Tuesday, October 8, 2013

How to Flash a Custom Recovery on the Asus Padfone


Flashing a Custom Recovery on your Asus Padfone will enable you to install custom ROMs, Mods and all sorts of flashable content on your device. While these aren’t the only things you can do with a custom recovery, it offers you to make nandroid backups, wipe off the data on your device and so on. This guide shows how you can flash a custom recovery on your Asus Padfone device. So, follow it and get some recovery love on your device:

I. Before You Begin:

1. You must have done our How to Root the Asus Padfone procedure.
2. This will replace your current recovery with the TWRP Recovery.
3. Your device needs to have at least 60% of battery life left.

II. Downloading Required Files:

1. GooManager — QR Code (Google Play Link)

III. Flashing a Custom Recovery on the Asus Padfone:

1. Get the GooManager app installed on your device by following the download link given above.
2. Once it’s been installed, launch it from your App Drawer.
3. Press the Menu key and select Install OpenRecovery option.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
5. And you’re done!
Excellent! You’ve successfully flashed TWRP Recovery on your Padfone and this enables you to further customize your device with various custom ROMs!

How to Root the Sony Xperia L running 15.0.А.2.17 firmware


The Sony Xperia L has been available now for more than three months now and for those waiting for a rooting solution for this mid-range device featuring a 1GHz dual-core processor and a 4.3 inch display, stop waiting as it is here.  The procedure itself is pretty easy and you should be off to installing root-only apps in no time!  Read on then if you want to root your Xperia L.

I.  Before You Begin

1.  This procedure works on any Sony Xperia L with a locked bootloader and running 15.0.А.2.17 firmware; do not try this on any other device or firmware as you may end up bricking your device.
2.  Back up everything you feel is important before you start.
3.  Charge your device to 75% or more before you begin.

II.  Necessary Downloads

1.  Xperia_L_ROOT_15.0._.2.17_2.zip [Link available in this post]
2.  remountrebootfix.rar [Link available in this post]

III.  Rooting the Sony Xperia L

1.  Enable USB Debugging on your device.  You can do this by heading to Settings > Development Options > USB Debugging and checking the tickbox next to it.
2.  Enable installation of non-market applications.  To do this, go to Settings > Security and check the Unknown Sources tickbox.
3.  Connect your device to your Windows PC using a compatible microUSB cable.
5.  Extract the Xperia_L_ROOT_15.0._.2.17_2.zip file that you downloaded above to a folder on your desktop.
6.  From the extracted folder, double-click on run.bat to run the rooting tool.
7.  Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to be complete.
At this point, you should have partial root.  Open up your app drawer and check to see if you have the Superuser or SuperSu app installed.
8.  Extract remountrebootfix.rar to a folder on your desktop.
9.  From the extracted folder, double-click on supersu.bat if you have the SuperSu app or superuser.bat if you have the Superuser app installed.  Confirm root access on your device when prompted.
10.  Reboot your device.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

How to Install TWRP Recovery on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (GT-N7100)


Next step after rooting your Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is, flash a custom recovery image. While the root-access lets you install root-only apps, a custom recovery will let you install custom ROMs as well as all sorts of flashable content. This provides an opportunity to change the appearance of your device completely without paying a penny and you don’t have to be a geek to do that. It’s as simple as going through a few clicks and you have a custom ROM installed on your device. Sounds interesting? huh. Let us show you how you can install TWRP Recovery — a custom recovery — on your Galaxy Note 2.

I. Before You Begin:

1. You must have rooted your device before doing this procedure. You can check out our root guide to root your device.
2. This will replace your current recovery with the TWRP Recovery.
3. This works for the GT-N7100 model only.

II. Downloading Required Files:

1. TWRP Recovery Image (Download the latest version having .img as extension)

III. Installing TWRP Recovery on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (GT-N7100):

1. Download and place both the files onto your Desktop.
2. Unzip files from the Fastboot archive to your Desktop.
3. Turn ON the USB debugging option on your device by going to Menu>>Settings>>Developer options>>USB debugging.
4. Once it’s been enabled, connect your device to your PC using the USB cable.
5. Launch a Command Prompt Window on your Desktop. To do so, press and hold the Shift button on your keyboard and right-click on any empty area on the screen, then select Open command window here.
6. Type in following command into the window replacing recoveryfile.img with the actual name of the Recovery Image you downloaded:
adb push recoveryfile.img /sdcard
7. Next issue the following command. Again, replace the recoveryfile.img with the actual name of the Recovery Image you have.
adb shell dd if=/sdcard/recoveryfile.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p9
8. It’ll install the recovery on your device
9. Once it’s done, reboot your device.
10. You’re all set!
Excellent! Your Galaxy Note 2 has been successfully equipped with the TWRP Recovery and it can now be loaded with custom ROMs!

How to Root the Sony Xperia Z


Sony Xperia Z is one of those rare smartphones that have got a root method before the device could actually arrive in the hands of the customers. You can call this smartphone a powerhouse as it’s got a Quad-Core 1.5GHz processor and 2GB of RAM, much more than what you would normally find in Samsung or any other smartphones. Jelly Bean comes preloaded on the device and there’s a planned upgrade to Android 4.2, a bit of more than JB. Root access has been achieved on this device by modifying the Chainfire’s custom kernel and we’ve put down the entire procedure to root the Sony Xperia Z just below. Follow it and get your device rooted.

I. Before You Begin:

1. This will void the warranty of your device. However, you can reinstate the warranty by unrooting the device if there’s any unrooting procedure available.
2. You must have unlocked bootloader of your device. You can do so from here.
3. This is intended to work on firmware version: 10.1.A.1.350.

II. Downloading Required Files:

1. Modified Kernel (Download link’s available in the first post)
2. Insecure Kernel (Download link’s given in the first post)

III. Rooting the Sony Xperia Z:

1. Place all the files you downloaded to your Desktop.
2. Extract files from the Fastboot archive to your Desktop. You’ll get fastboot.exe along with some other files.
3. Plug-in USB cable to your PC but not to your device.
4. Turn OFF your device.
5. Reboot the device into Fastboot mode. To do that, simply hold down the Volume UP button and connect the other-end of the USB cable to your device.
6. Launch a Command Prompt Window on your Desktop. To do so, hold down the Shift button on your keyboard and right-click on any empty area on the screen, then select Open command window here.
7. Type in following command into the Command Prompt Window:
fastboot flash boot Z_DooMLoRD_CF-Auto-Root-ported_FW-350.img
8. Next, issue the following command:
fastboot reboot
9. Your device should boot up and you’ll get a notification on your screen saying that the device will reboot in 10 seconds.
10. Once the device reboots, unplug it from your PC.
11. Now hard power off your device. To do that, hold down the Power button and the Volume UP button for about 15 seconds.
12. Get your device into Fastboot mode by holding down the Volume UP key and plugging-in the USB cable.
13. Open a Command Prompt Window on your Desktop. It’s simple, just hold down the Shift button on your keyboard and right-click on any empty area on the screen, then choose Open command window here.
14. Issue the following command using Command Prompt Window:
fastboot flash boot Z_DooMLoRD_insecure_FW-350.img
15. Once it’s done, issue the following command:
fastboot reboot
16. Once your device boots up, head over to Google Play and download the BusyBox app.
17. You’re rooted now!

Saturday, October 5, 2013

How to Root the Sony Xperia M (C1905)


The Sony Xperia M was released last month and can be called a mid-range smartphone as it features a 4-inch touchscreen display, a dual-core 1GHz CPU, 1GB RAM and a 5MP camera.  Rooting this device is bound to get something more out of it and if this is what you want, go head and read the guide below.

I.  Before You Begin

1.  Back up everything you feel is important before you start.
2.  Charge your device to 75% or more before you begin.

II.  Necessary Downloads

Framaroot-1.6.0.apk [File attached to this post]

III.  Rooting the Xperia M

1.  Connect your device to your PC and copy the Framaroot-1.6.0.apk file you downloaded above to your device’s SD card.
2.  Use a file manager app (Astro or ES File Explorer, for example), navigate to the location of Framaroot-1.6.0.apk, and install the application.  Make sure you have enabled installation of apps from unknown sources by going to Settings > Security and ticking the Unknown sources checkbox.
3.  Go to your app drawer and open up the Framaroot app.
4.  Select Install Supersu.
5.  Select Gandalf on the next screen and wait for the success popup.
6.  Wait for the phone to reboot.

Friday, October 4, 2013

HOW TO ROOT THE ASUS PADFONE


The Asus Padfone bridges the gap between a smartphone and a tablet and lets you enjoy both the worlds. With the release of the device about a year back, the world got a choice to choose their next Android device. To look at the specs, the Padfone’s got a 1.5GHz processor, 8MP shooter and all generic functions you would see in a normal Android device available out there. There’s some good news for the owners of this device, they now have a root method for their device. A root method means a lot to those users who always seek to customize their device according to their needs, and looks like it’s going to be a reality. Our guide below covers how you can root your Asus Padfone and get the most out of it. So, follow it and get your device rooted:

I. Before You Begin:

1. This will void the warranty of your device. However, you can reinstate the warranty by unrooting your device if there’s any unrooting procedure available.
2. This works on Windows based PCs only.
3. You should have appropriate drivers installed on your PC. If you don’t, get them from here.
4. You must have unlocked bootloader of your device.

II. Downloading Required Files:

1. DebugfsRoot (It’s attached in the first post)

III. Rooting the Asus Padfone:

1. Place the DebugfsRoot archive onto your Desktop.
2. Unzip files from the archive over to your Desktop.
3. Turn ON the USB debugging option on your device by heading to Menu>>Settings>>Developer options>>USB debugging.
4. Once it’s been enabled, plug in your device to your PC using the USB cable.
5. Double-click on the RootDebugfs.bat file you extracted earlier to your Desktop.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions.
7. And you should be rooted now!
Congrats! Your Asus Padfone has been successfully rooted. You now have a new app called Superuser in your App Drawer that will help you to manage root-permissions on your device!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

How to Root the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (GT-N7100)


So you have just picked up the Samsung phablet — Galaxy Note 2 — and wondering if you could have root-access on it so you can unlock the true potential of it? You’re in luck. Chainfire, a known name in Android industry, has come up with a root method for the device and this guide shows exactly how you can use it to root your Samsung Galaxy Note 2 device. After rooting your device, you’ll have access to hundreds of root-only apps available in the store as well as you can flash a custom recovery and enjoy custom ROMs. But before doing any of these, you need to root your device so get onto the procedure below and do that first.

I. Before You Begin:

1. This will void the warranty of your device. However, you can reinstate the warranty by unrooting your device if there’s any unrooting procedure available.
2. You should have a Windows based PC to do this procedure.

II. Downloading Required Files:

1. CF-Root (Download link’s available in the third post)
2. Odin (It’s attached in the second post)

III. Rooting the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (GT-N7100):

1. Place both the files you downloaded to your Desktop.
2. Unzip files from both the archives to your Desktop.
3. Launch the Odin tool by double-clicking on its executable file available on your Desktop.
4. Click on PDA and select the CF-Root file you extracted earlier from the archive.
5. Make sure that the Repartition box isn’t checked.
6. Turn OFF your device
7. Reboot your device into Download mode. To do that, press and hold the Volume DOWN+Home+Power buttons together.
8. Once inside Download mode, connect your device to your PC via USB cable.
9. Hit Start button in the tool and it’ll start flashing the file.
10. You should be rooted once the file’s been flashed!
11. You’re done!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

How to Root the Micromax A50 Ninja


Voice assistant isn’t a new thing as almost every smartphone users’ day begins with saying Good Morning to Siri if on iPhone or the same greeting to the Google Now, of course, on Android. To provide similar kind of experience, the India based company, Micromax has recently come up with the A50 Ninja smartphone with a voice assistant named AISHA. The feature has grabbed attention from smartphone users across the country. Along with AISHA, the phone has got Gingerbread onboard and a 650MHz processor and to not put much weight on your pocket, the device can be yours for only $95. If you’ve purchased the device or looking to buy it and concerned about whether you can root it or not, well, the answer is Yes. Root method has been discovered by an XDA member and it’s explained in the following guide. Once applied, the phone will become truly yours!

I. Before You Begin:

1. This should void the warranty of the device. However, you can unroot the device to reinstate warranty.
2. The following procedure works on Windows based PCs only.
3. You must have ADB drivers installed on your PC. You can get them from here.

II. Downloading Required Files:

1. Boot Image (It’s attached in the first post)
2. SP Flash Tool (It’s attached in the first post)
3. Scatter File (It’s attached in the first post)
4. Drivers (It’s attached in the first post)
5. Unlock Root (It’s attached in the first post)

III. Rooting the Micromax A50 Ninja:

1. Place all the files you downloaded to your Desktop.
2. Extract files from the Drivers archive to your Desktop.
3. Install the Drivers you got from the archive.
4. Extract files from the SP Flash Tool archive to your Desktop.
5. Double-click on the Flash Tool executable file and it should launch.
6. In the tool, click on Scatter-loading button and select the Scatter file you downloaded earlier.
7. A list of files will appear on the screen, make sure only BOOTIMG option is selected. Uncheck other options.
8. Double-click on BOOTIMG in the Flash Tool and select the boot.img file you downloaded earlier.
9. Go to Options and enable the USB Mode option.
10. Turn OFF your device.
11. Pull the battery out of the device.
12. Put it back into the device, but do not turn it ON.
13. Connect the device to your PC using the USB cable.
14. Windows will automatically install the drivers for your device.
15. Once drivers are installed, unplug the device from your PC.
16. Remove the battery from the device.
17. Put it back into the device but don’t turn it ON.
18. In the Flash Tool, click on Download button.
19. A counter should start running in the tool and when so happens, connect the device to the PC.
20. It will then flash the file to your device.
21. Once flashing’s done, disconnect the device from the PC.
22. Pull the battery out of the device.
23. Put it back into the device.
24. Turn the device ON normally.
25. Once turned ON, go to Menu>>Settings>>Applications>>Development>>USB debugging and tick-mark the box.
26. Connect the device to your PC via USB cable.
27. Extract files from the Unlock Root archive to your Desktop.
28. Double-click on the Unlock Root executable file and it should launch.
29. Click on ROOT button in the tool and let it root the device.
30. Once rooting’s done, reboot the device.
31. When it boots up, head over to Google Play and install the Busybox app, it’s free.
32. You’re all done!
Great! Your Micromax A50 Ninja has been successfully rooted and you should find the Superuser app right in your App Drawer. You may now install your favorite root-only apps on your device!

Monday, September 30, 2013

How to Root the Micromax A111 Canvas Doodle


The Micromax A111 Canvas Doodle is a dual-SIM Android device primarily available in India and can boast of features like a quad-core 1.2GHz processor, 512MB RAM, an 8MP shooter and Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean OS with a budget friendly price tag.  As with other Micromax devices, Micromax rarely updates them to any firmware other than what it came with and the A111 Canvas Doodle is no exception.  Rooting it could bestow it with a few more bells and whistles than the stock firmware, and the guide below will help you with doing exactly that.

I.  Before You Begin

1.  Back up everything you feel is important before you start.
2.  Charge your device to 75% or more before you begin.

II.  Necessary Downloads

Framaroot-1.5.3.apk [File attached to this post]

III.  Rooting the Micromax A111 Canvas Doodle

1.  Connect your device to your PC and copy the Framaroot-1.5.3.apk file you downloaded above to your device’s SD card.
2.  Use a file manager app (Astro or ES File Explorer, for example), navigate to the location of Framaroot-1.5.3.apk, and install the application.  Make sure you have enabled installation of apps from unknown sources by going to Settings > Security and ticking the Unknown sources checkbox.
3.  Go to your app drawer and open up the Framaroot app.
4.  Click on Gandalf and wait for the success popup.
5.  Reboot your device.
And your A111 Canvas Doodle should be rooted!

Monday, September 23, 2013

How to Install ClockworkMod Recovery on the Huawei MediaPad

I. Before You Begin:

1. You must have rooted your device before doing this procedure. Please head to our How to Root the Huawei MediaPad procedure first, finish it, then return to this procedure and continue.
2. This should install the Test Version of CWM Recovery on your device.

II. Downloading Required Files:

1. ClockworkMod Recovery Image (It’s attached there in the first post)

III. Installing ClockworkMod Recovery on the Huawei MediaPad:

1. Download and place both the files on your Desktop.
2. Extract files from the Fastboot archive to your Desktop. You should have adb.exe and fastboot.exe files on your Desktop.
3. Connect your device to your PC using the USB cable.
4. Open a Command Prompt Window on the Desktop of your PC. To do so, press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard and right-click on any empty area on the screen, then choose Open command window here.
5. Type in the following commands into the Command Prompt Window you just opened. Press Enter after each line.
fastboot flash recovery recovery-5.8.0.9-HWMOD-eabi-4.4.3.img
fastboot flash recovery2 recovery-5.8.0.9-HWMOD-eabi-4.4.3.img
fastboot reboot
6. Your device should reboot after the recovery is installed on it.
Well done! You now have a working version of ClockworkMod Recovery on your device that will allow you to flash custom ROMs as well as backup current ROM. We recommend you to take a look at the original thread, there’re some important instructions given by the developer.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

How to Root the Micromax Canvas HD (A116)

I.  Before You Begin

1.  You will need to have a custom recovery installed in order to flash unofficial zip files.  Use our guide on the same to help you.
2.  Back up anything you feel is important.
3.  Charge your device to 75% or more before you begin.
4.  Install the necessary drivers before you actually begin the rooting process.  This will prevent any unwanted breaks while actually rooting.  Use these drivers if you haven’t already installed them.

II.  Necessary Downloads

III.  Rooting the Canvas HD

1.  Connect your device to your PC and copy both Superuser-3.1.3-arm-signed.zip and su-bin-3.1.1-arm-signed.zip to your device’s internal SD card.
2.  Disconnect your device and turn it off.
3.  Hold Volume Up + Volume Down + Power buttons until you see the screen where it asks you to press Volume Up for recovery.  Press Volume Up to enter recovery.
4.  Use Volume Up and Down buttons to navigate to ‘install zip from zip card‘ and press the Power button to select it.
5.  On the next screen, select ‘choose zip from SD card.
6.  Navigate to Superuser-3.1.3-arm-signed.zip you copied above and press Power to select it.
7.  Navigate to ‘Yes – install Superuser-3.1.3-arm-signed.zip’ and press Power button to start flashing.
8.  Go back to main menu.
9.  Follow Steps 4 to 8 but select su-bin-3.1.1-arm-signed.zip this time.
10.  Finally, select reboot system now.
You should find the Superuser app in your app drawer once you reboot your device.  If you still want to know if you are really rooted, go to the Play Store and install Root Checker to verify.
If this procedure helped you please thank/donate to the original developers here.