[HOW-TO] Root Acer Iconia Tab A500 3.1 Update

**ls377** · 08-07-2011, 05:41 PM

[WARN]You, and only you, are responsible for anything you do to your device. Do not proceed if you are not okay with the risks.[/WARN]

[NOTE]Does NOT work with the 3.2 update. [/NOTE]

Rooting

Step 1: Download the latest version of iconiaroot from and install it. Thanks to sc2k for this app!
Step 2: Open the app, and click "root".

You are now rooted with su installed!

Installing CWM Recovery from thor20020r

[NOTE]CWM requires an external SD, which it sees as the /sdcard. If you run into an error with this, use to format it (full erase) and try again.[/NOTE]

Step 1: Go to the Market and search for Acer Recovery Installer.
Step 2: Open the app, select Clockworkmod Recovery rev 1.3.4, and select Install Recovery Image. Be sure to back up your stock image.
Step 3: When it is finished, select Reboot into Recovery.

You now have CWM installed. All ROM/kernel files should go on the external SD card.

**Floridadomer** · 08-11-2011, 08:07 AM

So I used this and it was a breeze. I then used the instructions on another post to get Netflix up and running. Netflix now works but now YouTube and any other kind of flash video will not work. I tried to run then unroot but I am getting this: Something went wrong..you are still rooted?!?!
Any ideas? If I do a factory reset, will I be unrooted? Is there a chance it will brick?

**ls377** · 08-11-2011, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by Floridadomer

So I used this and it was a breeze. I then used the instructions on another post to get Netflix up and running. Netflix now works but now YouTube and any other kind of flash video will not work. I tried to run then unroot but I am getting this: Something went wrong..you are still rooted?!?!
Any ideas? If I do a factory reset, will I be unrooted? Is there a chance it will brick?

Factory reset doesn't touch the /system partition, which is where the root stuff goes. It won't brick it, you'll just be left with a clean, rooted tablet.

Unroll workshops fine for me, so I'm guessing it was something to do with the netflix patch. Try reversing it if you can, and I'll take a look at the patch if I have time later.

**Floridadomer** · 08-11-2011, 03:34 PM

I tried everything I could so I did a hard reset and took it back and it exchanged it under my 14 days.

**ssethv** · 08-18-2011, 09:22 PM

Just got my tab today... thinking about rooting it... not to familiar with the process but it seems way to easy from the instructions... I think I will weight a few days and then do it....

so what are the pro and cons to rooting this... I am sure there cant be any roms for this yet?

**myotherbrotherdarrell** · 08-19-2011, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by ssethv

Just got my tab today... thinking about rooting it... not to familiar with the process but it seems way to easy from the instructions... I think I will weight a few days and then do it....

so what are the pro and cons to rooting this... I am sure there cant be any roms for this yet?

There are actually a few.
Another benefit of rooting is apps like addfree android which automatically kills most in-app ads.

**Fumetsu** · 08-19-2011, 09:30 PM

Backup and restore capabilities are the biggest benefit to rooting. There are some awesome custom ROMs for the Iconia if you want to go that route. There are a few Galaxy ports which give us the awesome Touchwiz UX from the 10.1, I'm rocking an ASUS port that runs really smooth.

**noted123** · 10-08-2011, 09:36 PM

I have a problem, i try ti root my Acer but appear (something went wrong, you're NOT rooted!
What's the problem?

**scarryman04** · 10-09-2011, 10:23 AM

the problem is you probably accepted the 3.2 update which this root method doesnt work for anymore.

**coolsoundingme** · 10-10-2011, 12:36 PM

To unroot with icona root do the following steps:

1. Enable USB Debugging (in the Applications -> Development settings).
2. Switch to Portrait and lock it with the rotation lock.
3. Plug it into your computer with the microUSB cord.
4. Run icona root and click unroot.

I've done this two or three times. It works every time.

Edit: Do the same steps (accpet click root in the last step instead, obviously) to root it.

**Moscow Desire** · 10-10-2011, 01:07 PM

"IF" you accepted or installed the 3.2 update, and now you wish to root, you must do this for the time being;

The devs in the future, will find a more easier way.

Rule #1 NEVER accept an OTA update when you are rooted. Everybody should know this. Yeah' there's gonna be some people who say it's ok, Well, untill the OTA fubarrs your bootloader and such.This 3.2 OTA is just one case of many.

**Moscow Desire** · 10-10-2011, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by ssethv

Just got my tab today... thinking about rooting it... not to familiar with the process but it seems way to easy from the instructions... I think I will weight a few days and then do it....

so what are the pro and cons to rooting this... I am sure there cant be any roms for this yet?

Are you running an A500 or an A501.

For A500;

Honeyvillain
Taboonay (requires Thor Kernel for higher higher OC)
Revolver

Edit: I should add that newer versions can come with OC and undervolt kernels, but I find Thor kernels to be more stable

All three have kernels of overclocking, including the following;

For the A501;
Honeyvillain
Taboonay (requires Thor Kernel for OC)

There are afew others, but mostly for the A500. Basically they will be stripped down versions of HC 3.2. There are a few others based on HC 3.1.