At the end of this post you will be able to root your android device using z4root and know the use of rooting.
You need to understand the meaning of root first. Root is to android what jailbreak is to iPhone/iPod/iPad. It will grant you root privileges and you will be able to access all the files on your operating system with unrestricted access.
Advantages of rooting:
- Access to a new plethora of application – bluetooth file transfer , titanium backup etc
- Change whatever you want on your device – themes , system apps , even enhance capabilities of your phone.
- Put custom roms on your phone – more suited to your taste ( CyanogenMod FTW).
Disadvantages:
- You messing up too much with your phone and having to restore.
- Warranty void ??? not really, as no one would know you have rooted unless you do something with your phone theme :p
- Can’t think of more as there aren’t really any.
After me clearly outweighing the disadvantages, here you go about how to root your phone (works on all versions 1.5-cupcake, 1.6-donut, 2.1-eclair and 2.2-froyo too).
Steps
- Go to android market on your phone and search for “ z4root ” or download the z4root .apk from here.
- Download and install z4root.
- Now go to Settings->Applications->Development and check USB debugging, if unchecked.
- Open z4root and select permanent and then Click root, some magic happens and you are done.
- Hurrah you are rooted now, enjoy!
After you have rooted your phone checkout the Top 7 Must Have Applications after you Root your Android phone
[Update] Some people are reporting that they are not able to install z4root on Motorola Backflip 1.5, you can root with this method
List of phones known to support permanent root:
Samsung Galaxy S (All variants)
Motorola Backflip
Sony X10
Sony Xperia Mini
Motorola Droid 2
Samsung Galaxy Tab
Samsung Galaxy I5700
Samsung Galaxy 3 I5800
Motorola Droid X
Samsung Acclaim
Cricket Huawei Ascend
Motorola Cliq
Huawei 8120
HTC Hero
HTC G1
LG Optimus T
Droid 1
Garmin Asus A50
Motorola Defy
LG Ally
Motorola Flipside
Motorola Milestone 2
Dell streak
X10 Mini Pro
Smartq v7 android 2.1
Keshav Gupta is a technology enthusiast. He is always on the verge of remaining updated with new technologies. By education he is a computer software engineer, and left his job in November 2009 to venture in his own interests. Now he blogs at Techgeekguy about Technology,Mobile, Computers, Software...
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
hi,
cant find z4root in android market…can you help
cheers
arnab
Hi Arnab,
you can install “mymarket” from Market and then in MyMarket search for “Z4root”
else I’ll upload the apk here
Hi Keshav,
Thanks for putting up such an awesome tutorial. I’ve been desperately trying to root my Motorola Backflip for the last couple of weeks but haven’t been successful. I’ve downloaded Z4root from the link you’ve provided but every time I try to install it, it says “This ap cannot be installed”. I’ve got the Indian version of the Backflip that has Android 1.5 without Motoblur. Do you have any suggestions on how I can root and hopefully upgrade it to Android 2.1.
vijay..i have a backflip too, i did it myself also
i’ll give you heads up on another way too, wait a little
HI,
That is positively the best news I’ve heard in a long time. in addition to the z4root method method I’ve also triwed the Superoneclickroot method and the one given at Modmymoto to no avail. I’m looking forward to the alternative method that you’ve mentioned. BTW, is it possible for you to send me the files for Motonav. I formatted my sd card after I bought my phone and lost the Motonav maps and license. I’ve been after Motorola customer care for ages but they just can’t seem to get their act together.
Thanks a lot for everything. I look forward to your reply.
Regards,
Vijay
for the maps you will have to go to customer service center as the license file is attached to the IMEI.. so even if I upload the maps it won’t be of any use. Moreover there has been an update from Motorola for Indian Maps to Q3-2010 which you can only get from customer service center.
btw Tutorial coming up in 15 minutes.
Dear Keshav,
I have downloaded from your link and not able to install, say this application is not for my phone.
I have purchased this from Singapore.
Krishan Bothra
wait posting alternate way to root.. meanwhile you download sdk and driver http://developer.motorola.com/docstools/USB_Drivers/Handset_USB_Driver/Handset_USB_Driver_32_v4.8.0.msi/
http://dl.google.com/android/android-sdk_r07-windows.zip
hey there, i would like to know, does rooting enable me to instal apps to sd card?
if not, how could i do it?
im on xperia x10 minipro
Hi Keshav,
i tried the z4root from your link. I got the same error as vijay has mentioned.
Did you get an alternative way to fix it.
regads
ashok
http://www.techgeekguy.com/2010/12/how-root-motorola-backflip-1-5-rageagainstthecage-method.html
when I try to install it, it says “z4root could not be installed on this phone”
I tried installing the z4root and it gives an error “There is a problem parsing the package”
this works for 2.1 and above. you should try the other method – rageagainstthecage
Seems like a lot of people don’t have permissions to install non market apps. They need to use adb to install z4root. Going to try to root when I get home.
Use Android Injector!!! i had a hard time trying to install but after downloading this program for windows and using the .apk file for z4root it worked like a charm
An easy way is to use freeware Android Injector from http://www.harmonyhollow.net/android_injector.shtml
@mavjdm – thanks for this tip. the injector program worked great! I did, however, have to go thru several iterations of installing Z4root before Permanent Root loaded on Cliq with 2.1.
I was having trouble loading z4root. Solution I found on the market was “sideload enabler for backflip” loaded it and it worked great…got z4 on and rooted my phone…hope this easy fix helps! 🙂
My MB300 does not have a Settings … Security -> Unknown Sources option. AT&T removed it? Is there some way of rooting Android 2.1 without the option?
Sir I have Motorola Backflip MB300 I want to Update them But this cell are not Update then Help me Plzz Keshav I want update my phone