How To: Root Motorola Photon 4G

Filed under Development, Guides, News by Kenneth Pennington on August 13, 2011 at 1:49 AM

Motorola Photon 4G

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

http://twitter.com/zombisam Samuel Rivera

awesome work guys!
Jjdougood

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
http://briefmobile.com Kenneth Pennington

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
James Kahn

err after downloading this .tar file, should I keep it in C:/root or copy it to sd card / ad ext of mobile ?
http://briefmobile.com Kenneth Pennington

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!
http://www.facebook.com/jason.haid Jason Haid

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??
Vin Carrillo

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.
Ah

What do I choose when I connect my phone to my computer??? I got device not found after second command
Ah

What do I choose when I connect my phone to my computer??? I got device not found after second command
http://briefmobile.com Kenneth Pennington

Settings >> Applications >> Development >> USB Debugging needs to be enabled.
Scandalex

Same here and I have debugging already checked
Scandalex

Nevermind- hadn’t installed 64-bit driver.
guest

doesnt work?
keep getting permission denied?
guest

bin/tar not found can i get assistance with this PLEASE
Vin Carrillo

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.
My

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?
Cheseanreedf

same here mine doin that exact same thing
Vin Carrillo

Are you sure the photon-torpedo.tar is in your computer hard disk drive @ C:root folder along with the “adb” files?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1429933733 Madeline Respes

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.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1429933733 Madeline Respes

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.
Anonymous

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
Chris2furj

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!
http://www.facebook.com/jason.haid Jason Haid

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
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1429933733 Madeline Respes

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).
Anonymous

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
Catracho116

I get stuck at /bin/tar xf /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.tar
Spotlyte43

OMG!!!! thanks for uploading the info very
Anonymous

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.
Anonymous

Thanks for letting me know about Charge Only. I was using USB Mass Storage. That worked. Thanks again.
My

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
Lawenforcer360

help I get stuck after bin/tar xf /data/tmp/photon-torpedo.tar how i fix this?
Tim

Just keep getting error: device not found
Jrjr

Hey assholes!!! Why don’t you fucking tell me, I need to be doing this in conjuction with a window machine!! fucking morons
Jrjr

Hey assholes!!! Why don’t you fucking tell me, I need to be doing this in conjuction with a window machine!! fucking morons
Uuuh

These directions are complete shit!!!! you get all sorts of errors and none of the comments below tell you how to deal with them

, ERROR: ld.so: object ‘libpcprofile.so’ cannot be loaded as audit interface: undefined symbol: la_version; ignored.Fatal server error:Server is already active for display 0If this server is no longer running, remove /tmp/.X0-lockand start again.Please consult the The X.Org Foundation supportat http://wiki.x.orghfor help.
Bob

Thanks a lot
http://www.facebook.com/JayQ330 Jonathan Oquendo

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.
Kym Quidiello

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>
Kym

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>
Nottabrat

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?
Lawrence Stevens

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.”
Major Woody

When I type adb shell its shows error: device not found. Ihave the files installed in the root folder
http://www.facebook.com/EiBStudent Justin Taylor LaNoue

Any Mac instructions?
Anonymous

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.
dustin

i get to adb shell and it says device not online or something what am i doing wrong???
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001258725940 Drake Nightshade

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
Jeffro

You need to unblock the root file by right clicking on the file and go to properties and unblock.
Drew0621

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
Keith

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?
Ozzy

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
Andy Hassan

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?
Thomas M

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.
http://twitter.com/oditius oditius

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..
Jesse Smith17

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
David E Olmo

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
seth p

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
GaTex777

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!
Exile3308

The error happens but I dont get “root@localhost:/data/tmp#” its just blank.
Kurtm74

cd/data/tmp: not found

thats what it says when i type that in. motorola electrify uscc..need help getting past that
db

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.
db

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.
wolf

whats abd look like

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