Geohot's Towelroot can root most Android devices including the Galaxy S5

[Himanshu Arora]

Good news for AT&T and Verizon customers who want to root their Galaxy S5 devices: renowned XDA developer Geohot, the guy who unlocked the first iPhone and hacked the Sony PS3, has released a new tool called Towelroot that can help you root your S5 (and other Android devices) easily.

Towelroot exploits a Linux kernel vulnerability, which was recently discovered by hacker Pinkie Pie, involving an issue in the Futex subsystem that in turn allows for privilege escalation. The tool should work with any device that's running an unpatched kernel -- basically a kernel from before June 3rd.

Besides the Galaxy S5, Towelroot been tested and found to work with the Nexus 5, Galaxy S4 Active, and AT&T and Verizon variants of the Note 3.

Using Towelroot is rather straightforward if you're familiar to downloading apps from non-official sources. Simply head to towelroot.com, click the lambda icon to download the APK file, and install it on your device. From there just run it and after a reboot your device's bootloader will be unlocked.

Being a one-click APK, it's advisable that you only download Towelroot from the official page, otherwise you could be exposing yourself to hackers modifying the package with malware. Geohot is releasing the tool for free and accepting donations for his work via PayPal and Bitcoin. Keep in mind is that the tool will probably void your warranty, however.

You can also use Towelroot to root the Amazon Fire TV.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/57135-geohots-towelroot-can-root-most-android-devices-including-the-galaxy-s5.html

 

[HiDDeNMisT]

Does not work on my S4 Active. Just saying.

 

[Guest]

Will it work with the s3?

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

The guy must fancy himself to accept Bitcoins but I suppose it's better than mining them yourself.

 

[insect]

Will it work with the s3?

There are about 50 ways to root an S3 at the moment. Which way will depend on whether you've received OTAs (over the air updates) or not - if not, it's way easier because there are more "bugs" in the Kernel to exploit. I rooted mine one-week after release. Check XDA forums.

Does not work on my S4 Active. Just saying.

I'm wondering you received an OTA after the exploit was found a month ago?


Just as a side comment, if you ever plan to root/use your phone for it's full potential (I.e., use root-based security [which means you can remote brick if ever stolen], remove bloatware, tether your phone, etc.) I recommend disabling OTA's the second you get it. Telecom companies push out updates to fix rooting methods almost immediately (yet they still won't let you get the latest Android version until a year later....). Either that or pony up the extra money for the developer edition (which by the way, isn't more overall, just more up-front - when you buy at a subsidized price (I.e., $100), you pay the remaining $500 in your monthly bill over the term of the contract. You could also just pay $600 up front for the dev. edition and not pay back the "loan" each month).

 

[Zoner1501]

The fact it's called tr.apk on my download list is a bit unsettling...

 

[Zoner1501]

Doesn't work on the EVO 4G or EVO 4G LTE

 

[HiDDeNMisT]

There are about 50 ways to root an S3 at the moment. Which way will depend on whether you've received OTAs (over the air updates) or not - if not, it's way easier because there are more "bugs" in the Kernel to exploit. I rooted mine one-week after release. Check XDA forums.



I'm wondering you received an OTA after the exploit was found a month ago?


Just as a side comment, if you ever plan to root/use your phone for it's full potential (I.e., use root-based security [which means you can remote brick if ever stolen], remove bloatware, tether your phone, etc.) I recommend disabling OTA's the second you get it. Telecom companies push out updates to fix rooting methods almost immediately (yet they still won't let you get the latest Android version until a year later....). Either that or pony up the extra money for the developer edition (which by the way, isn't more overall, just more up-front - when you buy at a subsidized price (I.e., $100), you pay the remaining $500 in your monthly bill over the term of the contract. You could also just pay $600 up front for the dev. edition and not pay back the "loan" each month).

Yes you are correct. I receive the OTA. Dam I had completely forgot about it. Oh well. Looks like I am going to have to wait till I buy a S5.