How to Root Rockchip RK3188 mini PCs

CloudnetGo CR9 was the first Rockchip RK3188 mini PC I had ever seen reported, but since then others apparently based on the same board have started to show up including Tronsmart T428, Rikomagic MK802 IV, as well as Ugoos UG802B, UG007B and MK809 III. We’ll get a lot of choices, but most of time the firmware does not provide root access. I noticed AndroidPC.es published instructions to root those device in Spanish yesterday, but today, Geekbuying rooted the Ugoos devices with the same method used for RK3188 Tablets.

Ugoos UG802B Board
Ugoos UG802B Board

You have to follow those 5 simple steps:

  1. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled on your mini PC (Settings -> Developer Options)
  2. Connect your RK3188 mini PC to a Windows PC via the USB port.
  3. Your PC should detect a new device, and try to install the driver. You can download the driver at https://www.dropbox.com/s/uqisjj4hqftlaxa/GEEKBUYING_Rockchip_Batch_Tool_v1.6.rar (password: GEEKBUYING.COM)
  4. After having installed the driver, download RK3188_ROOT.rar (password: GEEKBUYING.COM), and extract the files. (Alternative link)
  5. Click “ TPSparkyRoot.bat” and follow the instructions. After 2 reboot, your device should be rooted.

Currently only resellers own RK3188 mini PCs as the firmware needs more work, and the devices should become available to the public later in April.

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47 Replies to “How to Root Rockchip RK3188 mini PCs”

  1. Please do NOT give platform-dependent instructions or at least try to get a wider range of platforms. There are OSs other than windows (Mac OS X, Linux and the likes) and people who use them instead of the OS from Redmond.

  2. @Patola
    I’m also using Linux on my desktop PC (Ubuntu), and I’d prefer a Linux method to root the device, but I do not know one, and the tools appear to be only available in Windows.

  3. +1. Rooting is not for basic user. Advanced users can analyze the .bat file, but detail steps “how to root using adb and su”, imho, will be more useful. This is universal and cross-platform method.

  4. RK3188_Root.rar download results in this message:

    Error (509)
    This account’s public links are generating too much traffic and have been temporarily disabled!

    Any mirrors?

  5. I’ve tried to install the driver with device manager, but it simply doesn’t work.

    Do you have, something like and installer for the drivers?

  6. @Mikael Danielsson
    Have you downloaded GEEKBUYING_Rockchip_Batch_Tool_v1.6.rar ?
    Then you just need to extract it, and when you connect the USB, Windows should detected your device. Do not let Windows install the drivers, but manually select the path to the drivers you downloaded.

  7. I too cannot install the driver. I have manually tried to install the driver by going to devices, update driver for rk31sdk device and set the driver folder to the extracted batch tool folder. It simply says Windows cannot find the driver for your device. I have the MK809iii miniPC with the same rk3188 chip. Any help?@cnxsoft

  8. @cnxsoft Thanks for the link, but that link suggests the same method for installing the drivers. Only the software used for the rooting process is different. So the problem remains unresolved. I’m using the microUSB port on the miniPC to connect to the computer and it detects the device as rk31sdk. Should I try using the USB port instead of the microUSB?

  9. Error (509)
    This account’s public links are generating too much traffic and have been temporarily disabled!

    Can i use the batch tool from cloudnet website also?

    And i have a problem when i use rk remote with android phone – when i use touch screen the device reboots every time. ther keys and rest is working. tested on tablet and smartphone

    thasnks for help

  10. @ede
    I guess there’s only one “RK Batch Tool” tool, o you can download it anywhere. Maybe earlier versions don’t work with RK3188 though.

    About th RK Remote: I’ve never tried it, but you may want to check for firmware updates for your device, I’ve read some other also have the same problem.

  11. @emergent1

    I have the same issue.. and i have the same device…. did you find any solution or any drivers which can be installed…. i tried so many times but same error…

  12. To install the device drivers, you need to open the RKBatchTool application first, then you need to make sure you press the button on the side of the tronsmart as you connect the USB into the computer. Press and hold for 5 seconds, then release. The green button will then appear on the RKBatchTool application window automatically.

    Follow the instruction in the Rockchip Drivers section here : http://www.flashmyandroid.com/forum/content.php?110-Rockchip-RK3066-RK3188-Tools-and-Stuff

    it worked for me.

    There’s another instruction on changing the Hardware ID of the device driver here (in the comments section at the bottom) :
    http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php/2013/04/28/how-to-root-tronsmart-t428/#.Udgko5wsYgM

  13. Thanx dear Z….
    But i already have installed drivers with “ZhuoDaShi-2.2.0-setup” with help from http://androidpc.es/blog/2013/05/23/root2-soc-rk3188/…. And later rooted the device with TPSparkyRoot.bat file…. Anyway thanx again for helping me….
    But i still have an issue of less internal memory…. The only reason for rooting my device is that i want to increase internal storage which is only 100mb left.. and i cannot install even 1mb software… I will appreciate If you can help me in this regard

  14. @Faisal Butt
    You may want to checkout Finless ROM on freaktab.com. You can normally select different app partition sizes (e.g. 1GB, 2GB or 4GB) during installation. If you don’t want to flash a new ROM, you can also to to Settings->App, and select “Move to SD card”. This will move it to the “SD card” partition that’s actually inside the NAND flash.

  15. @cnxsoft
    I think so………… But my device MK908iii is also quad core with Rockchip RK3188……. ok i will ask there also… Thnks

  16. @Patola
    Entitled much? If you need instructions for the platform that YOU chose, then perhaps YOU should find a way to get it done. Or just get access to the supported platform, as many of us windows luddites have done in the past for a wide range of linux only tools.

  17. @cnxsoft
    Dear im really in a bad situation right now…. as we discussed in earlier post that i have successfully root my mk908iii and now searching for a custom rom… Before i flash any rom my device have stuck at a bootloader screen….
    after rooting my device everything was seems ok.. but i dont know what happened today when i start my device, from the boot screen it’s not going ahead….. please help what should i do? After showing 4 penguins device stuck at R-BOX animation screen.. and thats it……

  18. @emergent1
    Dear… i was about to ask you.. because i have seen that you were also looking for the same thing….
    Right now im in the office once will go home and will let you know….
    But i have root the device but now it is stuck at bootloader…let see your youtube link work for me or not?

  19. I have the RK3188 k-r42 with Kitkat (4.4.2) and its not rooting with this method. I tried this like 5 times….any advice? My driver is fine BTW.

  20. @cnxsoft

    I tried the EZ Root tool on a rk3188 mk809iv android mini pc running android 4.2.2 or 4.4.2 (kitkat) and it is stuck in reboot mode.

    What do i do now? either to bring it back to normal or have it rooted?

    I am on mac, i have parallels and windows xp virtual machine though.

    USB debugging was not checked when I ran the update. It is now in a loop at the smartbox screen, then the android robot with the chest opened, then smartbox screen, etc…

    Am I screwed or is there a way to fix this? please help!

  21. Dear cnx users,

    I have this mini PC –

    http://archive-lv.com/page/4001691/2014-05-16/http://www.digibox.lv/android-mini-pc-smart-tv-box/android-mini-pc-smart-tv-box-AD6350

    And i am trying to connect 3g modem to it, but to do that i need to root it. None of android applications for rooting work. I tried this written method but i cant get PC to recognise it. I connect it with mini usb which is power supply as well and nothing shows up. Maybe i am doing something wrong ? Can someone tell how and where properly extract drivers, please ?

    Has anyone connected 3g modem to this kind of device ? Done it with PPP Widget 2 ?

  22. Hi all,

    I have recently purchased MK809IV (RK3188), works great apart from not working with any VPN.

    I have two options:
    1. Find another ROM with TUN module included – but I can’t find specific sites where I can find one for this model
    2. Root device and install TUN.ko manually – again, not sure which root guide to follow, as there isn’t one specific for my mk 809iv, and reading comments above it looks like it’s easy to brick a device.

    Any suggestions on flashing or rooting?

    Thanks

  23. @LolekUK
    Try to find a recent method. Old methods may not work, as the exploit may have been closed.
    Alternatively, check on Freaktab for a custom ROM for MK809 IV, these should most probably rooted already, and VPN might be working out of the box too.

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Khadas VIM4 SBC
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