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There are many similar questions to what I am asking, but from my searches so far have not pointed this out:

What keywords on the device advertisement or how can I tell prior to purchasing a device, if it can allow root access to applications?

For instance, is there a brand or a model, or even OS version, that comes with an "allows Switch User" application by default?

Is there a way for me to direct possible customers to "easily" check if a device can be made rootable...

Long story:

I built a device to help users without mobility to control an Android device. The users are usually illiterate, have no Internet access and have low resources.

My application requires root access, however, my users are very uninformed about technology, and thus I need some sort of pointer or something to help them purchase Android devices (currently, they send me an e-mail that they usually can only check/reply once every 3 weeks, then I check that product, and give yes/no replies to that device.... this scenario is not working out, and giving out lists with all possible/know devices is also troublesome, since most shops will sell an Android device, but will not be able to tell the client the model.

As an example, we had the D2212 Sony E3 model working (this was my local testing device)... but clients keep on asking if the "Sony one", "the black one", "the telephony dealership one", etc.

Bonatti
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2 Answers2

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Rooting is not something endorsed by vendors (otherwise they would provide official instructions for doing this, or even ship the phones already rooted). Sony provides instructions to turn your device into a developer tool by unlocking the boot loader and changing the OS to a custom build. Motorola once offered the same. Also Nexus devices are friendly to rooting.

But in general there's no simple way to answer your question. Every user is on his own with this problem. Yes, I know this is disappointing.

Eugene Mayevski 'Callback
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How to check if a device can be made root-able[?]

If you go to a retail store and finds a device unknown to you, you, in virtually no fashion, can come to know whether the Android there can be rooted or not (exceptions reserved for 1-click root methods). The reason is simple. There are three common techniques to root a device:

  • unblock the bootloader, flash or boot into a compatible custom and use it to place the superuser binary
  • exploit a vulnerability when booted into Android OS and push the superuser binary, known as 1-click root access
  • interface at low-level to flash a pre-rooted and device specific ROM

As you can see, the first method requires interfacing with bootloader which you can't do at retail store; the second is of course not allowed either (though you may be in luck); the third is usually not supported for all devices either and always requires a PC.

Since Android's security model is almost useless against a process running with root privileges, it explains why a device (if has to be shipped with Google Apps, it must be compatible with Android and hence, should abide by guidelines under Compatibility Definition Document) wouldn't be having a switch to change the user to superuser or give access to superuser privileges.

Is it all hopeless than?

Yes and No. The only good option I see is the Web. Use it to search about rooting your device.

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Firelord
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