Root Android with SuperOneClick

Unlocking Your Android's Potential: A Guide to Rooting

From the moment I acquired my Motorola Droid over a year ago, I’ve extensively utilized its capabilities. I’ve participated in GPS-based geo-caching, converted my phone into a remote control for my media center, and explored a range of sophisticated surveillance applications.

However, one action I consistently hesitated to undertake was rooting my Android device. The potential for rendering my costly phone unusable – often referred to as "bricking" – was a significant deterrent, even considering my self-professed moderate technical skills.

What Changed My Mind About Rooting?

Several factors ultimately led me to overcome my apprehension and learn how to root my Android phone. Initially, observing the simplicity with which my colleagues at MakeUseOf could jailbreak their iPhones was eye-opening.

Furthermore, a practical necessity arose: the need to capture screenshots directly on my device, independent of a USB connection to my computer. This functionality was unavailable without root access.

Finally, I discovered a substantial number of compelling applications available on the Android Market that explicitly required a rooted device to function.

The Benefits of Root Access

Enhanced Customization: Rooting allows for deeper system modifications.
Improved Performance: Optimizations become possible with root access.
Access to Exclusive Apps: Many powerful apps require root privileges.
Full Control: Users gain complete control over their Android system.

The ability to fully customize the operating system and unlock features previously inaccessible proved to be a compelling incentive. It became clear that rooting offered a pathway to maximizing the potential of my Android phone.

Ultimately, the benefits outweighed the perceived risks, prompting me to explore the process of gaining root access and experiencing the expanded capabilities it provides.

Android Rooting Options for Users

Initially, gaining root access on an Android device was a complex undertaking. The procedure often involved 10 to 15 steps, carrying a significant risk of rendering the device unusable – a scenario known as "bricking."

If you’ve hesitated to attempt rooting due to its perceived difficulty, there’s positive news. Numerous one-click applications are now available to simplify the process. These applications are compatible with a wide range of Android devices. While the risk of bricking still exists, it's minimized if the application has been verified to work with your specific phone model and Android version.

Several prominent one-click root apps for Android include Universal Androot, the Recovery Flasher, Easy Root, Unrevoked, and notably, Super One-Click from XDA Developers. SuperOneClick is often recommended and is likely to be effective for many users. Before proceeding, ensure USB debugging is enabled in your phone’s Settings->Applications->Development menu by activating "USB Debugging".

The Android SDK is also a prerequisite. Refer to instructions for installing the SDK developer kit, as detailed in a previous article on taking screenshots. This step is essential for the subsequent procedures to function correctly. Installing the SDK unlocks additional features, such as high-resolution screenshots, file exploration, and streamlined file transfers.

Download Super One Click, launch the Android debugger (SDK developer kit), extract the contents of the Super One Click zip file, and execute the SuperOneClick icon. Upon launching SuperOneClick, you’ll observe several buttons at the screen's top. Connect your phone to your computer via USB, and verify that the debugger recognizes it (activity logging will commence). Ensure your SD card is not mounted, then click "Root" within SuperOneClick.

The application will display scrolling activity, indicating progress with "OK" confirmations for each completed task. Warnings may appear, but the process should continue as long as it doesn't stall while awaiting device response. Eventually, a "Success!" message will be displayed.

Following this, examine the applications installed on your phone. A "Superuser" icon, resembling a skull and crossbones, should be present. This confirms successful rooting. If the icon is absent, reboot your device. A reboot is recommended even if the icon appears, as some rooted applications may not function correctly until the device is restarted.

Opening SuperUser reveals configuration options for notifications. These allow you to control which applications can access root privileges, requiring explicit permission for each request. According to information from the Nexus One Forum, SuperOneClick does not unlock the Bootloader, potentially preserving your device's warranty. This claim requires independent verification, but it represents a potential benefit of using this method.

Whenever an application requests root access (superuser privileges), a notification will appear, prompting you to grant or deny permission. This feature enhances security by preventing unauthorized applications from gaining elevated access.

Selecting "Remember" grants the application permanent superuser access. A list of approved applications can be viewed within the "Apps" tab.

With the SDK installed and connected, the rooting process is simplified to installing and running SuperOneClick. The program manages the rooting procedure directly from your PC. You can then enjoy the expanded capabilities of a rooted Android phone.

Have you experimented with any of the one-click Android root applications? Please share your experiences in the comments below.