ThisCalculator

Everyday

How to Root the Huawei Ascend P1

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

How to Root the Huawei Ascend P1

Rooting your Huawei Ascend P1 gives you full administrative control over the Android operating system, allowing you to remove bloatware, install custom ROMs, use root-only apps, and tweak system settings that are normally locked. This guide walks you through the safest, most reliable method using a PC and a custom recovery. Before you begin, back up all important data and ensure your phone’s battery is above 70%.

What You’ll Need

  • A Windows PC (Windows 7 or later)
  • A USB cable compatible with the Ascend P1
  • Huawei USB drivers installed on your PC (download from Huawei’s official support site)
  • The SuperSU zip file (download from a trusted source like XDA Developers)
  • The TWRP recovery image for the Ascend P1 (also from XDA or a reputable mirror)
  • ADB and Fastboot tools on your PC (you can download the platform-tools from the Android developer site)

Step-by-Step

  1. Enable Developer Options and USB Debugging: On your phone, go to Settings > About Phone and tap Build Number seven times. Then go to Settings > Developer Options and enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlock (if present).
  2. Install the USB Drivers: Connect your phone to the PC via USB. If Windows doesn’t recognize it automatically, install the Huawei drivers manually from the downloaded file.
  3. Unlock the Bootloader: The Ascend P1’s bootloader must be unlocked before you can flash a custom recovery. Go to Huawei’s official bootloader unlock page (if still available) and request an unlock code using your device’s IMEI and model number. Alternatively, use a third-party unlock service if Huawei no longer provides codes. Once you have the code, open a command prompt in the ADB folder, type adb reboot bootloader, then type fastboot oem unlock YOUR_CODE. This will wipe your phone’s data.
  4. Flash TWRP Recovery: After the bootloader is unlocked, still in fastboot mode, type fastboot flash recovery twrp.img (replace twrp.img with the actual filename of the recovery image). Then type fastboot reboot to restart the phone.
  5. Boot into Recovery: With the phone off, press and hold Volume Up + Power together until the TWRP logo appears. You are now in custom recovery.
  6. Copy SuperSU to Your Phone: Before booting into recovery, copy the SuperSU zip file to your phone’s internal storage or an external SD card. You can do this while the phone is on, or use adb push SuperSU.zip /sdcard/ when in recovery.
  7. Install SuperSU: In TWRP, tap Install, navigate to the SuperSU zip, and select it. Swipe to confirm the flash. This will install the root binary and the SuperSU app.
  8. Wipe Cache and Reboot: After the flash completes, go back to the main menu, tap Wipe, then Advanced Wipe, and select Dalvik Cache and Cache. Swipe to wipe, then reboot the system.
  9. Verify Root: Once the phone boots, you should see the SuperSU app in your app drawer. To confirm root access, install a root checker app from the Play Store and follow its instructions.

Common Mistakes

  • Skipping the bootloader unlock: Flashing TWRP without unlocking the bootloader will fail or cause a boot loop.
  • Using the wrong recovery image: The Ascend P1 has specific TWRP builds. Using a generic or wrong model image can brick your device.
  • Not backing up data: Unlocking the bootloader and flashing recovery wipes all data. If you skip the backup, you lose everything.
  • Interrupting the flash process: Unplugging the USB cable or closing the command prompt during flashing can corrupt the recovery partition.
  • Ignoring battery level: If the phone dies mid-flash, you risk a hard brick. Always start with a charged battery.

Tips

  • Use a high-quality USB cable and a direct USB port on your PC (not a hub) to avoid connection drops.
  • Keep a copy of the stock recovery image and the original ROM so you can restore your phone if needed.
  • After rooting, install a firewall app to control which apps get root access—this adds security.
  • If you plan to install custom ROMs, consider making a full Nandroid backup in TWRP before flashing anything else.
  • Read the XDA forum thread for the Ascend P1 specifically—it contains device-specific notes and updated files.

Troubleshooting

Phone won’t boot after flashing SuperSU: Boot into recovery (Volume Up + Power), wipe cache and dalvik again, then reboot. If it still loops, restore your backup or reflash the stock ROM via fastboot.

Fastboot command not recognized: Make sure you have the correct ADB/fastboot drivers installed, and that you’re running the command from the folder containing fastboot.exe. Try running the command prompt as administrator.

Bootloader unlock code not accepted: Double-check that you entered the code correctly and that it matches your device’s IMEI. If Huawei’s site rejects it, contact support or use a reputable third-party unlock service.

USB debugging not working: Reinstall the Huawei drivers, try a different USB port, and ensure the phone’s screen is unlocked when you connect. Sometimes you need to authorize the computer on the phone’s pop-up.

SuperSU not showing after reboot: The flash may have failed. Boot back into TWRP and reflash the SuperSU zip. Ensure the zip file isn’t corrupted by checking its MD5 checksum.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will rooting void my warranty?

Yes, rooting typically voids the manufacturer’s warranty. You can often unroot and relock the bootloader to restore warranty status, but it’s not guaranteed.

Can I still receive OTA updates after rooting?

Usually not directly. OTA updates may fail because the system partition is modified. You can manually flash updates or use custom ROMs that include the latest security patches.

Is it possible to unroot the Ascend P1?

Yes. You can unroot by flashing the stock recovery and stock ROM via fastboot, then relocking the bootloader. This restores the phone to its original state.

Will rooting improve performance?

Rooting alone doesn’t improve performance. However, it allows you to remove bloatware, overclock the CPU, or install custom kernels that can enhance speed and battery life.

What is the difference between rooting and unlocking the bootloader?

Unlocking the bootloader allows you to flash custom recoveries and ROMs. Rooting gives you superuser access within the Android OS. You need to unlock the bootloader to root, but you can unlock the bootloader without rooting.

Can I root without a PC?

Some one-click root apps exist, but they are unreliable and may not work on the Ascend P1 due to its age. The PC method described here is the most reliable and recommended.

Related

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.