Alright, so I got a Nexus 7 for x-mas (my first and only android device) and I love it. Recently i have been wanting to root but information/explanation has been hard to come by. So, I have a few questions.
1. When i received the device i did not unlock bootloader, after reading about unlocking it it seems that this wipes all the data from the device. How do i backup my apps/data/storage? If i copy all the files to my CPU and then copy them back to the nexus will it work? What about app settings, like my settings on Apex launcher? I've seen threads and apps that recover data after it is deleted? What's my best bet for backing my info and data up?
2. What is the difference in flashing a kernel and rooting an android? Are they the same? As far as i know flashing is reversible, but is rooting?
3. How do you root? I've seen things about utilities (nexus 7 toolkit) and I've seen things that just involve unlocking the bootloader (flashing? i think)
Sorry if these questions have been answered or this is the wrong spot for this, I'm new to the forum.
The Drugs said:
Alright, so I got a Nexus 7 for x-mas (my first and only android device) and I love it. Recently i have been wanting to root but information/explanation has been hard to come by. So, I have a few questions.
1. When i received the device i did not unlock bootloader, after reading about unlocking it it seems that this wipes all the data from the device. How do i backup my apps/data/storage? If i copy all the files to my CPU and then copy them back to the nexus will it work? What about app settings, like my settings on Apex launcher? I've seen threads and apps that recover data after it is deleted? What's my best bet for backing my info and data up?
2. What is the difference in flashing a kernel and rooting an android? Are they the same? As far as i know flashing is reversible, but is rooting?
3. How do you root? I've seen things about utilities (nexus 7 toolkit) and I've seen things that just involve unlocking the bootloader (flashing? i think)
Sorry if these questions have been answered or this is the wrong spot for this, I'm new to the forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) You can't really do a backup of app data before unlocking the bootloader, that's why it's recommended to do it right when you get. I have to wipe everything so i know how you feel.
2) Inorder to flash a kernel you need to root first.
3) You could use a toolkit to unlock and root( either nexus 7 toolkit or wugs') or if you want to unlock and root manually you can use adb, which is just a few commands for a nexus. Both are easy, the only hard part is making sure you have the correct drivers.
Hope i helped and good luck!
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
You can't really do a backup of app data before unlocking the bootloader, that's why it's recommended to do it right when you get. I have to wipe everything so i know how you feel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dang, that really sucks. What all can i save? App permissions, any of that?
I was just looking around and noticed there are some Apps that save data/info, the ones i saw were Carbon and TWRP. Would i be able to save my app stuff that way?
TWRP is a custom recovery which you can use AFTER unlock and root and i have never used carbon so i wouldnt know.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
I don't own a tablet, but I am a beta tester for a few projects here, I have to wipe all data, but the cool thing is after the first initial wipe, you never have to worry about that again.
A backup of your non-rooted device, I would say do your best with titanium backup, need an easier program? Try go backup pro or Clickfree backup.
Then try to restore. If it fails, retry.. I got that a lot, most game data saved is usually stored in /mnt/sdcard/Android/data or /mnt/sdcard/Android/obb
You can store that info on an external SD, using directory bind, you can find it on here, very good app if your phone/tablet sucks because its internal storage is 3.75gb. my dual partitioned and mounted 64gb sdcard works wonderfully, my games get 16gb to themselves.
Anyway to stay on topic, I want this, but also looking at an Asus, and a Samsung galaxy tab 2
:-MiniHazard-: sgh-i927 glide
CWM 6.0.1.2
CM 10.1 JB - thanks thegreatergood
LiteKernel-jb-20130121 - just until bugfix
First of all, TWRP can only be used after unlocking boot loader and unlocking wipes all data
I also unlocked boot loader after 2 months when I have many apps, so it is simple you copy all the data to your PC and you can do a backup of your apk's by sending them to a Bluetooth device by the help of a app ( Bluetooth file transfer) , you unlock the boot loader and send all apks back either by Bluetooth or by using stick mount when you are rooted , and restore all data,
Flashing a kernel requires to root first
You can either root by using root toolkit or by using adb fastboot method manually
Here is the link to a post of mine for rooting nexus 7 by adb fast boot method
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=38195329
Good luck,if you are unable to root or having any problem,reply and I will look into it
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
flash kernel and root are two different things.
after unlocking the boot loader, you can flash anything you want, including an already rooted system image.
The Drugs said:
Alright, so I got a Nexus 7 for x-mas (my first and only android device) and I love it. Recently i have been wanting to root but information/explanation has been hard to come by. So, I have a few questions.
1. When i received the device i did not unlock bootloader, after reading about unlocking it it seems that this wipes all the data from the device. How do i backup my apps/data/storage? If i copy all the files to my CPU and then copy them back to the nexus will it work? What about app settings, like my settings on Apex launcher? I've seen threads and apps that recover data after it is deleted? What's my best bet for backing my info and data up?
2. What is the difference in flashing a kernel and rooting an android? Are they the same? As far as i know flashing is reversible, but is rooting?
3. How do you root? I've seen things about utilities (nexus 7 toolkit) and I've seen things that just involve unlocking the bootloader (flashing? i think)
Sorry if these questions have been answered or this is the wrong spot for this, I'm new to the forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you read the FAQs which concern your N7 grouper, if not I invite you to go to read this FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions - ASUS GOOGLE NEXUS 7 – GROUPER & TILAPIA (WiFi & 3G)
What is the best (easy) way to root on Android 4.2.2?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
^^chaos67731
Here is the link to my post for rooting nexus 7 4.2.2 or any other nexus device
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=38195329
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Related
I sold my iPhone 4 today and bought a brand new nexus s. I'm not new to android though, I used to own a nexus one before iPhone 4.
My question is that I want to install custom roms on it, but I might want to restore it back to original factory settings in case I want to return it to best buy. How can I backup my phone so that best buy would take the phone back without questions?
I saw a thread to root the phone without unlocking the bootloader. Is that what I should do? Any help is appreciated!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Just root and do a nandroid backup. If you use rom manager to install the custom recovery you can just use it to so the backup.
Sent from my Onyx CM7 Google Nexus S!
Go to the Samsung nexus s android development section. Look for the thread that begins with Odin 1.81... bookmark that thread. That thread will help you flash completely back to stock. And always make sure you relock your bootloader.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
The only advantage of not unlocking the bootloader is to avoid a full wipe of your internal storage such as pics, music etc. However custom roms or apps may have stability issues without an unlocked bootloader. No harm in unlocking the bootloader because you can always lock it again. Just make sure you back up any files you may want to keep.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
peeturr said:
The only advantage of not unlocking the bootloader is to avoid a full wipe of your internal storage such as pics, music etc. However custom roms or apps may have stability issues without an unlocked bootloader. No harm in unlocking the bootloader because you can always lock it again. Just make sure you back up any files you may want to keep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that the only advantage to not unlocking the bootloader is to avoid a full wipe and loss of all data.
I'm curious if you can point to an example of any current existing ROM that displays issues because the bootloader is locked... if so, I need to add that information to the non-unlock method instructions.
Sorry I don't. I was just quoting one of the root guides in here. But then again there's always that IF. Now that I think about it, unlocking the bootloader is to be able to install root and a custom recovery. If you can do that without unlocking the bootloader then you should still be golden. Don't see why a rom or app would be dependent on the bootloader. Sorry for the confusion.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
peeturr said:
Sorry I don't. I was just quoting one of the root guides in here. But then again there's always that IF. Now that I think about it, unlocking the bootloader is to be able to install root and a custom recovery. If you can do that without unlocking the bootloader then you should still be golden. Don't see why a rom or app would be dependent on the bootloader. Sorry for the confusion.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, we've found no reason to HAVE-TO unlock it yet. Just to be clear, I wasn't challenging you, just looking for anything I might need to add to the guide on doing it without the unlock. I already have a caveat that it might be an issue for something, but don't know what something could be.
Anyways, if you're a fresh out of the box phone, no problems unlock method, since you have no data to lose in the wipe. For late-comers, the no unlock method spares them that data wipe. The beauty of it is that you can root and install titainium or other backup software without wiping the phone if you already have data on it, and then if needed you can always unlock it and re-root, and then restore your wiped data. Best of both worlds for some.
Pretty much exactly what happened to me Distorted loop, Very thankfull for that non wipe root method, definately saved my ass as i had a good play with the phone before getting it to a PC for backup/rooting.
I am going to swap my device for another tommorrow to confirm if my reboot issue is even remotely hardware related. So i will have 30 mins with no nexus s ...s'gonna kill me as i love this lil thing (even with my calling problems).
Looking forward to a nice stable nexus, and then i'll try out some of the mods and roms (still on stock for now)
I'm sorry if this has been posted already, but searching on my phone for this answer has been less than ideal, so I've resorted to making a post. I'm hoping someone can link me to a thread that has this available.
I'm looking to root my phone, but I've already got it setup the way I like and I really don't want to go through the hassle of getting everything all ironed out again. So here is what I'm looking for:
1. Root the phone while remaining with the stock N4 ROM.
2. Don't need to "reformat" my phone or start from scratch.
3. Just to clarify 2, I want to keep the phone the way it is now, but just gain root access so I can take advantage of some apps that require it such as the Sixaxxis app for the PS3 controller and Titanium Backup.
4. Still will receive OTA updates without breaking root.
As of now I have no desire to go after any custom ROMs until I find some added functionality that I really see being useful that also doesn't break other features of my phone. So I'm really waiting on development to mature a bit more for this device before even considering something custom.
Thanks to anyone who can offer some help.
1. Root the phone while remaining with the stock N4 ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting doesn't touch your ROM, so you're still in stock.
2. Don't need to "reformat" my phone or start from scratch.
3. Just to clarify 2, I want to keep the phone the way it is now, but just gain root access so I can take advantage of some apps that require it such as the Sixaxxis app for the PS3 controller and Titanium Backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most, if not all, rooting methods have boot-loader unlocking as a prerequisite.
Unlocking boot-loader will wipe your phone. There is no alternative.
On the bright side, you can make a backup of your system, unlock boot-loader, restore your system, then root the phone.
4. Still will receive OTA updates without breaking root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you don't flash customer recovery, you're fine.
What are my backup alternatives then to keep all those settings? I've only ever rooted one device before and I thought Titanium Backup (which requires root) was one of the only backup methods for this sort of thing? Or is there something I'm missing?
there is one backup that the app has a picture of one of those hula hoops use for saving people from drowning...
My backup pro.
I'd try this way. Backup whole ROM in custom recovery and if needed restore via app extractor (found on market)
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
The guide stickied in this section is relevant to your interests.
Adb backup...
Unlock.
Restore...and it'll be like you never touched anything.
MattSkeet said:
My backup pro.
I'd try this way. Backup whole ROM in custom recovery and if needed restore via app extractor (found on market)
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How exactly is he going to backup the ROM in custom recovery.. if he is still bootloader locked?
ADB backup will backup your settings without being rooted.
OK thanks, I'll give that a try.
Hello, this is a question for the development forum http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1766475 but I'm new here so it doesn't allow me to post there yet (could a mod move this there please?):
I'm trying to root my Nexus7 4.2.1 using the Nexus root toolkit and it all goes fine until the part where I'm supposed to backup data/media. It pops up a dialog saying that on 4.2.1 you need root access for this. But I'm trying to back this up BEFORE it gets wiped so I can unlock it and get root access.
Can someone please help?
dr.bug said:
Hello, this is a question for the development forum http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1766475 but I'm new here so it doesn't allow me to post there yet (could a mod move this there please?):
I'm trying to root my Nexus7 4.2.1 using the Nexus root toolkit and it all goes fine until the part where I'm supposed to backup data/media. It pops up a dialog saying that on 4.2.1 you need root access for this. But I'm trying to back this up BEFORE it gets wiped so I can unlock it and get root access.
Can someone please help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm certainly far from an expert or a dev myself so if I'm wrong here someone point it out, but from my understanding of your question the things you're looking to do need to be done in a certain order to work at all. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe your device and in order to install a custom recovery which will do your back up, you need to be unlocked and rooted. So unfortunately by default your device has to be wiped before any real fun can be had. Its a necessary Android evil.
You could hook up your USB cable then copy everything on you device to your computer and you should have all of your app data, music, videos or any other files and your apps should be backed up on your Google account and then transfer everything back and there is all of your stuff!
Sent from my VS920 4G using Tapatalk 2
When I had 4.2.2 I rooted my nexus 7 without unlocking bootloader now after OTA updated to 4.3 I've lost root and I don't want to unlock bootloader to root and loose data. Is there any way to get rooted without unlocking bootloader or without loosing any data???
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
geopapax said:
When I had 4.2.2 I rooted my nexus 7 without unlocking bootloader now after OTA updated to 4.3 I've lost root and I don't want to unlock bootloader to root and loose data. Is there any way to get rooted without unlocking bootloader or without loosing any data???
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi dude... still looking for that answer... hope will find it soon... if you get a way to do it.. please send me a PM
Regards
Looking for this as well!
Ditto, looking also.
No news till know just waiting and searching...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I am also looking for any updates about this root method.
any news?
I think it's pretty unlikely a 'motochopper' like exploit will be available any time soon.
Google, with Jellybean 4.3, have beefed up Androids security considerably, ostensibly to protect the device from exploits of the malicious kind. Whilst inconvenient for easy rooting, I think anything that enhances and improves security is most decidedly a very good thing indeed.
So, whilst I don't think a 'root-without-unlocking-the-bootloader' exploit is totally impossible under 4.3, I do consider it improbable.
And in any case, updating and rooting 4.3 from a locked bootloader condition (without loss of data) isn't technically difficult... it's just time consuming.
It took me about 2 hours or so, to go from a CyanogenMod 4.2.2 ROM/franco kernel combo to Jellybean 4.3 Factory Stock and rooted... with no loss of data. Using these steps...
1) Backed up all my apps (and app user data) with Titanium.
2) Copied the entire contents of my Nexus 7 (including my Titanium backups) to my PC, using ADB pull.
3) Unlocked the bootloader. (I was bootloader locked, rooted via motochopper).
4) Fastboot flashed Jellybean 4.3 Factory Stock.
5) Fastboot flashed TWRP.
6) Flashed Chainfires SU root updater.
7) Copied everything back to my Nexus 7 from my PC.
8) Restored my apps (and app user data) using Titanium.
(If you're already on Jellybean 4.3, you can skip step 4).
Besides, what else are going to spend a few hours doing on a rainy Saturday afternoon with nothing worth watching on TV? And such an exercise will confer several benefits...
1) It will hone your data husbandry skills (backing up data is always a good thing).
2) It will fine tune your knowledge and experience of fastboot and ADB.
3) It will root the device... and finally...
4) You will gain the satisfaction of your accomplishment.
OK... maybe I am trying to oversell it a little.
But my point is... you can either wait for some future putative exploit (that may never come) from some genius developer (who may not exist)... or you can bite the bullet, and do it the old fashioned way... today.
Anyway... just my thoughts.
Rgrds,
Ged.
Honestly if you are going to unlock/root it, use an app like helium(play store, free) to back up app data, and then move it to a computer, and then finally move it back, install helium again and restore. I did it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
GedBlake said:
I think it's pretty unlikely a 'motochopper' like exploit will be available any time soon.
Google, with Jellybean 4.3, have beefed up Androids security considerably, ostensibly to protect the device from exploits of the malicious kind. Whilst inconvenient for easy rooting, I think anything that enhances and improves security is most decidedly a very good thing indeed.
So, whilst I don't think a 'root-without-unlocking-the-bootloader' exploit is totally impossible under 4.3, I do consider it improbable.
And in any case, updating and rooting 4.3 from a locked bootloader condition (without loss of data) isn't technically difficult... it's just time consuming.
It took me about 2 hours or so, to go from a CyanogenMod 4.2.2 ROM/franco kernel combo to Jellybean 4.3 Factory Stock and rooted... with no loss of data. Using these steps...
1) Backed up all my apps (and app user data) with Titanium.
2) Copied the entire contents of my Nexus 7 (including my Titanium backups) to my PC, using ADB pull.
3) Unlocked the bootloader. (I was bootloader locked, rooted via motochopper).
4) Fastboot flashed Jellybean 4.3 Factory Stock.
5) Fastboot flashed TWRP.
6) Flashed Chainfires SU root updater.
7) Copied everything back to my Nexus 7 from my PC.
8) Restored my apps (and app user data) using Titanium.
(If you're already on Jellybean 4.3, you can skip step 4).
Besides, what else are going to spend a few hours doing on a rainy Saturday afternoon with nothing worth watching on TV? And such an exercise will confer several benefits...
1) It will hone your data husbandry skills (backing up data is always a good thing).
2) It will fine tune your knowledge and experience of fastboot and ADB.
3) It will root the device... and finally...
4) You will gain the satisfaction of your accomplishment.
OK... maybe I am trying to oversell it a little.
But my point is... you can either wait for some future putative exploit (that may never come) from some genius developer (who may not exist)... or you can bite the bullet, and do it the old fashioned way... today.
Anyway... just my thoughts.
Rgrds,
Ged.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your advice I know the benefits of the standar rooting but you forget the benefits of being stock!!! The backup way of rooting an no loosing data is the only way but I have a plenty of time to wait for someone to make possible to make root without unlocking the bootloader. I don't use so much my nexus and the apps that wants root so I can wait, everything I use now after the update to 4.3 is free.
Thanks in advance for your answer!!!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I am tired of silly issue of Baseband xmm power wakelock with my nexus 7 3g (tilapia). So I wanted to root it and install custom rom.
I'ld like to have ParanoidAndroid 3.68 (another question: I am willing more features from custom rom and better stability, which rom do you suggest??)
My question is when I do OEM unlock, Will I loose everything? photos, songs and the current app back taken from "App backup & restore"?
I am having nexus s which has sd card option different that Nexus 7.
With nexus s, all my nandroid backup stay inside the sd card, and do not deleted when I change the rom with full wipe.
Will it be the same case in Nexus 7? If I want to change the PA rom to other, photos, and docs will be deleted everytime?
Google has answered to no sd card, and said that it will remove confusion from user? but what about the developers and users like us who change the rom weekly??
Removed..
To be sure - you can anytime copy everything from sd card to computer and if anything bad will happen you can return it to sd card back.
khaytsus said:
No, unlocking bootloader does not touch the SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It most certainly does.
Sent from my Nexus 7
Pirateghost said:
It most certainly does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm 99% sure it does not, but I agree with the idea of backing it up before doing it in case it does.
khaytsus said:
I'm 99% sure it does not, but I agree with the idea of backing it up before doing it in case it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you send the command a warning comes up on the device screen. This is well documented and not really a topic that is debatable.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
The Android documentation says: (http://source.android.com/source/building-devices.html[/URL])
Unlocking the bootloader
It's only possible to flash a custom system if the bootloader allows it.
The bootloader is locked by default. With the device in fastboot mode, the bootloader is unlocked with
$ fastboot oem unlock
The procedure must be confirmed on-screen, and deletes the user data for privacy reasons. It only needs to be run once.
All data on the phone is erased, i.e. both the applications' private data and the shared data that is accessible over USB, including photos and movies. Be sure to make a backup of any precious files you have before unlocking the bootloader.
If after fast oem unlock you install a custom recovery like cwm without rebooting you won't loose any data.
n0credit said:
If after fast oem unlock you install a custom recovery like cwm without rebooting you won't loose any data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? It reboots automatically after agreeing to the unlock on screen.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
khaytsus said:
No, unlocking bootloader does not touch the SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jesus, no, THIS IS WRONG.
fastbook oem unlock WIPES THE ENTIRE DEVICE. Everything is gone, just like when you first turned it on brand new out-of-the-box.
Unlocking bootloader 100% erase the sd card data,i flashed 4 nexus 7 and every time the sd data get erased !! If you talking about rooting and installing recovery TWRP without unlocking bootloader via MOTOCHOPPER MOD it doesn't erase it !!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
Perfectdevil said:
Unlocking bootloader 100% erase the sd card data,i flashed 4 nexus 7 and every time the sd data get erased !! If you talking about rooting and installing recovery TWRP without unlocking bootloader via MOTOCHOPPER MOD it doesn't erase it !!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might want to just unlock now rather than later. It's not a huge pain and using a custom recovery is generally well worth it.
Rirere said:
You might want to just unlock now rather than later. It's not a huge pain and using a custom recovery is generally well worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. Unlock sooner rather than later... with fastboot oem unlock. You can then fastboot flash a Custom Recovery, and root via Chainfires's SuperSU-v1.55.zip flashed in recovery.
Besides which, the 'motochopper exploit' no longer works under Jellybean 4.3.
Rgrds,
Ged.
All data was wiped. Rooted I'll post procedure.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda app-developers app
vikaskanani said:
All data was wiped. Rooted I'll post procedure.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you need to post the procedure? We already have tutorials and guides on this site explaining how to do it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus