Rooting Google Nexus One on Android GRK39F build

by kai on 25/01/2012



The other day I needed to change the hosts file on my Google Nexus One (to actually point a domain name to a local dev environment so that I could test some mobile web application development I’ve been doing). I needed root access to do that and I ended up realising that I had lost root access (even after I manually hacked my way from the Vodafone 2.1 build to Android 2.2 when I got the device) by installing the 2.3.x upgrades.

I did a bit of digging around on how to get root access back with the GRK39F firmware and as it ended being up sort of being a puzzle game to find all the information, so I thought I’d put it all into a blog post.

It seems that what I’d usually would have used (Superboot) isn’t supported on the Nexus One post firmware GRI40 anymore. Bummer. Luckily a guy from Germany (“Bexton” on xda-dev) forked Superboot and called it Bexboot and made it work on Android GRK39F on the passion hardware. The problem with that is that apparently his server is down or has been shut down and it was not as obvious to get instructions and the necessary files.

Here’s what I did:

It’s really straight forward – took me about 5 mins to actually apply the firmware change and I’ve got root access on my Nexus One again.

Obviously I’m not endorsing all this … insert more legal blabla here … Essentially: in case you read this and/or try to do anything I’ve described here, you’re on your own. Don’t ask me for help when you break your own or other people’s devices, create a black hole, attract aliens or cause any other kind of harm to you, anyone or anything.

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

Frame February 7, 2012 at 4:03 am

I did follow exact same procedure but my WiFi is now stuck at “Error” and won’t start at all. Any ideas?

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