Root access

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Having root access is an important step for users interested in modifying their tablets as without it, you wont have the necessary permissions to make those modifications. Unfortunately, root access is disabled by default on new tablets. Thankfully, the steps to enable root access are simple.

Contents

easyroot

Install easyroot from nitapps.com.

Then, from the shell, run root. This will give you a root shell.

OpenSSH

  1. Enabled Extras (if you haven't already).
  2. Install OpenSSH (client and server).
  3. SSH into your tablet as root
    • For local access, run ssh root@localhost
    • For remote access, run ssh root@tablet's ip address
  4. Use the root password that the OpenSSH package asked you to enter to log in (in ancient OS versions you had to use the factory default "rootme" password).

R&D Mode

Note: As R&D mode has other side effects beyond simply enabling root access (including several that can negatively impact battery life), it is not the recommended method for gaining root access. Use easyroot instead.

You can enable the Research & Development mode (R&D or RD mode, which enables you to execute sudo gainroot to get a root shell, simply follow the setup steps for flashing covered in Upgrading tablet OS, then execute 

sudo ./flasher-3.0 --enable-rd-mode -r

You are now in R&D mode, and the sudo gainroot script's check will be satisfied.

Securing root access

At this point you should have gained root access to your device, and be looking at the root prompt: 

#

However, if your Wi-Fi network is not password protected, so might anyone else near you who has Wi-Fi, SSH and a clue.

You still need to secure the root account ("rootme" is a terrible password).

Change root password

Note: The OpenSSH requires that the root password be set as part of its installation process, if you have installed OpenSSH you have already completed this step

You MUST change (or disable) your root password before continuing!

Else you will be walking around with a device that can be accessed using a TRIVIAL and well known password.

To change root password (as root user): 

passwd

When asked, input (twice) your new password.

Retrieved from "https://wiki.maemo.org/Root_access"