How do I root my device?

Question

This is a common question by those who have want to root their phones. How exactly do I root my phone?

Answer 1

DISCLAIMER: ROOTING YOUR PHONE WILL PROBABLY VOID YOUR WARRANTY FROM BOTH THE CARRIER AND THE MANUFACTURER. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO ACCEPT FAULT FOR ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ROOTING, THEN DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER. HERE BE DRAGONS.

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Questions?

Before rooting, you might have some questions about it. Fortunately, they've already been answered! Refer to the handy list below:

• What does "to root a phone" mean?
• What is the difference between: Rooting, Jailbreak, ROM, Mod, etc.?
• Are there any risks to rooting a device?
• What do I gain from rooting?
• See the sidebar to the right for more potentially relevant questions!

How do I do root?

First, ensure you understand that you are assuming all risks and will void your warranty. We don't guarantee that any specific program or method will work. Once again:your warranties will be voided, you may screw up your phone, and there may also be other adverse effects. If you do not want to risk it, stop now.

The easiest way to root your phone is via "one click" methods. You will have less of a chance of messing up your phone via these methods. However, these "one click" methods are not available for all devices and therefore you will have to go through a manual process using ADB or other tools. Ensure you know what version of Android you have, your phone's firmware and hardware versions, and whether the rooting method you will choose work on those versions.

BE VERY CAREFUL IN MODIFYING ANY INSTRUCTIONS UNLESS YOU WANT AN EXPENSIVE PAPERWEIGHT. We can't guarantee that none of these methods will brick your phone, but trying to mess about on your own is even more dangerous unless you really know what you're doing.

Rooting Guides Index

These are links to questions on this site that have been asked for specific devices. If the question for your device hasn't been answered, don't post a duplicate — you can attract attention to the question by offering a bounty on it, sharing the link, posting in our chatroom, etc.

HTC

• Hero
• Incredible S
• Nexus ONE
• Thunderbolt (Solved)

Motorola

• Fire XT316

Samsung

• Galaxy Ace (Solved)
• Galaxy S (Solved)
• Galaxy Tab 10.1 (Solved)
• Nexus S

Sony

• Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro

Other

• Dell Streak 5 / Mini 5 (Solved)
• Huawei X3 U8510 (Solved)
• Idea USA Superpad VIO
• Kindle Fire (Solved)
• Pandigital Novel

Methods/apps that work across many devices

• SuperOneClick
• Universal Androot - Read the page to see what devices are supported. Mostly pre-2.2.1 versions of Android
• Universal One Click - Make sure your device is support by reading the whole first post
• Unrevoked
• Droid X Recovery Bootstrap
• Gingerbread exploit app - Works on 2.1 and 2.2, as well as early 2.3 releases (hence the name).
• Zerg's One Click Root (Removed broken link. Need a working link.)
• XDA Developers: The biggest resource for rooting, mods, etc.
• Also check out the CyanogenMod wiki for other ways to root your phone.

I've rooted my phone. Now what?

• We have another question about that!
• If you have another method or know how to root a device that's not listed, feel free to add it to the list! Just follow the same format.