Hey guys, i've been looking at some different guides and ill be trying to root my N4 running 5.1.1 using that, just wanted to make sure it's legit:
ive installed the adb drivers from the 15 sec installer found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2588979
and root it using this guide: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/how-root-nexus-5-4-android-5-1-1-lollipop-install-cwm-recovery-1502856 (except ill be using twrp not cwm)
(backed up apps and messages using helium app, assuming this process will wipe my data)
just wanted to make sure if this way is legit, or i may have missed something (i assume my bootloader is locked)
Pingas12 said:
Hey guys, i've been looking at some different guides and ill be trying to root my N4 running 5.1.1 using that, just wanted to make sure it's legit:
ive installed the adb drivers from the 15 sec installer found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2588979
and root it using this guide: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/how-root-nexus-5-4-android-5-1-1-lollipop-install-cwm-recovery-1502856 (except ill be using twrp not cwm)
(backed up apps and messages using helium app, assuming this process will wipe my data)
just wanted to make sure if this way is legit, or i may have missed something (i assume my bootloader is locked)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That looks good, just make sure you understand that in the when you flash the recovery the command is "fastboot flash recovery *the file name of your recovery file*" make sure to include the .img in the file name.
EDIT: Make sure to remember to unlock your bootloader before flashing the recovery by using the command "fastboot oem unlock" after booting into the bootloader.
theminikiller said:
That looks good, just make sure you understand that in the when you flash the recovery the command is "fastboot flash recovery *the file name of your recovery file*" make sure to include the .img in the file name.
EDIT: Make sure to remember to unlock your bootloader before flashing the recovery by using the command "fastboot oem unlock" after booting into the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks alot man! Is there a way to make sure my bootloader is locked (or unlocked)?
Is it going to wipe my data?
Pingas12 said:
Thanks alot man! Is there a way to make sure my bootloader is locked (or unlocked)?
Is it going to wipe my data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know of any way to check if the unlock was successful, but I imagine it would say something in the command prompt after running the command.
Yes, it is going to wipe your data and sdcard folder so anything you want to keep you have to make a backup of on your computer or somewhere else.
EDIT: BTW this guide goes over the process in alot more detail than the guide you found and are using, so if you're still unsure about the process this guide will probably help. http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-4/help/guide-ultimate-nexus-4-root-guide-t2018179
theminikiller said:
I don't know of any way to check if the unlock was successful, but I imagine it would say something in the command prompt after running the command.
Yes, it is going to wipe your data and sdcard folder so anything you want to keep you have to make a backup of on your computer or somewhere else.
EDIT: BTW this guide goes over the process in alot more detail than the guide you found and are using, so if you're still unsure about the process this guide will probably help. http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-4/help/guide-ultimate-nexus-4-root-guide-t2018179
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, Thanks! again!
Second, i've seen this guide, and even though you are probably right, it still refers to older versions of android and im a bit skeptical about using it. Plus, it shows a way of unlocking and rooting without losing data but i don't want to use it because it's not the "normal" way and im not sure if it will work.
and one more thing: flashing the recovery means i will have it as long as i want or each time i would want to use it i will have to flash it again?
Pingas12 said:
First of all, Thanks! again!
Second, i've seen this guide, and even though you are probably right, it still refers to older versions of android and im a bit skeptical about using it. Plus, it shows a way of unlocking and rooting without losing data but i don't want to use it because it's not the "normal" way and im not sure if it will work.
and one more thing: flashing the recovery means i will have it as long as i want or each time i would want to use it i will have to flash it again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the guide I linked it gives you a way to make it permanent. If you don't do that I think you have to reflash the recovery after every time you boot into the normal ROM.
theminikiller said:
In the guide I linked it gives you a way to make it permanent. If you don't do that I think you have to reflash the recovery after every time you boot into the normal ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it! does some of the ways apply to twrp as well?
Pingas12 said:
Got it! does some of the ways apply to twrp as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use either the file explorer method or the adb method just do the exact same thing.
theminikiller said:
If you use either the file explorer method or the adb method just do the exact same thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, you helped me alot. i'll do the rooting process later today (just got home) I really appreciate your help.
Pingas12 said:
Man, you helped me alot. i'll do the rooting process later today (just got home) I really appreciate your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did it go?
it shows a way of unlocking and rooting without losing data
theminikiller said:
How did it go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It went great! today ill be busy restoring old data, already worked with whatsapp but for some reason the helium app cant find the backup files and it assumes there is no backup
Pingas12 said:
It went great! today ill be busy restoring old data, already worked with whatsapp but for some reason the helium app cant find the backup files and it assumes there is no backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! Congratulations! Unfortunately I've never used helium so I don't know anything about that, I've always used titanium.
Related
Hi there,
I picked up my Nexus S a couple of days ago and i'm totally loving the device. My only problem is connecting to T-Mobile's 3G network, I can only connect for 4-5 mins before it switches back to Edge, which is terribly slow. I've read that this has been an issue for some people and I tried to remove the sim card, change the APN Settings but nothing seems to help.
I read something about updating to newer radio but I'm not sure how to do that, any help would be appreciated !
All the best,
Gianpy
Ploone said:
Hi there,
I picked up my Nexus S a couple of days ago and i'm totally loving the device. My only problem is connecting to T-Mobile's 3G network, I can only connect for 4-5 mins before it switches back to Edge, which is terribly slow. I've read that this has been an issue for some people and I tried to remove the sim card, change the APN Settings but nothing seems to help.
I read something about updating to newer radio but I'm not sure how to do that, any help would be appreciated !
All the best,
Gianpy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go into your settings menu>About Phone and tell us your baseband version please.
I should note that I've not really heard of this happening before and to me it sounds like you're just not in a 3G area.
kenvan19 said:
Go into your settings menu>About Phone and tell us your baseband version please.
I should note that I've not really heard of this happening before and to me it sounds like you're just not in a 3G area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might not have 3g in your area. Other than that it sounds weird
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
I am on the Strip in Las Vegas, NV - I doubt there is no 3G here since there is even 4G here!
Baseband version- I9020XXJK8
You are right now on 2.3.2 Stock without root right?
-So, first step is rooting your phone. You can do it without oem unlock and not losing all your archives. But I did this and I just copied all files again(Yes, it's boring to wait all the time transfering archives but it's better).
- Now you have to flash Clockworkmod (It's the same topic, showing how to do it).
- Then flash through CWM (ClockWorkMod) the update. GRH78 is 2.3.1, GRH78C is 2.3.2, GRI40 is 2.3.3. Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=967953
Any douts?
This should solve a lot of issues that you have now.
liquelt said:
You are right now on 2.3.2 Stock without root right?
-So, first step is rooting your phone. You can do it without oem unlock and not losing all your archives. But I did this and I just copied all files again(Yes, it's boring to wait all the time transfering archives but it's better).
- Now you have to flash Clockworkmod (It's the same topic, showing how to do it).
- Then flash through CWM (ClockWorkMod) the update. GRH78 is 2.3.1, GRH78C is 2.3.2, GRI40 is 2.3.3. Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=967953
Any douts?
This should solve a lot of issues that you have now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on 2.3.1 Stock without root, should I still follow the same steps?
Ploone said:
I am on the Strip in Las Vegas, NV - I doubt there is no 3G here since there is even 4G here!
Baseband version- I9020XXJK8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I just pulled a coverage map of the strip and it seems that there are spots of worse coverage so it all depends on where you are. Nonetheless, I will help you update your radio or even update to 2.3.3 altogether as long as you're willing to root your phone and flash a rom (you can use download and use the update that Google pushes out but a lot of people have problems with it so I think its just easier to root, flash the rom, then just not root again once you have the new ROM). If you want me to help you do this, just say so and tell me if you have a mac or a PC.
kenvan19 said:
Well, I just pulled a coverage map of the strip and it seems that there are spots of worse coverage so it all depends on where you are. Nonetheless, I will help you update your radio or even update to 2.3.3 altogether as long as you're willing to root your phone and flash a rom (you can use download and use the update that Google pushes out but a lot of people have problems with it so I think its just easier to root, flash the rom, then just not root again once you have the new ROM). If you want me to help you do this, just say so and tell me if you have a mac or a PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, I'd love some help doing that, I appreciate your help!
I am on a Mac.
You should follow the same steps but the update file is different!
Here is the link for you to root: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=931865
There are a lot of Custom ROMs, you should choose one and flash it.
I put the wrong link, I didn't known that you had a Mac.
Sorry, here is the right one! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=931865
Enjoy this beautiful phone!
liquelt said:
You should follow the same steps but the update file is different!
Here is the link for you to root: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=931865
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
****, I'm completely lost..
Kenvan is your method the same as this or something different?
Ploone said:
****, I'm completely lost..
Kenvan is your method the same as this or something different?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The method he linked only works for builds prior to 2.3.3 which is a category you fall into. That guide is quite nice and works very well but it will not unlock your bootloader, which means your SDcard partition for your files and music and pictures etc won't be wiped. If you intend to stay rooted, I don't suggest using that guide but instead using the one I wrote here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=970237
Now before you do either, tell me if you want to unlock your bootloader (if you plan to stay rooted after doing the updated) or want to leave it locked (if you plan to remove root after updating).
kenvan19 said:
The method he linked only works for builds prior to 2.3.3 which is a category you fall into. That guide is quite nice and works very well but it will not unlock your bootloader, which means your SDcard partition for your files and music and pictures etc won't be wiped. If you intend to stay rooted, I don't suggest using that guide but instead using the one I wrote here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=970237
Now before you do either, tell me if you want to unlock your bootloader (if you plan to stay rooted after doing the updated) or want to leave it locked (if you plan to remove root after updating).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whichever is easier to be honest and requires less steps, you tell me haha. I don't mind either option.
Or you could just wait for the official 2.3.3 OTA if you don't want to root. Might get it quicker if you do a checkin request. Simply dial *#*#checkin#*#*
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Ploone said:
Whichever is easier to be honest and requires less steps, you tell me haha. I don't mind either option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol the difference between the two is literally two command. if you unlock the bootloader you add one command (fastboot oem unlock) and you use the command "fastboot boot" for the locked method where as you use fastboot flash for the unlocked. After that the two are exactly the same so if you want to stay rooted after updating (so you can use apps like AdFree, Titanium Backup, Root Explorer, etc or want to install custom roms) you should unlock your bootloader.
To be completely frank, if you don't mind unlocking the bootloader I've had some people have trouble with the command "fastboot boot" which is why I changed my guide to use "fastboot flash". What I'm saying is I recommend using my guide, which again you can find at the link below. Remember though, before you go through any of the steps copy the contents of your SD card to your computer. Actually that is a step I should really add lol
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=970237
I'm going to go find the link to the 2.3.3 ROM so I can give you that but just take a look at my guide while I'm looking.
kenvan19 said:
lol the difference between the two is literally two command. if you unlock the bootloader you add one command (fastboot oem unlock) and you use the command "fastboot boot" for the locked method where as you use fastboot flash for the unlocked. After that the two are exactly the same so if you want to stay rooted after updating (so you can use apps like AdFree, Titanium Backup, Root Explorer, etc or want to install custom roms) you should unlock your bootloader.
To be completely frank, if you don't mind unlocking the bootloader I've had some people have trouble with the command "fastboot boot" which is why I changed my guide to use "fastboot flash". What I'm saying is I recommend using my guide, which again you can find at the link below. Remember though, before you go through any of the steps copy the contents of your SD card to your computer. Actually that is a step I should really add lol
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=970237
I'm going to go find the link to the 2.3.3 ROM so I can give you that but just take a look at my guide while I'm looking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I'll check out your guide. Thank you so much for all your help! I hope my problem is fixed !
Ploone said:
Ok, I'll check out your guide. Thank you so much for all your help! I hope my problem is fixed !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem man, if you have any questions at all let me know.
Also, here is the link to the full ROM for 2.3.3:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=967953
Now I'm not 100% sure if this will update your radio but it will give you the newest update. I'm currently trying to check on that so you can get everything done at once (if it doesn't do the radio there is another file you can install right after installing the ROM that will update your radio. That way you'll be 100% up to date)
EDIT: Yes, it does contain the radio, so that will put you 100% on 2.3.3 with the updated radio.
Do you have any questions?
kenvan19 said:
Do you have any questions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All is well and my problem is fixed, thank you very much!
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?
Click to expand...
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!
First I have been to and searched every post and site I can find to turn this thing around, with no success. Sent several emails.
Took a rooted New Nexus 7 that had been restored back because it froze/did not respond. Got a new N7, unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP using Terminal (Mac) booted into recovery (TWRP) it said you are not rooted, install SU by swiping below. I swiped and tried to reboot and it stops at X. I have wiped, reinstalled TWRP and used a One Click Toolkit to Root. no success. Not really sure what I did wrong.....given I have always trusted TWRP.
Anyway... have unlocked bootloader, TWRP installed and cannot get Android File Transfer to recognize device. Welcome help or suggestions.
Thank you in advance.
David
Same thing happened to me. Don't listen to TWRP about SU. You'll need to do it manually for it to be successful. Follow the instructions here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2381582. This won't relock your bootloader. You just need to root it by flashing the SU zip found on one if the "How to root" threads.
natezire71 said:
Same thing happened to me. Don't listen to TWRP about SU. You'll need to do it manually for it to be successful. Follow the instructions here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2381582. This won't relock your bootloader. You just need to root it by flashing the SU zip found on one if the "How to root" threads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, youre correct, you have to manually flash twrp. I would suggest running the utility to make youre device boot again, then make sure you have the LATEST twrp, then reboot and flash COMPATIBLE SU and you should be golden. Im not sure about macs though but you should deff be goin the right way.
Thank you, I used that site the last time I got into trouble. Do you or anyone know of a Mac site that will get me out of this rut. I won't have access to a PC for a few days and am anxious to set this tablet up.
Thank you for response,
David
dschaap said:
Thank you, I used that site the last time I got into trouble. Do you or anyone know of a Mac site that will get me out of this rut. I won't have access to a PC for a few days and am anxious to set this tablet up.
Thank you for response,
David
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Give this a try: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2395003
I don't have a Mac, so I don't know if this will help. Only thing I could find.
dschaap said:
Thank you, I used that site the last time I got into trouble. Do you or anyone know of a Mac site that will get me out of this rut. I won't have access to a PC for a few days and am anxious to set this tablet up.
Thank you for response,
David
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were able to install using a Mac, then you should have no troubles setting things up again. Avoid toolkits if you can, especially during the early days where things are buggy.
If you put your tablet into fastboot though, you can get started by going ahead and running fastboot -w and then flashing the stock recovery images back on. Sure, you won't have root, but I've found that 1) root doesn't take super nicely unless you're already signed into the tablet anyway, and 2) regardless of 1), once your bootloader is unlocked you might as well get set up and then root afterwards.
Mine did the same thing. What I did to fix was:
1. Go into recovery and format data in the wipe menu.
2. Then factory reset.
3. Restart os.
This was posted by decksy post #11 in tutorial for unlock, recovery, and root thread so if it works thank him.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I'm about to take my baby steps and root my Nexus 4 for the first time. I've read the sticky's and have a good idea of what I'd be doing, but I don't see much in the way of backing things up before root and as I understand, rooting wipes your data. Can anyone help me on this or at least better understand what I should do?
I'm also having difficulty understanding the whole bootloader and custom recovery too but not too much trouble. I'd just like to know how to install a custom recovery and how much risk I'm at of messing up my bootloader.
PGvossman said:
I'm about to take my baby steps and root my Nexus 4 for the first time. I've read the sticky's and have a good idea of what I'd be doing, but I don't see much in the way of backing things up before root and as I understand, rooting wipes your data. Can anyone help me on this or at least better understand what I should do?
I'm also having difficulty understanding the whole bootloader and custom recovery too but not too much trouble. I'd just like to know how to install a custom recovery and how much risk I'm at of messing up my bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting does not wipe data, the unlocking process does. There is no really good way to backup everything prior to unlokcing, you could use My Backup but you should really use the Pro version which is $4.99 (Many people swear by it for unrooted phones, I have no real experience with it). Wugfresh's toolkit has a backup and restore when doing unlock, but honestly, it messed up my phone and I had to factory default anyways.
As long as you are syncing stuff to Google (contacts, pictures, videos, etc), have Android Backup& Restore enabled (handles apps and common system settings), SMS Backup & Restore (text and pix messages), and you pull of the other files you want, there is no real need to backup at all. I swap ROMs all the time, and this is all I do to go from one ROM to another.
As far as the actual rooting process, ie. flashing SuperSU, there is no need to backup prior to that... all that is going to do is add a few files in some system directories and that's it.
The greatest thing about a Nexus device is it's ability to be modified... and within normal means it is virtually unbrickable, so give it a shot, and if you screw it up ask for help, thousands of people here have done it and can help, and if you still can't figure out a problem just restore the Google system images and whoalla... your phone is back to out of box condition.
You are able to root and unlock without wiping any data. Just check out my guide (the link is in the stickies, too)
mihahn said:
You are able to root and unlock without wiping any data. Just check out my guide (the link is in the stickies, too)
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I opened your links but they all seem to be about Xperia devices.
I don't quite understand. Isn't the unlocking process needed to root the phone, thereby loosing all the data?
easy
before rooting, you hav to unlock bootloader and it wipes your all pics videos etc so better backup in your pc and thn try root. foloow guide ,its easy, or search on youtube for videos...
parveen75 said:
before rooting, you hav to unlock bootloader and it wipes your all pics videos etc so better backup in your pc and thn try root. foloow guide ,its easy, or search on youtube for videos...
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OK I guess that makes sense. Does that include phone contacts, SMS and passwords?
And I suppose my final question is the danger of the bootloader. Is it possible for a newbie like myself to ruin something accidentally?
PGvossman said:
I opened your links but they all seem to be about Xperia devices.
I don't quite understand. Isn't the unlocking process needed to root the phone, thereby loosing all the data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I meant the one in the stickies here, I'll add the guide to my signature later
But I meant this guide. It'll root before unlocking the bootloader and you are able to unlock without wiping then. Check it out
PGvossman said:
OK I guess that makes sense. Does that include phone contacts, SMS and passwords?
And I suppose my final question is the danger of the bootloader. Is it possible for a newbie like myself to ruin something accidentally?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I m also a newbie earlier . lol.. Only follow guide corectly for rooting.. U wl b good to go
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
mihahn said:
Yeah I meant the one in the stickies here, I'll add the guide to my signature later
But I meant this guide. It'll root before unlocking the bootloader and you are able to unlock without wiping then. Check it out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Where does the whole custom recovery and such come into play on this though?
PGvossman said:
Thanks. Where does the whole custom recovery and such come into play on this though?
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It's not necessary to flash the recovery, but you may flash it if you want to and if you need it
Couple ways to do a backup without root.
Use adb,
eg. adb backup -all -apk -nosystem
Then pull files you want to backup
eg. adb pull /sdcard/
Or use helium app available from play store which is basically a gui for the adb backup command.
Thanks. I notice the -nosystem command, does that mean it won't back up system details?
I suppose my final question is Windows 8 support. I saw a thread a while back when you have to do something extra for the drivers and I can't seem to see it in the sticky threads.
Just trying to save some time If I unlock the bootloader and it gets wiped, but every nandroid guide seems to indicate root is a requirement. Is there anything that can be done via the stock recovery in terms of creating a backup of all my data or is copying what visible files there are over USB as good as it gets?
(Not sure it still works on the last versions of Android)
You can root without unlocking the bootloader (see here)
This way you can use any app to backup, copy the backup to the PC, and then proceed to unlock the bootloader. Note that while technically you could live without unlocking the bootloader, you should do it anyways, since it makes much easier to create whole-system-backups and to fix your phone in case something goes wrong.
You could use adb. This guide tells you how: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1420351
theminikiller said:
You could use adb. This guide tells you how: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1420351
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Exactly what I was looking for, thank you!