Tweaker releases tool to root Lumias and create custom roms

Developer Heathcliff74 has released a tool to root Lumia devices running Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 10 and create custom ROMs. It is the first time that the door is open for custom firmwares on new Windows Phone devices.

The tool does not support all Lumias. For example, newer Lumias such as the 435, 540, 640, 930 and 950 series are missing. However, the Lumia 520 and 525 are on it, just like the 920 and 925. Users must be running at least software version 8.10.12393. The developer also supports Windows 10 builds, including 10586.

The tool allows users to unlock the bootloader, gain root access to apps that normally cannot or should not run, backup and restore, and flash firmwares. This makes it possible to run so-called homebrew software. Also, apps are possible that have new capabilities, because they escape the sandbox.

It is not the first time that devices on Windows Phone can get root access, but that happened mainly on Windows Phone 7 and with only a few models. There are no custom ROMs to install for Lumias yet, but this tool makes it possible for the first time, so that if there is enough interest, developers may start working with it in the near future.