Join the Talk | 70,041 members - 273,187 posts Advertise | Have a scoop? Tip us!

Regain root access of your G1 with leaked RC29 firmware

02 January 2009 by Staff Editor


Worth Reading?

NoYes

+4 [4 votes]


How many of you upgraded your T-Mobile G1 to the RC30 firmware only to find that you no longer had root access?  A member by the name of “chavonbravo over at the XDA-developers forum has gotten his hands on the uploaded image for the RC29 firmware.

The process is quite simple, simply rename the file, copy it over to your microSD card, and run through the standard procedure for re0flashing your G1. This method has been tested and does indeed work but proceed with caution, as with all firmware hacking of any kind there are risks involved.

Good luck to all those who are going to revert to a much easier hackable firmware. With this new method out there, how many of you are now going to slave away trying to regain control of your handset?

  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Slashdot
  • SphereIt
  • Technorati
  • blogmarks
  • Blogosphere News
  • email
  • NewsVine
  • StumbleUpon
  • FriendFeed
  • Live
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Wikio
  1. Yesssss!

    I don't know why I bothered accepting that update without checking the forums first, but now I'm saved!
  2. Works great too! Takes very little time. Lots of help out there too if you get stuck. I recommend upgrading to JC modded rc30 v 1.3 as well. This will get you started:


    http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=443797
  3. I did it last night, and as I said in another post, it practically does itself. No slaving needed. My mom could have done it.

    Upgrading to the JF R30 v. 1.3 was a liiiittle tougher, but not much.
  4. spent from 1130 pm to 530 am playing with my g1 after i got root access
  5. The good thing about the JF1.3 RC30 is that it is built with a fix to prevent any applications from accessing su without your knowledge.
  6. Wow. There's a uk version too.

    I already had 29 going, but this basically allows ANYONE who wants root to have it. And it's got a competency threshold so that only those who can at least follow the flashing instructions will have it...

    Jesus Freke's 1.3 is out btw.

    W
  7. Would be nice to have a stickie about how to do this and a faq.
  8. To the casual user, what are the benefits of having root on your G1? I realize there's much more you can do, but, is there anything that makes it 100% worth it for every G1 user to have root?
  9. Some things you can do with root:
    • Delete or replace official Google applications you don't want (e.g., lose Amazon stuff, update browser, use K9 instead of Mail, etc.)
    • Customize UI by adding behavior (auto-rotate to the browser, for example) or radical new themes (already in development) to enhance the look and feel of your phone
    • Tweak Android settings to let you do things you would otherwise not be able to do (such as get high-quality YouTube... or do SIP/iax2 VOIP... over your g3 connection)
    • Access parts of the phone (dialer, microphone, gtalk service, etc.) in ways that are either restricted or there is no API for yet to enhance phone's functionality.
    • Add full support for apps inside Android written in other languages besides Android's Java-like VM (ie, Flash, Mono, Python, C, etc.)
    • Install non-official variants of Android such as the new Cupcake release
    • Support non-official capabilities of the G1 (multi-touch? Voice distorter? etc.)
    • Add more unix tools (such as full busybox prompt), windowing systems (such as X11) or unix programs programs, potentially adding tens of thousands of new applications.
    • Replace OS entirely with Debian or something else.
    • Overclock (?) or otherwise alter default behavior at CPU level
    • Add enhanced "full" backup & recovery of the entire phone
    etc. etc.

    W
  10. Quote:
    Originally Posted by VValdo View Post
    Some things you can do with root:
    • Delete or replace official Google applications you don't want (e.g., lose Amazon stuff, update browser, use K9 instead of Mail, etc.)
    • Customize UI by adding behavior (auto-rotate to the browser, for example) or radical new themes (already in development) to enhance the look and feel of your phone
    • Tweak Android settings to let you do things you would otherwise not be able to do (such as get high-quality YouTube... or do SIP/iax2 VOIP... over your g3 connection)
    • Access parts of the phone (dialer, microphone, gtalk service, etc.) in ways that are either restricted or there is no API for yet to enhance phone's functionality.
    • Add full support for apps inside Android written in other languages besides Android's Java-like VM (ie, Flash, Mono, Python, C, etc.)
    • Install non-official variants of Android such as the new Cupcake release
    • Support non-official capabilities of the G1 (multi-touch? Voice distorter? etc.)
    • Add more unix tools (such as full busybox prompt), windowing systems (such as X11) or unix programs programs, potentially adding tens of thousands of new applications.
    • Replace OS entirely with Debian or something else.
    • Overclock (?) or otherwise alter default behavior at CPU level
    • Add enhanced "full" backup & recovery of the entire phone
    etc. etc.

    W
    Exactly. Now we need tutorials for all these things in one organized place.....
  11. Quote:
    Originally Posted by VValdo View Post
    Some things you can do with root:
    • Delete or replace official Google applications you don't want (e.g., lose Amazon stuff, update browser, use K9 instead of Mail, etc.)
    • Customize UI by adding behavior (auto-rotate to the browser, for example) or radical new themes (already in development) to enhance the look and feel of your phone
    • Tweak Android settings to let you do things you would otherwise not be able to do (such as get high-quality YouTube... or do SIP/iax2 VOIP... over your g3 connection)
    • Access parts of the phone (dialer, microphone, gtalk service, etc.) in ways that are either restricted or there is no API for yet to enhance phone's functionality.
    • Add full support for apps inside Android written in other languages besides Android's Java-like VM (ie, Flash, Mono, Python, C, etc.)
    • Install non-official variants of Android such as the new Cupcake release
    • Support non-official capabilities of the G1 (multi-touch? Voice distorter? etc.)
    • Add more unix tools (such as full busybox prompt), windowing systems (such as X11) or unix programs programs, potentially adding tens of thousands of new applications.
    • Replace OS entirely with Debian or something else.
    • Overclock (?) or otherwise alter default behavior at CPU level
    • Add enhanced "full" backup & recovery of the entire phone
    etc. etc.

    W
    Is there a guide to adding all these features after rooting your device? I've found walkthroughs for rooting and it seems straightforward enough, but for newbies like me I have no idea how to go about adding these features after rooting.
  12. It's Linux. To teach everything you could do with root would be to try to type out every possible Linux command and argument for people to try to peck out verbatim.
  13. Once you do that, you can't get the OTA updates anymore, right?

    If you have the "legit" developer phone, can you do OTA updates without losing root?

    If you go the root route (sorry, couldn't resist) and you want to go back to "legit" updates (losing root), is that possible?
  14. Quote:
    Originally Posted by mlevin View Post
    Once you do that, you can't get the OTA updates anymore, right?

    If you have the "legit" developer phone, can you do OTA updates without losing root?

    If you go the root route (sorry, couldn't resist) and you want to go back to "legit" updates (losing root), is that possible?
    Welll.... If you go back to RC29, you'll have root, but it'll start bugging you about RC30 soon, which will take it right back away. What going back to RC 29 will allow you to do is get root and use it to go to MODIFIED RC30. Once you've done this, you won't receive OTAs anymore. You'll have to do them manually. You will either be able to put the OTA on there manually when it comes out, and lose root again, or wait until it gets modified, so you can preserve root and get the new features.

    OR... You can put the engineering bootloader on there, and it won't really matter if you have root or not when it comes to updates, because you'll ALWAYS be able to get it back, no matter what, because you can flash anything you want, whether you have root or not.

    Confusing?
  15. Quote:
    Originally Posted by DesignDawg View Post
    Welll.... If you go back to RC29, you'll have root, but it'll start bugging you about RC30 soon, which will take it right back away. What going back to RC 29 will allow you to do is get root and use it to go to MODIFIED RC30. Once you've done this, you won't receive OTAs anymore. You'll have to do them manually. You will either be able to put the OTA on there manually when it comes out, and lose root again, or wait until it gets modified, so you can preserve root and get the new features.

    OR... You can put the engineering bootloader on there, and it won't really matter if you have root or not when it comes to updates, because you'll ALWAYS be able to get it back, no matter what, because you can flash anything you want, whether you have root or not.

    Confusing?

    .....ponders....
  16. What exactly can I do with root access? I'm still trying to figure this out.
  17. Quote:
    Originally Posted by Reeg View Post
    What exactly can I do with root access? I'm still trying to figure this out.


    Quote:
    Originally Posted by VValdo
    Some things you can do with root:
    • Delete or replace official Google applications you don't want (e.g., lose Amazon stuff, update browser, use K9 instead of Mail, etc.)
    • Customize UI by adding behavior (auto-rotate to the browser, for example) or radical new themes (already in development) to enhance the look and feel of your phone
    • Tweak Android settings to let you do things you would otherwise not be able to do (such as get high-quality YouTube... or do SIP/iax2 VOIP... over your g3 connection)
    • Access parts of the phone (dialer, microphone, gtalk service, etc.) in ways that are either restricted or there is no API for yet to enhance phone's functionality.
    • Add full support for apps inside Android written in other languages besides Android's Java-like VM (ie, Flash, Mono, Python, C, etc.)
    • Install non-official variants of Android such as the new Cupcake release
    • Support non-official capabilities of the G1 (multi-touch? Voice distorter? etc.)
    • Add more unix tools (such as full busybox prompt), windowing systems (such as X11) or unix programs programs, potentially adding tens of thousands of new applications.
    • Replace OS entirely with Debian or something else.
    • Overclock (?) or otherwise alter default behavior at CPU level
    • Add enhanced "full" backup & recovery of the entire phone
    etc. etc.

    W



    If you don't know what root is, or what you can do with it, you don't need it.
  18. Quote:
    Originally Posted by Kha_ View Post
    Is there a guide to adding all these features after rooting your device? I've found walkthroughs for rooting and it seems straightforward enough, but for newbies like me I have no idea how to go about adding these features after rooting.
    Some of these features aren't "realized" yet. Root only makes them possible, but since root is only now available for many people, there hasn't been a lot of time to mess with it.

    That said, already there are theming HOW-TOs and instructions for installing cupcake, as well as how to tether (which is basically using your phone as a modem to "pass through" your phone's internet to a laptop), turn on auto-rotate, prevent T-Mobile from auto-"upgrading" the phone, install Debian Linux, install and run apps off your SD-Card, etc.

    Now that root is available to many more people, I expect to see more sophisticated and user-friendly applications, modifications, etc. to appear.

    W
  19. Quote:
    Originally Posted by VValdo View Post
    Some of these features aren't "realized" yet. Root only makes them possible, but since root is only now available for many people, there hasn't been a lot of time to mess with it.

    That said, already there are theming HOW-TOs and instructions for installing cupcake, as well as how to tether (which is basically using your phone as a modem to "pass through" your phone's internet to a laptop), turn on auto-rotate, prevent T-Mobile from auto-"upgrading" the phone, install Debian Linux, install and run apps off your SD-Card, etc.

    Now that root is available to many more people, I expect to see more sophisticated and user-friendly applications, modifications, etc. to appear.

    W
    In regards to the huge bold link above: With JC rc30 v1.3 that link is not necessary to follow. Right?
  20. Quote:
    Originally Posted by VValdo View Post
    Some of these features aren't "realized" yet. Root only makes them possible, but since root is only now available for many people, there hasn't been a lot of time to mess with it.

    That said, already there are theming HOW-TOs and instructions for installing cupcake, as well as how to tether (which is basically using your phone as a modem to "pass through" your phone's internet to a laptop), turn on auto-rotate, prevent T-Mobile from auto-"upgrading" the phone, install Debian Linux, install and run apps off your SD-Card, etc.

    Now that root is available to many more people, I expect to see more sophisticated and user-friendly applications, modifications, etc. to appear.

    W
    where's the link for moving caches to the sdcard? seriously though where is it, that and that alone may make me do this...
  21. Here's a thread on moving the caches to the sdcard:
    http://androidcommunity.com/forums/f...g-cache-10201/
  22. thanks dan and waldo! loads o info in those two posts
  23. Quote:
    Originally Posted by VValdo View Post
    Delete or replace official Google applications you don't want (e.g., lose Amazon stuff, update browser, use K9 instead of Mail, etc.)
    Can I just go in and delete packages, like the Amazon MP3 one? What about myFaves?
  24. I think many are missing the point. Root access gives developers more options in creating apps. Thus if you have root access, you can install powerful apps that you wouldn't be able to otherwise. But unless you know how to write the code yourself, you gotta wait for someone else to actually develop the new apps.
  25. Does anyone with root access have the T-Mobile MyFaves app they can upload somewhere? I have a dev G1 (an actual one) with T-Mobile and it would be nice to have this app.
  26. I've mirrored these 2 files just incase people can't get them from megaupload;

    RC29 (for US): http://trackmygps.co.uk/files/US-RC29.zip
    RC7 (for UK): http://trackmygps.co.uk/files/UK-RC7.zip
  27. Quote:
    Originally Posted by foxdie View Post
    I've mirrored these 2 files just incase people can't get them from megaupload;

    RC29 (for US): http://trackmygps.co.uk/files/US-RC29.zip
    RC7 (for UK): http://trackmygps.co.uk/files/UK-RC7.zip

    Thank you, the link I got from XDA is slow as hell! Thanks
  28. Quote:
    Originally Posted by VValdo View Post
    Some things you can do with root:
    • Delete or replace official Google applications you don't want (e.g., lose Amazon stuff, update browser, use K9 instead of Mail, etc.)
    • Customize UI by adding behavior (auto-rotate to the browser, for example) or radical new themes (already in development) to enhance the look and feel of your phone
    • Tweak Android settings to let you do things you would otherwise not be able to do (such as get high-quality YouTube... or do SIP/iax2 VOIP... over your g3 connection)
    • Access parts of the phone (dialer, microphone, gtalk service, etc.) in ways that are either restricted or there is no API for yet to enhance phone's functionality.
    • Add full support for apps inside Android written in other languages besides Android's Java-like VM (ie, Flash, Mono, Python, C, etc.)
    • Install non-official variants of Android such as the new Cupcake release
    • Support non-official capabilities of the G1 (multi-touch? Voice distorter? etc.)
    • Add more unix tools (such as full busybox prompt), windowing systems (such as X11) or unix programs programs, potentially adding tens of thousands of new applications.
    • Replace OS entirely with Debian or something else.
    • Overclock (?) or otherwise alter default behavior at CPU level
    • Add enhanced "full" backup & recovery of the entire phone
    etc. etc.

    W


    You forgot - 'brick' your G1.
  29. Wow, I've done it, RIght now I'm installing RC30 as we speak. Freedom is a good thing!


    ok ok, now i've got root, what do i do with it?

    Juice, BRICK your G1?..... Nahhhh I'm a wreckless person.... and my phone just rebooted, installed RC30 using test keys and I'm good.
  30. good info about the benefits of rooting the g1
  31. Quote:
    Originally Posted by XDViPeR View Post
    Juice, BRICK your G1?..... Nahhhh I'm a wreckless person.... and my phone just rebooted, installed RC30 using test keys and I'm good.
    Cool.
    Now use your G1 to google sarcasm.
  32. did this last night and upgraded to mod RC30 JF and it was simple. thanks for keeping up with the news!
  33. Quote:
    Originally Posted by XDViPeR View Post

    ok ok, now i've got root, what do i do with it?
    The biggest advantage for me rooting the G1 now I think, is for bluetooth tethering. Other than that, I'm not sure why else I would need to root(yet)...
  34. Hi, Guys

    Just wanted to add my query to this post. I purchased a U.S version of the T-Mobile G1 and have been using it in the UK on T-Mobile.

    There are a few differences between the UK AND U.S, but the one I am more interested in is an issue where Sending/Receiving MMS doesn't work. I was told this is because the phone is from the U.S.

    Now I was wondering if it would be possible to flash the phone I have which is currently using RC30 with the U.K modded firmware? Help advise would be great!

    Thanks
  35. Quote:
    Originally Posted by donsingh2k View Post
    Hi, Guys

    Just wanted to add my query to this post. I purchased a U.S version of the T-Mobile G1 and have been using it in the UK on T-Mobile.

    There are a few differences between the UK AND U.S, but the one I am more interested in is an issue where Sending/Receiving MMS doesn't work. I was told this is because the phone is from the U.S.

    Now I was wondering if it would be possible to flash the phone I have which is currently using RC30 with the U.K modded firmware? Help advise would be great!

    Thanks
    Yup, downgrade to rc29 then upgrade to the modded UK rc8
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by birdman81484 View Post
    XDA came up with this method. It follows one should use XDA to revert back to rc29 and root it. Then proceed to upgrade to a modded rc30 like JF rc30 v1.3. These step by step directions are from XDA. If you follow them exactly you will have NO problem rooting your phone. It is rather simple actually. I will make one edit to this post to make it even easier. I have no experience using linux what so ever. If you can read you can do this. Its worth it guys who knows how crazy google might go at disallowing this in the future. Could take a year to get root access back if they manage to take it awyay again. I did it. Im a high functioning retard and i got it on my first try!
    here is the link as well:

    http://forum.xda-developers.com/newr...eply&p=2882509

    [quote =usmc2k;2882509]I would like to give thanks to JesusFreke who helped me to understand this process !!!! Please show him some love and make good gestures for his work….. Also to all the other people and sites who made this possible including Koush !!! I take no credit for this just posting it to help people like me, who dont know to much about this.


    First…. You need to install a google android usb driver so you can use the adb program. (It lets you push and pull files to/from the phone, and you can open up a shell with it to).

    Download the driver file (http://dl.google.com/android/android_usb_windows.zip) and
    unzip it to the desktop.

    On ur G1… Go menu > Settings > Applications > Development then enable the
    USB debugging button.

    Then connect your Android device via USB. When the Found New Hardware Wizard
    appears, you'll be asked if you'd like Windows Update to search for software,
    select No, not this time and click Next. Select Install from a list or specified location
    and click Next. Select Search for the best driver in these locations. Browse and
    select the unzipped file (android usb windows.zip). Click Finish.



    Second…. Setting up the SDK

    Go to http://code.google.com/android/download_list.html and download the
    SDK

    Unzip the file to the desktop and rename the folder to sdk

    Open your command prompt (Windows Key and R)

    Type “cmd” (Without the quotations)

    Then "cd desktop"

    Then “cd sdk”

    Next “cd tools”

    Now type “adb devices

    After that it should say some thing like… List of devices attached HT845GZ21370
    Device. If u see this abd sees your device.


    Third…. Writing JesusFreke’s Recovery image

    Download the zip file from this thread... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=443041)

    Unzip the files to the SDK tools folder

    Now, in the command window, type
    "adb push recovery_testkeys.img /data/local/recovery.img"
    (This will copy the recovery image files to the phone)


    Fourth…. Get Root working on ur G1

    Download the Android Telnet Client from the Market or get it here…
    http://www.koushikdutta.com/2008/11/...et-client.html

    Turn on your phone's WiFi. This gives your phone an IP you can reach it at.

    Restart your phone

    EDIT by birdman(compliments of rynosaur)::Once restarted go to your programs you will notice "Telnet" is now one of your programs. Open Telnet and hit the "Connect to Server Button"
    (You now have root!) EDIT by birdman: (If this does not work open "Terminal Emulator" application which you now also have and type "su") (You now have root!)

    Now put in this command….
    “mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system”

    Then “cd /system”

    Then “cat /data/local/recovery.img > recovery.img”

    Finally “flash_image recovery recovery.img” (Your Recovery Image is now writen)

    *To make sure your Recovery Image was written…. Reboot your phone in Recovery
    mode and press Alt+L. At the top it should say "using test keys" If so its written. Go
    ahead and Reboot your phone by pressing the Home and Back buttons.*

    Fifth…Apply JesusFreke’s modified RC30

    Go here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=466174 and Download the ZIP donsingh2k when you go here chooses the rc8 file.
    Now once the ZIP is downloaded rename it to “UPDATE”

    Put it on the storage card

    Last but not least Power off your G1 and Power it on by pressing the home key and power key

    Press Alt+L (to turn on text)

    Press Alt+S (to update)

    And Bam you have yourself a modded RC30 G1 !!!!!!!!
    [/QUOTE]
  36. Thanks for your reply birdman81484, really appreciate the instructions. I'll have a go at it later on tonight.

    Cheers
  37. awwww CRAP...i think I put the friggin UK version on by going on these steps...is there a way I can revert this or does it matter...O dang it.
  38. need help... I cannot get the adb shell to work.. "adb push recovery_testkeys.img /data/local/recovery.img" did all possible.. also do it need to have the adb shell working first before telnet.. telnet does not connect..getting ip error..also tried terminal emulator su command.. getting permission denied.. wifi is enable.. anyone suggestions? thanx
Join AndroidCommunity Forums

Android Phone Accessories


T-Mobile G1 Accessories
Palm Pre Accessories
iPod Touch Accessories
Advertise with SlashGear
Free Tech Support at SlashGear Forums

© 2009 Android Community. Part of R3 Media Network

Contact | Advertising | About Us