Good news, everyone! You can root your Parrot Asteroid Smart head unit. The entry that’s going to follow this one will describe how to install the Google Play store and spoof your device identity so you can download all of the apps available to most Android devices out there. But this post is just about rooting. Rooting is, arguably, the easy part. That’s because someone has already figured out a generic root tool for a whole number of devices, which includes the Smart. I take no credit for this work.
Rooting
Rooting is the easy part of this process. The first thing you will need is to download a tool called Framaroot from here.
Once downloaded, you need to install the Framaroot APK on your device. I used the ADB utility:
./adb install /Users/Yuri\ A/Downloads/APK/Framaroot.apk
Once installed, run the utility and install SuperSU (you’ll have to select it from the drop down menu). It’s *IMPORTANT* that you use SuperSU and not something else:
Reboot the device. Check that you have the SuperSU application now on your device:
You’ll want to run it and ensure that root access is enabled:
Run the following command in on your computer:
./adb shell su
You should see the “$” change to “#” in the shell, and on your device you should see a confirmation popup asking to grant superuser access to ADB:
That’s it, you have successfully rooted your Parrot Asteroid Smart! Easiest root ever. Thanks to the creator of Framaroot, of course! Stay tuned for the next blog entry describing how to get Google Play store installed and running so you can have full access to all the same apps other Android users enjoy.
Very useful write-up! I also rooted my Smart two days ago using exactly the same technique as you described. Installed Google Framework and Google apps and everything seems to work quite well. Still missing bluetooth pairing tool on Smart and also is having issue with getting device into deep sleep mode. I have posted about it earlier today: https://devzone.parrot.com/boards/5/topics/show/564
-albertr
Which version of the GoogleFrameworkServices did you end up installing that worked out for you? I have tried a few different versions and finally stumbled upon one that worked. But I’m curious if we’re using the same one, or if one of them is a newer version. I plan on doing a writeup on installing the Play store on Asteroid in a few days, would be nice to provide a link to whichever is the latest one.
Very interesting post on the deep sleep mode. I’m new to Android, and it seems like an oversight on Parrot’s part not to use that feature, which has potential to greatly reduce load times (I assume). I don’t have the technical chops to compile the kernel or anything like that, so it’s all up to you 😀
Oh and while we’re on the topic, I installed some of the Google apps (a version or Maps and Voice Search) but I’m not sure if the way I did it was the best way. I think I ended up with slightly older versions of both. Curious as to how you went about doing that. Currently I’m working on figuring out the best modification to build.prop so that the Smart has access to “unauthorized” apps in the Play store that are the most compatible for it.
I have a gingerbread-based cell phone, and I took GoogleFrameworkServices and Vending packages from this phone. Not sure if they are the latest version, but they do seem to work well on both devices. I’m installing all the packages via Google Play store. Here’s the versions I have on both devices:
-albertr
Thanks a lot for that! I’ll compare to my versions to see if they match. I pieced mine together from various Kindle Fire threads, and it was just a bunch of trial and error all evening. Did you modify your build.prop at all to access “incompatible” apps on the Play Store? I have maps installed, I think it’s even the same version, but it seems to “act” rather outdated compared to some other Android devices I’ve seen. It’s still an awesome mapping software, but seems like it’s holding back some of its features on the Smart.
hi,
how did you do that thankyou for your help
Heres how i did put google play store on my Parrot asteroid smart i never used command line method just from app framaroot 1.4.1 as in above clip
1. Root your Parrot Asteroid Smart (Framaroot.apk)
2. Downloaded and install the GoogleServicesFramework 2.3.4.apk
3. Download Vending 3.10.14.apk.
4. Using a file explorer app on with superuser permissions(ES File Explorer_1.6.2.1.apk) AND the system file permissions set to Read-Write, move Vending 3.10.14.apk to /system/app.
5. Change the permissions of Vending 3.10.14.apk to User – Read/Write, Group – Read, Others – Read
6. Install Vending.3.10.14.apk (google playstore APP from /system/app )
Reboot your Smart ( reset button). Find more on the net
Google play store will upgrade to latest on its own all ready to go, apps to your hearts content.
Thanks for the writeup! I wanted to do one, but I didn’t really document it all that well and now it’s been a long time. I will probably compare my versions of all the frameworks to yours, out of curiosity.
So just some clarification on a few steps in there for those that are confused:
Step 4/5. The latest version of ES file explorer is 3.2.4.1 now.
To grant super user access for root access its not in the settings of ES file explorer. You click on the button that looks like a globe with a phone next to it, and go into Tools-Root Explorer (You will get a pop up saying permission is granted) Then you need to click on “MOUNT R/W” and set both paths to RW (Read-Write) From there you will have full access to copy the vending apk to system/app. Hopes this helps those struggling on the new version.
Es file explorer download link (version3.04 stable)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2210417
I’m new to Smart. I’ve downloaded APK and installed it via Smart application installer. Rebooted. SuperSu showed up. Setting as in your screenshot.
I didn’t run the shell comand, as I don’t know how to do it. Car is in garage.Device fixed into the car. Internet connection via WIFI over iPhone.
Q1: Can I do the su command on Smart stand alone ?
Q2: After this installed Play Store APK. After launching app, I’ve been asked if I want to authorize device, by touching yes, app disapears ! Tryed 4 different version of play store apk.
What do i do wrong ??
You don’t really have to do the adb step, that’s just to verify that everything went correctly. You can download the terminal emulator app and do it from the device if you want, but it doesn’t really serve any practical purpose on its own unless you’re trying to do something from the command line. As for the play store, that part is a bit more complicated than simply launching it. I haven’t had time to do a full writeup, but it’s a multi-step process. My car is currently in the body shop since I got rear-ended, when it comes back I will try to do a full writeup on the Play Store installation. In the meantime, it’s similar to how you would do it on a Kindle Fire, so you can try googling the steps. I will say, however, that on the Smart it took a few tries to get the right versions of all the different APKs required to get it to work.
I have been doing all my work directly from the Smart, using the included stock browser. I was able to Google and install Framaroot and once I figured out that removing the faceplate and pressing the reset button is the reboot option until you have it rooted and add a widget to do the power cycle.
I used these directions to install the Play store and Google services after I rooted. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2069329
The one issue I had in following all the directions was the Ubuntu One links didn’t work from the stock browser (or maybe it was my in and out LTE coverage) and the GoogleFramework from Dropbox didn’t work (corrupted or something). I downloaded the version from this thread and was able to get it installed. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1893410
The one IMPORTANT thing that I did in the attempt that succeeded, was to open the Market/Play Store/Vending after EVERY install. There are prompts/licenses that need accepted in each, and doing it every step of the way seemed to help.
Awesome, thanks for sharing! Those are basically the steps. I think that the “Google Frameworks” APK just always gives an error when you try to install it, no matter what version, it’s just expected. The rest of the stuff shouldn’t give errors, but you definitely need to launch everything every step of the way to accept all the license agreements. I’m surprised you did it from the stock browser, that must have taken forever!
Use this link for a working GoogleServicesFramework.apk The one on XDA didn’t work for me, it couldn’t be parsed correctly by Astroid Smart.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=34383970&postcount=126
I think the only one that actually gave me errors in the whole process was the AccountsAndSettings.apk, it says “Not installed” but it does actually install. Everything else works great. I even got the new Google PlayFramework required for Youtube to work installed.
This is good stuff!
I assume this will work equally well on the Parrot Asteroid TABLET – am I right?
I don’t see why it wouldn’t. Worth giving it a shot!
when is the step-by-step installation of google play coming out? just wanted to know every detail that you did, instead of relying on kindle instructions,etc. Anxiously awaiting!
Is the actual version of framaroot compatible to the new software 1.2.2 from parrot?
Yes, after the update you can still re-root using the same framaroot version.
Yuri,
I put a message on the DevZone, but I am not sure you still check the site.
I saw you were interested in a media widget that does volume and track changing. The parrot team said it is not possible because it is too low level. I reverse engineered two of their framework apks and have an activity that can change tracks, and volume (in short it is possible). I am currently in the process of hacking it together to get the metadata info (freqeuncy etc), which I actually just got done but need to refine it.
Are you interested in this project at all? If so, I can walk you through how I did it, but it may require us to move the conversation into a chat room of some type.
Jamie
This is very interesting, but it sounds like you have a bit more knowledge of the platform than I do. I’m an iOS dev, and I’ve done only a fairly small amount of Android development. Right now I’m able to switch tracks using Tasker, though it’s not always perfect it does a pretty good job. What I’m saying is, I probably won’t have time to work on it in the very near future, mostly because it’ll require some ramp-up on the Android platform and I’m in the middle of an interesting computer vision project, but this IS interesting info.. I mostly wanted a widget when I didn’t have steering wheel controls, but now that they work it’s not so much of a priority for me anymore.
Yuri,
No worries, I have finished an app that can change volume and tracks and reports the metadata. This weekend I will be converting it into a widget however my design skills are lacking so it may take some time
Jamie
What about custom firmwares? Whre can i find some? Google didnt response to me in a right way 🙁
How can i dmownload PlayStore Apps. i have installed the PkayStore, biut when i want to install something, a popup come up and saisys ” PlayStore terminatet” 🙁
What can i do?
Does anyone have any idea how to get a bluetooth controller working? I’ve tried everything i can think of. I cant get a ps3 or wiimote synced. I’ve installed wiiremote controller IME, bluez IME. androHID (crashed instnatly on startup). Nothing will bypass the bluetooth to sync a remote with the system.
Trying to get emulators working.. (they work perfect) but the lack of a controller makes it difficult to be practical. any help on this?? please
oh one more thing, if we cant use ABD (system is already fully installed), how do we do the last step of your instructions, for granting full access to apps?
Other wise thank you, it looks like everything is rooted and working. got google store running but it started crashing after a few times and wouldnt open again. so i’ve unrooted and redone everything to give it a round two go, when I get home.
Thanks all, I can confirm I followed the steps and successfully have my parrot asteroid Tablet rooted. Google play all up and running. I used the latest version of the explorer and frame root with no issues.
Did you ever do a write-up for getting play store on it? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1893410 seems like the easiest instructions but wanted to make sure before I did anything. Thanks! I am new to rooting and you made it very easy.
I haven’t had a chance. Got married, which threw a monkey wrench into this whole blogging thing 🙂
I thought it seemed to die off pretty quick :). Congrats btw.
I’ll probably just stick with other stores and sideloading. Swiftkey would be the only thing I would want to install from the play store that I already bought anyway.
nice to hear, that you continue to work with that project.xD
suggestion: maybe you find a possibility to use the new ios car mode on android(parrot).
Dear Yuri, truly appreciate this write-up. However, being a true programming novice; I couldn’t figure out how to run the command mode after enabling root access on the SuperSU. Device is hard-fixed in the car, so I have no idea how this can be done. It would be great if you could tell me how and where I should input this command line. Many thanks.
Look into a terminal emulator app. However, unless you’re side loading APK files to the device, there really isn’t a real need to use the command line.
I followed the steps described above but now everytime i start the Asteroid Smart it displays an error. SuperSU seems to crash every single startup with an error message “Unfortunately SuperSU (proces eu.chainfire.supersu) has stopped. Try again later.” (I translated this from Dutch to English so the exact error might be a little bit different)
I was already in doubt of rooting the Asteroid since this post is from 2013 and Parrot has released their 2.3 update not so long ago so this might be the problem.
Anyone who can help me here?
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