Root Nexus 5 Rooting Guide

[Rxpert83]

Welcome to the Nexus Experience! arty:

This is the manual method....Automated root tools can be found in the 2nd post.

Warning: unlocking your bootloader will perform a factory reset on your device. Backup everything important before proceeding

This looks long, buts its just the initial setup

If you aren't familiar with doing things from fastboot, chances are the first thing you are going to need to do is properly setup the folders to carry out the fastboot commands. This setup is going to take the most time and after you have it all set up its very quick to do after that.

Setting up ADB & Downloading your files

Spoiler

1) Download the mini-SDK here and move it to something like C:\Android\platform-tools
our forums' mini-sdk

It contains:
adb.exe - Windows adb utility
fastboot.exe - Windows fastboot utility
fastboot-windows.exe - Windows fastboot utility
AdbWinApi.dll - adb link library for Windows
AdbWinUsbApi.dll - adb link library for Windows

2) Download your Recovery
I would highly suggest twrp. You can get it from here:
TeamWin Projects - TWRP 2.6 - Nexus 5 | TeamWin
http://androidforums.com/nexus-5-al...official-clockworkmod-recovery-nexus-5-a.html

3) Download Superuser file (don't unzip it!)
SuperSU Download

4) Placing files in the correct places
You'll want to move the recovery image into the folder with your fastboot tools (mine is in C:\Android\platform-tools). To simplify things, I'd also suggest renaming the file to recovery.img

Unlocking your bootloader

Spoiler

Now you're ready for the fun to begin!
1) Power off your device.
2) Hold Power+volume down to reboot your device into fastboot
3) We need to open up a command prompt in the location where your sdk-tools are (Mine is in C:\Android\platform-tools)
3a) If you aren't sure how to do this, the easiest way if you're on a recent windows machine is to hold Shift and click somewhere on the open fastboot folder. You'll see a "open command window here" option.

3b) Or, you can navigate manually by using the command cd to change directory

4) Once you're in the correct location, we need to verify your computer and phone are communicating correctly. The command to list all connected fastboot devices is

 fastboot devices

You should see a list of connected devices. If nothing shows up, your command prompt is either in the wrong location or you have a driver issue.


Once everything is communicating properly, the command to unlock your bootloader is

fastboot oem unlock

You will need to confirm on your device that you want to do this. Just press volume Up to confirm.

Piece of cake eh? :thumbup:
*Important* Reboot the device completely after this step to prevent issues and/or bootloops later in the process. After rebooting fully into android, reboot back into fastboot either manually or through adb.

Install recovery

Spoiler

a) If you aren't already, get back into fastboot mode using the instructions above.

b) Once again, we need a terminal pointed to the location your fastboot tools

c) Now that you are in fastboot and have the terminal in the right location, you just use the following command to install recovery.

 fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

***Note: if you did not rename the recovery, you'll have to type in the full name of the file instead of recovery.img

Congrats, you now how your custom recovery!! You can reboot into it by selecting "recovery" from fastboot using your volume up and down buttons and power to select

Flash SU file

Spoiler

With the phone booted normally, place the superuser files on the internal storage of your device. The location isn't important, but you'll need to know where they are and be able to navigate to them later.

Reboot into recovery mode. In recovery, flash the SU file you've downloaded earlier.
To do this, select install, then navigate to where you placed the file. Select the first file, then swipe to flash. After the install finishes, its a good idea to do the wipe dalvik cache and cache option, and then reboot into system

Reboot, and you're all done

Enjoy the freedom of a rooted device

 

[Rxpert83]

Automated tools:


Thanks to user Wrend for this helpful guide on CF Autoroot:
http://androidforums.com/nexus-5-al...-5-easy-rooting-guide-using-cf-auto-root.html


Nexus root toolkit (AKA Wugs toolkit):
http://www.wugfresh.com/

 

[Brian706]

Remember the storage issues I had after rooting?

I had this same exact trouble, and yes, I did have to go back and flash Google stock images.

Apparently, it is because on day one when I unlocked the bootloader, I flashed my custom recovery immediately afterward while still inside the bootloader. Apparently, if you don't reboot between bootloader unlocking and flashing the custom TWRP recovery, it causes this kind of problem.

I flashed the stock image, started over like I just took it out of the box, and everything worked OK. Cataclysm flashing failed a could times, but I rebooted recovery after every attempt, and on the third attempt it took.

So yes, they are still working out issues.

Original Post

Not sure if this issue affects everyone or if others just didn't immediately flash recovery after unlocking the bootloader?

Even if it affects only some, might be good to add a step to the guide to boot the system and return to the bootloader before flashing recovery.

It only takes an extra minute to do and might save people some of the headache I went through...

 

[jhawkkw]

I would highly recommend if you're planning on flashing anything to back up your EFS data. It could save you one day to back it up and then store it in the cloud and/or on your computer.

 

[Brian706]

What is contained in that partition? Regardless I backed up all partitions immediately upon installing recovery (before flashing su) and placed safely on the cloud.

 

[jhawkkw]

What is contained in that partition? Regardless I backed up all partitions immediately upon installing recovery (before flashing su) and placed safely on the cloud.

Your IMEI and/or MEID.

 

[Rxpert83]

I know twrp has an option for that. Get it backed up and into the cloud.

There's also an app that'll create a flashable backup

 

[jhawkkw]

Yes, indeed. If for some reason your EFS gets corrupted or deleted and you don't have a backup, then your device will not connect to a carrier ever again and it CANNOT be fixed. With a backup, you can either manually restore it with adb or reflash it using recovery to restore it and all will be good again. Just don't keep backing it up. Make one as soon as possible and keep it in a safe storage location outside of your device.

 

[johnnyolivares]

My first time unlocking and rooting manually and is was easy as pie thanks to your guide. Thanks!

 

[Rxpert83]

My first time unlocking and rooting manually and is was easy as pie thanks to your guide. Thanks!

Welcome to the wild world of root :thumbup:

 

[johnnyolivares]

Is it safe to use the twrp recovery now? I've always wanted to try it.

 

[Brian706]

I've been using it just fine. If you don't check the option in the twrp settings "use rm -rf instead of format", wiping cache takes a long time. It has cause problems with people thinking it's frozen and interrupting the format. Other than that (user error) I haven't had or heard of any issues.

 

[Schex13]

I would highly recommend if you're planning on flashing anything to back up your EFS data. It could save you one day to back it up and then store it in the cloud and/or on your computer.

Does CWM have that somewhere, too? I never backed up anything like this on my computer on the GNex all those times.

Also, are the 0/0 etc. duplicate/legacy folder problems fixed? Both my GNex and OG N7 had a terrible time with storage capacity because of it.

 

[Schex13]

I've been stalking the ClockworkMod recoveries page the last few days and just noticed this today: Official N5 Clockwork Recovery. It's updated to 6.0.4.4, but there's no touch recovery yet. Looks like the official CWM recovery is here! Anyone use it?

 

[jhawkkw]

Does CWM have that somewhere, too? I never backed up anything like this on my computer on the GNex all those times.

Also, are the 0/0 etc. duplicate/legacy folder problems fixed? Both my GNex and OG N7 had a terrible time with storage capacity because of it.

I'm not sure if cwm has the option, but there is a zip file that contains a script that will do it for you. The duplicating 0/0 is fixed though

 

[4ubest]

My first time unlocking and rooting manually and is was easy as pie thanks to your guide. Thanks!

Johnny, it is good that I saw your post as I have an LG Motion on MetroPCS and just ordered a white Nexus 5 and was watching Youtube reviews and as a result of hearing such things as a bad speaker and camera was going to return it and go with the MetroPCS Samsung s4. Since you have the Motion 4G, perhaps you can tell me what you think of the Nexus in comparison to it.

Also I also am not a technical person and I see your comment re "easy as pie" and I am wondering what is your computer experience/technical level?

Finally, how much did you have to pay MetroPCS to switch from the Motion, or was this a new account? TYVM

 

[johnnyolivares]

Johnny, it is good that I saw your post as I have an LG Motion on MetroPCS and just ordered a white Nexus 5 and was watching Youtube reviews and as a result of hearing such things as a bad speaker and camera was going to return it and go with the MetroPCS Samsung s4. Since you have the Motion 4G, perhaps you can tell me what you think of the Nexus in comparison to it.

Also I also am not a technical person and I see your comment re "easy as pie" and I am wondering what is your computer experience/technical level?

Finally, how much did you have to pay MetroPCS to switch from the Motion, or was this a new account? TYVM

I would say the speaker is better on the motion. Unless you had cm10 on it then its about the same.

Camera definitely better on the nexus. Still doesn't forget its a phone so don't expect it too much.

As for my experience, I've only flashed some Roms and used automated root tools.

I haven't connected my nexus yet. I've been working. Today is my day off so I will go today. You can expect to pay 25 for them to connect it. Or you can just order the Sim card online for 10 and call and activate it over the phone and save yourself 15. I just want it connect and I hate dealing with customer service Representatives.

I am more than pleased with my Nexus. Besides its $200 cheaper than the s4. The only thing the s4 has that the nexus doesn't is IR blaster and a SD card slot

 

[4ubest]

I would say the speaker is better on the motion. Unless you had cm10 on it then its about the same.

Camera definitely better on the nexus. Still doesn't forget its a phone so don't expect it too much.


I haven't connected my nexus yet. I've been working. Today is my day off so I will go today. You can expect to pay 25 for them to connect it. Or you can just order the Sim card online for 10 and call and activate it over the phone and save yourself 15. I just want it connect and I hate dealing with customer service Representatives.

I am more than pleased with my Nexus. Besides its $200 cheaper than the s4. The only thing the s4 has that the nexus doesn't is IR blaster and a SD card slot

Johnny, than you for your response.. your comment about the Motion having a better speaker is important to me as i only use speaker mode and I think it is poor on the Motion so now it seems that I need to cancel the Nexus and wait for a faster phone that also has a good speaker. Wow I did not expect this..

 

[johnnyolivares]

Johnny, than you for your response.. your comment about the Motion having a better speaker is important to me as i only use speaker mode and I think it is poor on the Motion so now it seems that I need to cancel the Nexus and wait for a faster phone that also has a good speaker. Wow I did not expect this..

I've been messing with my nexus more and I finally got to put my music on it. Its much louder now, earlier I had only tested on videos. I have yet to make a phone call on speaker, once I do I'll get back to you.

 

[johnnyolivares]

Made my girlfriend go to the kitchen and call me, didn't sound as good as playing music but its better than what I first thought

I would suggest you didn't cancel you're order. Once the phone arrives you can see for yourself. If you don't like it, I'm sure it won't be too hard to sell it.

 

[Rxpert83]

Not to mention there are various sound tweaks for increasing volume or tuning it to your liking.

 

[Essjay22]

I've been stalking the ClockworkMod recoveries page the last few days and just noticed this today: Official N5 Clockwork Recovery. It's updated to 6.0.4.4, but there's no touch recovery yet. Looks like the official CWM recovery is here! Anyone use it?

Yes, i loaded twrp first, GUI touch, nice but some things are not automagic, the ( the "use rm -rf instead of format" thing ),There's a bug with TWRP that remove/corrupt your baseband during flash. Didnt happen with me but its there still.
Also I had kernels flash fail with twrp, everytime, never did get it to flash a kernel. Fastboot was fine but then installed CWM and havent looked back.
It IS touch just not fancy GUI. Swype down to move up/down, swype side to select. I like it and CWM has not failed a flash yet. 4thROM 3rd kernel
s

 

[4ubest]

Made my girlfriend go to the kitchen and call me, didn't sound as good as playing music but its better than what I first thought

I would suggest you didn't cancel you're order. Once the phone arrives you can see for yourself. If you don't like it, I'm sure it won't be too hard to sell it.

Thank you Johnny.. Google says I have 15 days to try it out and if not good I can return or replace it.

 

[4ubest]

Not to mention there are various sound tweaks for increasing volume or tuning it to your liking.

By the same token, do you think some of the camera issues can be tweaked with other software?

 

[Rxpert83]

By the same token, do you think some of the camera issues can be tweaked with other software?

It'll likely be patched by Google in the coming weeks, but there are camera tweaks. Haven't tries them myself personally

Alternatively, you can just install a different camera app