[Solved] Help me root without custom recovery

[lopri]

I've got a new Nexus 7 with 3G/HSPA+ (T-Mobile) and want to have root access, without custom recovery such as CWM or TWRP. I tried the script written by this dude here;

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2025272

But it doesn't work. I don't know whether it's due to the new-ness of T-mobile version or not, but I get a message saying the device not found or something of that line.

So I have been searching manual root guide that doesn't involve a custom recovery, but can't seem to find one. Can anyone provide me with a pointer?

 

[lopri]

A step-by-step guide would be excellent. Thanks in advance.

 

[WelshBloke]

Why don't you want a functional recovery?

If you're going to root anyway you may as well take advantage of a custom recovery.(nandroid backups, easy flashing of roms or zips etc)

 

[lopri]

Well, I don't know. Maybe i wasn't impressed by CWM or TWPR.

I'd like to leave the stock (non-existing) recovery while having root access. I know it's possible, I just need a pointer.

 

[WelshBloke]

Well, I don't know. Maybe i wasn't impressed by CWM or TWPR.

I'd like to leave the stock (non-existing) recovery while having root access. I know it's possible, I just need a pointer.

Does this work? http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/how-to-root-the-nexus-7-20121116/

Edit: what do you mean unimpressed? You never need to boot into it if you don't want to.

 

[lopri]

I know. But sometimes those things does weird stuff behind my knowledge. (I made a thread about it once in the past) For instance, the CWM recovery had me shocked with its "blobs" folder which contained thousands of sub-folders which the author explained are there for backup purposes, even though I did not set up any backup schedule. It consumed significant amount of storage space and slowed down the system.

I would like to keep the system as close to stock configuration as possible while having access to root folders/commands. I may have to try out the toolkit you suggested though I thought this practice (root but no custom recovery) shouldn't be that uncommon. I was surprised that my search of root all resulted in some sort of custom recovery involved.

 

[Throckmorton]

I thought the default way to root had nothing to do with custom recovery and was basically just changing some settings to get full access. Weird

 

[lopri]

Yes, that's what I thought. My first root involved CWM but after that "blobs" folders incident, I switched to TWRP. Now that I have gotten a new Nexus, I would rather not deal with the custom recoveries, but surprisingly I can't find anywhere as to how-to's. Only thing that I found (the script linked in my OP) does not work for some reason.

Besides which, there is a chance that updates of recovery are necessary as Android updates hit, which can be a hassle. So I figured I would root without custom recoveries. I made a post @xda forum hoping someone will give me an answer while I think about the one-click tool.

 

[s44]

Just install a custom recovery then flash back the stock one if you don't want it. Simple.

 

[lopri]

Solved the problem. While trying out the one-click tool, it turned out Windows was confused about the new Nexus (3G version) and the old one (Wi-Fi). The tool helped cleaning up drivers, and then I was able to apply the script. Now I have a rooted Nexus 7 without custom recoveries, only SuperSU.

Thank you all for the suggestion, and thank you, WelshBloke. Though I did not use the tool to root the Nexus but it helped diagnosing the problem.

I'm a happy camper so far. Haven't bought a contract yet but the SIM works and immediately sets its sight at HSPA+ ("H" icon in notification area with full bars, I suppose that's that). Build quality is visibly superior to my prior Nexus 7.

 

[Oyeve]

Does the method you use wipe data?

 

[lopri]

Yes, I believe so. Can't say with 100% certainty because it's the first thing that I did thus there was no "data" to speak of. Heh. After the procedure, I was greeted with the welcome screen and I went through the initialization process so I am pretty sure it wipes data. (which is why I did it out of the box)

 

[Throckmorton]

Can you root a Galaxy 7 2.0 this way? Or just Nexuses?

A common saying in the Android community is that all you need in order to root a Nexus product is Fastboot OEM Unlock. The point behind this statement is that no additional work needed to take place in order to gain access to the bootloader on your tablet.
This statement, while technically true, drastically understates what is actually involved in this process. In order to use that command effectively, you need to have the Android SDK installed from Google, which in turn requires that you have an up-to-date version of Java installed on your computer.