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?
Click to expand...
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.

Stock Recovery

I flashed TWRP to make backups and am finding I want to revert to stock recovery for whenever the next OTA is pushed. I'm on stock 4.2.2. Is there a repository to flash the stock recovery specific to the version of android I'm on or other way to backup/re-flash stock android prior to installing custom recovery?

ravenofdoom said:
I flashed TWRP to make backups and am finding I want to revert to stock recovery for whenever the next OTA is pushed. I'm on stock 4.2.2. Is there a repository to flash the stock recovery specific to the version of android I'm on or other way to backup/re-flash stock android prior to installing custom recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock Android recovery cannot make entire system (NANDROID) backups like TWRP or CWMR can. If your looking to re-install stock Android 4.2.2 for the Nexus 10 you can download and flash the Nexus 10 factory image from here (I would recommend taking a look at this great guide if your are unfamiliar with how to flash factory images). If you just want to reflash the Nexus 10 stock recovery you can download it from here, boot into fastboot mode and then flash it with the following command:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery path/to/recovery-stock-manta.img
After it completes you can reboot into recovery mode and you should now have the stock Nexus 10 recovery image installed. For flashing the stock recovery you should try and match it to the Android version so if your on Android 4.2.2 try and flash the recovery.img that was pulled from the Android 4.2.2 factory image. However usually you can get away with flashing 4.2 or 4.2.1 version of the stock recovery.img as it is unlikely that anything major changed with the stock recovery image in those small incremental Android updates.

Is there a repo or other way to make a backup of stock recovery before flashing custom (TWRP/CWMR). If I'm on the go and want to interchange between custom recovery and previous stock recovery without the aid of a computer nearby, how would I do that? Is there an app that can save/snapshot my current stock recovery before flashing custom recovery (and then can later let me re-flash that saved recovery)?

Flashing stock recovery wont make me lose any data will it? because 4.3 was released for s4 google edition so im sure nexus 10 is close and i want to be ready.

abdel12345 said:
Flashing stock recovery wont make me lose any data will it? because 4.3 was released for s4 google edition so im sure nexus 10 is close and i want to be ready.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct flashing stock recovery won't make you loose any data. But as always when your flashing anything and if you have even the slightest hesitation backup any data you wouldn't want to loose.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

Alright thanks man. I already used my 8 for today but ill thank you tomorrow and ill back up my apps with titanium backup

OK what is the command to use to flash because the one from the previous page didn't work it said something about not finding it or something are there any drivers that need to be installed or something I'm missing? I connected it to my CPU and turned it on while holding power and volume and it went menu where you see tablet info? Any help please
Sent from my Xperia Play (r800x)

ravenofdoom said:
Is there a repo or other way to make a backup of stock recovery before flashing custom (TWRP/CWMR). If I'm on the go and want to interchange between custom recovery and previous stock recovery without the aid of a computer nearby, how would I do that? Is there an app that can save/snapshot my current stock recovery before flashing custom recovery (and then can later let me re-flash that saved recovery)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know if you still need this info, but you can use flash_image to flash recoveries without having to connect to a PC. So if you save the recovery image files, you can switch easily. Have a look here:
http://theunlockr.com/2009/10/15/how-to-flash-a-new-recovery-image-if-you-are-already-rooted/
I haven't done this on my N10, but I've used the method several times on my HTC Vivid phone.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

bruce7373 said:
Don't know if you still need this info, but you can use flash_image to flash recoveries without having to connect to a PC. So if you save the recovery image files, you can switch easily. Have a look here:
http://theunlockr.com/2009/10/15/how-to-flash-a-new-recovery-image-if-you-are-already-rooted/
I haven't done this on my N10, but I've used the method several times on my HTC Vivid phone.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That actually helped me out with my problem thanks because I couldn't get it to flash from cpu
Sent from my Xperia Play (r800x)

abdel12345 said:
That actually helped me out with my problem thanks because I couldn't get it to flash from cpu
Sent from my Xperia Play (r800x)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. :thumbup:
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

@bruce7373 it didnt work it just tells me flash_image not found when i put in the command and i checked and its there on the sd card

abdel12345 said:
@bruce7373 it didnt work it just tells me flash_image not found when i put in the command and i checked and its there on the sd card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The IMG file is not found or flash_image itself isn't there? If you don't have flash_image, you can download it (I think there's a link on that page I referenced, or just Google it). If the former, you need to first navigate to the folder flash_image is in (/system/bin with the ROM I have on my N10), then run the command, making sure the IMG file is in the root of /sdcard.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

bruce7373 said:
The IMG file is not found or flash_image itself isn't there? If you don't have flash_image, you can download it (I think there's a link on that page I referenced, or just Google it). If the former, you need to first navigate to the folder flash_image is in (/system/bin with the ROM I have on my N10), then run the command, making sure the IMG file is in the root of /sdcard.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I'll try yhat
Sent from my Xperia Play (r800x)

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
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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.

Back to Factory with no computer access.

I everyone!
I just tried to connect my Nexus 4 to my windows 8.1 laptop and the phone is not recognised by the PC. It gives me Code 43 error, I tried everything, form fresh driver install to cable change. I also tried on another W7 laptop and nothing pops up there. The phone charges but in Device Manager it is not listed under Google ADB devices but appears with an exclamation mark under USB controllers saying Device Descriptor Request Failed. I fear it is an hardware problem and RMA is the only option left. However, my phone is Rooted, Stock but with modified build.prop, with TW touch recovery and unlocked. Since I have no access to ADB I cannot use the Android SDK tools or anything to flash the factory img. Is there any way in which I could flash back the sock image and lock the bootloader via recovery only?
Thanks everyone :crying::crying:

you dont need adb to flash the factory img. you need fastboot to flash it, via your bootloader. but, fastboot still needs to see your device, so thd driver still nedds to be installed.

Wouldnt it be possible to flash the 4.3 stock rom zip in his custom recovery, root it and flash the stock recovery with flashify, and then unroot the device?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Thibaultvw said:
Wouldnt it be possible to flash the 4.3 stock rom zip in his custom recovery, root it and flash the stock recovery with flashify, and then unroot the device?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was what I was thinking, however, the main issue would be locking the bootloader again
simms22 said:
you dont need adb to flash the factory img. you need fastboot to flash it, via your bootloader. but, fastboot still needs to see your device, so thd driver still nedds to be installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think is a driver problem, I had driver issues before but i got different errors and solved them easily. I do believe is an hardware failure this time

c0sk said:
This was what I was thinking, however, the main issue would be locking the bootloader again
I dont think is a driver problem, I had driver issues before but i got different errors and solved them easily. I do believe is an hardware failure this time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
READ THIS 1st
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2010312
Scroll down to the 2nd post.

mrhiab said:
READ THIS 1st
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2010312
Scroll down to the 2nd post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, exactly what I was looking for! :victory:
However, since I am already on stock andshould have a backup of the build.prop (i just added a line to get rid of the on screen buttons) would you recommend flashing everything again or just lock bootloader, unroot and flash stock recovery only?

c0sk said:
Thanks, exactly what I was looking for! :victory:
However, since I am already on stock andshould have a backup of the build.prop (i just added a line to get rid of the on screen buttons) would you recommend flashing everything again or just lock bootloader, unroot and flash stock recovery only?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Restoring the original build.prop, locking the bootloader, remove root and flash stock recovery will be just fine.

efrant said:
Restoring the original build.prop, locking the bootloader, remove root and flash stock recovery will be just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok! I did a very stupid thing, I did restore my build.prop but without any backup files. The system does not boot up now! Root has been removed and bootloader locked, however, the custom recovery is still there and I did not copy the stock image! Is there any other way in which I could restore the stock recovery or am I screwed??

c0sk said:
Ok! I did a very stupid thing, I did restore my build.prop but without any backup files. The system does not boot up now! Root has been removed and bootloader locked, however, the custom recovery is still there and I did not copy the stock image! Is there any other way in which I could restore the stock recovery or am I screwed??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you restored your build.prop, did you set the proper permissions, i.e., 644? If not, does your recovery allow you to do so? Try it and see if you boot.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk 2

efrant said:
When you restored your build.prop, did you set the proper permissions, i.e., 644? If not, does your recovery allow you to do so? Try it and see if you boot.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I fixed that problem in a different way, more barbaric but effective. I booted it up and managed to get JDQ39 files on the phone via dropbox: odexed image, boot and recovery. I flashed the first 2 (wanted to keep the recovery for safety and flash the stock one at a second stage). Booted successfully and removed root via SuperSu settings. Once flashed stock recovery, am I right to assume it will be completely stock and therefore ready for RMA? Moreover, can I accept OTA since is fully stock?
Thanks!!!!!
edit: Su installer app was there after flashed recovery and did factory reset

c0sk said:
I fixed that problem in a different way, more barbaric but effective. I booted it up and managed to get JDQ39 files on the phone via dropbox: odexed image, boot and recovery. I flashed the first 2 (wanted to keep the recovery for safety and flash the stock one at a second stage). Booted successfully and removed root via SuperSu settings. Once flashed stock recovery, am I right to assume it will be completely stock and therefore ready for RMA? Moreover, can I accept OTA since is fully stock?
Thanks!!!!!
edit: Su installer app was there after flashed recovery and did factory reset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way you removed SuperSU must have not worked properly. (I've never tried doing it from the SuperSU settings.) In any case, there's nothing more you can do now, so might as well send it in for RMA.

Verizon 4.4 OTA

I pulled this from my phone and posted it in the other thread, and someone suggested I make a thread for it. Here it is!
http://j2cool.com/mirror/files/Blur_Version.139.15.1.ghost_verizon.Verizon.en.US.zip
To install, you will need to be on the latest OTA (camera update).
Fastboot flash the original system.img and recovery,img
You can then use the volume down key to select "Recovery"
Once in recovery, press the power button and volume buttons together to bring up the menu,and select "Install from SDcard"
You can then select the OTA, and install it. Your phone will reboot, and you will have to do this again from the new recovery. You should then be able to reboot system and have your new 4.4 Kitkat Moto X!
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

Whoops. Replied while trying to edit. Mobile forum use is a pain.
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

Chrome says this file is dangerous

km8j said:
Chrome says this file is dangerous
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chrome is smart, Chrome knows a Verizon update image is too good to be true :laugh:

What's the install method for VZW Dev Ed?
Flash system.img but not boot.img?

Mercutio5 said:
What's the install method for VZW Dev Ed?
Flash system.img but not boot.img?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need boot.img in either. Now, I don't know how the dev ed works, maybe it's just the exact same with an unlocked bootloader, so let me know how installing goes.

km8j said:
Chrome says this file is dangerous
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it's a large zip file from somewhere no one has downloaded before. I promise you, it's safe and clean though.

Mercutio5 said:
What's the install method for VZW Dev Ed?
Flash system.img but not boot.img?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dev edition you can install like any other device. The benefit is that you can flash custom files without recovery flipping its ****.
Sent from my XT1080MDEV.

Will this work on GSM dev edition?

tesselator said:
Will this work on GSM dev edition?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only if you want to break your phone.
This is for Verizon.

Whats the procedure for flashing this on a rooted verizon dev edition

Gs0230 said:
Whats the procedure for flashing this on a rooted verizon dev edition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put the zip in internal storage. Go into stock recovery, install zip, choose this update zip. Because one of the first things it does it flash a new recovery, you have to go into recovery again and install zip again (the second time around it knows it doesn't have to flash the recovery).
Of course, since this way uses stock recovery, you have to be running stock.

I'm on stock just rooted with unlocked bootloader twrp 2.6.3 installed will I lose root
Sent from my XT1060 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Gs0230 said:
I'm on stock just rooted with unlocked bootloader twrp 2.6.3 installed will I lose root
Sent from my XT1060 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to use stock recovery. After the update u can install twrp and root again

Can I keep root and how do i revert to stock recovery

Gs0230 said:
I'm on stock just rooted with unlocked bootloader twrp 2.6.3 installed will I lose root
Sent from my XT1060 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you're going to lose root (the update will wipe out System). If you have an unlocked bootloader then it isn't a big deal -- just re-root after the update.
BUT don't try to flash this update with twrp installed. 1) I'm pretty sure it won't work anyway b/c it needs to verify that your System is stock and, at the very least, installing twrp changes the install-recovery script which is in System 2) this .zip file is made to be flashed from a stock recovery, so I'm not sure it would work 3) as I said before, part of this update is a new recovery - I'm not sure how well the process would go if you started from twrp

And how would I root after its done

Gs0230 said:
And how would I root after its done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The same way you rooted before?
I'm sorry, I've been assuming you have a Dev edition b/c you said you had twrp -- is that not the case? If you do NOT have a dev edition and you rooted via pwn- or rock- or whatever its called myMoto then NO, you will NOT be able to root after the update until someone releases another hack

piccit said:
Put the zip in internal storage. Go into stock recovery, install zip, choose this update zip. Because one of the first things it does it flash a new recovery, you have to go into recovery again and install zip again (the second time around it knows it doesn't have to flash the recovery).
Of course, since this way uses stock recovery, you have to be running stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got this the second time (with the new recovery):
"Install aborted"
:|
Maybe the battery level is too low, so i'm gonna charge it a little and see what happens
PS: the "normal" OTA is downloading SO slow D: that's why i'm trying the one in this thread
------EDIT----
For some reason the download speed just increased, so i'm staying with it

I cannot flash this in TWRP right?