I've been searching the forums and the rest of the net looking for a how to root a Nexus 7 without using a toolkit (using fastboot/adb instead). I'm in the process of learning as much as I can about the operating system itself but haven't gotten to the point yet where I know how to root a device on my own.
What I'm wondering is:
1. All the guides on rooting the N7 include flashing a custom recovery, then SuperSU, so on and so forth. Is there any way to avoid having to flash CWM or TWRP to root an N7?
2. Is there any where I can learn how to root my device without a toolkit?
If I've somehow missed an obvious thread on the subject, I apologize.
keithD9 said:
I've been searching the forums and the rest of the net looking for a how to root a Nexus 7 without using a toolkit (using fastboot/adb instead). I'm in the process of learning as much as I can about the operating system itself but haven't gotten to the point yet where I know how to root a device on my own.
What I'm wondering is, all the guides on rooting the N7 include flashing a custom recovery, then SuperSU, so on and so forth. Is there any way to avoid having to flash CWM or TWRP to root an N7? If I've somehow missed an obvious thread on the subject, I apologize.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing SuperSu is very simple with TWRP.
1. Install Fastboot (and adb)
2. Go here: http://teamw.in/project/twrp2/103
3. Download the latest image (at time of writing, 2.6)
4. Open up the terminal (Unix/Linux) or command prompt (windows)
4.1 (If you haven't unlocked bootloader, you will need to type "fastboot oem unlock". WARNING! THIS ERASES ALL DATA
5. Type "fastboot flash recovery recoveryfilename.img" and replace recoveryfilename.img with the name of the image downloaded.
6. Install SuperSu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you aren't keen on unlocking bootloader, see this thread here. It is, however, a glitchy, no good (IMHO) method which could brick your nexus and may not be compatible with all android versions.
Also, be warned, my instructions aren't bulletproof, you might be better following instructions from one of the many threads about rooting/unlocking bootloader of the nexus 7, incase of typo/stupidity on my behalf! Here is one thread for CWM http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1741395
Do I need TWRP or CWM in order to root though? Or can you still root with stock recovery?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
keithD9 said:
Do I need TWRP or CWM in order to root though? Or can you still root with stock recovery?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would need custom recovery but you don't have to flash it permanently. You can use the command 'fastboot boot recovery nameofrecovery.img'
It will merely boot the device into a temporary custom recovery for you to root it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Aha, and there we have it. Finally clicked. I'm positive someone must have said the same thing but in a different way. Thanks for the info!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Related
I would like to root my Nexus 7, but I just want "Root" so I can push apps via ADB, and run apps that require root.
I don't want a "Custom Recovery" or to install any "ROMS"
I like it stock, and only need root.
Is this possible, and how?
KoolAidJunkie said:
I would like to root my Nexus 7, but I just want "Root" so I can push apps via ADB, and run apps that require root.
I don't want a "Custom Recovery" or to install any "ROMS"
I like it stock, and only need root.
Is this possible, and how?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you "want" to root your nexus 7 "but" don't want to install a ROM then you should do a "search" on this website. There are several "stickies" that explain this; try "reading" them.
slack04 said:
If you "want" to root your nexus 7 "but" don't want to install a ROM then you should do a "search" on this website. There are several "stickies" that explain this; try "reading" them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have read through them, but the ones I find all mention installing CWM.
I don't want a Customer Recover installed. Just STOCK
I tried Nexus 7 Toolkit;
Unlocked the Bootloader.
Ran Option 4 to Root.
But Superuser won't work, and Root Explorer says I don't have root.
Looking for the root on my g nexus
I am also looking for the same thing for my galaxy nexus i.e. root without custom recovery
Please do tell me if you get any info as to whether it is possible to root without vision recovery or not
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I root my N7 using SuperBoot (it's somewhere in the development section, don't have a link at the moment).
It's ran one time only from bootloader mode via "fastboot boot superboot.img", doesn't flash anything, just get temp-loaded to memory and roots the system on it's boot.
After a reboot you're back on stock kernel.
Hey, just got my N4 yesterday.
I rooted my device today.
I also wanted to install a custom recovery like cwm or twrp.
But everytime it comes up with the android figure and a red warning.
Seems that every tool kit like the 1.6. nexus root toolkit or the Google Nexus 4 ToolKit is not able to install/flash a recovery.
Am i doing anything wrong?
Toobie said:
Hey, just got my N4 yesterday.
I rooted my device today.
I also wanted to install a custom recovery like cwm or twrp.
But everytime it comes up with the android figure and a red warning.
Seems that every tool kit like the 1.6. nexus root toolkit or the Google Nexus 4 ToolKit is not able to install/flash a recovery.
Am i doing anything wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you are doing wrong is using a toolkit. Follow these instructions. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2018179
I use mskip's Nexus 4 Toolkit without any issues. So far I've used it to root, install clockworkmod recovery and flash the stock image after messing up a build prop edit. Saved me a lot of headaches as I haven't used adb or fastboot commands in over a year, don't even have the sdk installed any more. This is the first phone since I got my Incredible in 2010 that I actually wanted to put a custom recovery on and play with.
Here are some basic questions. Did you unlock your boot loader? Do you have usb debugging enabled? Does your device show up when when your plugged in and booted up into fastboot? Do you have the correct drivers installed? Which recovery are you trying to install and did you try the other one available? Did you use the toolkit to root and did it work?
Toobie said:
Hey, just got my N4 yesterday.
I rooted my device today.
I also wanted to install a custom recovery like cwm or twrp.
But everytime it comes up with the android figure and a red warning.
Seems that every tool kit like the 1.6. nexus root toolkit or the Google Nexus 4 ToolKit is not able to install/flash a recovery.
Am i doing anything wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After you root the device using the toolkit, it is easiest to download ROM Manager or Goo.im from the Play Store to install your custom recovery.
As Ed Daddy said, it's best to use ADB, however, it would save you some times and a few headache if you could just go ahead and download ROM Manager. Sometimes people forget there are *really easy* ways to do stuffs.
KyraOfFire said:
After you root the device using the toolkit, it is easiest to download ROM Manager or Goo.im from the Play Store to install your custom recovery.
As Ed Daddy said, it's best to use ADB, however, it would save you some times and a few headache if you could just go ahead and download ROM Manager. Sometimes people forget there are *really easy* ways to do stuffs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I agree there are "really easy" ways to do things, I was trying to point him in the direction of learning.
Obviously since they don't know how to flash a recovery, they probably aren't familiar with much else.
Learning how to do things properly never hurt anyone.
Sent from my Nexus 4
Toobie said:
Hey, just got my N4 yesterday.
I rooted my device today.
I also wanted to install a custom recovery like cwm or twrp...
...Am i doing anything wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
El Daddy is correct.
Toolkits are silly on Nexus devices, for Nexus the simplest way is flashing via faboot. At the very least take the time to learn from the guide that El Daddy provided a link to. With that knowledge you'll be able to resolve issues like this and help others who get stuck.
Actually I unlocked my bootloader, rooted the device. Using normal OTA 4.2.1
But it seems that every toolkit cannot flash the recovery.
I will try it now with using adb commands...
All the toolkits are are scripts that run the fastboot and adb commands for you, they're nothing complicated and IMO from someone with experience I prefer using them now as I no longer have the sdk installed. Gave up on custom ROMs, my own and others, a long time ago.
---------- Post added at 08:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 PM ----------
Toobie said:
Actually I unlocked my bootloader, rooted the device. Using normal OTA 4.2.1
But it seems that every toolkit cannot flash the recovery.
I will try it now with using adb commands...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it's fastboot not adb that you use to flash recoveries, two different animals. and to the poster recommending ROM Manager, its kind of borked right now and I wouldn't use it to flash anything.
Edit: spoke too soon on ROM Manager looks like Koush updated it and it appears to be working properly. This was the first app I ever bought back in 2010 when I first rooted my Eris and couldn't get clockworkmod recovery to install, the moderators at the time recommended ROM Manager to me to get it installed as nothing else worked.
Yeah, but both didn't work.
I used now the adb commands on my one, still remembering them from my Nexus One, and see it works
For sure fastboot and adb will work. I used it very recently when my n4 updated. Just make sure to download the latest cwm. Had a boot loop the first time as I used an old one. Hehehe
Edit: actually not sure if it was the old fastboot files or cwm that caused the error. Anyway I updated my sdk so everything works well
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Actually all the tools booted the phone fine in the fastboot mode, telling me flashing the recovery is fine.
But every time i wanted to reboot in the recovery i got this android roboter with the red alarm...
with the normal adb commands everything was really fine!
You're getting that because flashing custom recovery alone without modifying a file or two generates stock recovery every after a reboot. Go to your /system folder and look for recovery-from-boot.p and rename that to whatever you like then flash the custom recovery again
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
thephantom said:
You're getting that because flashing custom recovery alone without modifying a file or two generates stock recovery every after a reboot. Go to your /system folder and look for recovery-from-boot.p and rename that to whatever you like then flash the custom recovery again
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds great, will try that.
Thank you.
Hey guys, getting my Nexus 4 for Christmas and looking to install Franco Kernel.
I was wondering the best way to install it, I have searched for tuts but nothing is clear. I know he has an app for his kernel, does this require root to use? It doesn't mention it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Go here and download the All In One script: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1995688
You're going to need to unlock the bootloader (will wipe your phone), so follow the steps in doing that.
Next, you'll need the latest CWM Recovery: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1995440
Follow those steps. Then download the Franco kernel .zip from its appropriate thread and flash it in CWM.
Shnew said:
I was wondering the best way to install it, I have searched for tuts but nothing is clear. I know he has an app for his kernel, does this require root to use? It doesn't mention it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First thing I'm going to tell you - Go back and read the OP. Because he actually does have instructions in it (Although very minimal).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=34375927&postcount=1
Here's the quick and simple of how to do it.
1. Download the Nexus 4 Toolkit -- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1995688 (READ THE OP COMPLETELY)
2. Unlock the bootloader.
3. Install custom recovery.
4. TAKE A BACKUP!
5. Transfer kernel files to device.
6. Use recovery to flash files.
7. Hold breath while booting.
DO NOT USE TOOLKITS. Especially if you're new to modding.
That's like saying, I want to overclockmy computer. Just give me a toolkit where I can one click and overclock my computer.
Read more here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1469909
Do it the proper way and download ADB drivers
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1514942 (enable USB debugging)
set up ADB environment
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot oem unlock
unlock bootloader on phone
download clockwork recovery or TWRP (i suggest TWRP)
put the .img file of recovery into your /platform-tools/
fastboot flash recovery <name-of-file>.img
then boot into recovery and there you can flash your ROM, gapps, kernel.
In the long run, IT WILL PAY OFF because eventually YOU will be faced with a problem with your phone and you won't be able to recover your phone because you dont know basic fastboot or adb commands all simply because you wanted to use a toolkit. People are already asking on how to use adb / fastboot in Q&A, we can reduce the clutter by not having people use toolkits and actually learning how adb / fastboot works when it isn't a very complicated thing to do at all
netsyd said:
4. TAKE A BACKUP!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure the boot partition is checked when you are backing up. To return to the stock kernel, (if you ever need to) you will need to restore this backed up boot image.
Sent from my Nexus 4
Can I just root and use the stock recovery to flash franco kernel? I want to be able to download ota from google in the future...
hophamson said:
Can I just root and use the stock recovery to flash franco kernel? I want to be able to download ota from google in the future...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no you need custom recovery
Unlock the bootloader, install a custom recovery and flash the zip.
Sent from my Nexus 4, powered by CyanogenMod via XDA Developers app.
Since none of the Root Toolkits were working for me, I've gone ahead to try to root through the command prompt.
I have a question about CWM Recovery though. I've flashed it on my Nexus 7, but not permanently since adb always hangs. (Which is why the toolkits weren't working for me). Everytime I reboot my Nexus 7, I have to re-flash the recovery.
My question is: Is there another way to make the CWM Recovery permanent? Not through adb? Would I be able to first root my Nexus, and then make the CWM permanent another way?
You're losing cwm every reboot because you happened t to overlook the fact that, to make it permanent, you need to delete the script that reverts you to stock recovery upon reboot. Read one of the routing guides stickied in the dev forum and follow the instructions. Easy as pie.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
well, you dont use ADB to install recovery, you use FASTBOOT
once you are rooted, you could go the easy way and install GooManager and use TWRP instead of CWM...or use ROM Manager to flash cwm
*hint: the reason its not sticking is because of a file you didnt delete in the /system partition.....
najaboy said:
You're losing cwm every reboot because you happened t to overlook the fact that, to make it permanent, you need to delete the script that reverts you to stock recovery upon reboot. Read one of the routing guides stickied in the dev forum and follow the instructions. Easy as pie.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was following this thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1741395
In order to make it permanent, I need to run adb which always hangs on me as stated above. Hence why I was looking for an alternate route.
Pirateghost said:
well, you dont use ADB to install recovery, you use FASTBOOT
once you are rooted, you could go the easy way and install GooManager and use TWRP instead of CWM...or use ROM Manager to flash cwm
*hint: the reason its not sticking is because of a file you didnt delete in the /system partition.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know you use Fastboot to install the recovery, though you use adb to make the recovery permanent.
I think I might try out GooManager and flash TWRP after I am rooted. Thanks!
Daniuhl said:
I was following this thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1741395
In order to make it permanent, I need to run adb which always hangs on me as stated above. Hence why I was looking for an alternate route.
I know you use Fastboot to install the recovery, though you use adb to make the recovery permanent.
I think I might try out GooManager and flash TWRP after I am rooted. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need adb to make it permanent. Use a root file explorer or a terminal emulator
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
I apologize for the noob question but I've never found myself in this particular situation...
I've decided to stick with the 4.3 JWR66V factory image while I wait for a working rooted version to be released or even an updated SuperSU or Superuser zip (that doesn't drain the battery or lose root with certain apps).
I used the factory image found HERE and followed the detailed instructions found HERE. I followed the instructions under section "D" vigorously which meant that I installed the stock recovery image as well. Everything is running as it should. However, I was curious if it was safe to flash TWRP 2.6.0.0 recovery through fastboot with my current setup. I'd like to use that recovery to wipe cache/dalvik and possibly fix permissions. However, I'm not sure if this will break something so I am hesitant to try it.
I have made sure the bootloader is unlocked. But I am curious if it's safe to flash and use TWRP while I am not rooted.
You can install recovery with no problem, root has nothing to do with it. however i think upon a reboot your recovery will be replaced with factory.
Interesting. I wonder why/how the system would flash back to stock recovery if I've pushed the TWRP recovery image over the factory image?
I flashed twrp from fastboot and it's still there. Just waiting on root
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
otariq said:
I flashed twrp from fastboot and it's still there. Just waiting on root
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without root would there be any functionality within TWRP that I shouldn't touch? Or does recovery functionality have no dependency on root?
What is there you wanna do? I just replaced stock with twrp so I can just flash the su zip when its out because I don't always have access to a PC. Also, Franco released his initial 4.3 kernel which I'm thinking about flashing.
When rebooting from twrp it'll ask if you wanna flash the su.apk because you don't have root I chose no because it wouldn't do anything for us right now without the binaries
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Good point. As of right now I guess I don't have a huge need for it. I'll just leave everything as is until a proper SuperSU is released. At which point I'll install the latest TWRP and root.
Just a question, wasn't nexus root toolkit supposed to be able to revert to stock?
I did it in previous android versions.
now I am running slim rom with CWM and "reverting to stock 4.3" using NRT doesn't work, the process finishes but nothing is done.
skinniezinho said:
Just a question, wasn't nexus root toolkit supposed to be able to revert to stock?
I did it in previous android versions.
now I am running slim rom with CWM and "reverting to stock 4.3" using NRT doesn't work, the process finishes but nothing is done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea. I use a Mac and flash back to stock via Fastboot. You should just learn to do that anyway so you have a better sense of exactly what is going on and if something fails you'll know exactly which step is failing in order to correct it. Relying on a toolkit is like never taking the training wheels off your bike.