Guide to Root your ICS phone
S2 + Samsung + not Samsung phones
No more waiting for custom kernels
This topic provides universal root methods to bypass the use of custom kernels. I took the time to write it as I was tired from waiting for a Dev to publish a custom kernel for the last firmware released. Moreover, now that CF_root thread is rarely updated, many people are asking for a new way to root their phone.
I will try here to reference most threads and ways to root your phone. Some methods will let you root as soon as you get the new ROM, no more waiting for some dev to release a kernel for you.
I will not list here custom kernels that come with root, you can find them in other threads.
As a general rule, do not forget to take extra precautions when you flash anything: ALWAYS DO A NANDROID BACKUP IN CWMMethod 1 - Recommended
Push superuser + Busybox (Now v1.20.2) with CWM
- Universal and will probably work on any ICS phone, if you have a CWM image. No longer wait for a modded kernel
- Only copies superuser and busybox, nothing else is touched
- Easy to unroot
- Flash through CWM image from stock recovery
- No Yellow Triangle
- No custom counter increased
- Stock kernel untouchedIt is derived from original thread here (do not forget to say thank you to
Rachmat3). I modified it to include Chainfire superSU last version + BusyBox last binary. I now added last ChainsDD superuser optional CWM_Root file
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1501719
Instructions:
- Download recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.1.5-galaxys2.zip, the last cwm touch for i9100 Galaxy S2
For other phones, download the cwm image from here http://clockworkmod.com/rommanager
- Put the previously downloaded CWM zip file on your external sd card
- Download the root file:
- CWM_Root_SuperSU.0.93_Busybox_1.20.2_Update2.zip for Chainfire SuperSU (the one that comes with CF_Root)
- CWM_Root_Superuser_3.1.3_Busybox_1.20.2.zip if you prefer the classic ChainsDD superuser.
I advise SuperSU for 2 reasons: it lets you unroot from within superSU application and it lets you migrate to ChainsDD superuser if you like later
- Copy the CWM_Root_XXX.zip file you downloaded to internal or external sd card
- Boot into stock recovery (volume up+home+power), and select "apply update from external storage". Now select the recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.1.5-galaxys2.zip file you copied in previous step (this step gives a temporary flash that will disappear after reboot)
- You get CWM touch recovery interface (this custom recovery is temporary, not permanent)
- Inside CWM, select "install zip from sdcard". Now, select "choose zip from sdcard" (directs to internal sdcard) or "choose zip from internal sdcard" (directs to external sd) and point it to the attached "CWM_Root_XXX.zip"
- It will add SuperSU or Superuser last version apk to system/app, last superuser binary (su) to system/xbin and busybox last version to system/xbin, all with correct file permissions.
- Reboot and you get permanent root + busybox installed on your stock kernel.
- To unroot, do the above steps and replace the file CWM_Root_XXX.zip by the attached CWM_Unroot_SuperUser-Busybox-Uninstaller-Update1.zip. It will delete superuser, su and busybox files
Method 2
CF_Root + stock kernel + [optional] Mobile Odin Free version
Here, you use an older CF_Root kernel, and flash your newer stock kernel- Flash the CF_Root kernel with odin
- No stock kernels for you? use Mobile Odin free version (see below)
- After flashing the stock kernel, root will usually stay and you will be reverted back to your stock recovery instead of CWM recovery
Method 3
Insecure Kernels + SuperOneClick + [optional] Mobile Odin Free
Not tested by me. You get superuser instead of Chainfire superSU + an older busybox- No insecure kernel for your ROM? Just try a kernel from same ICS version, it usually works fine for rooting
- Flash the insecure kernel with odin
- Put your phone on USB debugging mode (System Settings / Developer Options)
- Launch SuperOneClick and root using auto or psneuter method. Do not use the ZergRush Exploit as it is meant for older exploited GB versions
- No stock kernel for your ROM? Use Mobile Odin Free version (see below)
Method 4
Insecure Kernels + S2 Root - For SAMSUNG Devices
- It will do the same as in method 3, but using a newer and better supported tool than SuperOneClick
- You have to flash an insecure kernel, root with S2Root and flash again your stock kernel
- It roots using Chainfire SuperSU and busybox 1.20.1 at time of posting
- Author is a recognized developer and offers great support
- You are still depending on author to release a custom kernel for all your new ROMs
Mobile Odin Free version
Flash your stock kernel from complete ROM file
Now that Intratech stopped releasing stock kernels
in his thread, rooting using methods 2 and 3 can be a problem. In fact, you will not be able to flash your newer original stock kernel after rooting with insecure or cf_root older kernel. You can look in above
lyriquidperfection thread for a stock kernel to flash in odin. But, if you do not like to wait for him to release a kernel, you can get Mobile Odin Free version
- From your stock tar.md5 ROM file, extract the zimage file (your stock kernel)
- Put zimage file on external sd card
- Run Mobile Odin and specify the zimage file in kernel box like in this image:
- Flash, you get your stock kernel and root is normally left
Mobile Odin Pro (Payed) version
Root + Flash - You should consider buying it.
With this method, you will have SuperSU from chainfire (that can be updated from market)
but no Busybox.
You can install busybox from market or from attached
CWM_Root_Busybox_1.20.2_Only-Update1.zip file in this thread
- If you want to flash a full new rom, put the tar file on the external_sd. Point all boxes to the ROM tar file. Enable EverRoot option like in image below. Flash
- If you flashed your ROM using odin and only want to root, proceed like in Example 4 above to flash only the kernel (zimage file from your actual ROM). Enable EverRoot option and flash
- Now, install BusyBox from market or flash my CWM_Root_Busybox_1.20.2_Only-Update1.zip file with cwm to get last busybox.
Chainfire - adbd Insecure app
Getting switchable insecure kernel WITH stock kernel
One of the advantages for some people in CF_Root kernel is the insecure mode. Now, you can have insecure kernel like behavior without flashing a custom kernel. There is a magic app for that, signed Chainfire.
Thread + free download link here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1687590And you can buy it from market to support author:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...chainfire.adbdInstructions, quoted from chainfire
If you are running a stock (made by the phone manufacturer) kernel on your device, chances are adbd is running in "secure" mode, even if you are rooted. This app lets you run adbd in "insecure" mode, which gives you root access in "adb shell", allows access to system files and directories through "adb push/pull", and lets you run the "adb remount" command to make your /system partition writable.
Of course, your device must already be rooted for this to work. It may not work with "S-ON" devices and locked bootloaders.
This app does not make any permanent changes to your device - a reboot will undo any modification. That's why there is also the option to enable this feature at boot.
Note that if you have USB connected when the app activates or deactivates adbd root mode, you may need to unplug/replug the cable or run "adb kill-server" on your computer before adb will work again.
Feel free to comment or suggest enhancementsHere is a mirror, same as attachments:Last updated downloadsrecovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.1.5-galaxys2.zip
http://www.mediafire.com/?fb1xti3v1c111ulCWM_Root_SuperSU.0.93_Busybox_1.20.2_Update2.zip (compiled binary by Stephen Stericson)
http://www.mediafire.com/?ov9anvsfaypd71pCWM_Root_Superuser_3.1.3_Busybox_1.20.2.zip
http://www.mediafire.com/?tcuhu2khu0auoddCWM_Root_Busybox_1.20.2_Only-Update1.zip (compiled binary by Stephen Stericson)
http://www.mediafire.com/?dx5dffhh19iamy9CWM_Unroot_SuperUser-Busybox-Uninstaller-Update1.zip
http://www.mediafire.com/?i2olhfv08l0w355
