How To: Root Motorola Photon 4G
Filed under Development, Guides, News by Kenneth Pennington on August 13, 2011 at 1:49 AM
Sprint launched the Motorola Photon 4G not more than a couple of weeks ago. The device features a 1 GHz Tegra 2 chip, qHD screen, and integrated Webtop Linux experience. It’s already got a couple of custom pseudo-ROMs, root through the HD dock, and a number of clutch modifications.
Finally, users can enjoy root priveleges without purchasing one of those expensive HD Multimedia docks. We’ve included the directions below for your Photon-rooting pleasure. Make sure to head over to the XDA-Developers forums to thank master developer Edgan for his efforts that rooted this device. See the directions after the break.
Root Motorola Photon 4G
Prerequisites
- Drivers
- ADB package
- Root file
Installation
- Navigate to the Android Market and install the “Superuser” application from ChainsDD
- Alternatively, install a Superuser .apk file from here.
- Extract the ADB package to your C:\ Drive under a new folder titled “root”
- Place the root file in the same folder
- Open the command prompt (Start >> run “cmd” >> enter)
- Type the following commands
- cd C:/root
- adb push photon-torpedo.tar /data/tmp
- adb shell
- cd /data/tmp
- /bin/tar xf /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.tar
- /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.sh
- /data/tmp/install-su.sh
- Congratulations! You are rooted!
Source // Edgan, XDA
awesome work guys!
None of the links work….
Help
$ ./photon-torpedo.sh ./photon-torpedo.sh ERROR: ld.so: object ‘libpcprofile.so’ cannot be loaded as audit interface: unde fined symbol: la_version; ignored. Fatal server error: Server is already active for display 0 If this server is no longer running, remove /tmp/.X0-lock and start again. Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support at http://wiki.x.org for help. ddxSigGiveUp: Closing log
Try this:
cd C:/root
adb push photon-torpedo.tar /data/tmp
adb shell
/bin/tar xf /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.tar
cd /data/tmp/
bin/tar xf /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.tar
cd /data/tmp
./photon-torpedo.sh
./install-su.sh
err after downloading this .tar file, should I keep it in C:/root or copy it to sd card / ad ext of mobile ?
1. Extract the ADB package to your C: Drive under a new folder titled “root”2. Place the root file in the same folder
So, yes, keep it in C:root. Good luck!
I’m finding these instructions a lil vague, can you make this more idiot proof or are there steps missing?? i.e pull battery and put into xxx mode??
WOW this can’t get any more confusing – you obviously posted this as if the person has done this several times before, and while I appreciate you trying to help, what is this part?
2. Extract the ADB package to your C: Drive under a new folder titled “root”3. Place the root file in the same folder
“C:Drive” as in my desktop computer hard disk drive???
And if you meant the phone’s C: drive I did not know the phone had a “C” drive.
Ok let me see if I got this right….you are installing ABD and Root onto a created file labeled root. then you enter all the commands…Then do you transfer the folder to the phone? And where do you install the drivers? Thanks for any help you guys can give!
What do I choose when I connect my phone to my computer??? I got device not found after second command
Settings >> Applications >> Development >> USB Debugging needs to be enabled.
Nevermind- hadn’t installed 64-bit driver.
Same here and I have debugging already checked
doesnt work?
keep getting permission denied?
bin/tar not found can i get assistance with this PLEASE
No offense to Edgan because I am sure he was enthusiastic to get this out and could not possible account for every nuance, but the instructions were somewhat vague and potentially confusing especially for us novices. So with that it is possible some of you may get the following that appears to be an error message:
“root@localhost:/data/tmp#”
That means your phone is now rooted and the last step is typing:
“/data/tmp/install-su.sh”
So in between his last two instructions above;
/data/tmp/photon-torpedo.sh
/data/tmp/install-su.sh
If you get this ‘error’ message:
####
ERROR: ld.so: object ‘libpcprofile.so’ cannot be loaded as audit interface: unde
fined symbol: la_version; ignored.
Fatal server error:
Server is already active for display 0
If this server is no longer running, remove /tmp/.X0-lock
and start again.
Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support
at http://wiki.x.org
for help.
ddxSigGiveUp: Closing log
bash: groups: command not found
root@localhost:/data/tmp#
####
Just type:”/data/tmp/install-su.sh”
after that last line, “root@localhost:/data/tmp#” and hit ENTER.
That means your phone is now rooted.
After that I went to the Market on my phone, or you can go to https://market.android.com/ and install, Root Checker by Joey K (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.joeykrim.rootcheck&feature=search_result) to see if you got it right.
Believe me it took several hours of visiting many different Web sites and trial and error to get this done. Again, the instructions could have been a bit clearer and taken into account every nuance but there you go and I hope that helps someone.
hey Vin seems like you got it down but im having problems after ….
/bin/tar xf /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.tar
says files not found i tried with no space after “xf” /data and get an error like f needs to be argued type –help…blah blah what am i doing wrong?
same here mine doin that exact same thing
Did you install the correct drivers that are posted with the instructions? Only asking b/c I had the same error- hadn’t installed the drivers.
Thanks for letting me know about Charge Only. I was using USB Mass Storage. That worked. Thanks again.
hey madeline yes driver installed cant get passed /bin/tar xf/data/tmp photon-torpedo.tar and if i ignore and go to next step its says permission denied
Are you sure the photon-torpedo.tar is in your computer hard disk drive @ C:root folder along with the “adb” files?
Thanks a lot
YOUR THE MAN!!! & they made a big deal about this phone being locked! this phone was unlocked in record time! i guess when people see it as a challenge they get to work :) thanks alot VIN i was stuck at the “server active display 0″ part & also read about putting it in charge mode.
Tyring to install ChainsDD SU comes up as an infected file via AVG antivirus, which I was dumb enough to buy after installing a rogue keyboard that captured my keystrokes and gave someone access to my PayPal account… I suppose the message comes up because it sense the application is trying to write system files?
Thanks for the confirmation. I was going to try it anyway, but this just helped back my thoughts up. This wasn’t as easy as my Evo, but was still simple enough. All hail Edgan.
Vin, you think you could walk someone through this who is very novice? i want to root my moto electrify and was wondering if this would work with mine like on the photon? also i have some questions i cant find the answers to and was wondering if you had some helpful insight? you can email me at proctorseth1977gmail.com
thanks
If everyone watches the video you’ll see exactly what you should see on your screen. You will get “not found” if you don’t have the correct drivers post above installed.
when I download Root it downloads as Photon-Torpedo.tar BUT when it’s Extracted in the Root Folder it says Photon-Torpedo.sh and it won’t let me Root the Photon. I am using Winrar instead of Winzip. Is this an issue? Thanks
Edit: When I run adb devices it shows my device. Should I run this under USB Mass Storage or Charge Only. For wahtever reason I can’t get photon-torpedo.tar to extract as such. it says photon-torpedo.sh
Charge only. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled. The extraction is correct. The ADB package and Photon-Torpedo.tar go into one folder called “ROOT.”
Make sure you have the correct drivers installed – 32 or 64 bit (those are the Moto drivers that’ll see your phone).
ok i get to step 5 /bin/tar xf /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.tar and get old option “f” requires an argument…in noob terms can someone please explain a way around this or how to make it work
Actually I figured it out. I put the actual Photon-Torpedo.tar Zip in the Root folder and extracted as well. Was able to Root phone. Thanks for your help
I get stuck at /bin/tar xf /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.tar
OMG!!!! thanks for uploading the info very
How do we know if we are Rooted. When I goto use Wireless Tether it asks me if I am Rooted. Is there a way to find out if this worked and we are Rooted.
Edit: I used Root Checker (Free App) and says I am Rooted and BusyBox is installed:)
help I get stuck after bin/tar xf /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.tar how i fix this?
Just keep getting error: device not found
Please Help!
I get an error right after the last command: /data/tmp/install-su.sh
and I cannot root my Photon. I have debugging enabled and followed instructions exactly. Here is what’s inside the command window.
C:Userskympc>cd ..
C:Users>cd ..
C:>cd root
C:root>adb push photon-torpedo.tar /data/tmp
* daemon not running. starting it now *
* daemon started successfully *
547 KB/s (71680 bytes in 0.127s)
C:root>adb shell
$ cd /data/tmp
cd /data/tmp
$ /bin/tar xf /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.tar
/bin/tar xf /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.tar
$ /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.sh
/data/tmp/photon-torpedo.sh
ERROR: ld.so: object ‘libpcprofile.so’ cannot be loaded as audit interface: unde
fined symbol: la_version; ignored.
Fatal server error:
Server is already active for display 0
If this server is no longer running, remove /tmp/.X0-lock
and start again.
Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support
at http://wiki.x.org
for help.
ddxSigGiveUp: Closing log
/data/tmp/photon-torpedo.sh: line 5: /lib/libphoton-torpedo.so: Permission denie
d
ERROR: ld.so: object ‘libphoton-torpedo.so’ cannot be loaded as audit interface:
invalid ELF header; ignored.
Fatal server error:
Server is already active for display 0
If this server is no longer running, remove /tmp/.X0-lock
and start again.
Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support
at http://wiki.x.org
for help.
ddxSigGiveUp: Closing log
$ /data/tmp/install-su.sh
/data/tmp/install-su.sh
Usage: mount [-r] [-w] [-o options] [-t type] device directory
cp: /system/bin/su: Read-only file system
Unable to chmod /system/bin/su: No such file or directory
Usage: mount [-r] [-w] [-o options] [-t type] device directory
rm failed for /lib/libphoton-torpedo.so, Permission denied
$
C:root>
Please Help!
I get an error right after the last command: /data/tmp/install-su.sh
and
I cannot root my Photon. I have debugging enabled and followed
instructions exactly. Here is what’s inside the command window.
C:Userskympc>cd ..
C:Users>cd ..
C:>cd root
C:root>adb push photon-torpedo.tar /data/tmp
* daemon not running. starting it now *
* daemon started successfully *
547 KB/s (71680 bytes in 0.127s)
C:root>adb shell
$ cd /data/tmp
cd /data/tmp
$ /bin/tar xf /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.tar
/bin/tar xf /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.tar
$ /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.sh
/data/tmp/photon-torpedo.sh
ERROR: ld.so: object ‘libpcprofile.so’ cannot be loaded as audit interface: unde
fined symbol: la_version; ignored.
Fatal server error:
Server is already active for display 0
If this server is no longer running, remove /tmp/.X0-lock
and start again.
Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support
at http://wiki.x.org
for help.
ddxSigGiveUp: Closing log
/data/tmp/photon-torpedo.sh: line 5: /lib/libphoton-torpedo.so: Permission denie
d
ERROR: ld.so: object ‘libphoton-torpedo.so’ cannot be loaded as audit interface:
invalid ELF header; ignored.
Fatal server error:
Server is already active for display 0
If this server is no longer running, remove /tmp/.X0-lock
and start again.
Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support
at http://wiki.x.org
for help.
ddxSigGiveUp: Closing log
$ /data/tmp/install-su.sh
/data/tmp/install-su.sh
Usage: mount [-r] [-w] [-o options] [-t type] device directory
cp: /system/bin/su: Read-only file system
Unable to chmod /system/bin/su: No such file or directory
Usage: mount [-r] [-w] [-o options] [-t type] device directory
rm failed for /lib/libphoton-torpedo.so, Permission denied
$
C:root>
Not working for me. I am getting the same error of:
”ERROR: ld.so: object ‘libpcprofile.so’ cannot be loaded as audit interface: undefined symbol: la_version; ignored.”
When I type adb shell its shows error: device not found. Ihave the files installed in the root folder
Any Mac instructions?
Brand new Android convert / first time “rooter” – this method worked GREAT, thanks! :) (I also encountered an error message, as mentioned below, but just continued on past it, based on a clip I saw on YouTube that warned it would happen) and rooting was accomplished correctly.
i get to adb shell and it says device not online or something what am i doing wrong???
C:Users*****>cd C:/Root
C:Root>adb push photon-torpedo.tar /data/tmp
* daemon not running. starting it now *
* daemon started successfully *
error: device not found
C:Root>
This is the Issue that I am having, I am not sure as to what I am doing wrong because after following the guide I I can’t even get past adb push. Please someone help…
andriod666@gmail.com
You need to unblock the root file by right clicking on the file and go to properties and unblock.
I’m able to go through to the cmd. I key in CD C://root
After that I try the “adb push photon=torpedo.tar /data/tmp”
and then I get the following error message.
“ADB is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable programs or batch file.”
What do I do? I am trying to get this rooted so I have internet to do schoolwork. Please help.
Drew0621@gmail.com
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:UsersKeith>cd c:/root
The system cannot find the path specified.
C:UsersKeith>cd c:/photon root
c:Photon Root>adb push photon-torpedo.tar /data/tmp
* daemon not running. starting it now ** daemon started successfully *
345 KB/s (71680 bytes in 0.202s)
c:Photon Root>adb shell
$ cd /data/tmpcd /data/tmp
$ /bin/tar xf /data/tmp/phonton-torpedo.tar/bin/tar xf /data/tmp/phonton-torpedo.tar/bin/tar: /data/tmp/phonton-torpedo.tar: Cannot open: No such file or directory/bin/tar: Error is not recoverable: exiting now
$ /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.sh/data/tmp/photon-torpedo.sh/data/tmp/photon-torpedo.sh: not found
$ /data/tmp/install-su.sh/data/tmp/install-su.sh/data/tmp/install-su.sh: not found
i can’t get pass this. what im i doing wrong?
Ok, I’m a complete rooting idiot. I need simpleton directions as if you’re trying to get a 2 year old to do this. When I say make it easy, I mean it. I’ve never done this before. I dont want to screw up my phone so if anyone has the patience to explain this to me please do so. Thanks
I’ve followed every step, and got the error like everyone did. Yet Root Check basic still says I don’t have root access. What am I doing wrong here?
I just got this to work on my Motorola Electrify. after 3 tries, I have Root… First 2 tries was only temp I guess, I rebooted and everything went south. LoL Then reading Vin Carrillo I tried the 3rd time. And my phone is rooted. But every once in a while I get a notification about updating the binary something. I did it once on my 2nd try, but I think it may have been the reason it failed? Not sure, now I just clear the message. I am happy I have root. Thanks..
This root works well but there sre a few typos in the command lines. Mostly backslashes and one space needed to be added. Took some time to use this method but my photon is rooted and running better than ever. For additional referance search youtube for a walkthrough. Thats how i found the typos. Thanks developers. This root made this phone worth having
i got through the whole thing fine but for some reason my phone will not boot into recovery….am i missing something? i checked and it says that i am rooted but idk what else to do. help please
What are the advantages of root? obviously wireless tether is a big one
Also, if rooted can it be undone in case I have problems with the phone and need to return it for repairs? (had a.samsung instinct s30 that I went through 6 phones in a year, then bought the Evo 4G, now the photon)
Thanks for any help!
The error happens but I dont get “root@localhost:/data/tmp#” its just blank.
cd/data/tmp: not found
thats what it says when i type that in. motorola electrify uscc..need help getting past that
This is what i get when i click on the 32bit drivers
Reported Attack Page!
This web page at bandbinnovations.com has been reported as an attack page and has been blocked based on your security preferences.
Attack pages try to install programs that steal private information, use your computer to attack others, or damage your system.Some attack pages intentionally distribute harmful software, but many are compromised without the knowledge or permission of their owners.
Reported Attack Page!
This web page at bandbinnovations.com has been reported as an attack page and has been blocked based on your security preferences.
Attack pages try to install programs that steal private information, use your computer to attack others, or damage your system.Some attack pages intentionally distribute harmful software, but many are compromised without the knowledge or permission of their owners.
whats abd look like