How To Root Your Android Phone / Device

We have been covering rooting procedures for several Android devices in the past and in this post, we aim to bring them all together. In the beginning, you might see just a few devices listed here but over time, we will be updating this guide with rooting procedures for all the devices we have already covered as well as those we will be covering in the future.

Disclaimer: Rooting your device will void its warranty. In addition, performing the rooting procedure incorrectly may have unexpected consequences. Please follow this guide at your own risk. AddictiveTips will not be liable if your device gets damaged or bricked during the process.

Android is based on Linux and comes locked with only standard user access given to its user. Root access – also known as Superuser access – is the access level on Linux-based devices that lets their users perform administrative tasks including updating the system, installing applications at the core level without using the standard ‘.apk’ installation files, accessing the system partition, modifying protected system files and changing their permissions etc.

The procedure for rooting an Android device varies from device to device. Fortunately, we have already covered rooting procedures for most Android phones. Just go to the procedure that applies to your phone and follow it. We shall be adding more devices here as they get released and their rooting methods become available.

Phones

Universal:

If one of these methods works for your device, you don’t need to go through any dedicated procedure. Just confirm that the method you are using supports your device, before trying it out.

Root many Android devices with SuperOneClick
Root many Android devices with Universal Androot
Root many Android devices with Z4Root

While the above universal methods work well on most devices running Android 2.2 Froyo or earlier, they may or may not work on Android 2.3 Gingerbread. For those of you with Gingerbread (2.3 or later) devices, here is another universal tool built for the very purpose:

Root many Android 2.3 Gingerbread devices with GingerBreak

Dell:

Root Dell Venue

Google:

Unlock Google Nexus One Bootloader
Root Google Nexus One | Root Google Nexus One from Ubuntu Linux
Unlock Google Nexus S Bootloader
Root Google Nexus S
Root Google Galaxy Nexus on Android 4.0 | Root Google Galaxy Nexus on Android 4.0.2 (CF-Root)

HTC:

Root HTC Aria
Root HTC Desire
Root HTC Desire HD | Root HTC Telus Desire HD
Root HTC Desire Z / T-Mobile G2
Root HTC Droid Incredible
Root HTC Droid Eris
Root HTC EVO 4G
Root HTC EVO Shift 4G
Root HTC Hero
Root HTC Incredible S (S-OFF devices only)
Root HTC Inspire 4G
Root HTC Legend
Root HTC myTouch 3G Slide
Root HTC myTouch 4G
Root HTC Tattoo
Root HTC Thunderbolt | Root HTC Thunderbolt from Mac
Root HTC Wildfire

LG:

Root LG Ally
Root LG T-Mobile G2X | Root LG T-Mobile G2X from Mac / Linux
Root LG Optimus 2X
Root LG Optimus One
Root LG Optimus GT540
Root LG Optimus T
Root LG Optimus V

Motorola:

Root Motorola Atrix 4G
Root Motorola Backflip
Root Motorola Bravo
Root Motorola Defy
Root Motorola Devour
Root Motorola Droid
Root Motorola Droid 2
Root Motorola Droid X
Root Motorola Flipout
Root Motorola i1
Root Motorola Milestone
Root Motorola Milestone XT720

Samsung:

Root Samsung Captivate
Root Samsung Continuum
Root Samsung Droid Charge
Root Samsung Epic 4G
Root Samsung Fascinate (Telus)
Root Samsung Galaxy 3
Root Samsung Galaxy S 4G
Root Samsung Galaxy S I9000 | Root Samsung Galaxy S I9000 running any stock ROM
Root Samsung Galaxy S II I9100 | Root Samsung Galaxy S II I9100 With Single Click
Root Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700
Root Samsung Intercept
Root Samsung Vibrant
Root Samsung Galaxy Note

Sony Ericsson:

Unlock Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc, Neo, Pro & Play Bootloader
Root Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
Root Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo
Root Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Root Sony Ericsson Xperia X8
Root Sony Ericsson Xperia X10
Root Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini / Pro

Other:

Root ZTE Racer

Tablets

Acer:

Root Acer Iconia A500

Advent:

Root Advent Vega

Amazon:

Root Amazon Kindle Fire

ASUS:

Root Asus Eee Pad Transformer

Barnes & Noble:

Root Nook Color
Root Nook Color running Honeycomb
Root Nook Tablet (Windows) | Root Nook Tablet (Linux & Mac)

Dell:

Root Dell Streak 7

LG:

Root LG / T-Mobile G-Slate from Linux

Motorola:

Unlock Motorola XOOM Bootloader
Root Motorola XOOM | Root Motorola XOOM after Android 3.1 update

Notion Ink:

Root Notion Ink Adam

Samsung:

Root Samsung Galaxy Tab | Root Samsung Galaxy Tab running 2.3.3 Gingerbread
Root Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Smartbook:

Root Smartbook Surfer

Toshiba:

Root Toshiba Folio 100

Viewsonic:

Root Viewsonic G Tablet
Root Viewsonic Viewpad 7 Tablet

If one of the universal procedures listed above don’t work for your device and you don’t see a dedicated method for your device listed here either, do a quick Google search for it and you will most likely find it. Also let us know about it in the comments and if possible, we will cover it for you here.

Done with rooting and want to customize your device further? We have you covered, in our comprehensive Android customization series that covers custom ROMs, themes, apps, wallpapers, lock screens, boot screens, fonts, status bar tweaks and more. Ready for it? See How to customize the looks of your Android phone / tablet [Series].