Database Users

[Q] Unlocking vs rooting

Potential first time Nexus user coming over from Desire Z.
I intend to transfer my old data from my DZ to the nexus4 when I get it via Titanium Backup. My DZ is rooted with S-off, so it's all good.
I've stumbled over instructions on how to unlock the nexus4 via ABD, but if I'm not wrong, that's only to allow flashing of custom bootloaders and ROMs, right?
Which is to say, unlocking != rooting, and in order for Titanium Backup to work properly, the n4 will have to be rooted as well as SU, busybox etc installed.
Am I on the right track?
Cheers.

nexus come unlock.
unlock = to be use with any carrier
rooting = giving beyond standard permissions such as changing how android does things. EG overclocking, changing your sound "quailty" etc and you said. TB (titanium backup)

Unlock can also mean bootloader unlocking so you can flash/boot from custom recoveries, ROMs, kernels etc (the previous poster was referring to SIM unlocking).
It's just as easy to root, simply install/flash SuperSU via recovery though ChainsDD's Superuser works as well.

Unlawful said:
Unlock can also mean bootloader unlocking so you can flash/boot from custom recoveries, ROMs, kernels etc (the previous poster was referring to SIM unlocking).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Unlawful. Yes, I meant bootloader unlocking.
Unlawful said:
It's just as easy to root, simply install/flash SuperSU via recovery though ChainsDD's Superuser works as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean to say that the nexus4 comes rooted? Because installing of any of the SU apps require the phone to already be rooted, which I assume is not the case even for Nexus devices.

endlesstrail said:
Thanks Unlawful. Yes, I meant bootloader unlocking.
Do you mean to say that the nexus4 comes rooted? Because installing of any of the SU apps require the phone to already be rooted, which I assume is not the case even for Nexus devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt it. Be cool if it did
Once you have it unlocked you enter the recovery mode and root it there. I'm probably guessing shortly after its release someone is going to make a program so it does it in few steps.
There won't be anything really out that really requires root, other than TB.

endlesstrail said:
Thanks Unlawful. Yes, I meant bootloader unlocking.
Do you mean to say that the nexus4 comes rooted? Because installing of any of the SU apps require the phone to already be rooted, which I assume is not the case even for Nexus devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus 4 does not come rooted. You have to root it.

NeverAlwaysEver said:
Nexus 4 does not come rooted. You have to root it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys. I guessed as much.
Yeah, I'll probably have to do without the backup of my apps for a few days until some kind soul manages to root it and posts instructions. Maybe it'll just be a day or a few hours even! :fingers-crossed:

You will be able to unlock the bootloader right away.
Root maybe not. In order to root it you will need either need a custom recovery for the device or a software exploit.
It won't take long but a custom recovery needs to be built and tested first.

It's easy to root a nexus
First you unlock the bootloader=fastboot oem unlock.
Then you use fastboot to flash a recovery. Once recovery is flashed you have to use adb to make it stick(delete the script that overwrite custom recovery with stock) then you flash su. Zip in recovery. Very simple to do
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

Unlawful said:
Unlock can also mean bootloader unlocking so you can flash/boot from custom recoveries, ROMs, kernels etc (the previous poster was referring to SIM unlocking).
It's just as easy to root, simply install/flash SuperSU via recovery though ChainsDD's Superuser works as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just want to clarify, I have not had a nexus device before, but my understanding is that, even on a Nexus, without unlocking the bootloader, one would still need to exploit and mount system as RW first to install SU.

USSENTERNCC1701E said:
Just want to clarify, I have not had a nexus device before, but my understanding is that, even on a Nexus, without unlocking the bootloader, one would still need to exploit and mount system as RW first to install SU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without unlocking the bootloader, it's much more difficult to root and as you said, one would need to use an exploit and then do as you have said. However, Nexus devices do come with the luxury of unlockable bootloaders for a multitude of reasons .
endlesstrail said:
Do you mean to say that the nexus4 comes rooted? Because installing of any of the SU apps require the phone to already be rooted, which I assume is not the case even for Nexus devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Chainfire meant that in case you wanted to switch from Superuser to SuperSU or if you're just installing the APK (the application). If you do want to root, you should just flash the zip file found here in a custom recovery which does everything for you.

Unlawful said:
Without unlocking the bootloader, it's much more difficult to root and as you said, one would need to use an exploit and then do as you have said. However, Nexus devices do come with the luxury of unlockable bootloaders for a multitude of reasons .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Bytheby, my only experience in the past with non-hack bootloader unlocking is with HTCunlock. Have past nexus devices had a permanent watermark even after relocking? I'm hoping that's not the case, cause extensive googling does not have anyone explicitly saying one way or the other, so maybe only HTC is that jacked.

I just want to clear up some terminology to stop people getting confused...
Bootloader a.k.a HBoot - This is the piece of software that runs before anything else on the phone. It basically packages it all up, tells what to run in what order e.t.c Every computer device has a bootloader in some form or another, be it an Android Phone, iPhone, Windows PC, iMac e.t.c. The HBoot is accessible by switching your phone off, then holding down volume down as you turn it back on. The first line of the HBoot will tell you if you are S-OFF or S-ON.
Recovery - The recovery is the piece of software that allows us to write files to partitions while they aren't being used. It is the portal to allow us to flash custom ROM's and kernels. There are custom recoveries with more options than the stock such as ClockworkMod.
Superuser a.k.a su or Root - This is a user that is present on all linux distros that allows higher permissions than standard users have access to. Certain apps need superuser permissions to function, such as Titanium Backup.
A bootloader is traditionally locked. This means it stops you from writing to any partition on the device other than data. What is always true of Nexus devices, and now true of most consumer devices, there is an offical method for unlocking the bootloader. With HTC, you have to download some software, with Nexus devices, it is as simple as booting into fastboot mode, and typing the command "fastboot oem unlock" (assuming you have fastboot installed on your connected PC / mac).
Although this unlocks the bootloader (which by the way resets your device to factory settings), you still aren't rooted. You now have the ability to flash images to the previously locked partitions. Once you have access to write to partitions, the easiest method of rooting is installing a custom recovery (fastboot flash recovery recovery.img, and then using that to flash a superuser zip.
There are exploits for rooting, which either eman the recovery partition gets written to without the bootloader unlocking OR the su files get pushed to the system partition while the bootloader is locked. These exploits are more tricky and are getting harder to find, but allow you to gain root access without voiding your warranty.
To answer someone else's question, when you unlocked the bootloader on the Nexus One you got a watermark on the bootsplash, I don't know about any Nexus after that.
EDIT - Unlocked Phone: To throw some further clarification, when people talk about "unlocked phones" what they actually means is carrier. This term pre-dates smartphones, and a locked phone just meant that if you bought your phone through a carrier, you could only use it on their network, so no other SIM would work unless you bought a code off them to unlock it. This only applied to GSM phones (not CDMA) and s still practised today. The Nexus 4 will not be carrier locked wherever you buy it.

l0st.prophet said:
I just want to clear up some terminology to stop people getting confused...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the excellent clarification. It's much clearer now.

USSENTERNCC1701E said:
Thanks. Bytheby, my only experience in the past with non-hack bootloader unlocking is with HTCunlock. Have past nexus devices had a permanent watermark even after relocking? I'm hoping that's not the case, cause extensive googling does not have anyone explicitly saying one way or the other, so maybe only HTC is that jacked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both the Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus 7 don't have anything changed when you unlock the bootloader (apart from an unlocked lock image on the boot screen beneath the Google logo and then it disappears after going to the boot animation). I would assume this was the same with the Nexus S . Also another good thing about Nexus devices is that you can relock the bootloader after unlocking it and it will be back to a stock configuration (assuming you're on the Google-built ROM).

PlanBSTi said:
There won't be anything really out that really requires root, other than TB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I beg to differ; DroidWall is the one utility I refuse to live without, and that requires root.
Other than that and TitaniumBackup though, you're quite right; the new stock features of JellyBean mean I likely won't even bother with any major third-party modifications. Indeed, I'm thinking this'll be the first 'phone in many a year which I won't be installing a custom ROM on for at least the first six months of use.

PlanBSTi said:
There won't be anything really out that really requires root, other than TB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, the irony is I really only use TB because I'm switching ROMs. I disagree though, I really like the extra customization that comes with a lot of custom ROM's. But I've run phones for a few months with OEM skins, while waiting on an exploit. I agree there won't be a pressing need for root.

I guess you guys like to actually see ads on your phones.

albundy2010 said:
I guess you guys like to actually see ads on your phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually don't find many apps to have very intrusive ads at all. I also feel better knowing I'm not ripping off the devs

albundy2010 said:
I guess you guys like to actually see ads on your phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never actually ended up with an air push app, and the rest of the ads really don't bother me, sometimes I'll go on a clicking spree to support devs. If it really bothers me I buy the full version or uninstall it.

[Q] Question about rooting

Hey everyone. I was wondering if you could root without unlocking the bootloader first. I know i wouldn't be able to flash roms and such, but I just want the Superuser app so I can use apps like Titanium backup and sixaxis controller. Thanks in advance!

timour79 said:
Hey everyone. I was wondering if you could root without unlocking the bootloader first. I know i wouldn't be able to flash roms and such, but I just want the Superuser app so I can use apps like Titanium backup and sixaxis controller. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry to tell you, but there is no way of rooting without unlocking the bootloader, since its secured and you won't be able to flash the necessary super user scripts. i could be wrong, but i think its necessary to unlock the bootloader.

Billchen0014 said:
sorry to tell you, but there is no way of rooting without unlocking the bootloader, since its secured and you won't be able to flash the necessary super user scripts. i could be wrong, but i think its necessary to unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I unlock the bootloader, root, then relock the bootloader and keep the root?

timour79 said:
Can I unlock the bootloader, root, then relock the bootloader and keep the root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you choose the relock bootloader option in the toolbox, it removes superuser as well

Billchen0014 said:
if you choose the relock bootloader option in the toolbox, it removes superuser as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, thanks

Billchen0014 said:
if you choose the relock bootloader option in the toolbox, it removes superuser as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a good example of where using a toolkit fails.
You can re-lock the bootloader without affecting root. Boot the phone in fastboot mode, connect to computer and run the following command:
Code:
> fastboot oem lock

timour79 said:
Can I unlock the bootloader, root, then relock the bootloader and keep the root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's your reason for wanting it relocked?
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda app-developers app

noneabove said:
What's your reason for wanting it relocked?
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Click to collapse
I'm not the OP, but I don't like the open padlock icon that shows that the device's bootloader is unlocked.
Any disadvantage to re-locking the bootloader?

Nate2 said:
I'm not the OP, but I don't like the open padlock icon that shows that the device's bootloader is unlocked.
Any disadvantage to re-locking the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I dont want to completely void the warranty, unless rooting already does that. If it was mine then i would've unlocked and rooted. I'd probably already have a rom and kernel on it. But it's actually my dad's, and he said I can root it if I don't do anything too serious(like I said, I just want Superuser so I can use things like the sixaxis controller app.)

comminus said:
This is a good example of where using a toolkit fails.
You can re-lock the bootloader without affecting root. Boot the phone in fastboot mode, connect to computer and run the following command:
Code:
> fastboot oem lock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would that be manual rooting?

NRT questions
hey there
have some newb questions about rooting along the same lines of the OP. hope you can help me
1. what are the chances of bricking the nexus by rooting if all i am going to do is the same as the OP. use sixasis and the usb stick apps. has anyone completely bricked their device or is there always a way back. i have seen a lot of info and guides to suggest you can always get the factory image restored.
2. does the superuser app already need to be installed on the nexus or does the toolkit install it for me?
3. if i am only rooting for basic stuff like sixasis is there any point installing clockword mod?
4. i have downloaded the toolkit and tried the driver installation. my experience was different from the screenshots in the toolkit and guides i have seen but when i run the driver check/step 3 it comes back with success and i have managed to make a backup. so does this imply i can safely unlock and root.
5. if i have to get my device repaired and relock the device and un-root it will my warranty be ok or can google still detect rooting has been done?
sorry for the newb questions but there are so many different guides out there and some of them refer to older versions of the NRT so just want to clarify these points.

timour79 said:
Would that be manual rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. All you are doing there is unlocking the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader is the equivalent of pre-heating your oven. You haven't messed with any ingredients or cooked anything yet.
---------- Post added at 01:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:53 PM ----------
Lemegeton300 said:
1. what are the chances of bricking the nexus by rooting if all i am going to do is the same as the OP. use sixasis and the usb stick apps. has anyone completely bricked their device or is there always a way back. i have seen a lot of info and guides to suggest you can always get the factory image restored.
2. does the superuser app already need to be installed on the nexus or does the toolkit install it for me?
3. if i am only rooting for basic stuff like sixasis is there any point installing clockword mod?
4. i have downloaded the toolkit and tried the driver installation. my experience was different from the screenshots in the toolkit and guides i have seen but when i run the driver check/step 3 it comes back with success and i have managed to make a backup. so does this imply i can safely unlock and root.
5. if i have to get my device repaired and relock the device and un-root it will my warranty be ok or can google still detect rooting has been done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. The chances are pretty slim for permanently bricking. That is the beauty of Nexus devices - the entire factory image is available to be flashed back on if you screw things up. That is the equivalent of reformatting your harddrive & reinstalling your OS on your desktop.
2. mkskip's toolkit will install it for you. I am sure wug's will too.
3. You don't have to install CWM, especially if you are thinking that you will pretty much always stay stock. But, the bug might hit you in a month or two to start playing around, and then CWM or TWRP is your friend. I installed CWM & made a backup pretty quickly in case I do something I shouldn't, such as accidentally deleting a vital system app. That way you do not have to do the factory reinstall route. Every few weeks you can make yourself a fresh backup just for fun.
4. You should be fine - the drivers must be working if the toolkit is doing backups for you. I am assuming you are using mkskips toolkit based on this question - his instructions say that sometimes in 1 step it says drivers didn't install correctly when they actually do - Windows is...Windows. If you want to be sure, ask away on mkskip's thread. He is quite helpful.
5. If you reflash the factory image & the bootloader is relocked, there is nothing for them to see...not that they'd really care since the point of a Nexus is to develop on it. You would only be returning it for a hardware issue, and the software unlocking has no impact on the hardware problem, since your hardware issue would've happened no matter what software you had on it. The only way a software thing could cause a hardware issue would be if you over-overclocked it & cooked some parts. You'd really have to work at doing that since these things usually shut down when the temperature gets too high.
In short: root it & enjoy it!

Thanks for the info. Its wugs tool I am using so not sure what happened with drivers but like you said its good to go. So will the clockwork mod essentially create a restore point for me ?
Going to go ahead and root the device now. Thanks for the help.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Lemegeton300 said:
Thanks for the info. Its wugs tool I am using so not sure what happened with drivers but like you said its good to go. So will the clockwork mod essentially create a restore point for me ?
Going to go ahead and root the device now. Thanks for the help.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. When you restore a backup it will be just as it was when you made it. Have fun!

Rooting and unlocking N7

So I am going to be getting a N7 for Christmas, and I was wondering, should I root and unlock the tab before even setting it up? And should I accept the 4.2.1 update before or after doing all this?
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G

I just did mine today on nexus 4 and 7. I had to read everything carefully to find out this was the method that I find it was easy. Make sure you read everything first. Look at the video for 4 and it should be similar to 7 and instructions are provided in link as well. btw I rooted it on 4.2.1.
As rooting will factory reset your device, it will delete all your data. Make sure you backup first.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1766475

Do yourself a favor and learn to do it manually first before using toolkits. There is a lot of tutorials on doing so.http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1741395 Use fastboot to unlock device:
Command= fastboot OEM unlock
Select yes on your device to unlock boooader.
Install a custom recovery( I would reccomend twrp) and flash supersu zip and you are now rooted.
Need to go back to stock then this is great http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1907796
Yes toolkits do work but if things go wrong its good to know what to do.

Travisdroidx2 said:
Do yourself a favor and learn to do it manually first before using toolkits. There is a lot of tutorials on doing so. Use adb to unlock device:
Command= adb OEM unlock
Select yes on your device to unlock boooader.
Install a custom recovery and flash supersu zip and you are now rooted.
Need to go back to stock then this is great http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1907796
Yes toolkits do work but if things go wrong its good to know what to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had no intention of using a toolkit lol. Link to the best method to root/unlock?
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G

Lol good deal added another link that you are looking for.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1741395

Travisdroidx2 said:
Lol good deal added another link that you are looking for.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1741395
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answered my edit before I could post it. You read my mind!
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G

Nexus 7 root and unlock.
Slender Troll said:
So I am going to be getting a N7 for Christmas, and I was wondering, should I root and unlock the tab before even setting it up? And should I accept the 4.2.1 update before or after doing all this?
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought my Nexus 7 about 2 weeks ago. I set it up then downloaded the jb 4.2.1 update. You will have to unlock before you root. I then downloaded Wugfresh Nexus 7 Tool kit to my computer. Very easy to follow instructions. The kit will take you through the steps on unlocking and rooting. There are videos on this procedure. I did not flash CWM and opted to flash TWRP. Excellent recovery system. I downloaded Goo manager app and you can install TWRP within the app. Very easy. You can then make nandroid backups and install custom roms. I am currently on Cyanogenmod 10.1 nightly.Cyanogenmod now has an updater within and it will search for new nightlys and also install them. Very easy. Hope this helps.

I do prefer twrp over cwm. And I was a long time cwm user before. You can fastboot the twrp.IMG file. And if you Fastboot twrp you will not have to rename .bak the stock recovery.
And yes you will want to unlock it and root it first thing since the unlock wipes the entire device.

What's the difference between CWM and TWRP?
Edit: Swipe was acting up.
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G

In my opinion twrp gets more support and updates. Is way faster than cwm and you will never look back. Twrp is a great recovery.

Ok. So if/when I root the 7, I will be using a computer running windows xp, and I don't know how to install the correct files and where.
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G

Hey, I'd like you to help me decide whether I should root my Nexus 7 or not. This is my first android device and I'm a complete 'noob.' Since then I've been reading about rooting continuously and I would've done it already but I'm a bit concerned. I don't want to lose my warranty and I'm aware that I can unroot the device to get my warranty back but what if something happens to the screen or the power button, or what if it bricks after losing battery power? (I read somewhere that this happened to him during night, the device ran out of juice and he couldn't turn it on ever again) Would I still be able to unroot it so I could return it for repair?
My other concern is about the rooting process itself. I've read that it's 99% safe with a toolkit but anything can go wrong. Is this 1% a big risk? Would I be able to unbrick it if something happened? Since I'm a noob my only reason to root my device is to be able to run memory editors like gamecih or something like that. Are the risks worth it?
Thank you for your answers.

BenFuF said:
Hey, I'd like you to help me decide whether I should root my Nexus 7 or not. This is my first android device and I'm a complete 'noob.' Since then I've been reading about rooting continuously and I would've done it already but I'm a bit concerned. I don't want to lose my warranty and I'm aware that I can unroot the device to get my warranty back but what if something happens to the screen or the power button, or what if it bricks after losing battery power? (I read somewhere that this happened to him during night, the device ran out of juice and he couldn't turn it on ever again) Would I still be able to unroot it so I could return it for repair?
My other concern is about the rooting process itself. I've read that it's 99% safe with a toolkit but anything can go wrong. Is this 1% a big risk? Would I be able to unbrick it if something happened? Since I'm a noob my only reason to root my device is to be able to run memory editors like gamecih or something like that. Are the risks worth it?
Thank you for your answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In all honesty, a toolkit is almost completely unnecessary for the Nexus 7. You can do everything yourself in about 5 minutes. The thing about the Nexus 7 is that Google knew that people would try and do things with it, so they made it easy (How it should be with every device). One thing you should take into consideration when unlocking/rooting any device is "Why am I doing this?" If the answer is "Cuz I can!", you probably shouldn't. If you want to be able to use advanced apps that require root, go right ahead. Even if you are having performance problems, and just want to fix them by installing a new ROM after you unlock, go for it. If not, don't worry about it.

A Bit Confused about the Root/Bootloader...

Ordered my Nexus 4, being shipped, will be here tomorrow night..
Okay, so I am coming from a SGH-T999... S3. With the S3, I root the phone with Odin, flash CWM, and then I can flash custom roms, kernels,mods and modems...
But reading on all of the Nexus 4 procedures.. From my understanding, to flash kernels/custom roms, you DO NOT need to Root, but only unlock the bootloader??
Now if I do not root, but unlock the bootloader, would I be able to use apps such as Titanium Back Up? (My Guess is no since it requires root and SuperSu)
Sorry don't flame me... I'm just trying to get everything clear before my phone comes so I can know what to do right away... TY

Your ticket to unleashing the full potential through custom ROMs and kernels starts with unlocking the bootloader. Best to do that first since it wipes your device.
Custom ROMs typically come rooted.
You do not need root to flash a custom recovery image, only an unlocked bootloader to flash the recovery image through fastboot.
You can also flash a custom kernel (boot.img) through fastboot, but flashing through recovery is the SOP.
If you want a stock rooted ROM, simply flash the recovery image through fastboot and flash the SuperSU package through your custom recovery.
Welcome to the Nexus side of Android!
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda premium

Crisisx1 said:
Ordered my Nexus 4, being shipped, will be here tomorrow night..
Okay, so I am coming from a SGH-T999... S3. With the S3, I root the phone with Odin, flash CWM, and then I can flash custom roms, kernels,mods and modems...
But reading on all of the Nexus 4 procedures.. From my understanding, to flash kernels/custom roms, you DO NOT need to Root, but only unlock the bootloader??
Now if I do not root, but unlock the bootloader, would I be able to use apps such as Titanium Back Up? (My Guess is no since it requires root and SuperSu)
Sorry don't flame me... I'm just trying to get everything clear before my phone comes so I can know what to do right away... TY
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And with the toolkit its all easy as pie. I own an LGOG which is the Nexus brother is the phone it was based on. You ordered top of the line baby the Snapdragon s4 pro in the adreno 320 graphics processing unit are tops, 1 of the fastest phones in America. Have fun. Development has started for my optimus but I would trade in this 550 dollar phone for a 300 dollar Nexus in a second in fact when I have the money I will be ordering 1 and selling my LGOG. I am a flash a holic even know this phone stock is a little faster it's only because of the kernel and Franco has made a awesome kernel for the N4. Have fun
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

lwfb said:
Your ticket to unleashing the full potential through custom ROMs and kernels starts with unlocking the bootloader. Best to do that first since it wipes your device.
Custom ROMs typically come rooted.
You do not need root to flash a custom recovery image, only an unlocked bootloader to flash the recovery image through fastboot.
You can also flash a custom kernel (boot.img) through fastboot, but flashing through recovery is the SOP.
If you want a stock rooted ROM, simply flash the recovery image through fastboot and flash the SuperSU package through your custom recovery.
Welcome to the Nexus side of Android!
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome thanks. So just to clarify.
1. Unlock Bootloader
2. Flash CWM
3.Flash SuperSu
4. Then Flash away...

No need to flash supersu if you're going to flash a rooted ROM.
That's what you would do to unlock and root the stock ROM.
It won't hurt but its a waste. By flashing the su.zip you add files to /system. When you flash a ROM you're going to wipe /system prior to flashing the new ROM. Therefore deleting what you just did and the rest of the ROM.

You got it.
I'd discourage using the toolkit if you're new to the process of unlocking and rooting a nexus though.
It's so easy and rewarding to learn the manual way, plus having that knowledge can get you out of a bind should something ever happen.
Nexus devices are incredibly easy to unlock, it's only one command through ADB: Fastboot OEM unlock
Download TWRP recovery, rename the image to recovery.IMG and put it in your ADB folder. Then: Fastboot flash recovery recovery.IMG
Reboot system.
Download SuperSU from chainfire's website, move the file to your internal storage, then power off.
Press power on and volume down to get into bootloader, volume up to toggle recovery, power to select recovery. When you're in recovery, find that file and flash it. Reboot system. Update your Superuser binary from the SuperSU app.
Download busy box from the play store, install busy box and you're officially good to go!
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda premium

So your suggesting to unlock it this way instead of using the toolkits posted on xda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REidXYQ9_c8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

For the first time, definitely.
Learning the manual way on a nexus is invaluable. Google makes it easy for us to unlock and root these devices, the process hasn't changed since the G1 days.
I take the "teach a man to fish" approach versus the "give a man a fish" approach.
If you just take your time, read, and ask questions if you're stuck you'll get the hang of it.
I'm no developer or expert, but I've had multiple android devices since 2009 and every nexus device with the exception of the nexus s. Feel free to ask questions and if I can help I will.

lwfb said:
For the first time, definitely.
Learning the manual way on a nexus is invaluable. Google makes it easy for us to unlock and root these devices, the process hasn't changed since the G1 days.
I take the "teach a man to fish" approach versus the "give a man a fish" approach.
If you just take your time, read, and ask questions if you're stuck you'll get the hang of it.
I'm no developer or expert, but I've had multiple android devices since 2009 and every nexus device with the exception of the nexus s. Feel free to ask questions and if I can help I will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Yeah I'll do it the manual way.. I've seen other users say not to use the toolkit either.

Personally I love the toolkit. It has all the goodies in one easy-to-use place. It makes no sense to tell someone new to the process to go the hard way. Since you, OP, have unlocked and flashed a phone before with your S3 it looks to me like it's kind of a moot point. I go for convenience.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2018179

juicyjones said:
Personally I love the toolkit. It has all the goodies in one easy-to-use place. It makes no sense to tell someone new to the process to go the hard way. Since you, OP, have unlocked and flashed a phone before with your S3 it looks to me like it's kind of a moot point. I go for convenience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I rooted my S3, but it's different then the N4.. No bootloader to unlock with the s3, that i am aware of.
Can the tool kit possibly damage something?

Root without bootloader unlock?

Good Afternoon All,
Do you think it may be possible that we can get root access without unlocking the bootloader - I'm a little reluctant to unlock the bootloader because of the QFuse blowing.

The QFuse does not blow when you unlock or relock the bootloader. Many reviews and Android news sites spouted that nonsense without having tried it. There are many screenshots of Google CSRs saying that they don't know what the QFuse is for, but unlocking the bootloader/rooting/alterring software is fine as long as it's not so bricked you can't reflash stock images before sending it in to them.
Link to a thread discussing this issue.

Scyntherei said:
The QFuse does not blow when you unlock or relock the bootloader. Many reviews and Android news sites spouted that nonsense without having tried it. There are many screenshots of Google CSRs saying that they don't know what the QFuse is for, but unlocking the bootloader/rooting/alterring software is fine as long as it's not so bricked you can't reflash stock images before sending it in to them.
Link to a thread discussing this issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 the QFuse status didn't change when unlocking the bootloader. The media exaggerated about the qfuse and nothing has happened. Everything about the phone still works properly.

Thanks very much, I wasn't aware of this, I should read more. Awesome news.

But to answer the first question.
Very few people put in effort to root a phone with an unlocked bootloader, not matter what fuses are blown.
A phone with an unlocked bootloader has root by default.

Swatto86 said:
Good Afternoon All,
Do you think it may be possible that we can get root access without unlocking the bootloader - I'm a little reluctant to unlock the bootloader because of the QFuse blowing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
last i read you have to flash a kernel in order to root the phone therefore you need to unlock the bootloader to do so, i would like to just root myself but i don't know if you can.

No answer?
I would like to get Root on my Nexus 6p but currently do not want to invest the time for full bootloader unlock/fresh install.
So... I will ask again, is it possible to get Root access on Nexus 6P with stock kernel and leaving bootloader in factory locked state? If yes... are there any guides to do this?

Why people are afraid to unlock the bootloader? Nexus devices don't lose the warranty when you unlock it, you can also lock it again.
Enviado desde mi Nexus 7 mediante Tapatalk

PetrichorXFi said:
No answer?
I would like to get Root on my Nexus 6p but currently do not want to invest the time for full bootloader unlock/fresh install.
So... I will ask again, is it possible to get Root access on Nexus 6P with stock kernel and leaving bootloader in factory locked state? If yes... are there any guides to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No

PetrichorXFi said:
No answer?
I would like to get Root on my Nexus 6p but currently do not want to invest the time for full bootloader unlock/fresh install.
So... I will ask again, is it possible to get Root access on Nexus 6P with stock kernel and leaving bootloader in factory locked state? If yes... are there any guides to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The answer is no.
To do what you want, someone would need to develop and exploit.
There is no motivation to do that when all one has to do is unlock the bootloader.
On phones where a bootloader unlock exists, root methods require unlocking the bootloader.
This is to install a custom recovery so yiou can flash SU.
Unlocked bootloader = root, no matter what.
You will need to invest the time and backup your device.

@TS, did you read the unlock/root guide in general section? It clearly states you need an unlocked bootloader + custom recovery to root your device..
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA-Developers mobile app

I think this should be possible now with Quadrooter vulnerabilities?

sushah23 said:
I think this should be possible now with Quadrooter vulnerabilities?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DOA.
But nobody is going to put in time and effort.
What is the point? Unlock the bootloader and flash. It does not void the warranty.
There is even a defined method to get the monthly security update.
With the exploit, it will only work until the next OTA patches it.

I was hoping to root without unlocking the boot loader also. I am definitely not willing to do this since I believe that is what wrecked my previous 6P. It was fine until I used Nexus Root toolkit. I unlocked the boot loader, installed TWRP and rooted then minutes after this the phone locked up, rebooted and was stuck in a permanent boot loop. I couldn't get into recovery or even install any recovery. That phone is currently at the Huawei repair center in Texas and they are sending me a new device. They believe the internal ROM failed and I have suspicions of everything I did with the Toolkit did this. I am afraid to try it on my current 6P that I got from a friend. I have no root now and the phone is massively stable. 400+ hours uptime with no reboot and no slowdowns. But if I were able to root with no unlocking of the boot loader or installing any custom recovery I probably would do it. I hate that I am scared to do all that again with this other phone haha. Sorry for sounding paranoid but ****, see where am I coming from?

LiquidAlloy said:
I was hoping to root without unlocking the boot loader also. I am definitely not willing to do this since I believe that is what wrecked my previous 6P. It was fine until I used Nexus Root toolkit. I unlocked the boot loader, installed TWRP and rooted then minutes after this the phone locked up, rebooted and was stuck in a permanent boot loop. I couldn't get into recovery or even install any recovery. That phone is currently at the Huawei repair center in Texas and they are sending me a new device. They believe the internal ROM failed and I have suspicions of everything I did with the Toolkit did this. I am afraid to try it on my current 6P that I got from a friend. I have no root now and the phone is massively stable. 400+ hours uptime with no reboot and no slowdowns. But if I were able to root with no unlocking of the boot loader or installing any custom recovery I probably would do it. I hate that I am scared to do all that again with this other phone haha. Sorry for sounding paranoid but ****, see where am I coming from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As good as toolkits are, put in the extra time and avoid using them because you are never in full control of what is being done to your device. Take a little extra time and learn adb and fastboot. It's actually really simple and you can get so much done without the need for using a toolkit.

Jammol said:
As good as toolkits are, put in the extra time and avoid using them because you are never in full control of what is being done to your device. Take a little extra time and learn adb and fastboot. It's actually really simple and you can get so much done without the need for using a toolkit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried that only a few times. I understand what you're saying. I guess convenience can be more destructive. :/

LiquidAlloy said:
I have tried that only a few times. I understand what you're saying. I guess convenience can be more destructive. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In all honesty it's not even more convenient. Once you've used the command line you'll never go back to a toolkit. It's actually easier, much faster and you have way more control over what you do.

PetrichorXFi said:
No answer?
I would like to get Root on my Nexus 6p but currently do not want to invest the time for full bootloader unlock/fresh install.
So... I will ask again, is it possible to get Root access on Nexus 6P with stock kernel and leaving bootloader in factory locked state? If yes... are there any guides to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Helium app for individual apps backup. Worked great to backup a few apps/data when I changed from one Nexus 6P to another. Might be a bit buggy to get working to get the backup, but after that everything is fine.

you can do it with KINGROOT