Towelroot is one of the most popular universal one-click rooting tools available for Android devices. Created by popular iPhone hacker, GeoHot, TowelRoot works for nearly all versions of Android dating before June 2014.

It’s most famous for hacking the system internals for most people running Android KitKat; however, it does root devices running earlier versions of Android too. It’s just there aren’t a great many of the people running earlier versions these days and once we get to Jelly Bean we know the popular TowelRoot exploit was patched. That’s why it’s no longer used today with new software updates like Lollipop or Marshmallow.

Android 2.2 — dubbed as the Froyo

Android Froyo
Android Froyo is the first dessert sensation out of Google. It came out during 2010 and we have come along way since then with new features an a much smoother ROM. TowelRoot is compatible with Froyo if you are still running that version of Android.

Android 2.3 — dubbed as the Gingerbread

Android Gingerbread

Gingerbead will forever be one of the favorite version of Android for many. Sadly, most people have upgraded away from it by now, since there are newer and better things around the corner. However, Gingerbread is supported by TowelRoot.

Android 4.0 — dubbed as the Ice Cream Sandwich

Android ICS
A few more people are using Ice Cream Sandwich above the earlier version of Android. It’s still a minority of people in today’s world. With that being said, if you are one of the people using ICS, you can root that OS with the TowelRoot app.

Android 5.0 — dubbed as the Jelly Bean

Android Jelly Bean
Android 4.4 — dubbed as the KitKat

Android KitKat
Here’s where things get tricky. We know TowelRoot is most famous for working with Kitkat, but not versions of Android after KitKat. As I said earlier, the TowelRoot app works best for Android KitKat. It roots nearly all versions of Android KitKat. All you need to do is find out of your device is compatible. Once you work out that your Android device is compatible and you know it’s running KitKat, you can use TowelRoot.

Android 5.0 — dubbed as the Lollipop

Android Lollipop
Those of you running Android Lollipop should not use TowelRoot. You will brick your device if the build date of your Android version is after June 2014.

Android 6.0 — dubbed as the Marshmallow

Android Marshmallow
Since Android Marshmallow is still only out as a developer preview, the real deal marshmallow certainly will not work for the TowelRoot app unless the developer, GeoHot, find a way to update the rooting tool.

TowelRoot compatible device list:

  • Galaxy S2 4G I9210T Android 4.0.4
  • Galaxy S3 (SGH-T999L)
  • Galaxy S3 (SCH-I535)
  • Galaxy S3 (SGH-i747)
  • Galaxy S3 (GT-I9300I)
  • Galaxy S4 – 4.4.3
  • Galaxy S4 (SCH-I545L) – 4.4.2
  • Galaxy S4 – 4.2.2
  • Galaxy S4 LTE (GT-I9505) – 4.4.2
  • Galaxy S4 (GT-I9506) – 4.3
  • Galaxy S4 (SGH-I337)
  • Galaxy S4 (SCH-I545)
  • Galaxy S4 (SGH-1337M)
  • Galaxy S5 (SM-G900F) – 4.4.2
  • Galaxy S5 (SM-G870A)
  • Galaxy S5 (SM-G900W8)
  • Galaxy S5 (G900F)
  • Galaxy S5 (G900M)
  • Galaxy S5 (SM-G900A)
  • Galaxy S5 (SM-N900V)
  • Galaxy S5 (SM-G900V)
  • Galaxy S5 (SM-G900P)
  • Galaxy S5 (SM-G900W8)
  • Galaxy S5 Active
  • Galaxy Note – 4.4.2
  • Galaxy Note 2 (GT-7100)
  • Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N9005) – 4.3
  • Galaxy Note 3 – 4.4
  • Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N900A)
  • Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N9005) – 4.4.2
  • Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N9005) – 4.4.2
  • Galaxy Note 10.1 – 4.1.2
  • Galaxy Note PRO 12.2 (SM-P905)
  • Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition (P-607T)
  • Galaxy Tab 3 (T217S) – 4.4.2
  • Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 LTE (SM-T325) – 4.4.2
  • Galaxy Tab Pro 12.1
  • Galaxy Tab 10.1 2014
  • Galaxy Trend 2 (SCH-I739)
  • Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005
  • Verizon Galaxy Note 3
  • AT&T Galaxy Note 3
  • T-Mobile Galaxy Note 3
  • Galaxy Rugby Pro (SGH-I547)
  • Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE 2014 edition (SM-P605)
  • Samsung Galaxy Fresh GT-S7390
  • Nexus 4 – 4.4.3
  • Nexus 7 2013 WiFi – 4.4.3
  • Nexus 5 (D821) – 4.4.3
  • Sony Xperia M – 4.1.2/ 4.2.2/ 4.3/ 4.3.2
  • Sony Xperia E1 Dual
  • Sony Xperia M Dual
  • Sony Xperia SP201
  • Sony Xperia Z1 Tablet – 4.3
  • Sony Xperia ZR – 4.4
  • Sony Xperia TX
  • Sony Xperia V – 4.3
  • Sony Xperia ZL – 4.4.2
  • Sony Xperia ZL – 4.3
  • Sony Xperia SP – 4.3 [205]
  • Sony Xperia UltraZ
  • Sony Xperia T – 4.1.2 /4.3
  • Sony Xperia Z C6603 – 4.4.2
  • Sony Xperia Z C606 – 4.4
  • Sony Xperia Z1
  • Sony Xperia Z1S
  • Sony Xperia Z1C
  • Sony Xperia Tablet Z SGP351 – 4.4.2
  • LG Optimus G – 4.1
  • LG Optimus G3
  • LG Optimus G2 Mini
  • LG Optimus G Pro 2
  • LG Optimus G Pro
  • LG Optimus G Pad
  • LG Optimus L70
  • LG Optimus L80
  • LG Optimus L90
  • LG L90 (D410) – 4.4.2
  • LG G Pro
  • LG G Pro 2
  • LG G Flex – 4.2.2
  • LG G2 (D802) – 4.4.2
  • LG G2 (TMO D801) – 4.4.2
  • LG G2 (AT&T)
  • LG G2 (Verizon)
  • LG G2 (Sprint)
  • LG G3 (D855)
  • LG G3 (AT&T)
  • LG G3 (Verizon)
  • LG G3 (T-Mobile)
  • LG G3 (Sprint)
  • Huawei G535-L11
  • Huawei C8816 – 4.3
  • Huawei Ascend G6
  • Motorola Droid Razr Maxx HD – 4.4.2
  • Motorola Razr HD – 4.4.2
  • Verizon DROID RAZR HD XT926 (4.4.2)
  • Verizon DROID RAZR M XT907 (4.4.2)
  • HTC ONE
  • HTC Desire 601 – 4.4.2
  • HTC One M8 2014 (HTC6525LVW)
  • Htc One M7
  • ZTE Grand S Flex
  • Alcatel OneTouch Idol 2 Mini S(6036Y)
  • Asus Memopad 10 (ME301T)
  • Lenovo Yoga 10 HD+ (B8080)
  • Lenovo IdeaTab 2107A
  • HP SlateBook 10 x2
  • Apollo 14.3.2.2
  • Kindle Fire HDX 8.9
  • Kindle Fire HDX 7
  • Amazon FireTV
  • ZTE Nubia X6 – 4.4.2
  • Many more!

Rooting Android with the TowelRoot app

  1. Swipe from the top of the smartphone display to pull down the Quick notification bar.
  2. Tap your finger over the Settings gear icon to reveal the Settings.
  3. Navigate to the Security > Unknown Sources and check the box for the Unknown Sources so your device recognizes the Setting as working.
  4. Open your favorite browser on the same device and point to this address: https://towelroot.com/
  5. Tap your finger over the Lambda on the page (that’s the red symbol).
  6. Tap the ‘OK’ button and the TowelRoot app will now install on your device.
  7. Once you see the TowelRoot icon, tap on it.
  8. Click the ‘Install’ option from the next page.
  9. Click the ‘Open’ button once the download is complete.
  10. Click the ‘Make It Ra1n’ button.
  11. Of course, make it rain is what we assume to be a metaphor for giving us the goods and before long your device is rooted.
  12. Now open the Google Play Store and download the SuperSU app.
  13. Accept and install the SuperSU download.
  14. Once the SuperSU download is complete, tap to open the SuperSU app.
  15. Hit the continue button if the app tells you the SU binary needs updating.
  16. Choose the ‘Normal’ option from the next screen and wait for the app to install.

Head to the Google Play Store and download the root checker app just to make sure it worked for you. That way, if you run into any trouble installing the root-requiring apps, you’ll know the problem at least doesn’t lie with you not having root access.