Motorola Droid 2.0.1 Rooting FAQ's

**Cory Streater** · 06:03 PM

The following are frequently asked questions in regards to rooting the Motorola Droid.

A big thanks to the following members for contributing!!!!

DA6
Flyguide83
prometheus
thebizz

If you do not see an answer to your question above, please use the SEARCH feature of the forums, to look for a solution, before starting a new thread.

**Cory Streater** · 02-19-2010, 08:53 AM

The process of rooting your phone is a means of giving yourself root, or superuser/admin access to the Droid.

Once rooted, you will have access to the /system folder and the ability to both read and write to files in this folder. When you first buy your Droid, these files are set to read only.

**Cory Streater** · 09:42 AM

Pre-Requisite: Your Droid must be at version 2.0.1

1. Download "Root my 201 Droid.zip" from here.
2. Extract and transfer update.zip, to your Droid's SD card, either via an SD card reader or USB.
3. Power down Droid.
4. Hold down the "X" key on the physical keyboard and do not let go.
5. Now press the power button while you continue to hold the X button.
6. When you see a triangle you can stop pressing the power and X button.
7. Now press the volume up button and do not let go.
8. Now press the camera button while you continue to press the volume up button, until you see a menu.
9. Using the directional pad on the physical keyboard, select the option to update using update.zip file.
10. Once the update is complete, select the option to reboot the phone.

Your phone is now rooted.

Many thanks to embeem, mjxg, & Cyanogen for your efforts in making rooting possible.

**Cory Streater** · 02-19-2010, 09:47 AM

Sholes.info is a group of developers that had created a program (available in the Market or via their website), that automated the process of rooting your Droid and updating the Droid's ROM file.

As of 2.17, the Sholes.info app is no longer in the Market, and the Sholes.info page says "Presently unavailable".

There are rumors that Sholes.info will be available again in the future.

In the meantime please use the manual procedure above to root your Droid.

prometheus · 12:41 PM

Will rooting my phone void my warranty?

Yes rooting WILL void your warranty. This includes the manufacturer's warranty and any secondary coverage such as Assurion.

Rooting your device is NOT recommended or encouraged by either the phones's manufacturer or your carrier. Rooting gives the user access to programs and files that an inexperienced user could alter and damage their device.

However, it is possible to "unroot" - that is go back to stock settings. So, in the event of something non-software related (i.e. crack the screen and make as Assurion claim) you may be able to remove evidence that the device was rooted and thus obtain a warranty replacement.

So, BEFORE starting the process of rooting your device consider all of the consequences and determine if this is something you REALLY want to do.

prometheus · 02-19-2010, 11:17 AM

Will I be able to receive OTA updates once rooted?

No. Any OS update that is "pushed" to your device from the carrier will not be received on a rooted device. Updates to apps downloaded from Market will continue to be received.

However, it is possible to unroot your device and go back to stock settings and thus be able receive OTA updates. This can be done at any time after the OS is pushed. So, if you are rooted, a new OS is pushed, you missed it because you were rooted - don't despair, you can unroot and it will get automatically downloaded.

But... there is no certainty that once an OS update is recieved that you will be able to re-root. New OS require new programs to be written to allow access to root functionality. It is likely that a developer will be able to hack new OS and allow root on new OS. But, that may take a little while and you may be "stuck" with a stock OS.

Flyguide83 · 04:14 PM

Recommended applications to install after rooting

Droid root pro
Root explorer
Set cpu
Sugar sync
Dro cap2
Titanium backup
AdFree

prometheus · 11:47 AM

How do I back up my device before rooting?

There are a few apps that can assist you in this. Ckeck out a few that are available for free in market:

Astro (backs up apps only)
Titanium

The back up file is created on your SD card. You can copy and paste that file on your computer - in case somewhere in the root process you corrupt your SD card.

prometheus · 02-19-2010, 11:44 AM

Will I lose all of my settings / apps once I root?

NO. However, it is possible to mess up the root process and inadvertantly wipe your device. So, it is highly recommended that you create a back up file of your phone and SD card prior to starting the root process.

Keep in mind that apps you purchased through Market are saved in Market under your user name. So, even if you wipe your device - once you access Market with the same user name the apps are listed under "downloads" and available to download again. Also, your contacts are stored and saved under your Gmail account. And, custom ringtones and wallpapers can (should) be stored on your SD card which can (should) be backed up on your computer. So, restoring a wiped device only takes a little bit of effort. You would have to work pretty hard to completely lose everything.

prometheus · 02-19-2010, 11:51 AM

How much will rooting my device cost me?

Most hacks are available for free. There is usually a recommended donation to the developer. This is usually in the range of $5.

The developers work very hard to write the hacks. So, budget a few bucks and don't be cheap. Remember - you get what you pay for.