[Tutorial] use sideload to install root

[aus9]

under construction until I remove this line please
It would help if you don't reply as your questions comments will look funny until i finish the edits

Lets begin

Credits
siewarner testing on Windows
Athos for Windows preparation info and testing
sniper47 for his non-root CWM tutorial

What is sideload
A function to bypass normal security with luck, done in custom recovery mode
that tries to do the following

A inject a zip file into your device
B install it

Packages needed
Windows has been tested for this download.....gives you the adb command
Try link one first then second if you have any issues, both links work but first is preferred
Link 1
[Only registered and activated users can see links Click here to register]
Link 2
[Only registered and activated users can see links Click here to register]

Linux users can use normal package
android-tools-adb

NEXT, you need a zip file that contains the su command and APK
[Only registered and activated users can see links Click here to register]

I suggest you rename it so you can type in the command below as
chain.zip

Windows adb command preparation
Setting up Minimal ADB and Fastboot

1. Connect your phone to PC with USB debugging enabled, and drivers installed.
2. Run the downloaded installer package
3. Setup will prompt you for preferences.
Choose where to install/place program files.
eg

C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot\

Select whether or not to add a Start Menu folder for it.
Select whether or not to create a Desktop shortcut.
4. Run ADB from the either the Start Menu entry or the shortcut (if you created one).
Run as administrator.

Optional: (To enable you to run adb commands on a command prompt from anywhere in your system)
i. Go to My Computer. Do not select anything.
ii. Right-click anywhere in the window, select Properties.
iii. A new window will open. On the left pane, select Advanced System Settings
iv. in the Advanced Tab, click on Environmental Variables
v. Under System Variables, find and select Path, and click Edit.
vi. under Variable Path, go to the end of the existing line, add this

Code:

;C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot\

or your corresponding appropriate path of installation. (The folder path wherein you had the program installed (Step 3))
vii. OK on everything.

OR if Windows instructions is a minefield, just run a live Linux cd, no need to install.
Start a new post in Linux corner and have a couple of tea instead of needing stronger stuff.

ANDROID PREPARATION
You need a custom recovery installed such as CWM/CTR/TWRP

If you do not have one as yet try tutorial here
[Only registered and activated users can see links Click here to register]

Reboot into that recovery
choose install zip
choose option to sideload

Android screen should show some indication its waiting for a sideload command issued from your PC

PC PREPARATION
1) Open a terminal ...Linux users have a multitude to choose from. For
Windows users, the terminal is the command c m d.exe (without the gaps)

Probably you need to find it in your file manager, more to follow, then right hand click if right handed and choose option to run it as admin

2) Windows users navigate or change directory to where you put chain.zip ----if you used the Optional method.
If you chose not to use the optional method......then chain.zip must be moved into the install directory of folder you set up at step (3) above.

Linux users should navigate to where chain.zip is, normally in Downloads.

Code:

cd Downloads

3) start the adb command in admin mode for Windows
Linux users appear OK as local user

4) We need to ensure adb detects your Android such as example using Linux commands.....Windows commands will be similar

Code:

adb devices
* daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
List of devices attached
0123456789ABCDEF    sideload

You can not proceed unless you see sideload in output.

On your Android do not cancel sideload (an option in CTR)

5) now we sideload

Code:

adb sideload chain.zip
sending: 'sideload'  100%

Now check if root is working on your Android

good luck


Trouble shooting

A For Windows users you need to have the root still in zip format.
---- Not in APK format. Linux users know this instinctively.

B Don't try to go past adb devices command without seeing a device and that the device is in sideload mode

C Your custom recovery (like mine) was from needrom. It may be a mod and not correctly built for your actual device.

This can be resolved but need you ....not me....to unpack it and fix the various
init*rc scripts.

These scripts are dumb....they know nothing of your true USB IDs.
Put the right ones in, and all should be good. Put the wrong ones in and
custom recovery should still work for backup and restore but not sideload.

[aus9]

i have lost ability to edit...must be a timing thing

so I will put here...various changes....then when ready copy and paste into combined text file then ask for this thread to be deleted.

sorry about......so Athos if you are reading this....feel free to reply below
same for siewerner and any good looking mods

-----for your long list of corrections and suggestions

Note that I am a Linux user so suggestions about what I should do is start using Windows will be treated with the contempt it deserves

---

I neglected to point out the bleeding obvious to Linux lovers
You do not need to set up any udev rule before using sideload

here is proof....well I could lie but I assure it can be easily proved by moderator if you challenge me and they are willing to duplicate.

Distro Live Xubuntu 64 bit

Summary of action
download the adb package
try to run it as local user
try to run it as root user
kill the adb server
go to root
sideload established




2) I suspect any kind Windows user can try modifying the post ONE instructions to ignore installing USB Windows drivers (the linux version is udev rule)
and sideload should still work

---

and the image shows I have run a command to prove I have no udev rule set up.

[orion13]

Hi,
I tried that but it gives me error in the phone after "adb sideload chain.zip" command
Restarting adbd...
Error: Invalid OTA package, missing scatter
Instalattion aborted.

I have a s960s (lenovo fake) with android system recovery <3e> 109v82_tg_t5qhd_20140619

[aus9]

orion13

Did the title of this tutorial escape your attention?

use sideload to install root

Your error mentioning scatter file suggests you have downloaded a zip file meant to be used with flashtools.
I use Linux and can't use Windows so can not help.

Please start a new thread in the general area where Windows users might offer some advice. good luck

Will all windows users not reply to this poster, in this thread as its off topic thankyou.

I will shortly ask mods to delete this entire thread so I can post an amended tutorial which I shall rename tool.

[terry22]

Start a new post in Linux corner and have a couple of [Only registered and activated users can see links Click here to register] instead of needing stronger stuff.

---------------------------

Does it means this step will take a long time to go through?