Root How to unlock Nexus 4's bootloader

[adi19956]

Think I'll kick things off in this section.

Phil over at Android Central has unlocked his Nexus 4's bootlader 11 days before general release.

His short (it's a Nexus) guide can be found here

EDIT: You NEED to enable developer settings first!

 

[Digital Controller]

Added to the All Things Root Guide for the Nexus 4, under Guides

 

[chrlswltrs]

That's the first thing that will happen to mine after unboxing. Plug it in to PC, type 3 words, and then let the fun begin

 

[dunjamon]

Quick question...am I right in thinking that if I unlock my phone first, then set it all up, I can then root it without losing all my changes/data?

 

[adi19956]

Quick question...am I right in thinking that if I unlock my phone first, then set it all up, I can then root it without losing all my changes/data?

If you don't want to lose your data I would enable dev. settings, unlock bootloader, root and then set you phone up. Any changes thereafter can be backed up using Titanium Backup

Otherwise you will lose your settings etc.

 

[dunjamon]

If you don't want to lose your data I would enable dev. settings, unlock bootloader, root and then set you phone up. Any changes thereafter can be backed up using Titanium Backup

Otherwise you will lose your settings etc.

It's only because there's no root method at the moment that's all. I'll never be able resist getting the phone and not setting it up and playing.

 

[adi19956]

It's only because there's no root method at the moment that's all. I'll never be able resist getting the phone and not setting it up and playing.

Which is fine, root will be out a few days after release, it'll be really easy so your won't have done anything you can't redo

 

[iowabowtech]

Not sure if the N4 will be the same but on the Gnex, the unlock performs a full factory reset, meaning internal storage as well. So, if the N4 is the same, it may behoove you guys to unlock your bootloader asap and then wait for a custom recovery and updated su binary. Just a thought.

 

[chrlswltrs]

Not sure if the N4 will be the same but on the Gnex, the unlock performs a full factory reset, meaning internal storage as well. So, if the N4 is the same, it may behoove you guys to unlock your bootloader asap and then wait for a custom recovery and updated su binary. Just a thought.

Any phone you unlock via fastboot will completely wipe everything, it is a safety feature.

If it didn't wipe your phone someone could steal your locked phone and put custom software that would give them access to everything on your phone. Pictures, contacts, passwords, etc regardless of wether or not there was a password on the phone.

When you unlock it, you know that you are removing a security feature from the phone and should know the risk.

 

[iowabowtech]

Any phone you unlock via fastboot will completely wipe everything, it is a safety feature.

If it didn't wipe your phone someone could steal your locked phone and put custom software that would give them access to everything on your phone. Pictures, contacts, passwords, etc regardless of wether or not there was a password on the phone.

When you unlock it, you know that you are removing a security feature from the phone and should know the risk.

Cool, there you have it. So may as well unlock upon arrival if you know you're going to unlock in the future anyway. My point being I'd rather unlock a clean phone rather than to worry about backing up contents later knowing they'll get blasted when the unlock command is issued.

 

[chrlswltrs]

Cool, there you have it. So may as well unlock upon arrival if you know you're going to unlock in the future anyway. My point being I'd rather unlock a clean phone rather than to worry about backing up contents later knowing they'll get blasted when the unlock command is issued.

That is the first thing I will be doing. I'm about to head to the Tmobile store to pick mine up!

 

[iowabowtech]

That is the first thing I will be doing. I'm about to head to the Tmobile store to pick mine up!

Looking forward to your review. This phone is very tempting.

 

[Trooper]

That is the first thing I will be doing. I'm about to head to the Tmobile store to pick mine up!

Let us know how it is.

I have mine on order from the Playstore.

Also, please let me know what you plan on getting or doing for a case.

Thanks!

 

[chrlswltrs]

I got it, haven't had too much time to use it. I got several apps installed and had to leave for work. I did unlock the bootloader before I even left the T-Mobile parking lot though

So far it is AWESOME!!

 

[adi19956]

I got it, haven't had too much time to use it. I got several apps installed and had to leave for work. I did unlock the bootloader before I even left the T-Mobile parking lot though

So far it is AWESOME!!

I am just a tad jealous.

 

[desarenezitic]

Unlocked mine last night, first thing I did, very simple. Then I took a pair of scissors to my SIM card, worked a charm!