How to Root Amlogic S905 based MINIX NEO U1 Box in Windows and Linux

MINIX NEO U1 is a great device, but if you have some apps that require root access, the firmware is not rooted by default. AndroidPC.es just posted instructions to root the device in Windows, and I’ve also adapted Daemonium’s batch script for Windows as a shell script in order root the device from Linux. Please note that this will break OTA firmware update, so you’ll have to upgrade firmware manually after rooting.

MINIX_NEO_U1_Root

The most steps are common between Linux and Windows

  1. Enable Developer options, by going to Settings->Advanced Settings->About Mediabox, and click 6 or 7 times in the Build number section, until the new menu is enabled.
  2. Go back once, and access Developer options to make sure USB debugging is enabled
  3. Now go to Settings->Network to check and note your IP address (WiFi or Ethernet)
  4. Download and extract AndroidPC.es_MINIX_NEO_U1_root_v01_Daemonium.zip

They also asked to install WiFi adb in your system, but I did not need to do so with the Linux procedure, and it’s likely not needed on Windows either.

Windows remaining instructions:

  1. Run root_u1.bat script with NEO U1’s IP address as argument (e.g. 192.168.1.99)
  2. Press Enter when asking to continue, and the system will install the necessary files located in root directory
  3. The system will then automatically reboot and MINIX NEO U1 should be rooted

Linux remaining instructions:

  1. Download root_s905.sh shell script and copy it into the same directory as root_u1.bat
  2. Run the script as follows with your device’s IP address as argument:
  3. Press Enter when asked if root access via adb is successful, and the script will copy the files on your system, and reboot it automatically
  4. MINIX NEO U1 should now be rooted.

Both Windows and Linux scripts might also work with other devices, but they required adb root to provide a shell script with root access, which won’t be the case for all firmware.

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27 Comments
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Konnerbllb
Konnerbllb
8 years ago

This isn’t working on my end. I’m getting a lot of errors.

http://pastebin.com/hDq4AXhG

Konnerbllb
Konnerbllb
8 years ago

That was fast. It’s able to connect and reboot my U1 at the end so adb should be working?

The folder doesn’t appear out of the ordinary and everything appears to all be there in the folders. I’ll try opening the script through a command prompt.

http://i.imgur.com/tOcOtxg.png

Konnerbllb
Konnerbllb
8 years ago

Running it through an elevated command prompt sort of worked. There has been progress at least. I’m not getting a SU write error at the end. I’m not sure if I should reboot at this point? I don’t know at what point I might brick it.

http://pastebin.com/Yp9iphGW

Konnerbllb
Konnerbllb
8 years ago

@Konnerbllb

This worked actually it gave two errors at the end but I guess it doesn’t matter. Thanks for your help. 🙂

Andreas
Andreas
8 years ago

The root_s905.sh link leads to a 404 page.

Adem
Adem
8 years ago

would this also work for s905 xiaomi box

cytruss
cytruss
8 years ago

Works also on K1 Plus.

rgray318
rgray318
8 years ago

What about the new Beelink M18 Amlogic S905 Box? Will this more than likely work with it as well?

pseudobacon
pseudobacon
8 years ago

Works on Mini MX but I had to copy it to a folder in C:\ and run with elevated privileges

James Jones
James Jones
8 years ago

Works perfectly on (Sumvision Cyclone X4+ Android-based Network Media Player) Using Windows 10.

dommels
dommels
8 years ago

Not working on S905 Mi box unfortunately. adb root not working: ‘adbd cannot run as root in production builds’

MrMariusz
MrMariusz
8 years ago

I can confirm that this works perfectly as described, for rooting a VicTsing S905 Smart TV Box.

Mc
Mc
7 years ago

you rock man! I can confirm it seems to have worked on Transpeed S905 also !

Mike
Mike
7 years ago

Is there a way to UN-root with this method? thanks

rose
rose
7 years ago

Does it also work for Android 6.0.1?

Magicalbopy
Magicalbopy
7 years ago

hi dear

did you maby know how i can root my s8M mini 2 (s905x) .

i will be happy if you have eany solution for me^^

have good day

tudor
tudor
7 years ago

Confirmed Worked on Leelbox Mxq Pro TV, S905. Thanks!

Gwadalolo
Gwadalolo
7 years ago

Hello,
I tried to root my MXQPRO S905 with this (from Linux), but couldn’t have it work … All script steps execute without any error though.
Strangely, Root Checker will tell me that “su” and “supersu” are quite fine and ok for root, but in the end still “Root access error”.
Now I see that adb connects as root by default, “su – root” runs ok as expected.
What could I check to find the problem ? I don’t think I’m that far from success but …
Thanks

Nico
Nico
6 years ago

Hey, I’m getting the error “adbd cannot run as root in production builds” from the adb root command. Any idea on how to solve that?

phil
phil
4 years ago

I got the same thing on my Minix U1. Was there any resolution?

RaX
RaX
3 years ago

Same here, I’ve been stuck in the same error.

Have also gone to other sites to find the solution or find an alternate way. The 2nd way was to reflash the box to which I don’t agree. If the rooting method posted in this thread doesn’t work then it’s pointless to name it “How to Root Amlogic S905 based *MINIX NEO U1 Box*”

Sean S
Sean S
3 years ago

This works on the beelink Mini Mxiii which has the s905. I extracted the file to a folder on C:/ and ran it from there. It said adb was not detected at first, but it worked after a minute.

Khadas VIM4 SBC