How To Root a Droid Running the 2.0.1 Firmware
The 2.0.1 firmware contained a very simple exploit that can be taken advantage of by users wishing to root their phone. Users of newer Droid firmwares, including version 2.1 downloaded from Verizon and 2.2 need to downgrade first. The downgrade process is laid out in the Bugless Beast Install Guide.
When this process is complete, your Droid will still be on the massively outdated 2.0.1 firmware. You should either install a rooted stock ROM or any custom ROM such as the two most popular ones, Bugless Beast and CynogenMod in order to increase speed, battery life, and compatability.
Guide
- Downgrade your Droid to 2.0.1. Use the first part of my Bugless Beast Install Guide to do so.
- Download this file to your computer and be sure not to unzip it.
If you're on Safari you'll need to turn off "Open safe files after downloading" in the Preferences window so that it doesn't unzip itself.
- Plug your Droid into your computer via USB. On the Droid, swipe the windowshade down and select "USB Connected" then press "Mount".
- Once the device is mounted, the SD card will show as a removable device on your computer
- Put the "update.zip" file you just renamed into the Root (top) directory of your SD Card.
- Unmount the device from your computer, and turn the Droid off.
- Hold down the "X" key on the physical keyboard and while doing so press the power button. Hold both of them down until you see a Triangle with an !.
- Press the Vol+ and the Camera button together until you get a menu.
- Using the D-pad on the physical keyboard, select the option to update with the update.zip file.
- Select the option to reboot the phone.
