I purchase software that will allow me to track where my daughter is through her phone ( I have reason to believe I need this so please don't avoid answering because you don't approve. I certainly didn't want to resort to this.) but the phone needs to be rooted for the software to work and to remain hidden. I have no other reason to root her phone. The creator of the software suggested using Universal Androot and selecting 'Do Not Install Superuser' from the option dropdown. As we all know, Universal Androot doesn't work on the Fascinate but, since it gives the OPTION of installing Superuser, I was hoping to find a manual root process, or better yet a one click process, that does not install it. It seems that all of the one click and manual processes I have seen install Superuser so they are no help. I have never rooted a phone so I'm hoping someone can lead me to some detailed instructions that avoid the installation of Superuser. Thanks in advance for your help.
Can I root without installing Superuser?
- Thread starter eljay337
- Start date
The Z4Root.apk worked for me, but you still will have the superuser there, best option i guess would be to make it a hidden app in Launcher Pro or something of the sort. I definitely don't approve of this, but its your family, so I'll still give you the best of my knowledge.
Kevin Gossett
Retired Moderator
- Sep 9, 2010
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*DISREGARD*
Root any method you prefer. Then, with a root file explorer (root explorer, astro, etc) go to the /system/app folder and add .old to the end of superuser.apk. You may have to install the tracking software and grant it superuser access before doing that, but once it has been given permission, it doesn't need the app again. I would then also remove the root file explorer you install so she cannot look into the system and find the rest of the SU files.
*I have confirmed this by moving superuser.apk to my sd card and verifying apps that require root still work (wireless tether, root explorer, titanium backup, etc)
Root any method you prefer. Then, with a root file explorer (root explorer, astro, etc) go to the /system/app folder and add .old to the end of superuser.apk. You may have to install the tracking software and grant it superuser access before doing that, but once it has been given permission, it doesn't need the app again. I would then also remove the root file explorer you install so she cannot look into the system and find the rest of the SU files.
*I have confirmed this by moving superuser.apk to my sd card and verifying apps that require root still work (wireless tether, root explorer, titanium backup, etc)
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Glad you knew this, I was in the dark. I just figured the easiest route was to make it a hidden app on launcher that you can do that on.
Well I was just about to retract that statement. After a reboot the apps can no longer gain access. Your best bet would probably find another reason to root the phone as well.
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Well that would get a little more involved because he would also need to install a kernel with a dummy tether module. Not any bit difficult, but more steps. I'd go for something simple like Titanium Backup. Assuming this "hidden" tracking app doesn't show up there.
Use Launcher Pro and hide the icon in the app drawer. It's all installed but the app icon isn't visable
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