JB (Jellybean) 98.72.22
Can be used if you are on GingerBread, ICS or JB
How to flash JB 98.72.22 with RSDLite

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All Things ICS
How to root your ICS Bionic 4.0.1:
  • 1. Download RazrRoot_ICS and unzip
  • 2. Plug your phone into your PC
  • 3. Enable USB debugging under settings-developer-options
  • 4. Set your phone to media (MTP) mode
  • 5. Go to where you unzipped and click the run.bat file and let it go.
Step by step with pictures Pictorial Step by Step

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Return to stock ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich) 6.7.246
Can be used if you are on GingerBread or ICS
How to flash GB or ICS with RSDLite

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All Things GB
How to root your Ginger Bread Bionic 2.2.?:
  • 1. Download Motofail_GB and unzip
  • 2. Plug your phone into your PC
  • 3. Enable USB debugging under settings-apps-development
  • 4. Set your phone to charge only mode
  • 5. Go to where you unzipped and click the run.bat file and let it go.

Step by step with pictures Pictorial Step by Step

For a Mac instructions see doogald post here

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Return to stock GB (Gingerbread) 5.9.905
Can ONLY be used if you are on GingerBread
How to flash GB or ICS with RSDLite
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Recoveries Backup and Restore
Safestrap:

Safestrap 3.11 app

Follow the steps outlined by the developer of safestrap Hash-of-Codes here

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Bootstrap Guide:

As of 5/7/2013 bionic bootstrap does not work with 98.72.22. It will cause an encryption error and put you in a boot loop. You can use safestrap with 98.72.22 to create your back ups and flash zips.

If you do flash bootstrap and end up in a boot loop you must flash the 98.72.22 fxz and re-root.

A quick note before we get started.

The bootstrap IS NOT to unbrick your Bionic. If you have boot loops, freezing problems, etc, use the restore guide above, then use the bootstrap to get back into CWR and restore your nandroid backup.

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List of files you are going to need:
  • For the latest version of the bootstrap, you need to get this from the market. It's only $3. HOWEVER, if you really aren't feeling nice enough to support our developers, you can download direct. :(
    And that's it!

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    1. Install the Bionic Bootstrap to your phone
    2. Run the app
    3. You'll get this screen:
      r1YEa.jpg

    4. Press the top button entitled "Bootstrap Recovery"
    5. You will get the "Success!" message
    6. Press the bottom button entitled "Reboot Recovery"
    7. Your phone will reboot into CWR.

    From now on, you only need to push the "Reboot Recovery" to get into the menu. However, if you flash a ROM or restore, you must repeat these steps to restore recovery.

    Make sure that when flashing anything, the ZIP file is located on /sdcard-ext, and not anywhere else. You don't want to format /system only to find that you don't have a zip to flash.


  • ---------------------------------------

    CWR Nandroid Backup/Restore Guide:

    What you are going to need:

    • A Rooted Bionic (Scroll up for that guide)
    • The Bootstrap APK

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    How to Backup your Bionic:

    1. Launch the recovery menu via BootStrap or SafeStrap App
    2. Touch backup and restore
    3. Touch Backup

    Your backup will be saved to your SD card under the name:
    Code: 
    YYYY-MM-DD.HH.MM.SS

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    How to Restore your Bionic:

    1. Launch the recovery menu via BootStrap or SafeStrap App
    2. Touch backup and restore
    3. Touch Restore
    4. Select the backup you'd like to restore
    5. Wait!

    Your Bionic should now be restored to the state of the backup.
 
My brother was trying to root his Bionic, and after freezing certain apps with Titanium, the screen turned black. Now when he turns it on, it gets stuck on the Motoblur logo (red eye w/ white).

Can this method be used to "fix" the Bionic? If not, does anyone have any suggestions or do I have to buy a new one? =(
 
Droid Commando said:
What's difference between this and a regular SBF? The process for recovery looks the same
Click to expand...

They're pretty much the same. Just a different encoding, file structure, etc. It's all in XML (which is cool cause I can open up the file and read it!).

Chahsewbow said:
My brother was trying to root his Bionic, and after freezing certain apps with Titanium, the screen turned black. Now when he turns it on, it gets stuck on the Motoblur logo (red eye w/ white).

Can this method be used to "fix" the Bionic? If not, does anyone have any suggestions or do I have to buy a new one? =(
Click to expand...

It should. However, let it be noted: I have not done this personally. I can not be liable for anything that happens.

But... I'd say go for it. That's better than having a brick, which is what you have.
 
tehsusenoh said:
... And by FXZ style, I mean like an SBF.

Before I go onto the guide, I want to clarify some things. Motorola, as of the Droid 3, IS NOT USING SBF FILES.

Motorola is now using "Fastboot XML Zip," or, for short, an FXZ. Catchy, no?

Also:

I take no responsibility for anything you do to your device.

And now for the guide.

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Here is a list of files you are going to need:


You also need to:

  • Have a WINDOWS PC (Sorry!)
  • Charge your Bionic all the way
  • Back up your data (SD card or Titanium for rooted users)

Now that the prerequisites are over with...

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  1. Install the Motorola Drivers - Make sure you install the correct ones.
  2. Install RSD Lite 5.5
  3. Plug your Bionic into the back of the computer. Do not use the front ports.
  4. Open up RSD Lite
  5. Hit the ". . ." button, located next to the "Filename" box
  6. Browse for and select the FXZ file
  7. Wait for the program to finish reading the file
  8. Press the "Uncompress and Start Flashing" button
  9. Once flashing is complete, the Bionic will restart into recovery, and flash a few more radio images.
  10. All done! Your Bionic is now back to its original state.

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Once again:

I take no responsibility for anything you do to your device.

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I have compiled these instructions from these sources:

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On a side note, I would like to ask the admins or mods to sticky this so that it can be at the top, not because I want publicity, but this information needs to be available. Feel free to delete this section once/if it's stickied.
Click to expand...

Some words of advice:

1) I have the same links in my signature, and I will be posting the FXZ file shortly (DLing now). All of them are from my paid Mediafire account, so they will DL fast, and I can keep statistics on how much and when etc.

2) As for plugging into the back of the computer versus the front, well, I have a powered USB hub that works just great for all things synchronizing and such - always a good alternative to just relying on motherboard power. If anyone has a powered USB hub they can use that - of course, it will still need connecting to the computer, and the best place to do it is still the USB ports on the back of the computers, but not necessary, as the hub has it's own, independent power source.

3) For Windows Vista / 7 users, and particularly for those on x64 versions, I recommend that you run RSDLite with administrative privileges. it's not necessary, but some users have reported better results when going that route as opposed to running it normally.

4) BE ABSOLUTELY SURE THE PROCESS HAS COMPLETED BEFORE YOU DISCONNECT THE CABLE. This is one surefire way to screw the phone up - incompletely flashing the phone. Unless otherwise stated, we have to assume this is so - unless anyone wants to donate a $600 device to me for testing? :p
 
johnlgalt said:
Some words of advice:

1) I have the same links in my signature, and I will be posting the FXZ file shortly (DLing now). All of them are from my paid Mediafire account, so they will DL fast, and I can keep statistics on how much and when etc.

2) As for plugging into the back of the computer versus the front, well, I have a powered USB hub that works just great for all things synchronizing and such - always a good alternative to just relying on motherboard power. If anyone has a powered USB hub they can use that - of course, it will still need connecting to the computer, and the best place to do it is still the USB ports on the back of the computers, but not necessary, as the hub has it's own, independent power source.

3) For Windows Vista / 7 users, and particularly for those on x64 versions, I recommend that you run RSDLite with administrative privileges. it's not necessary, but some users have reported better results when going that route as opposed to running it normally.

4) BE ABSOLUTELY SURE THE PROCESS HAS COMPLETED BEFORE YOU DISCONNECT THE CABLE. This is one surefire way to screw the phone up - incompletely flashing the phone. Unless otherwise stated, we have to assume this is so - unless anyone wants to donate a $600 device to me for testing? :p
Click to expand...

+1 for this.

I'll see if I can add some of this stuff to the main post, but make sure you have all of the links in your siggy so I can nab them!
 
The links are all updated except for the FXZ file, which is still uploading. As soon as it is done, I'll add the link. And it sucks that I have a 1000 char limit on the siggy, since that includes BBCode I'm stuck only giving out the latest links, and not any previous ones...

I need to sit down this weekend and make my Gogole Page with all the links...
 
Has anyone tested this yet to see if it will rescue bricked phones that were the result of a bad root job or improper freezing/uninstalling of bloat?
 
ChiefIlliniwek5 said:
Has anyone tested this yet to see if it will rescue bricked phones that were the result of a bad root job or improper freezing/uninstalling of bloat?
Click to expand...

Nobody I know has actually tested it, but that is one of the many uses.

If you have that problem, you can use the guide.
 
I downloaded the full 685 MB one, but it came out to 684 MB for me. I'm normally not this paranoid, but I was wondering if anyone could confirm that their's also came out to that size or if they could post their md5sum? I just don't want a file or two to be missing that could be crucial.

Mine is: 96e10ae9b00b696e8efed0e076632a53
 
KidFlash said:
I downloaded the full 685 MB one, but it came out to 684 MB for me. I'm normally not this paranoid, but I was wondering if anyone could confirm that their's also came out to that size or if they could post their md5sum? I just don't want a file or two to be missing that could be crucial.

Mine is: 96e10ae9b00b696e8efed0e076632a53
Click to expand...

The 685MB was not correct. I just checked my copy, and it's 684, but Chrome must have rounded up.

Your MD5 is correct. I'll add hashes to the main post so all can check.
 
ChiefIlliniwek5 said:
Has anyone tested this yet to see if it will rescue bricked phones that were the result of a bad root job or improper freezing/uninstalling of bloat?
Click to expand...

tehsusenoh said:
Nobody I know has actually tested it, but that is one of the many uses.

If you have that problem, you can use the guide.
Click to expand...

xda-developers - View Single Post - [FXZ] Droid Bionic Stock 5.5.1_84_DBN-55 and xda-developers - View Single Post - [FXZ] Droid Bionic Stock 5.5.1_84_DBN-55

Tested and approved, XDA style.
 
Just restored using minimal FXZ and re-rooted using Pete's!

I wanted to test it out for future ROM flashing and also I think there were some settings that got messed up when I was messing around with my LED too much...

Anyway... thanks for the write-up and to all the devs responsible if you're reading these forums!

Can't wait for new ROMs- especially ones without a sound on the boot animation
 
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