WP7 Root Tools : Run App with Root Permission on Windows Phone

The Super User App for Windows Phone is here finally, and this is really significant because now you can ditch the craze for Custom Rom and just use this app to empower windows phone apps to run with root permission on any unlocked phone. We did talk a lot about the app when it was announced by HeathCliff before and below are more details on this.

Again, What does it do ?

It allows you to grant permission to app (Managed Silverlight application, not apps which use native code) which you trust, root permission, so it can take advantage of all the features in Windows Phone. Normally, the apps are restricted for a reason, but if you have developed an app or an app from a person whom you trust in, this app is just for your. One typical example of such app will be Lock Widget from Windows Phone Hacker which needs root permission.

Caution :

Before you try it out, make sure you have taken backup of your phone using any of the three methods which I have described in this detailed post here. In case anything goes wrong, you can use the same tool to restore to a previous state.

Second this app is still in alpha stage though is extremely stable, as far as I have tested it, but this is to let you know and when its out of Alpha you might expect more tweaks and features.

Devices on which the app is already tested :

Since the WP7 Root Tools is already tested on devices like, Samsung first and second generation, LG devices, HTC first generation devices with Mango v1 drivers (SPL 4.x or lower), Samsung first generation devices with custom ROM and Full Unlock and HTC first generation devices with custom ROM and Full Unlock, chances are installation will be smooth.

WP7 Root Tools

How to install ?

First make your device is unlocked which could be App Hub Unlocked, Chevron UnLocked or WindowBreak Method.

Next step is download the XAP file from here and install it using the Windows Phone Application Deployment tool which comes with the SDK.
Third make sure you have made a backup.
Next launch the app on your phone, and this is what should happen. In my case, it is Samsung Focus 1st Generation but it should be more or less same on devices on which it has worked.

There are two phases of installation for this app to work. In the first phase, it will detect the device you have and tell you if the device is supported or now.

Next it will tell you that some operations will be done in the first phase when you press next and reboot your device. Right after that your phone reboot is complete, run the app again for, the second phase, which will be followed by a second reboot. Make sure to run it immediately after the phone is up.

Installation Video Demo

Watch on YouTube

How to use it

Once both the reboots are complete, launch the app again, and you will see there are four screens for the app, Registry, Explorer, Policies, Certificates and tweaks.

Policies are what you want to use to allow root access to any app which is installed. When you first start the Policies screen, it will take a bit of time to make a list of all the apps installed, and permission it has. Once it is complete, you can see the name of the applications and trusted condition. Now you can turn on or off for apps which you want to grant root permission.

Next to test it, install an app like Lock Widget from Windows Phone Hacker which needs root access to work. If that works, most of the apps which need root permission should also work without any problems.?

Whats in for the Developers

Like the dev said at the time of announcement, there is a SDK available which any app can make use of to communicate with the WP7 Root Tool App. It provides a way to gain access to the filesystem and registry (and more) from their managed Silverlight application. He has promised to post some examples and more details for you to understand about it.

Thanks Heathcliff74

This guy needs a serious applause because of the effort he is making for the community where there are many people who wanted to have this kind of power for their app without loading any custom rom. Lastly thanks to all who tested it. Read more about it here

Download

Download the SDK and the XAP file of the App from here