Rooting a phone allows you to get custom ROMs and to download particular root-only apps from the Google Play Store. Every phone is a little different in terms of rooting, and the Samsung Droid Charge is a little trickier than some more popular phones. Let’s take a look at the best methods to use if you would like to learn how to root Samsung Droid Charge.
Why Root?
After you enable root access for your Samsung Droid Charge you have the ability to:
Use root-only apps from the Google Play store Generate Nandroid backups for your particular device Flash whatever ROMs and mods you may want Customize recoveries with certain installations Modify any system files on your phone
Some Notes Before Rooting
Keep in mind that whenever you root an Android phone you should always keep the battery charge at least 70%. This helps prevent any problems in case the battery were to die. In order to root an android phone properly you will need a USB cable and a PC computer. We should warn you that if you do attempt to root a Samsung Droid Charge, then you run the risk of bricking your phone. You shouldn’t have to worry as long as you follow all of the steps below, but if you stray from the directions there is a chance that you wreck your phone. If this does happen than any manufacturer warranties are rendered void since you rooted the phone. The final warning is to always backup all of your information before rooting your Samsung Droid Charge. The rooting process compromises pretty much everything on your phone, and you don’t want to go to work one day to realize that all of your important documents are gone because you were playing around with your phone and trying to root it.
Method 1: SuperUser RC3
This method entails a single zip file that you download onto your computer and transfer over to your Samsung Droid Charge. Please let us know if you’ve any questions about this method or if you can’t find access to any of the files or folder names that we mention. We understand that with technology some things occasionally change. In order for this method to work you need to install ClockworkMod Recovery on your device. To start simply download both Odin 1.85.rar and 0817_charge_recovery.tar.md5. Unzip the rar file to any folder you would like on your desktop. Go into the folder you just extracted and open up this file: Odin3 v1.85.exe. This should open up the tool you are trying to run. After that, turn off your device and take the battery out. Simultaneously, hold down your volume button as you connect the phone to your PC using a USB cable. A yellow triangle will eventually pop up on your device. Once that happens you can put the battery back into your phone. Click the PDA button on your device and find the 0817_charge_recovery.tar.md5 option you previously downloaded on your computer. Click on a file so it gets loaded to the program. It’s important to uncheck the Flash Lock and Repartition options. You should also uncheck the Auto Reboot option. Click the start button and once you see the word PASS! You can remove the battery again and unplug your phone. Place the battery back into your phone and start up your device. You should now be able to root your phone.
Step 1
Navigate to the Super User RC3 download page in order to download the zip file and transfer it onto your computer. Once the file is downloaded onto your computer, feel free to move it into any of the files on your computer that you prefer. For simplicity we recommend transferring the file onto your desktop.
Step 2
Copy the Super User RC3 zip file onto your device by connecting the phone with your USB port to the PC. Once your phone is connected to the PC both systems should recognize the connection. Transfer the file on your PC to the phone, and then completely disconnect the Samsung Droid Charge from the connection.
Step 3
This step requires you to boot into a recovery mode. To start this off completely turn off your Samsung Droid Charge. Simultaneously press and hold the Home, Volume Up and Power buttons to turn the phone on again. You should notice a Samsung logo that appears. This indicates that you have completed the process correctly.
Step 4
Take your finger off the power button, but keep a finger holding down the home button until the window changes. The window we are looking for is the ClockworkMod Recovery.
Step 5
When in the ClockworkMod Recovery window you have to navigate through the options and locate the mounts and storage command. In order to complete this process you can use the volume up and down buttons to move around. Once you move the selector over the mounts and storage area you can press the power button in order to move forward.
Step 6
After that you can scroll down to the mount system option, highlight it and select it by using the same series of buttons discussed in the previous step.
Step 7
Return to the main menu, and navigate to your SD card. This is the area where we will be able to install the file. Select the Install Zip option inside the sdcard.
Step 8
Using the volume buttons select the Choose Zip From SDcard option and select it by clicking on your power button. Move the highlight key to this superuser zip file and select it once again by using the power button.
Step 9
The next screen will ask you if you would actually like to install the superuser zip file. Use the volume up and down keys, along with the power button in order to completely install the superuser zip.
Step 10
This final step requires you to completely reboot your system in order to complete the process. Return to the main menu of your Samsung Droid Charge and select the Reboot System Now option in order to completely restart your device. You might have to wait a few minutes, but once the device is completely rebooted you should have full control over a brand-new rooted device.
Method 2: Root With One Click
This requires a .NET download, but it’s actually quite easy since you only have to click on button after that. It’s probably the best method for beginners.
Step 1
Download and install the .NET framework on your computer.
Step 2
Use this link to download and install a program called SuperOneClick.
Step 3
Connect the phone to your PC using a USB cable. Turn on the USB debugging mode by going to Settings>Applications>Development. Click on the USB debugging option to turn it on.
Step 4
Refrain from mounting your SD Card.
Step 5
Run the One Click program on your computer and click on the Root button. This walks through the entire process and you shouldn’t really have to do anything else. If the process doesn’t work you might need to install the recent Android drivers.
Method 3: SRS Root
This last method is a bit complicated, but it works like a charm, and you only have to download one program.
Step 1
Download and install the SRS Root program on your computer.
Step 2
Turn on USB debugging mode on your phone, and connect the device to your computer with a USB cable. Find the USB Debugging checkbox by going to Settings>Applications>Development.
Step 3
Run the SRS program on your computer. Several root options come up for you to choose. Select the one that works best for you. Once the process is complete you phone is rooted. If something goes wrong then you might need to install the Android drivers on your phone.
Conclusion
The process of rooting for the Samsung Droid Charge is probably one of the least efficient ways to root any Android phone. There are a few other methods that we tested out, but they are even more complicated than these ones, so we stuck with the three methods. There also seems to be a lot of outdated zip files scattered throughout the Internet, along with outdated or simply wrong advice on android forums when it comes to rooting the Samsung Droid Charge. If you have any questions about how to root Samsung Droid Charge to give your phone a little bit of a jolt over the competition and boost yourself past manufacturer defaults, please leave us a line in the comments section below. We understand that rooting isn’t for everyone, so it’s important to make sure you’re following the steps properly so you don’t hurt your phone. Walk through this guide step-by-step, and let us know if any doubts come into your mind, particularly if you’ve never rooted your phone before.
