Database Users

New Nexus 7 User needing Unlocking/Root advice

Hey XDA
Iv had my Nexus 7 for a day now and am dying to root and mabe install CM10
i currently have a Samsung Galaxy S3 with CM10 on it...thot its extremly buggy sadly... anyways i have been looking up on how to root the nexus 7 but i need to know if i can instead of using toolkit can i instead just use odin to flash stock rom and cwm and so on instead of having to unlock the device?
i am used to using odin for flashing and cwm but here the nexus is close to the same with htc one x in the way it has that fastboot thing and from what iv heard the nexus 7 requires unlock before it can be rooted, also is the tookit the best way to unlock and root the device?
also does unlocking break the warrenty and if i ever decide to return to stock unroot how do i flash stock rom back onto the device? am not sure where i would find the stock roms for it and also can odin be used to flash it...:S
i hate sounding like a noob lol

ok iv used the toolkit 2.0 and its worked great so far...im stuck at not being able to boot into cwm recovery
it installed fine thru the toolkit but whenever i try to hold up and power i cant get it to boot into cwm recovery...
i tryed to reinstall again but still cant get it to boot into cwm am i doing something wrong?

Doing the following won't cause you to loose warranty:
- Unlocking the bootloader
- Rooting
- Flashing custom ROM's and Kernels (however, if you flash a custom kernel that causes your device to explode... I'm somewhat certain this won't be covered)
However, if you are doing anything like that, and have to send the device in for warranty, you "should" factory restore it. Google provides Factory Images for the Nexus 7, which can be restored to your device with semi-ease.
I use this guide to factory restore: http://forums.androidcentral.com/ne...ide-factory-image-restore-your-nexus-7-a.html Some filenames might need changed though since I think that guide is based off an older factory image (instructions are the same though).
There is a good chance a toolkit also has an easy method for factory restoring, but I don't recommend this at all.

Stop using toolkits.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent White Tapatalk 2

ÜBER™ said:
Stop using toolkits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amen, +1. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1830108

encryptioncsta said:
ok iv used the toolkit 2.0 and its worked great so far...im stuck at not being able to boot into cwm recovery
it installed fine thru the toolkit but whenever i try to hold up and power i cant get it to boot into cwm recovery...
i tryed to reinstall again but still cant get it to boot into cwm am i doing something wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never used a toolkit before (until this issue had me stuck). I'm unable to get the Nexus 7 to book into recovery (CWM) after flashing it via fastboot. After giving up, I rooted it using the toolkit.. scariest thing I've ever done.. it did work.. but I'd like to get to the bottom of why a number of people like me seem to be having issues flashing and booting CWM on the Nexus 7.

Did you rename the original system/recovery to .bak first?

Travisdroidx2 said:
Did you rename the original system/recovery to .bak first?
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Click to collapse
No, I flashed it as I normally do.. using the .img file. In this case, CWM.. recovery-clockwork-6.0.1.0-grouper.img
Why would renaming it to .bak be needed?

xyzulu said:
No, I flashed it as I normally do.. using the .img file. In this case, CWM.. recovery-clockwork-6.0.1.0-grouper.img
Why would renaming it to .bak be needed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not actually.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent White Tapatalk 2

I had to rename the stock recovery under system to .bak before I could get twrp to work. Or else when I went into recovery it would get stuck on the android.
But I see you are using fast boot it should write over it.

Travisdroidx2 said:
I had to rename the stock recovery under system to .bak before I could get twrp to work. Or else when I went into recovery it would get stuck on the android.
But I see you are using fast boot it should write over it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't have to. Flashed twrp and forgot to put a ROM on it and went back into recovery and it was twrp still.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent White Tapatalk 2

I should of just flashed the image file and flashed it myself but I was in a hurry and used goo im and it bit me in the ass. Lesson learned.

Recovery won't flash

I had to do a complete wipe from the computer and flashed clockwork mod recovery. Since it was likely an old version I had the double 0 partition problem which I fixed by manually moving the files. I tried to update the recovery to twrp, but it won't flash using goomanager. It downloads and says it's flashed but it's not there.
I also seem to have a weird problem where I have to push the power button to get it to boot past the Google screen. If I don't push power it gets stuck there forever.
Any ideas?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4

Follow the sticky at the top that says flashing a factory ROM using fastboot/return to stock. Start from scratch, get it working, and then flash whatever you want.
Sent from my Nexus 7(2012) that has zero issues.

SlowCobra96 said:
Follow the sticky at the top that says flashing a factory ROM using fastboot/return to stock. Start from scratch, get it working, and then flash whatever you want.
Sent from my Nexus 7(2012) that has zero issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I did, that's why I'm stuck on the old recovery.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

T-Keith said:
That's what I did, that's why I'm stuck on the old recovery.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
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Click to collapse
This might be an odd question, but have you tried just updating CWM first, and THEN flashing TWRP? Sometimes the flash won't go smoothly with an older version of one recovery to a newer version of a different recovery- not sure why, but that's just been my experience. I would update CWM first then try flashing TWRP.
Also, if goo is not working for you, you could try Rom Manager to update CWM and then flash TWRP. It can flash either. (If you really want to flash via the device).
Otherwise, (me personally) I'd just use adb fastboot to flash a new recovery.
Hope that helps

Thanks I will try that.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4

T-Keith said:
Thanks I will try that.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4
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Click to collapse
No problem. Let us know how it works out for you.

Tried flashing with fastboot, now it won't boot into recovery, just hangs at the Google logo.
Still needs a bump from the power button to get it to boot normally.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4

T-Keith said:
Tried flashing with fastboot, now it won't boot into recovery, just hangs at the Google logo.
Still needs a bump from the power button to get it to boot normally.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, that sucks! How are you *attempting to* access recovery... via reboot menu, via adb, or via 3-button press? It shouldn't matter, but you could try all three methods to see if any way will give you recovery access. Then, if/when you manage to get in, you could reflash again straight from recovery. I'm going to do some digging to see if I can find a better solution. I KNOW I've read about the same issue before, I know there's a solution... I just have to find it again.
Worse comes to worse, you might have to reflash stock recovery then reflash custom recovery. Might be a corrupt recovery img, but I will check and try some things out and let you know what I find.
Edited to add:
Yes. there was a bug in the older bootloader that bypassed/refused access to recovery... so since you restored stock, you probably need to update your bootloader to at least to version 4.18 (via fastboot). THEN you should be able to access recovery. I can't add links, but I can give you a text link once I find just the IMG file instead of the full firmware. Honestly, I never do backups so I don't have the file on hand. However, I may do one backup at least so I can extract my boot img and give it to you.

OK, so I found the info I was looking for.
From Elsewhere:
Steps:
Install latest nexus 7 bootloader.
This fixes the boot loader bug and now you can enter recovery from the bootloader screen.
Update the bootloader to at least 3.18. Make sure NOT TO DELETE THE BOOTLOADER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cannot emphasize this enough!!!!!!!!!!! I bricked my first one this way.
Use
fastboot flash bootloader C:\>>>>>>\bootloader-grouper-3.18.IMG***
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do NOT erase bootloader before you flash the new one. And after you have flashed the new one type;
fastboot reboot bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and check the bootloader version to make sure you succeeded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
***Or whatever you name the boot img file!***
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19608328/boot.img.zip --> This is from MY Nexus 7. It's Bootloader version 4.23, and works with JB 4.2.2- it does NOT have the recovery access bug.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19608328/recovery.img.zip --> This is a copy of MY CWM, which I just updated to 6.0.3.6 yesterday.
I'd flash the bootloader, then flash your recovery of choice. Not being able to access recovery is a bootloader issue, not a recovery issue. The fact that you restored/reverted an older full firmware put you on an older bootloader that would not allow users to access recovery.
Try the new(er) bootloader, it should work. My device is a 16gb grouper Nexus 7 running 4.2.2. Before that, it ran 4.1.2 without any issues, so it should work to resolve the problem you're having.

Nexus 7 - No Android installed, outdated recovery, fastboot not working

I need help with my nexus 7.
Heres the story:
NEXUS 7 was owned by my little brother. He installed a tons of games, and tablet was unusable.
Then, i fully wiped the tablet, and tried to install android 4.4 (prev version was XenonHD 4.2.1), but it couldnt install it, as recovery was too outdated to install the newest android.
So, now i dont have any android in the tablet, and i am left with recovery and fastboot.
I have to update recovery, so i can install new android, but fastboot is only saying "waiting for device" and nothing happens.
Is my tablet bricked? I cant install android, cant move files to /sdcard, cant fastboot and so on...
I know, that there is a way, but i dont know how.
Please help. I need this tablet tommorow for work!!!
Regards

bump.... Please help...

If you can still access the recovery download a rom that is compatible with you recovery and flash it, but I think you need to have access to sd card then so what you should do is push the file to your device when in fastest, I know it is possible but I don't know how to do it
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Try stock 4.2.1 from fastboot, then 4.3 etc.

TWRP no OS detected HELP!!!

I just installed TWRP on my N4 and have never used it before. I always used CWM and I just wiped it through recovery. My issue is that I wiped EVERYTHING. It says "no OS detected" and won't boot past the Google logo. Can't install drivers when connected to the computer, and I can't for the life of me figure out how to flash a stock image, or fix it with the nexus root toolkit. Could someone PLEASE give me a walkthrough for a noob of how to go about fixing this? I don't understand a lot that deals with ADB and all that. Thank you.
Sent from my Z665C using xda app-developers app

Google tool adb fastboot drivers. Then Google nexus 4 factory image and download that. Use 7-zip to extract it. Flash the flash-all.bat while your phone is in fastboot mode and connected to your pc
Sent from my Nexus 5

Do I she the factory image it originally had which was 4.2.2 or do I use the image I updated to which was 4.3? Don't know if it matters, but I've never done this so I don't want to make anything worse.
Sent from my Z665C using xda app-developers app

If you don't understand, this time right now seems a good reason to learn about it right?
As to you problem, can you boot into recovery..the twrp? If yes, then it is easy. Just sideload a rom (preferably a 4.2.2 rom as it was the last rom on your device). Oh and yeah, sideload does use a bit of adb command (see how important it is for us, the nexus user?).
The other way is to simply use toolkits (which is a shortcut, not good as you will learn nothing of the whole process and it just takes all the fun away). Look in original android dev section for wugfresh toolkits (but I really, really, really hope that you learn ADB. After all, we need to learn to count before we start using a calculator right? ). Good luck. Don't sweat it so much.
p/s: That video there can be used for any android version and any rom of nexus 4.

Sounds easy enough. My only issue has been that I couldn't install any drivers. I can boot into twrp, but that's it. Any guide I've researched says to turn on USB debugging, which I can't figure out how to do since it won't boot past the Google logo, and the drivers won't install correctly when I connect the nexus to a computer.
Sent from my Z665C using xda app-developers app

Use wugfresh nexus root tool kit to flash a stock rom.
USB debugging is not required to flash a stock ROM via fastboot.

sinndissension said:
Sounds easy enough. My only issue has been that I couldn't install any drivers. I can boot into twrp, but that's it. Any guide I've researched says to turn on USB debugging, which I can't figure out how to do since it won't boot past the Google logo, and the drivers won't install correctly when I connect the nexus to a computer.
Sent from my Z665C using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
The easiest in my opinion would be sideloading a new rom, like cm11, paranoidandroid etc. Then you could easily install it on your n4
See here how to do it: http://teamw.in/ADBSideload , http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2559200 , http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=45798359&postcount=825

Tried the toolkit yesterday. Didn't work because it couldn't install the drivers
Sent from my Z665C using xda app-developers app

Install drivers manually. Just Google "nexus 4 USB drivers" download and install. Then get toolkit and flash stock image.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

I'll try again. I was able to figure the drivers out. Tried flashing a stock image I downloaded, but I still wouldn't boot past the Google logo. I flashed it to the system partition, but I didn't know what partition to flash it to. Do I need to use the modified boot image it wants me to download, or am I supposed to flash it to a certain partition?
Sent from my Z665C using xda app-developers app

FIXED IT!!! thank you all for your help.
For anyone else with this problem, I downloaded "universal naked drivers" and installed them manually, use the Nexus Root Toolkit selected "soft brick, than flash stock/unroot, let it download RETORT and the modified boot image, flash it in fast-food, then when it booted up, re-rooted. (You lose root access when you do this).

Nexus 7 2012 stuck in safe mode

When I restart Nexus 7 it always boot up to safe mode. Tablet first shows bootloader menu and when I choose to start, it boot in to safe mode. It looks like volume down button is always pressed on but it don't work - does nothing in bootloader menu, and in safe mode.
I don't use it for some days. I don't remember the tablet being flooded or hit. It just appears. First I thought that it was caused by some bug in LineageOS. I made factory reset, and when it does nothing I set u Android 5.1 again but that also didn't work.
Do you have any idea why this is happening?

You mean you are always booting into recovery when starting up the device? This may happen if there is no valid boot.img / system.img installed. How did you install the current system on your device? Do you have an unlocked bootloader? Do you have the latest bootloader (4.23) installed on your device?

AndDiSa said:
You mean you are always booting into recovery when starting up the device? This may happen if there is no valid boot.img / system.img installed. How did you install the current system on your device? Do you have an unlocked bootloader? Do you have the latest bootloader (4.23) installed on your device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last thing I did is option Flash Stock + Unroot in Nexus Root Toolkit.
Yes I have bootloader 4.23.

Sorry, but I don't know what the toolkit is doing and whether everything went as expected .. that's the disadvantage of using toolkits.
Best would be to learn how to install and to use fastboot and after that you can decide either to flash stock factory image again or to upgrade to one of the custom ROMs available for the Nexus 7.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Labs

AndDiSa said:
Sorry, but I don't know what the toolkit is doing and whether everything went as expected .. that's the disadvantage of using toolkits.
Best would be to learn how to install and to use fastboot and after that you can decide either to flash stock factory image again or to upgrade to one of the custom ROMs available for the Nexus 7.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Labs
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Click to collapse
I think you don't understand me. Nexus Root Toolkit have nothing to do with this. It works 3 years with my Nexus 4 and 1 year with Nexus 7. This problem appeared long after installation of LineageOS.
Ok, I installed Android 5.0 manually and I still have this problem.

Did you notice any error messages while flashing the stock image? Did you do a factory reset after returning to stock?
I am still thinking that your bootloader is closed and you are not really flashing / changing the ROM, but flashing fails and you are remaining in the same state as before. Just as an idea ...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Labs

I would do one step at a time assuming fastboot and adb work. Search for adb minimal. Download stock zip to same directory. Run fastboot oem unlock. Unzip stock zip and try running flash-all.bat it flashes compatible bootloader and stock zip. If that doesn't work img files are inside stock zip and can be flashed separately.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Sorry for leaving you like that.
I took the risk and ordered flex cables with volume buttons. Now the tablet works fine. I'm sorry for the trouble.