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Help Rooting with No PC
- Thread starter Lana30
- Start date
Whilst there are varying degrees of risk involved with anything root related, I'm led to believe towelroot is relatively safe. However, it only works if your kernel build date is older than June 2014 afaik.
What device are you trying to root?
What device are you trying to root?
Lana30
Android Enthusiast
Hello Mr. President!
I am only doing my home work first before actually trying anything. So that why some people complain that it didn´t work for them because their kernel builder was before June 2014 afaik? By the way (I´m sorry if this is a dumb question) what you do mean by kernel build date?
Kernel build date is when the kernel branch that your device uses was made.
It's normally displayed in Settings -> About Phone
The kernel is a pretty integral part of the OS, it controls most hardware functions, process/memory management and a tonne of other stuff Android needs to run.
A lot of root methods use security holes in the kernel to work.
Someone more knowledgeable than I is welcome to correct me, but whilst kernels are specific to device and OS, because there's a lot of generic stuff in there related to all Android devices, Kernels with a build date prior to June 2014 contained a security hole which could be used to root a huge number of phones/tablets etc. Towelroot is that exploit.
Make sense?
It's normally displayed in Settings -> About Phone
The kernel is a pretty integral part of the OS, it controls most hardware functions, process/memory management and a tonne of other stuff Android needs to run.
A lot of root methods use security holes in the kernel to work.
Someone more knowledgeable than I is welcome to correct me, but whilst kernels are specific to device and OS, because there's a lot of generic stuff in there related to all Android devices, Kernels with a build date prior to June 2014 contained a security hole which could be used to root a huge number of phones/tablets etc. Towelroot is that exploit.
Make sense?
Lana30
Android Enthusiast
umm.. trying to process this, ha ha. I know the kernel is like the liaison between the hardware and the apps and software and if you download a kernel that was meant for Gingerbread and you might have KitKat it is not going to work, I guess that would brick your phone, right? Do you even have to download any drivers or kernel´s when you are rooting with an app?
Unless you're rooted or have unlocked your bootloader, you can't change the kernel.
And yeah, you can't use a GB Kernel on a KitKat device. At the very best it would give you a bootloop...
Lana30
Android Enthusiast
Do you have to worry about this stuff unlocking bootloader, kernel and so on when you root by using a single app?
Nope and if Jfalls says towelroot either works or doesn't, you should be ok.
There is no harm in doing a little research specifically for your device though.
Jfalls63
Android Expert
Haven't figured out how to quote a post here yet but no on checking kernel build. Towel root either works or It doesn't. I recommend staying away from Kingroot. IMO "root of all evil" pun intended. Works but installs its version of Superuser and can be a pain to get rid of.
Just hit the reply button directly underneath the post you want to quote.
And yeah, Kingoroot, vroot, root 360 are all methods to stay away from.
Jfalls63
Android Expert
Cool
Lana30
Android Enthusiast
Oh OK, then its easier than I thought. I read somewhere that more recent smartphones have improved security features and that is why a rooting app might not work since they are made for older models with more security loopholes. What rooting apps are made for more modern smartphones?
You don't really get a one size fits all solution now.
Lollipop is harder to root than previous versions apparently.
Lollipop is harder to root than previous versions apparently.
Lana30
Android Enthusiast
Oh I see, so it is basically trial and error type of thing, right?
Lana30
Android Enthusiast
Why are Kingoroot, vroot, root 360 bad methods, what problems have they caused that puts then in that category?
Chinese methods which send info about your device (IMEI etc) to servers in China.
They'll also install their own Super User app which is hellishly difficult to uninstall.
A little more info here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=60513820&postcount=435
Lana30
Android Enthusiast
Oh I see, thanks for the heads up. So trying to find an app that will root your device is basically going to XDA and seeing what apps other people that have your device have tried and try it out? Research basically. You mentioned earlier that at best with those apps that help you root, that at best you would get a bootloop, the question that crossed my mind was how do you know which apps actually work for your device?...My guess would be research and see what others who have tried it have said about how it has affected their device, right? is it even possible to brick your phone with those rooting apps if no PC is involved? I´m sorry if I am asking too many questions, its that I have spent numerous hours trying to find the answer to all of this and nothing!
I'd try searching here first, then xda.
And research and asking are absolutely the way to go. The way I look at it is I'd rather ask something potentially stupid (not saying your questions are stupid by any stretch of the imagination) before I do anything, than have to ask how to fix a potential brick afterwards.
I don't mind having a scout about to find reliable methods for your phone if you want.
And research and asking are absolutely the way to go. The way I look at it is I'd rather ask something potentially stupid (not saying your questions are stupid by any stretch of the imagination) before I do anything, than have to ask how to fix a potential brick afterwards.
I don't mind having a scout about to find reliable methods for your phone if you want.
Jfalls63
Android Expert
Always have a plan to restore your phone to stock ready should something go wrong. Make backups of important data. Samsung devices, make backup of Efs data with NV Reader/Writer and QPST before you do anything. Research different root methods for your devices and see which work for your Android version.Check this forum first,guides and moderators won't point you in the wrong direction.
Lana30
Android Enthusiast
Hi,
Thanks for offering, that is very nice of you. I appreciate it. I am constantly asking my friends to ask me all types of Android questions to see if I can find the answer since I love learning new things about Android and a friend asked me which app he should use to root his HTC desire 510, version is 4.4.2. Carrier is cricket/at&t. He told me that he has already tried apps such as Framaroot, Universal Androot and WeakSauce and that they didn´t work. Which ones should he try?