I have a Galaxy Nexus (Verizon) that I recently unlocked the bootloader and upgraded to 4.0.4. I now want to root the phone to gain superuser access. If I do this, is it going to wipe my phone? If so, will I then need to re-run the 4.0.4 upgrade (when upgrading, I used the Galaxy Nexus Toolkit V5.4).
I had the exact same setup and just used the toolkit to add root for an app that needed it. No loss of data.
You should make a backup just in case, as you never know when or why you will need it.
I am pretty sure this has been asked/mentioned before, but to be honest, I really dont feel like looking through/over hundreds of posts and comments trying to get a true solid answer.
My question is, plain and simple. What is/are the major differences between rooting the Galaxy Nexus version 4.0.2 Android and unlocking the bootloader on it ?
I have been searching and so far it looks or sounds like you need to do one before the other, one of them is good for restoring files or something, etc. I have also read that if you are just trying to get the 4.0.4 Android update without having to wait on Verizon stupidity, I can unlock the bootloader, flash the update (or whatever its called) and it will be as if my GNex is rooted, but when I reboot it, it will be stock with all the new stuff that comes with the update, anybody know if this is true or not ?
Unlocking the bootloader just gives you access to the utilities like fastboot that let you root and ROM your device. It removes the "security" that gets in the way of hooking up the phone to a computer and having full control.
Rooting is the process of giving yourself "superuser" (think of it like Administrator) access on the device. Rooting itself doesn't do anything for you, its more about giving apps you install more control of the device.
If you unlock the bootloader to flash an update, you are not rooting your device. You're just flashing a file.
Rooting and unlocking are often confused because on many phones, they're both in the same process and you rarely do one without the other. Usually "rooting" is a catch-all word for modifying your device and changing the software.
Rooting allows you to customize your os. It gives you root access (ie access to everything). To root the nexus you must unlock the bootloader.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
I was wondering the same thing, thanks for the answers.
bwcorvus said:
Rooting allows you to customize your os. It gives you root access (ie access to everything). To root the nexus you must unlock the bootloader.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
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I rooted my nexus without unlocking the boot loader. Via exploit
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
So I think I may be in over my head lol. I have a Nexus 7 2013 That is unlocked and WAS rooted. For some reason that is no longer the case. My main concern is that I would like to be able to update my devise but that for some reason isn't working. I am receiving the OTA updates and it says they are downloaded but when I go to install them it takes me to TWRP but nothing happens. I have read that my best bet it to just return to stock recovery. After some research I was going to just fastboot the stock recovery. I used to be able get to the bootloader through an app, but it was't working so I checked and lo and behold I am no longer rooted. Now I know I can still get to the bootloader easily enough, but now I am concerned about no longer being rooted. I have no plans on doing anything to crazy with the tablet. I would just like a stock ROM to keep OTAs and to be rooted. And I definitely do not want to have to wipe the device if possible.
If anyone could offer some advice I would really appreciate it
Device: Nexus 7 2013
Android 4.3 JSS15J
unlocked, but not rooted (apparently)
Desktop: Windows
Okay, I think I know the answer to this question, so forgive me. Just want to be sure before I go blow $500.
For the Nexus devices, regardless of the carrier, we'll be able to root them and ROM them as well as install new Kernel's because the bootloaders will be unlocked?
If that's correct please say so. If it's only partially correct, please explain it all to me.
Disgruntled Verizon User with a S6 Edge
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!!
Yes, its easy as pie.
nexuses are always devs favorites...
@mrbigdrawsz As a fellow Verizon user, I know exactly were your coming from. And yes since this is a nexus device coming directly from Google and not being sold or touched by Verizon, it will be good to go for all your rooting, ROM'ing, Bootloader unlocking, and custom kernel needs.
Yes! Though I am not sure about the Pixel C. I am wondering if Google giving products the Pixel name means they lock them down? Sorry, little off topic.
I'm only curious how/if Google has the fingerprint security locked down when it comes to root
shimp208 said:
@mrbigdrawsz As a fellow Verizon user, I know exactly were your coming from. And yes since this is a nexus device coming directly from Google and not being sold or touched by Verizon, it will be good to go for all your rooting, ROM'ing, Bootloader unlocking, and custom kernel needs.
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Thank the sweet, tiny, infant squishy baby Jesus! I have yet to own a nexus phone (fed up with my GS5) and am about to pre order the 5X. I miss getting to try out different roms and such, so i'm really pumped about the 5X. the 6P is just too big of a phone for me i think.
Forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere, is there any word on xposed for android M?
owenrg said:
Forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere, is there any word on xposed for android M?
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They are still working out the bugs on getting it to run on 5.x completely as they want and those devs on the Xposed team do a phenomenal job. Support for 6.0 marshmallow will eventually come but it will be a little bit yet.
If I unlock bootload, will I have problem with OTA?
shimp208 said:
They are still working out the bugs on getting it to run on 5.x completely as they want and those devs on the Xposed team do a phenomenal job. Support for 6.0 marshmallow will eventually come but it will be a little bit yet.
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Awesome thanks!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
menaceinc said:
If I unlock bootload, will I have problem with OTA?
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If you just unlock the bootloader you will be fine for OTA's, if you root or then install a custom recovery then you'll have to apply the OTA updates a different way then usual.
Thanks, I will just do that, unlocking bootloader. I really missed OTA as my current N5 is rooted.
shimp208 said:
If you just unlock the bootloader you will be fine for OTA's, if you root or then install a custom recovery then you'll have to apply the OTA updates a different way then usual.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
shimp208 said:
If you just unlock the bootloader you will be fine for OTA's, if you root or then install a custom recovery then you'll have to apply the OTA updates a different way then usual.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will rooting affect OTA? or will OTA just update and revert the device back to a non rooted state?
Tank87 said:
Will rooting affect OTA? or will OTA just update and revert the device back to a non rooted state?
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In my experience, installing an OTA over a rooted phone would just kill root and you'd have to root it again, however, installing a custom ROM, the developer usually kills OTA so that all the custom stuff doesn't get jacked up.
Tank87 said:
Will rooting affect OTA? or will OTA just update and revert the device back to a non rooted state?
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Click to collapse
Rooting will effect the built in method of OTA updates. This is not a problem though. 99% of the time you will have access to the updated via the nexus factory image site before you receive notification of an OTA update on your device. Download the update and extract the boot, bootloader, radio, and system images. Flash via fastboot in bootloader mode and you will update your device without losing data/settings. I believe that you can flash img files with recent TWRP builds also.
To root after update just reboot to TWRP recovery and reboot. You will be prompted to install root before system reboots.
May seem a little overwhelming if its your first nexus device but a lot easier than updating a non nexus rooted Android device.
For more info check out any one of the recent nexus routing guides sticky threads
I know many people rooted etc their Nexus 5s using the Wugfresh Nexus Root ToolKit. Undoubtably a version will be introduced for the 5X,
If you root your device then flash a custom rom, you will be notified of the update via OTA or otherwise (eg Pushbullet) for that specific rom that you have flashed.
SlyUK said:
I know many people rooted etc their Nexus 5s using the Wugfresh Nexus Root ToolKit. Undoubtably a version will be introduced for the 5X,
If you root your device then flash a custom rom, you will be notified of the update via OTA or otherwise (eg Pushbullet) for that specific rom that you have flashed.
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Why use a Toolkit to root? Just using ADB and Fastboot is better/easier since you can actually see what is happening during the process. Using a toolkit removes that element and if it hangs you don't where in the process it failed on.
metpage said:
Why use a Toolkit to root? Just using ADB and Fastboot is better/easier since you can actually see what is happening during the process. Using a toolkit removes that element and if it hangs you don't where in the process it failed on.
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Yes thats true, but I haven't heard of many people who have had problems with Wugfresh and it is a popular method. Everyone is different
I always rooted my Nexus (N4, N5 & N7), but I am not going to root my new upcoming Nexus 5X. Why? It just too much to flash/root since Google will release monthly security updates. Yes, I did use "fastboot flash xxx xxx.img" method. However, I will unlock the bootloader in case I change my mind in the future. With unlocked bootloader, I can always fix phone via flash factory images.
I've got a nexus 5x and I want to root it and install a custom rom on it.
The stock 7.1.2 is laggy and slow and quite boring.
What is the best way to root it? and where do I start?
I used to have a LG G3S and it was quite easy to root and unlock the bootloader and stuff.
Easiest way, with NRT: http://www.wugfresh.com/nrt/
Tutorials: http://www.wugfresh.com/nrt/videos/
Break a leg!