How to root Android on Tinkerboard 2

[RichUK 0]

As the topic suggests, How do you root the Tinkerboard 2, either Andoroid 10 or 11 will do.. ? Is this forum dead? the activity is so low?

[tooz 52]

hello @RichUK, 

you can root the device using Magisk, here's a brief instruction:

--

1. Prepare boot image -- you can either:

a. Get the latest boot image from Tinker Board website: Tinker Board (asus.com) 
or
b. build boot image from source code: Tinker Board 2 - Android · GitHub

2. Copy the boot image to your device

adb push boot.img /storage/emulated/0/Download/

3. Download the latest version of Magisk: Installation | Magisk (topjohnwu.github.io)

4. Install Magisk

adb install Magisk.apk

5. Launch Magisk from your device

6. Press the Install button

7. Choose “Select and Patch a File” in method, and select the boot.img file,  

The Magisk app will patch the boot.img file to [Internal Storage]/Download/magisk_patched_[random_strings].img

8. Pull magisk_patched_[random_strings].img to your PC

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Download/magisk_patched_[random_strings].img

9. Flash boot image patched by magisk in fastboot mode

adb reboot-bootloader

fastboot flash boot magisk_patched_[random_strings].img

fastboot reboot

 

 

--

[hisataro 0]

Magisk fails, is the procedure wrong?

Unzip Tinker_Board_2-Android11-v2.0.6-20220303.zip
Renamed Tinker_Board_2-Android11-v2.0.6-20220303.img to boot.img.

Magisk> Magisk Install> Select Patch a File> boot.img> Let's Go fails.

It is the execution result of Magisk.
-Device Platform: arm64-v8a
-Installing: 24.3 (243000)
--Copying image to cache
--Unpacking boot image
! Unable to unpacl boot image
! Installation failed

[tooz 52]

hello @hisataro

instead of "tinker board 2 android11 v2.0.6-20220303.img", please use the actual boot.img

it can be downloaded here: https://www.asuswebstorage.com/navigate/a/#/s/FB8E093B5DCC48EA90ED5FEDEAC5DFD94

[hisataro 0]

Thank you for your support.
The boot.img you sent us was successfully patched.

https://tinker-board.asus.com/forum/index.php?/topic/15098-how-to-root-android-on-tinkerboard-2/&tab=comments
I'm following the steps in

> 9. Flash boot image patched by magisk in fastboot mode
>
> adb reboot-bootloader
>
> fastboot flash boot magisk_patched_ [random_strings] .img
>
> fastboot reboot

I ran "fast boot flash boot", but it said "Waiting for device" and couldn't proceed.
The device was recognized as "Android download gadget" from the PC, so I tried to apply the following driver, but I could not install it.
https://developer.android.com/studio/run/win-usb?hl=ja

What should I do to do a "fast boot flash boot"?

[tooz 52]

Hello @hisataro, 

you can use the command: adb reboot fastboot

[hisataro 0]

Thank you for your support
> I ran "fast boot flash boot", but it said "Waiting for device" and couldn't proceed.
I did adb reboot fastboot on another PC and it went on.
Tinkerboard2 became the Recovery screen after booting.
I don't know what to do on the Recovery screen.

[tooz 52]

hello @hisataro, 

please try the following and see if the device can be found:

fastboot devices

if the device has been detected, you can try the reboot fastboot command

otherwise, we'd suggest to re-flash the device

[hisataro 0]

Thank you for your support. @tooz
"reboot fastboot" was succed.
And the screen was changed to "Android Recovery".
What should I do next to root TinkerBoard2?

[tooz 52]

hello @hisataro, 

please continue follow the instruction, now you'll need execute this command adb push boot.img /storage/emulated/0/Download to flash the image 

2. Copy the boot image to your device

adb push boot.img /storage/emulated/0/Download/

3. Download the latest version of Magisk

 Installation | Magisk (topjohnwu.github.io)

4. Install Magisk

adb install Magisk.apk

5. Launch Magisk from your device

6. Press the Install button

7. Choose “Select and Patch a File” in method, and select the boot.img file,  

The Magisk app will patch the boot.img file to [Internal Storage]/Download/magisk_patched_[random_strings].img

8. Pull magisk_patched_[random_strings].img to your PC

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Download/magisk_patched_[random_strings].img

9. Flash boot image patched by magisk in fastboot mode

adb reboot-bootloader

fastboot flash boot magisk_patched_[random_strings].img

fastboot reboot

[hisataro 0]

Thank you for your support. @tooz

> 9. Flash boot image patched by magisk in fastboot mode
> 
> adb reboot-bootloader

After this, I couldn't find the device in [fastboot devices].
But, Apply the <Android Bootloader Interface> driver from your PC's Device Manager.
I could see the devices in [fastboot devices].

> fastboot flash boot magisk_patched_[random_strings].img

This also seems to be successful.

> fastboot reboot

This also seems to be successful.

However, when TinkerBoard2 starts after this,
the Android Recovery mode screen will be displayed.
As I asked before, I don't know what to do in Android Recovery mode ...?
 

[tooz 52]

hello @hisataro, 

thanks for the details. at this point, we would suggest to re-flash the device first: User Guide · TinkerBoard/TinkerBoard Wiki (github.com)

once the flashing is done, please copy the boot image to the device. the boot.img file (TB2_Android11_v2.0.6_boot_img) is re-uploaded and can be downloaded here: https://www.asuswebstorage.com/navigate/a/#/s/50AF1C5364224C2BA8C8A5802DD779064

adb push boot.img /storage/emulated/0/Download/

 

then you can start rooting the device using magisk, please follow along the steps: 

 

[hisataro 0]

Thank you for your support. @tooz

> once the flashing is done, please copy the boot image to the device. the boot.img file (TB2_Android11_v2.0.6_boot_img) is re-uploaded and can be downloaded
> here: https://www.asuswebstorage.com/navigate/a/#/s/50AF1C5364224C2BA8C8A5802DD779064

I created a patch from this image with Magisk and flashed it, and it succeeded in rooting!

I used the "RootCheker" app to see if it was rooted.

Thank you really!!

[RichUK 0]

 

@tooz

I'm using "Wireless debugging" do I need to use USB debugging???

I get to the same point .. after I run >> adb reboot-bootloader

there are no fastboot devices connected?

Edited July 14, 2022 by RichUK

[RichUK 0]

SOLVED

For others trying to follow this procedure @hisataro is correct I had ALL the exact same issues, it appears the boot.img (+20mb) in the original post doesn't work, use the one supplied by @hisataro in the post below (+30mb) and it works.

On 6/7/2022 at 5:56 AM, hisataro said:

> once the flashing is done, please copy the boot image to the device. the boot.img file (TB2_Android11_v2.0.6_boot_img) is re-uploaded and can be downloaded
> here: https://www.asuswebstorage.com/navigate/a/#/s/50AF1C5364224C2BA8C8A5802DD779064

 

[RichUK 0]

Additional info:
I also had to use adb via USB not Wireless and Windows 10 with fastboot a driver was required,
Download from google and install .inf using exlorer, then via device manager on the usb device with issue choose update driver from list "Android phone" & "bootloader" 

https://developer.android.com/studio/run/win-usb

https://beebom.com/fastboot-not-detecting-device-windows-10/

[hisataro 0]

boot.img は、Android11のソースコードをビルドする出来上がることを確認しています

[tooz 52]

to compile boot.img:

source build/envsetup.shlunch WW_Tinker_Board_2-userdebug./build.sh -CKA

it'll be located in directory: rockdev/Image-WW_Tinker_Board_2/

[michaelbhavel 0]

On 3/29/2022 at 11:36 AM, RichUK said:

As the topic suggests, How do you root the Tinkerboard 2, either Andoroid 10 or 11 will do.. ? Is this forum dead? the activity is so low?

To root Tinkerboard 2 running Android 10 or 11, you can follow these general steps:

Unlock Bootloader: Before rooting, you usually need to unlock the bootloader of the device. The unlocking process may vary depending on the device. You can find specific instructions for unlocking Tinkerboard 2's bootloader.

Install a custom recovery: After unlocking the bootloader, you will need to install a custom recovery like TWRP (Team One Recovery Project). Custom Recovery allows you to install root files.

Flash the root package: Once the custom recovery is installed, you can flash the root package such as Magisk or SuperSU. These packages provide the necessary files to gain root access on the device.

Please note that rooting a device may void its warranty and potentially cause problems if not done correctly. It is important to research and follow the trusted instructions specific to TinkerBoard 2 to ensure a successful root process.

Regarding forum activity, it is possible that the forum you mentioned has low activity or is not the most active community for tinkerboard 2 discussions. You can try exploring other forums, online communities, or developer resources that focus on Tinkerboard 2 or Android development to find more active and helpful communities. 
If you have any problem or question about this you can contact me. I will be happy to help you.
Source: https://theshadowapk.com/

Edited July 8, 2023 by michaelbhavel
Info Add

[Vincenzo Terracciano 0]

Is this procedure valid also for rooting tinkerboard S with androidN (Tinker_Board-AndroidN-V14.4.0.14-20200711)?

[michaelbhavel 0]

@Vincenzo Terracciano Yes, procedure work for rooting the Tinkerboard S with AndroidN (Tinker_Board-AndroidN-V14.4.0.14-20200711).