Everyone remembers how much of a pain it was to root the G1\Dream: you had to downgrade to an earlier version to exploit a ridiculous bug which interpreted everything as superuser system commands. It took 10-15 minutes, required a complete wipe of your device, and had the potential to brick if you performed the mod incorrectly. The new MyTouch Slide is still frustrating developers who are trying to properly gain root access over a month after its release.
Luckily, for owners of the newly released T-Mobile Vibrant & the AT&T Captivate (soon to include the Verizon’s Fascinate and Sprint’s Epic 4G), rooting has never been easier. The process involved copying one file (update.zip) to the Internal SD card, booting into recovery, and flash. All in all, it takes about 5 minutes, and is completely reversible (see below for instructions).
NOTE: The following update.zip is for use on the Samsung/T-Mobile Vibrant ONLY. The instructions are identical for other Samsung Galaxy S devices, but the update.zip is different. Captivate’s update.zip is available on the Captivate XDA forums. The one-click root method discussed in the Captivate root article should also work for the Vibrant if you prefer that method.
Why Root
- Ability to make image-based backups using ROM Manager and Clockwork Recovery (priceless!)
- Ability to modify/system partition (delete bloatware, disable annoying boot-up/shutdown sound, etc)
- Ability to have full app backups using software like MyBackup Pro or Titanium Backup
- Full SuperUser access (ability to use scripts, apply the “Galaxy S lag” fix, mounting an ext partition on boot-up, etc)
- Get ready for the soon-to-be-released custom builds thanks to talented and dedicated developers
How to Root
The following method should be relatively care-free but there is always a risk with activities like rooting a device or flashing a new firmware.
1. Download the above zip and rename to: update.zip
2. On your device, navigate to Settings > Applications > USB settings and select Mass storage
3. Plug your device into your computer, select mount USB from your device’s pull-down window
4. Copy the update.zip to the INTERNAL SD memory (~14gb on this drive, not the one w/ Avatar if you’ve still got the 2gb SD card in)
5. Turn your phone off.
6. Hold down volume up and volume down while powering on the phone, this should get you to a recovery menu, you may have to try this a few times.
7. In Recovery menu select ‘Reinstall Packages’ (use vol_down then power to select)Phone will reboot
and you have
1. su+Superuser
2. busybox (/system/xbin/busybox)
How to un-root
The following commands must be typed in terminal on the device, on by using adb shell
su
rm -r /system/app/Superuser.apk
rm -r /system/xbin/busybox
rm -r /system/bin/su
reboot
Sources:
Original credit goes to LeshaK at Samdroid, I modified the script within update.zip to work on the Vibrant.
Other credits to the fine folks in this thread that noted the vol up+down recovery menu
XDA Developers Thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7150299
About the Author
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I’m a newb when it comes to all things rooting of phones. And I just rooted my vibrant and I saw on the artical something about galaxy s lag fix. Can you tell me what that is and how to do it.
I’m a newb when it comes to all things rooting of phones. And I just rooted my vibrant and I saw on the artical something about galaxy s lag fix. Can you tell me what that is and how to do it.
I will be writing a more in-depth article about replacing the kernel for the Samsung Vibrant sometime tonight hopefully. That will dramatically fix your “lag” issue, which will be explained in the article.
I will be writing a more in-depth article about replacing the kernel for the Samsung Vibrant sometime tonight hopefully. That will dramatically fix your “lag” issue, which will be explained in the article.
I hope its as easy as rooting the phone. That’s what’s going to keep me doing things.
I hope its as easy as rooting the phone. That’s what’s going to keep me doing things.
Going to try this now
Going to try this now
I wont Root my Vibrant until there is a cool ROM or something but I am waiting for Cyanogen to release CM6 on the Vibrant if not I will be waiting on Android 2.2 (Froyo). By the way does anyone know when the Vibrant is getting Android 2.2 (Froyo) last I heard was somewhere in September?
I wont Root my Vibrant until there is a cool ROM or something but I am waiting for Cyanogen to release CM6 on the Vibrant if not I will be waiting on Android 2.2 (Froyo). By the way does anyone know when the Vibrant is getting Android 2.2 (Froyo) last I heard was somewhere in September?
Jason…You wanna root my G1 for me? : )
Jason…You wanna root my G1 for me? : )
Assume your phone has been rooted (currently running Version 2.1):
1) Now that stock Froyo (version 2.2) has been released, how do I upgrade manually (without having to wait for Samsung’s update)?
2) Can I upgrade to the stock Froyo as Google intended and not a custom ROM?
3) When Gingerbread (version 3.0) comes out, will I need to wait for a custom ROM to be released for ROOTED phones, or can I simply upgrade to stock Gingerbread without any problems?
4)If I upgrade to stock Froyo or stock Gingerbread, will my rooted phone be “unrooted”?
Thanks
Assume your phone has been rooted (currently running Version 2.1):
1) Now that stock Froyo (version 2.2) has been released, how do I upgrade manually (without having to wait for Samsung’s update)?
2) Can I upgrade to the stock Froyo as Google intended and not a custom ROM?
3) When Gingerbread (version 3.0) comes out, will I need to wait for a custom ROM to be released for ROOTED phones, or can I simply upgrade to stock Gingerbread without any problems?
4)If I upgrade to stock Froyo or stock Gingerbread, will my rooted phone be “unrooted”?
Thanks
@McParty, There are plenty of instructions on how to root a G1. Look in the XDA forums for the DreamG1
@John, Stock Froyo 2.2 has NOT been released for our phones yet, Just Froyo 2.2 in general has been released. I do not recommend updating to Froyo yet, as we dont really have an official or third-party bustom build, just a hacked version the Eugene put together. You should be able to update to Stock Froyo as Samsung intended it, Google will never release 2.2 specifically for this phone, as thats Samsung’s job.
Gingerbread (3.0) is a whole different story, and no one knows how the upgrade procedure will work. it will be a few months before we see anything Gingerbread based.
Regarding “unrooting”, it totally depends on what the flash is doing. If it wipes the /system partition, then yes, you will lose root.
@McParty, There are plenty of instructions on how to root a G1. Look in the XDA forums for the Dream\G1
@John, Stock Froyo 2.2 has NOT been released for our phones yet, Just Froyo 2.2 in general has been released. I do not recommend updating to Froyo yet, as we dont really have an official or third-party bustom build, just a hacked version the Eugene put together. You should be able to update to Stock Froyo as Samsung intended it, Google will never release 2.2 specifically for this phone, as thats Samsung’s job.
Gingerbread (3.0) is a whole different story, and no one knows how the upgrade procedure will work. it will be a few months before we see anything Gingerbread based.
Regarding “unrooting”, it totally depends on what the flash is doing. If it wipes the /system partition, then yes, you will lose root.
ahh. . android nubs are hilarious. XD
ahh. . android nubs are hilarious. XD
Jason,
you mentioned writing an article that deals with the lag, did I miss it?
Jason,
you mentioned writing an article that deals with the lag, did I miss it?
Nope, you didn’t miss it. I am working on a few articles about the Vibrant. Ive been testing the “lag” fix for two days now, and its finally stable enough for public consumption. Look forward to an article on the “lag” fix and one to restore your phone to completely stock soon.
Nope, you didn’t miss it. I am working on a few articles about the Vibrant. Ive been testing the “lag” fix for two days now, and its finally stable enough for public consumption. Look forward to an article on the “lag” fix and one to restore your phone to completely stock soon.
oh man oh man oh maaaan. i cannot wait for this fix for the lag issue!!!! i cant believe that a phone with this impressive hardware setup has so much lag….man its ridiculous. also, anyone know what app i use after rooting ( i rooted the day i got my vibrant) to delet all these extra BS apps that came on the phone?
use launcher pro. i wanted to sell my phone prior to getting launcher pro
use launcher pro. i wanted to sell my phone prior to getting launcher pro
oh man oh man oh maaaan. i cannot wait for this fix for the lag issue!!!! i cant believe that a phone with this impressive hardware setup has so much lag….man its ridiculous. also, anyone know what app i use after rooting ( i rooted the day i got my vibrant) to delet all these extra BS apps that came on the phone?
I just tried your rooting my Vibrant and all I see on the screen is Donloading….and on the bottom of the screen it shows Do not turn off Target!!!…………..its been like this for more than 15mins….what do I do next?…………Please help asap, 1st time in rooting phones…….
I just tried your rooting my Vibrant and all I see on the screen is Donloading….and on the bottom of the screen it shows Do not turn off Target!!!…………..its been like this for more than 15mins….what do I do next?…………Please help asap, 1st time in rooting phones…….
I’m unable to root my vibrant. How and where exactly do i put the update.zip file into the internal SD? Do I need to unzip the folder first?
Do I take out the two folders from the unzipped update folder, and put it directly in the internal SD? I tried it so many ways but none of the variations gave me the necessary option once accessed the recovery menu.
Please help!!!
I’m unable to root my vibrant. How and where exactly do i put the update.zip file into the internal SD? Do I need to unzip the folder first?
Do I take out the two folders from the unzipped update folder, and put it directly in the internal SD? I tried it so many ways but none of the variations gave me the necessary option once accessed the recovery menu.
Please help!!!
Jason ….can you make vibrant read thai web?
Jason ….can you make vibrant read thai web?
I’ve tried this a dozen times – keep getting the same error each and every time / says file not found or valid on sd – those arent the exact words, but I’m not going to do it again just to type it. it’s trying to boot from the sd card?? I’ve had friends who’ve rooted droids, and this particular one say they’ve always rooted from the sd card, so now I don’t know who is right or wrong – and at this point – I don’t wanna mess with it – my screen has been freezing up now since that first attempt.
I was getting the same thing. Change the file name from “update.zip” to “update”. Apparently if you right click the file and click properties, then click the “details tab”, you’ll see the file being read as update.zip.zip. When having it as “update” and rebooting, it worked fine.
I need to be able to read Thai web too, please help!
go to the android market and search for “one click lag fix” it will make things so easy. No need to use a computer to root. Simple, even retarded individuals, as most of you are, could do this.
thanks diesel that did it
hi, I have a Vibrant with 2.1update-1 firmware (Eclair)
I basically thrashed the phone and had to get a newer one. luckily the t-mobile dude thought it was defective. If anybody knows the update.zip that is needed to root that newer Vibrant… pllllllease let us know. Thanks for everything
I have rooted everything how it tells me too above, however once I go into Superuser permissions, nothing happens……
Through the applications screen, I tap Superuser Permission and then it will ask me to install, I check install, and then it asks if I want to open…..and then nothing just my normal header (w, volume, 3G, Signal strength, phone charge and time), and then a Superuser Permissions line and then……black!!
SU is only used when an applications needs SU access. Try and download an app that uses SU capabilities and it will ask you if it is okay to accept or decline SU access for that app. Try something like Titanium Backup, AutoKiller, or AutoRunKiller
I have rooted everything how it tells me too above, however once I go into Superuser permissions, nothing happens……
Through the applications screen, I tap Superuser Permission and then it will ask me to install, I check install, and then it asks if I want to open…..and then nothing just my normal header (w, volume, 3G, Signal strength, phone charge and time), and then a Superuser Permissions line and then……black!!
Having same problem as Jett here… I copied over the update.zip file (renamed) to my Vibrant and its been sitting on a Downloading…. Do not turn off Target!!!! plez tell me i didnt brick my phone…. someone throw this Dumbass a bone?!?!?!
No you aren’t bricked, you accidentally got into download mode instead of recovery mode. Turn off your phone (Ya, I know it says dont turn off, but you aren’t “downloading” anything so its fine) and try again WITHOUT any USB cable attached. The exact same key combo gets you into download mode & recovery mode, depending on whether a USB cable is plugged in or not. Hope that helps you guys!
Having same problem as Jett here… I copied over the update.zip file (renamed) to my Vibrant and its been sitting on a Downloading…. Do not turn off Target!!!! plez tell me i didnt brick my phone…. someone throw this Dumbass a bone?!?!?!
worked perfectly flawless 1st time great job
I have a Vibrant w/ 2.2 and I keep getting E: Signature verification failed message after selecting “reinstall packages” everytime I try, can someone help me please. I have also tried the superoneclick method and when it tries to install busybox it says not enough free space on device, even after factory reset, any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
i get the same exact thing but until some one can find a fix we have to downgrade back to 2.1 and just change the rom to a 2.2 or higher thats what i am plaing to do i just need to find the best rom
Diesel_077 was right, Rename “update” and the phone will read “update.zip”