.
There is no "root exploit" required to root the Samsung Galaxy Nexus since it comes with an unlockable bootloader. So, this means that there is not soon likely to be a 1-click or easy rooting app to run that exploits something in Ice Cream Sandwich in order to root the phone.
Here are the basic steps that need to be done in order to root the GNex:
1. Unlock the bootloader (warning: this does wipe the internal "SD card" portion of your phone)
2. Gain write access to the /system partition
3. Install the root binaries (su / Superuser.apk)
~ ~ ~ note about su.zip for ICS 4.0.4 (when flashing from ClockworkMod) ~ ~ ~
Note: some users who have upgraded to Android 4.0.4 have reported that older versions of su.zip from the clockworkmod site does not give them root. You can use this file: View attachment su.zip (from su.zip - File Shared from Box - Free Online File Storage) instead which IS reported to work).
~ ~ ~
Unfortunately, the biggest hurdle for folks using Microsoft Windows will be issues relating to getting the proper Samsung USB drivers installed and working properly. Please take note of the several options listed at the bottom of this post. For Mac and Linux users, this is fortunately not an issue.
The second biggest hurdle will be getting the adb and fastboot utilities installed and understanding how to use them.
Note: I did experience some hangs while using the fastboot and adb utilities when my USB cable was plugged-in to a USB 3.0 port; these issues disappeared when I reverted back to a USB 2.0 port.
Quick notes about adb / fastboot:
Your best bet will be to take your time, do your reading and research, and make sure you understand what you are about to do before doing it. Perusing the threads and posts here will go a long way towards letting you see what other issues folks have encountered.
Unlocking The Bootloader
*** Warning *** unlocking your bootloader will completely wipe your device's internal "SD card", so backup what you need / want to beforehand.
All of the rooting methods require that you have an unlocked bootloader. I've included this section here first and made reference to it in the root methods below it.
Click the Show button below for in-line instructions to unlock the bootloader:
- = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = -
Wug's Galaxy Nexus Root Toolkit
Pros:
-- guides you through all the tasks
-- works for both GSM and LTE versions of the device
Cons: none, really
AF link and discussion:
http://androidforums.com/verizon-galaxy-nexus-all-things-root/477365-here-you-go-one-step-unlock-root-relock-unroot.html
Direct link:
Wug's Galaxy Nexus Root Toolkit
- = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = -
ClockworkMod Method (courtesy of Koushik Dutta)
Pros:
-- simplest and fastest from what I've found
-- works for both GSM and LTE versions of the device
-- does not require a special (insecured) boot.img file
Cons: requires both adb and fastboot USB connectivity
- = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = -
Superboot Method (courtesy of Paul O'Brien of MoDaCo)
Pros:
-- simpler method for rooting (installs root binaries for you)
-- works for both GSM and LTE versions of the device
Cons: you'll still need to use fastboot to unlock your bootloader (if you haven't already)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Slightly) Easier Manual Method (for now, GSM devices only!)
Pros: like the manual method, but doesn't require that you install Android SDK for adb / fastboot
Cons: still requires that you enter fastboot and adb commands
- = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = -
-=< Root Warning / Disclaimer >=-
-=< Credits (Peter Alfonso / Paul O'Brien / XDA's davioxx) >=-
-=< Windows USB drivers >=-
(alternative versions contributed / suggested by various people):
-------------------------------------------
Cheers and thanks!
There is no "root exploit" required to root the Samsung Galaxy Nexus since it comes with an unlockable bootloader. So, this means that there is not soon likely to be a 1-click or easy rooting app to run that exploits something in Ice Cream Sandwich in order to root the phone.
Here are the basic steps that need to be done in order to root the GNex:
1. Unlock the bootloader (warning: this does wipe the internal "SD card" portion of your phone)
2. Gain write access to the /system partition
3. Install the root binaries (su / Superuser.apk)
~ ~ ~ note about su.zip for ICS 4.0.4 (when flashing from ClockworkMod) ~ ~ ~
Note: some users who have upgraded to Android 4.0.4 have reported that older versions of su.zip from the clockworkmod site does not give them root. You can use this file: View attachment su.zip (from su.zip - File Shared from Box - Free Online File Storage) instead which IS reported to work).
~ ~ ~
Unfortunately, the biggest hurdle for folks using Microsoft Windows will be issues relating to getting the proper Samsung USB drivers installed and working properly. Please take note of the several options listed at the bottom of this post. For Mac and Linux users, this is fortunately not an issue.
The second biggest hurdle will be getting the adb and fastboot utilities installed and understanding how to use them.
Note: I did experience some hangs while using the fastboot and adb utilities when my USB cable was plugged-in to a USB 3.0 port; these issues disappeared when I reverted back to a USB 2.0 port.
Quick notes about adb / fastboot:
Rooting the Samsung Galaxy Nexus does require use of command-line utilities like adb and fastboot.
If you don't have both adb and fastboot installed anywhere, it might be easiest to download and extract the sdk-tools.zip file referenced in the "Mini-SDK" section of this thread ADB Guide to a folder on your PC of your choosing (take note of this folder/directory's name).
Note for Linux users: you might (probably will) have to resecure the adb and fastboot utilities after installing (i.e., chmod a+x adb and chmod a+x fastboot); additionally, you'll probably have to use the sudo utility when invoking these utilities; for example: sudo ./adb devices or sudo ./fastboot devices
These are two very different tools for use when your device is in a very specific mode:
If you don't have both adb and fastboot installed anywhere, it might be easiest to download and extract the sdk-tools.zip file referenced in the "Mini-SDK" section of this thread ADB Guide to a folder on your PC of your choosing (take note of this folder/directory's name).
Note for Linux users: you might (probably will) have to resecure the adb and fastboot utilities after installing (i.e., chmod a+x adb and chmod a+x fastboot); additionally, you'll probably have to use the sudo utility when invoking these utilities; for example: sudo ./adb devices or sudo ./fastboot devices
These are two very different tools for use when your device is in a very specific mode:
- fastboot
- to use this utility, your phone must be in fastboot mode (also known as bootloader mode) which can be reached by powering-down your phone and restarting it by pressing and holding the volume-up AND volume-down AND the power buttons UNTIL you see the little green Android laying on his back with door on his chest open (you'll also see "Start" in big, green text at the top and "FASTBOOT MODE" in very small red text just below the Android
- other ways to get into fastboot / bootloader mode:
- when you are finally rooted, you can use an app like Quickboot and selecting "Bootloader"
- when you do have fastboot working, you can also use the fastboot reboot-bootloader (Windows) or ./fastboot reboot-bootloader (Mac / Linux) command to re-launch the fastboot/bootloader mode
- you can verify that you have fastboot USB connectivity by issuing a fastboot devices (Windows) or ./fastboot devices (Mac / Linux) from a command session wherever you have the fastboot utility installed
- the output of an "fastboot devices" command should be look something like this:
Code:sdk-tools> [B][COLOR="purple"]fastboot devices[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="Blue"]<device serial #> fastboot[/COLOR]
- when you are finally rooted, you can use an app like Quickboot and selecting "Bootloader"
- adb (Android Debug Bridge)
- you can use the adb utility at two different times/modes on your phone:
- when you are booted normally into Android and have enabled USB debugging (Settings -> System -> Developer options -> USB debugging (checked))
- when you are booted into a custom recovery (like ClockworkMod); custom recoveries support adb connectivity so you can invoke a shell, push / pull files, etc.
- you can verify that you have adb USB connectivity by issuing a adb devices (Windows) or ./adb devices (Mac / Linux) from a command session wherever you have the adb utility installed
- the output of an "adb devices" command should be look something like this:
Code:sdk-tools> [B][COLOR="purple"]adb devices[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="Blue"]<device serial #> device[/COLOR]
- when you are booted normally into Android and have enabled USB debugging (Settings -> System -> Developer options -> USB debugging (checked))
Unlocking The Bootloader
*** Warning *** unlocking your bootloader will completely wipe your device's internal "SD card", so backup what you need / want to beforehand.
All of the rooting methods require that you have an unlocked bootloader. I've included this section here first and made reference to it in the root methods below it.
Code:
[SIZE="4"][COLOR="Red"][B]Note: be aware that the first reboot after you've unlocked the
bootloader (via [COLOR="Black"]fastboot oem unlock[/COLOR]) can take up to five (5)
minutes to finish; you'll see two cycles of the boot animation
before it finishes.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/B]
Since unlocking the bootloader does a factory reset, the dalvik-cache, etc.
needs to be rebuilt upon reboot (this takes times); [U]just be patient and do [b][COLOR="Red"]not[/COLOR] [/b]
pull the battery...let the reboot complete.[/U]
[COLOR="Blue"]If you do/did get antsy and pulled the battery before the boot completed,
just relock (fastboot oem lock) and unlock (fastboot oem lock) the device
and then reboot.[/COLOR]
Click the Show button below for in-line instructions to unlock the bootloader:
A. if you already have the Android SDK installed with both the adb and fastboot utilities, go ahead and skip to step B.
If you don't have both adb and fastboot installed anywhere, it might be easiest to download and extract the sdk-tools.zip file referenced in the "Mini-SDK" section of this thread ADB Guide to a folder on your PC of your choosing (take note of this folder/directory's name).
B. turn off (power down) your device
C. connect the USB cable between the phone and your PC if you haven't already
D. on your PC, start-up a terminal session (Windows Command Prompt for Windows; Terminal for Mac or Linux) and navigate to the directory/folder where the adb and fastboot utilities are located:
+ for Windows, you need to start-up a Windows Command Prompt (DOS window) and type the following (for example, assuming that your adb / fastboot files are in the c:sdk-tools folder):
+ for Mac/Linux, start-up a Terminal session and type the following (for example, assuming that your adb / fastboot files are in the sdk-tools folder):
E. next, boot your phone into fastboot mode (press and hold both the volume-UP and volume-DOWN buttons and then press the power button)
F. if you are using Windows, install the appropriate Samsung USB drivers; note: there are several USB driver options listed at the bottom of this post; this one in particular worked very well for me and others:
[ADB/FB Driver] Naked Samsung Driver 1.7 - xda-developers
Here are some detailed notes that I took when I installed this driver on my system:
G. let's verify that fastboot can "see" your device
note: for simplicity's sake, I'm using the generic "fastboot" command name here; your fastboot utility might actually be named:
+ for Windows: fastboot.exe or fastboot-windows.exe
+ for Linux: fastboot or fastboot-linux
+ for Mac: fastboot for fastboot-mac
- from your PC, enter the following to verify that the fastboot utility can see your phone:
For MS/Windows:
For Mac/Linux:
- you should see something similar to this:
J. next, you'll unlock the bootloader
*** Warning *** the next command (fastboot oem unlock) will completely wipe your device's internal "SD card"), so backup what you need / want to beforehand
Also, please note that after you issue the unlock command, you will be asked, on your phone, to acknowledge that you want the bootloader to be unlocked and that you understand that doing so will void your warranty. Use your volume rocker/keys to select the confirmation and press the power button to actually confirm.
For MS/Windows:
For Mac/Linux:
J. That's it, your bootloader should now be unlocked and you are ready for your next step. You phone should still be in fastboot mode at this point.
If you simply wanted to unlocked the bootloader and now want to reboot your phone, you can issue a "fastboot reboot" (for Windows) or "./fastboot reboot" (for Mac/Linux) to reboot the device normally (note/warning: since unlocking the bootloader does a factory reset, your next reboot after unlocking will take about five minutes to complete--so be patient and wait for the boot animation to finish-up).
If you are not ready to reboot, but need to do other fastboot-related operations, then your phone is still in fastboot mode and ready for you.
If you don't have both adb and fastboot installed anywhere, it might be easiest to download and extract the sdk-tools.zip file referenced in the "Mini-SDK" section of this thread ADB Guide to a folder on your PC of your choosing (take note of this folder/directory's name).
B. turn off (power down) your device
C. connect the USB cable between the phone and your PC if you haven't already
D. on your PC, start-up a terminal session (Windows Command Prompt for Windows; Terminal for Mac or Linux) and navigate to the directory/folder where the adb and fastboot utilities are located:
+ for Windows, you need to start-up a Windows Command Prompt (DOS window) and type the following (for example, assuming that your adb / fastboot files are in the c:sdk-tools folder):
Code:
[B][COLOR="purple"]cd c:sdk-tools[/COLOR][/B]
+ for Mac/Linux, start-up a Terminal session and type the following (for example, assuming that your adb / fastboot files are in the sdk-tools folder):
Code:
[B][COLOR="Purple"]cd sdk-tools[/COLOR][/B]
E. next, boot your phone into fastboot mode (press and hold both the volume-UP and volume-DOWN buttons and then press the power button)
F. if you are using Windows, install the appropriate Samsung USB drivers; note: there are several USB driver options listed at the bottom of this post; this one in particular worked very well for me and others:
[ADB/FB Driver] Naked Samsung Driver 1.7 - xda-developers
Here are some detailed notes that I took when I installed this driver on my system:
- download the Naked Samsung 1.7.zip driver referenced above
- extract that files contents to a folder like Naked Samsung 1.7
- connect your phone to your Windows PC via the USB cable
- fire-up your Device Manager:
- identify the Other devices section
- right click the Galaxy entry and select Uninstall
- right click the Galaxy entry and select Update Driver Software...
- select Browse my computer for driver software
- use the Browse... button and navigate to the folder where you extracted the Naked Samsung 1.7.zip file (make sure the Include subfolders checkbox is checked)
- browse to that folder name and click the OK button
- you'll be returned to the Update Driver Software - Galaxy screen; click the Next button
- you might see a red-tinted Windows Security warning saying "Windows can't verify the publisher of this driver software";
- that's okay, click the Install this driver software anyway section
- the driver software will then be installed
- after installation, you should see the window is now titled: Update Driver Software - SAMSUNG Android ADB Interface and it will say "Windows has successfully updated your driver software", etc.
- press the Close button
- notice the the yellow warning icon is now gone and you now have a new SAMSUNG Android Phone section in the Device Manager window and a SAMSUNG Android ADB Interface entry underneath it
- you should now be able to communicate with your device with adb or fastboot (when in the appropriate mode for each)
- extract that files contents to a folder like Naked Samsung 1.7
- connect your phone to your Windows PC via the USB cable
- fire-up your Device Manager:
- Windows Start button
- Control Panel
- Hardware and Sound
- select Device Manager from under the Devices and Printers section
- identify the Other devices section
- right click the Galaxy entry and select Uninstall
- right click the Galaxy entry and select Update Driver Software...
- select Browse my computer for driver software
- use the Browse... button and navigate to the folder where you extracted the Naked Samsung 1.7.zip file (make sure the Include subfolders checkbox is checked)
- browse to that folder name and click the OK button
- you'll be returned to the Update Driver Software - Galaxy screen; click the Next button
- you might see a red-tinted Windows Security warning saying "Windows can't verify the publisher of this driver software";
- that's okay, click the Install this driver software anyway section
- the driver software will then be installed
- after installation, you should see the window is now titled: Update Driver Software - SAMSUNG Android ADB Interface and it will say "Windows has successfully updated your driver software", etc.
- press the Close button
- notice the the yellow warning icon is now gone and you now have a new SAMSUNG Android Phone section in the Device Manager window and a SAMSUNG Android ADB Interface entry underneath it
- you should now be able to communicate with your device with adb or fastboot (when in the appropriate mode for each)
note: for simplicity's sake, I'm using the generic "fastboot" command name here; your fastboot utility might actually be named:
+ for Windows: fastboot.exe or fastboot-windows.exe
+ for Linux: fastboot or fastboot-linux
+ for Mac: fastboot for fastboot-mac
- from your PC, enter the following to verify that the fastboot utility can see your phone:
For MS/Windows:
Code:
[B][COLOR="Purple"]fastboot devices[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"] (list connected devices)[/COLOR]
For Mac/Linux:
Code:
[B][COLOR="Purple"]./fastboot devices[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"] (list connected devices)[/COLOR]
- you should see something similar to this:
Code:
sdk-tools> [B][COLOR="purple"]fastboot devices[/COLOR][/B]
[COLOR="Blue"]<device serial #> fastboot[/COLOR]
J. next, you'll unlock the bootloader
*** Warning *** the next command (fastboot oem unlock) will completely wipe your device's internal "SD card"), so backup what you need / want to beforehand
Also, please note that after you issue the unlock command, you will be asked, on your phone, to acknowledge that you want the bootloader to be unlocked and that you understand that doing so will void your warranty. Use your volume rocker/keys to select the confirmation and press the power button to actually confirm.
For MS/Windows:
Code:
[B][COLOR="Purple"]fastboot oem unlock[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](unlock the bootloader)[/COLOR]
For Mac/Linux:
Code:
[B][COLOR="Purple"]./fastboot oem unlock[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](unlock the bootloader)[/COLOR]
J. That's it, your bootloader should now be unlocked and you are ready for your next step. You phone should still be in fastboot mode at this point.
If you simply wanted to unlocked the bootloader and now want to reboot your phone, you can issue a "fastboot reboot" (for Windows) or "./fastboot reboot" (for Mac/Linux) to reboot the device normally (note/warning: since unlocking the bootloader does a factory reset, your next reboot after unlocking will take about five minutes to complete--so be patient and wait for the boot animation to finish-up).
If you are not ready to reboot, but need to do other fastboot-related operations, then your phone is still in fastboot mode and ready for you.
Wug's Galaxy Nexus Root Toolkit
Pros:
-- guides you through all the tasks
-- works for both GSM and LTE versions of the device
Cons: none, really
AF link and discussion:
http://androidforums.com/verizon-galaxy-nexus-all-things-root/477365-here-you-go-one-step-unlock-root-relock-unroot.html
Direct link:
Wug's Galaxy Nexus Root Toolkit
- = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = -
ClockworkMod Method (courtesy of Koushik Dutta)
Pros:
-- simplest and fastest from what I've found
-- works for both GSM and LTE versions of the device
-- does not require a special (insecured) boot.img file
Cons: requires both adb and fastboot USB connectivity
Brief description:
- download su.zip flashable root package and proper version of ClockworkMod
- put phone in fastboot mode
- soft-boot or flash ClockworkMod custom recovery
- push the su.zip file to your phone via adb
- flash the su.zip root package in ClockworkMod to install root
- reboot phone
Resources
1. Download the su.zip flashable (via CWM) root package (note for Mac users: apparently in some browsers, .zip files get auto-unzipped / un-packed / extracted when you download; you don't want this to happen for the su.zip file; here's a link about preventing this: How would you stop Mac from automatically unzipping files?)
Note: some users who have upgraded to Android 4.0.4 have reported that the above su.zip from the clockworkmod site does not give them root. You can use this file: View attachment su.zip (from su.zip - File Shared from Box - Free Online File Storage) instead which IS reported to work).
Note: if you download the su.zip file directly from your phone to the /sdcard directory (folder), then you won't have to push it later via adb.
2. Download the version of ClockworkMod appropriate / specific to your carrier:
Instructions
A. unlock your bootloader (see the Unlocking The Bootloader section above)
B. make sure you phone is connected with the USB cable to your PC
C. place both the su.zip and the selected ClockworkMod recovery .img file in the directory with your fastboot and adb utilities
D. next, boot your phone into fastboot mode (press and hold both the volume-UP and volume-DOWN buttons and then press the power button)
E. start-up a command prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac / Linux) session as outlined in the Unlocking The Bootloader section above and change to the folder / directory where your fastboot utility, adb utility, su.zip, and selected recovery .img file are located
Note for Windows users: we will be using both the adb and the fastboot utility below, so you'll need to make sure you have USB drivers installed that will recognize your device while in both modes. The [ADB/FB Driver] Naked Samsung Driver 1.7 - xda-developers works very well and there are other USB driver options listed at the bottom of this post.
F. now, at this point, we will start-up ClockworkMod custom recovery; we can either soft-boot (load it from your PC into your phone's memory; this method will not replace the currently installed recovery partition on your phone) or flash it (overwrite the currently installed stock recovery image on your phone):
- okay, if you haven't already put the su.zip file in the /sdcard, then we'll need to push (send) it over to your phone from the PC; there is an issue that I finally figured-out that ClockworkMod won't mount the /data partition (and therefore, your /sdcard directory that's symbolically linked to the /data/media folder) until you've done this sequence at least once:
- > from the main ClockworkMod Recovery screen / menu
- > select install zip from sdcard
- > that will take you to the Apply update from .zip file on SD card screen / menu
- > select choose zip from sdcard
- > you'll see a slight pause while the /data partition is mounted
- > now, you'll see a list of files on your /sdcard in the Choose a zip to apply screen
- > don't choose anything right now, navigate to +++++Go Back+++++ to return to the previous menu
- > hang here on the Apply update from .zip file on SD card screen / menu for now
- next, you'll need to push (send) the su.zip (flashable root package) to your phone's internal memory ("SD card"):
H. next, we'll need to navigate in ClockworkMod to flash the su.zip root package
navigation tips:
- use the volume key / rocker to navigate
- use the power button to select an entry
what to do:
- select the "install zip from sdcard" entry
- select the "choose zip from sdcard" entry
- navigate to the bottom of the displayed menu options, you should see your "su.zip" entry there; select it
- after you flash the su.zip file, navigate to the "*****Go Back*****" entry; select it to return to the prior menu screen
- navigate back again to the first / main screen
- select the "reboot system now" entry
I. when you phone finishes rebooting, you should now have root
- download su.zip flashable root package and proper version of ClockworkMod
- put phone in fastboot mode
- soft-boot or flash ClockworkMod custom recovery
- push the su.zip file to your phone via adb
- flash the su.zip root package in ClockworkMod to install root
- reboot phone
Resources
1. Download the su.zip flashable (via CWM) root package (note for Mac users: apparently in some browsers, .zip files get auto-unzipped / un-packed / extracted when you download; you don't want this to happen for the su.zip file; here's a link about preventing this: How would you stop Mac from automatically unzipping files?)
Note: some users who have upgraded to Android 4.0.4 have reported that the above su.zip from the clockworkmod site does not give them root. You can use this file: View attachment su.zip (from su.zip - File Shared from Box - Free Online File Storage) instead which IS reported to work).
Note: if you download the su.zip file directly from your phone to the /sdcard directory (folder), then you won't have to push it later via adb.
2. Download the version of ClockworkMod appropriate / specific to your carrier:
- Verizon / VZW (CDMA) version: Clockwork Recovery for Galaxy Nexus (CDMA)
File name: recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.4-toro.img
MD5: b2d31c29b7ef785f9c0802a12264d322
File size: 5,263,360 (bytes)
- GSM version: Clockwork Recovery for Galaxy Nexus (GSM)
File name: recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.2-maguro.img
MD5: 445887336a863573997ccbaeedddc984
File size: 5,427,200 (bytes)
Instructions
A. unlock your bootloader (see the Unlocking The Bootloader section above)
B. make sure you phone is connected with the USB cable to your PC
C. place both the su.zip and the selected ClockworkMod recovery .img file in the directory with your fastboot and adb utilities
D. next, boot your phone into fastboot mode (press and hold both the volume-UP and volume-DOWN buttons and then press the power button)
E. start-up a command prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac / Linux) session as outlined in the Unlocking The Bootloader section above and change to the folder / directory where your fastboot utility, adb utility, su.zip, and selected recovery .img file are located
Note for Windows users: we will be using both the adb and the fastboot utility below, so you'll need to make sure you have USB drivers installed that will recognize your device while in both modes. The [ADB/FB Driver] Naked Samsung Driver 1.7 - xda-developers works very well and there are other USB driver options listed at the bottom of this post.
F. now, at this point, we will start-up ClockworkMod custom recovery; we can either soft-boot (load it from your PC into your phone's memory; this method will not replace the currently installed recovery partition on your phone) or flash it (overwrite the currently installed stock recovery image on your phone):
- to soft-boot (does not flash / overwrite) your currently installed recovery image:
Code:For MS/Windows: - command for [COLOR="Red"][B]Verizon / VZW CDMA[/B][/COLOR] recovery: [COLOR="Purple"]fastboot [B]boot[/B] recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.4-toro.img[/COLOR] - command for [COLOR="Blue"][B]GSM [/B][/COLOR]recovery: [COLOR="purple"]fastboot [B]boot[/B] recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.2-maguro.img[/COLOR] For Mac/Linux: - command for [COLOR="Red"][B]Verizon / VZW CDMA[/B][/COLOR] recovery: [COLOR="Purple"]./fastboot [B]boot[/B] recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.4-toro.img[/COLOR] - command for [COLOR="Blue"][B]GSM [/B][/COLOR]recovery: [COLOR="purple"]./fastboot [B]boot[/B] recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.2-maguro.img[/COLOR] ### - your phone should now boot into ClockworkMod custom recovery
- to flash / overwrite your currently installed recovery image:
Code:[B]For MS/Windows[/B]: - command for [COLOR="Red"][B]Verizon / VZW CDMA[/B][/COLOR] recovery: [COLOR="Purple"]fastboot [B]flash recovery[/B] recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.4-toro.img[/COLOR] - command for [COLOR="Blue"][B]GSM [/B][/COLOR]recovery: [COLOR="purple"]fastboot [B]flash recovery[/B] recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.2-maguro.img[/COLOR] [B]For Mac/Linux[/B]: - command for [COLOR="Red"][B]Verizon / VZW CDMA[/B][/COLOR] recovery: [COLOR="Purple"]./fastboot [B]flash recovery[/B] recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.4-toro.img[/COLOR] - command for [COLOR="Blue"][B]GSM [/B][/COLOR]recovery: [COLOR="purple"]./fastboot [B]flash recovery[/B] recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.2-maguro.img[/COLOR] ### - after you've flashed the recovery, use the [B]volume keys[/B] to change the green "[COLOR="Green"]Start[/COLOR]" arrow/banner to the red "[COLOR="Red"]Recovery mode[/COLOR]" one - select that mode by pressing the [B]power button[/B]--that will actually launch the new custom recovery
- okay, if you haven't already put the su.zip file in the /sdcard, then we'll need to push (send) it over to your phone from the PC; there is an issue that I finally figured-out that ClockworkMod won't mount the /data partition (and therefore, your /sdcard directory that's symbolically linked to the /data/media folder) until you've done this sequence at least once:
- > from the main ClockworkMod Recovery screen / menu
- > select install zip from sdcard
- > that will take you to the Apply update from .zip file on SD card screen / menu
- > select choose zip from sdcard
- > you'll see a slight pause while the /data partition is mounted
- > now, you'll see a list of files on your /sdcard in the Choose a zip to apply screen
- > don't choose anything right now, navigate to +++++Go Back+++++ to return to the previous menu
- > hang here on the Apply update from .zip file on SD card screen / menu for now
- next, you'll need to push (send) the su.zip (flashable root package) to your phone's internal memory ("SD card"):
Code:
[B]For MS/Windows[/B]:
[COLOR="purple"]adb push su.zip /sdcard/[/COLOR] [COLOR="Red"](notice the trailing forward slash)[/COLOR]
- or -
[COLOR="purple"]adb push su.zip /data/media/su.zip[/COLOR]
[COLOR="Blue"](I included the second version of this command because the first didn't work
for me at times (CWM wasn't always "seeing" the file I just pushed))[/COLOR]
[B]For Mac/Linux[/B]:
[COLOR="purple"]./adb push su.zip /sdcard/[/COLOR] [COLOR="Red"](notice the trailing forward slash)[/COLOR]
- or -
[COLOR="purple"]./adb push su.zip /data/media/su.zip[/COLOR]
[COLOR="Blue"](I included the second version of this command because the first didn't work
for me at times (CWM wasn't always "seeing" the file I just pushed))[/COLOR]
###
here's what the output looks like on my Windows PC:
c:\gnex\sdk-tools> [B]adb push su.zip /sdcard/[/B]
[COLOR="blue"]4346 KB/s (1126078 bytes in 0.253s)[/COLOR]
H. next, we'll need to navigate in ClockworkMod to flash the su.zip root package
navigation tips:
- use the volume key / rocker to navigate
- use the power button to select an entry
what to do:
- select the "install zip from sdcard" entry
- select the "choose zip from sdcard" entry
- navigate to the bottom of the displayed menu options, you should see your "su.zip" entry there; select it
- after you flash the su.zip file, navigate to the "*****Go Back*****" entry; select it to return to the prior menu screen
- navigate back again to the first / main screen
- select the "reboot system now" entry
I. when you phone finishes rebooting, you should now have root
Superboot Method (courtesy of Paul O'Brien of MoDaCo)
Pros:
-- simpler method for rooting (installs root binaries for you)
-- works for both GSM and LTE versions of the device
Cons: you'll still need to use fastboot to unlock your bootloader (if you haven't already)
This method automates the installation of the su / Superuser binaries for you; click the "Show" button below for details on how this works:
The only caveat about using the Superboot method is that you'll still have to unlock your bootloader (if you haven't already) with the fastboot oem unlock command which Superboot cannot directly address.
This means you'll still need to follow the instructions in the section Unlocking The Bootloader above.
Reference
[MOD] 30 Nov r3: Superboot - rooting the GSM + LTE Galaxy Nexus
- or -
30 Nov r3: Superboot - rooting the GSM + LTE Galaxy Nexus
Resources
Superboot R3: r3-galaxynexus-superboot.zip
File size (bytes): 6,080,107
MD5 checksum: c827e540aa0262adc2ded86a91c68492
Reference this thread for information on checking MD5 sums: MD5 Verification
Instructions (also see the instruction threads above)
A. download the Superboot zip file (r3-galaxynexus-superboot.zip) above and extract to a directory
B. boot your phone into fastboot mode (press and hold both the volume-UP and volume-DOWN buttons and then press the power button)
C. choose your installation platform to run the installation script:
- Windows:
+ double click the install-superboot-windows.bat file
- Mac:
+ open a Terminal window to the directory containing the files
+ type chmod +x install-superboot-mac.sh
+ type ./install-superboot-mac.sh
- Linux:
+ open a Terminal window to the directory containing the files
+ type chmod +x install-superboot-linux.sh
+ type ./install-superboot-linux.sh
Note for VZW LTE Galaxy Nexus phones: it appears that the boot.superboot.img file, when used on the VZW LTE Galaxy Nexus, might hang (it did for me, but not for others; I suspect I just didn't wait long enough) and not finish booting. It will, however, get the root apps (su / Superuser.apk) installed and root your phone. You'll just need to do a battery-pull and restart after waiting a few minutes after executing the above installation scripts.
I unpacked the boot.superboot.img file into its kernel and ramdisk components and saw that the init.rc script (in the ramdisk) was modded to invoke the /superboot/superboot.sh script which temporarily remounts /system as read/write and installs/secures the su binary and the Superuser app.
This means you'll still need to follow the instructions in the section Unlocking The Bootloader above.
Reference
[MOD] 30 Nov r3: Superboot - rooting the GSM + LTE Galaxy Nexus
- or -
30 Nov r3: Superboot - rooting the GSM + LTE Galaxy Nexus
Resources
Superboot R3: r3-galaxynexus-superboot.zip
File size (bytes): 6,080,107
MD5 checksum: c827e540aa0262adc2ded86a91c68492
Reference this thread for information on checking MD5 sums: MD5 Verification
Instructions (also see the instruction threads above)
A. download the Superboot zip file (r3-galaxynexus-superboot.zip) above and extract to a directory
B. boot your phone into fastboot mode (press and hold both the volume-UP and volume-DOWN buttons and then press the power button)
C. choose your installation platform to run the installation script:
- Windows:
+ double click the install-superboot-windows.bat file
- Mac:
+ open a Terminal window to the directory containing the files
+ type chmod +x install-superboot-mac.sh
+ type ./install-superboot-mac.sh
- Linux:
+ open a Terminal window to the directory containing the files
+ type chmod +x install-superboot-linux.sh
+ type ./install-superboot-linux.sh
Note for VZW LTE Galaxy Nexus phones: it appears that the boot.superboot.img file, when used on the VZW LTE Galaxy Nexus, might hang (it did for me, but not for others; I suspect I just didn't wait long enough) and not finish booting. It will, however, get the root apps (su / Superuser.apk) installed and root your phone. You'll just need to do a battery-pull and restart after waiting a few minutes after executing the above installation scripts.
(Slightly) Easier Manual Method (for now, GSM devices only!)
Pros: like the manual method, but doesn't require that you install Android SDK for adb / fastboot
Cons: still requires that you enter fastboot and adb commands
There is an easier version of the manual method described above since it basically relieves you of the need to install the Android SDK just to get the adb and fastboot utilities installed.
This method is outlined here Free Your Android - How to Root the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Manual Method) and I've re-summarized the steps for you below.
Resources
GNexus-root-package-FYA.zip: GNexus-root-package-FYA.zip
File size (bytes): 29,943,902
MD5 checksum: 51f8c7b09b4e3e6a31d669a71aaeead4
Reference this thread for information on checking MD5 sums: MD5 Verification
Instructions
A. download and extract the GNexus-root-package-FYA.zip file as referenced above in the Resources section, paying attention to the location where the files have been extracted (for example, you might extract it to the c:\gnexroot folder)
B. if you are using Windows, install the Samsung USB drivers (double-click the Samsung_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones_v1_4_6_0.exe executable from the c:\gnexroot folder and follow its instructions); there are also several other USB driver options listed at the end of this post suggested by various people that might end-up working better for you.
C. turn off (power down) your device
D. connect the USB cable between the phone and your PC
E. from your PC, navigate to the c:\gnexroot directory (or wherever you've extracted the above files):
+ for Windows, you need to start-up a Windows Command Prompt (DOS window) and type the following:
+ for Mac/Linux, start-up a Terminal session and type the following (to navigate to the gnexroot folder where the files were extracted):
F. next, boot your phone into fastboot mode (press and hold both the volume-UP and volume-DOWN buttons and then press the power button)
G. let's verify that fastboot can "see" your device
- from your PC, enter the following to verify that the fastboot utility can see your phone:
For MS/Windows:
For Mac/Linux:
- you should see something like this:
H. unlock your bootloader (see the Unlocking The Bootloader section at the top of this post)
I. next, you'll soft-boot with the insecured boot image
For MS/Windows:
For Mac/Linux:
note: you are not flashing a new boot image here--you are just soft-booting an insecured one that will allow the /system partition to be remounted in read/write mode; if you shutdown or reboot again before you've installed the su program and Superuser.apk files, then you'll have to restart back at step K.
J. your phone will now reboot and start in unsafe mode (so you can remount /system and install the root binaries); note, the next time you boot normally, the bootloader will be back in the normal/safe secured mode.
K. after the phone reboots, be sure to turn on USB debugging on your phone:
L. Finally, install the root programs / binaries to your phone:
- from your PC, enter (or better yet copy/paste) the following commands:
That's it...you should have root when the reboot completes. You'll be asked for permission from the Superuser (whitelist) app to allow root permissions for any app that you invoke that requests it.
This method is outlined here Free Your Android - How to Root the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Manual Method) and I've re-summarized the steps for you below.
Resources
GNexus-root-package-FYA.zip: GNexus-root-package-FYA.zip
File size (bytes): 29,943,902
MD5 checksum: 51f8c7b09b4e3e6a31d669a71aaeead4
Reference this thread for information on checking MD5 sums: MD5 Verification
Instructions
A. download and extract the GNexus-root-package-FYA.zip file as referenced above in the Resources section, paying attention to the location where the files have been extracted (for example, you might extract it to the c:\gnexroot folder)
B. if you are using Windows, install the Samsung USB drivers (double-click the Samsung_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones_v1_4_6_0.exe executable from the c:\gnexroot folder and follow its instructions); there are also several other USB driver options listed at the end of this post suggested by various people that might end-up working better for you.
C. turn off (power down) your device
D. connect the USB cable between the phone and your PC
E. from your PC, navigate to the c:\gnexroot directory (or wherever you've extracted the above files):
+ for Windows, you need to start-up a Windows Command Prompt (DOS window) and type the following:
Code:
[B][COLOR="Purple"]cd c:\gnexroot[/COLOR][/B]
+ for Mac/Linux, start-up a Terminal session and type the following (to navigate to the gnexroot folder where the files were extracted):
Code:
[B][COLOR="purple"]cd gnexroot[/COLOR][/B]
F. next, boot your phone into fastboot mode (press and hold both the volume-UP and volume-DOWN buttons and then press the power button)
G. let's verify that fastboot can "see" your device
- from your PC, enter the following to verify that the fastboot utility can see your phone:
For MS/Windows:
Code:
[B][COLOR="Purple"]fastboot devices[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"] (list connected devices)[/COLOR]
For Mac/Linux:
Code:
[B][COLOR="Purple"]./fastboot devices[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"] (list connected devices)[/COLOR]
- you should see something like this:
Code:
c:\gnexroot> [B][COLOR="purple"]fastboot devices[/COLOR][/B]
[COLOR="Blue"]<device serial #> fastboot[/COLOR]
H. unlock your bootloader (see the Unlocking The Bootloader section at the top of this post)
I. next, you'll soft-boot with the insecured boot image
For MS/Windows:
Code:
[B][COLOR="purple"]fastboot boot boot.img[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](soft-boot the insecured boot image)[/COLOR]
For Mac/Linux:
Code:
[B][COLOR="purple"]./fastboot boot boot.img[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](soft-boot the insecured boot image)[/COLOR]
note: you are not flashing a new boot image here--you are just soft-booting an insecured one that will allow the /system partition to be remounted in read/write mode; if you shutdown or reboot again before you've installed the su program and Superuser.apk files, then you'll have to restart back at step K.
J. your phone will now reboot and start in unsafe mode (so you can remount /system and install the root binaries); note, the next time you boot normally, the bootloader will be back in the normal/safe secured mode.
K. after the phone reboots, be sure to turn on USB debugging on your phone:
Code:
[B]Settings [/B]-> [B]Applications [/B]-> [B]Development [/B]-> [B]USB debugging[/B] ([COLOR="Blue"]checked[/COLOR])
- from your PC, enter (or better yet copy/paste) the following commands:
Code:
It might be a good idea to verify that you have [B]adb [/B]USB connectivity:
For MS/Windows:
[B][COLOR="Purple"]adb devices[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](does adb "see" your device?)[/COLOR]
For Mac/Linux:
[B][COLOR="Purple"]./adb devices[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](does adb "see" your device?)[/COLOR]
If you see something like this:
[COLOR="Purple"][B]adb devices[/B][/COLOR]
[COLOR="Blue"]List of devices attached
<your device's serial #> device[/COLOR]
then you do have [B]adb [/B]connectivity (proceed to the next [B][COLOR="purple"]adb [/COLOR][/B]command below).
If you don't see something similar to the above, then check the following:
- USB debugging is enabled
- an adb USB driver is installed (Windows PCs)
For MS/Windows:
[B][COLOR="Purple"]adb root[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](restart adbd daemon with root permissions)[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR="purple"]adb remount[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](remount /system partion in read/write mode)[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR="purple"]adb push su /system/bin[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](copy su program binary to the phone)[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR="purple"]adb push Superuser.apk /system/app[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](copy the Superuser app to the phone)[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR="purple"]adb shell chmod 06755 /system/bin/su[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](re-secure w/root permission/access)[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR="purple"]adb shell chmod 06755 /system/app/Superuser.apk[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](re-secure w/root permission/access)[/COLOR]
For Mac/Linux:
[B][COLOR="Purple"]./adb root[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](restart adbd daemon with root permissions)[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR="purple"]./adb remount[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](remount /system partion in read/write mode)[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR="purple"]./adb push su /system/bin[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](copy su program binary to the phone)[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR="purple"]./adb push Superuser.apk /system/app[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](copy the Superuser app to the phone)[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR="purple"]./adb shell chmod 06755 /system/bin/su[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](re-secure w/root permission/access)[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR="purple"]./adb shell chmod 06755 /system/app/Superuser.apk[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](re-secure w/root permission/access)[/COLOR]
Also, if you'd like to install a [COLOR="Blue"]busybox[/COLOR] (available here: [ATTACH]24794[/ATTACH]),
you can extract the [COLOR="Blue"]busybox[/COLOR] file from the attached file to the same directory
where the su and Superuser.apk files are located, and do the following:
For MS/Windows:
[B][COLOR="purple"]adb push busybox /system/bin[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](copy busybox program to the phone)[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR="purple"]adb shell chmod 0755 /system/bin/busybox[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](re-secure program w/execute access)[/COLOR]
For Mac/Linux:
[B][COLOR="purple"]./adb push busybox /system/bin[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](copy busybox program to the phone)[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR="purple"]./adb shell chmod 0755 /system/bin/busybox[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](re-secure program w/execute access)[/COLOR]
Finally, you'll reboot your phone:
For MS/Windows:
[B][COLOR="purple"]adb reboot[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](reboot your phone)[/COLOR]
For Mac/Linux:
[B][COLOR="purple"]./adb reboot[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR="blue"](reboot your phone)[/COLOR]
That's it...you should have root when the reboot completes. You'll be asked for permission from the Superuser (whitelist) app to allow root permissions for any app that you invoke that requests it.
-=< Root Warning / Disclaimer >=-
Quick note / disclaimer: as always, you are ultimately responsible for any root-related activities on your phone. You should understand not only the benefits of rooting, but also any possible consequences (voided warranty, boot-loops, bricking, etc.) that might occur as a result of your root-related actions.
AndroidForums.com / Phandroid.com, its owner, and staff are not liable for any root actions you might undertake as a result of information used from this site.
Reading, researching, understanding, and carefully following the published steps and instructions can go a long way towards helping to make your rooting efforts a successful one.
AndroidForums.com / Phandroid.com, its owner, and staff are not liable for any root actions you might undertake as a result of information used from this site.
Reading, researching, understanding, and carefully following the published steps and instructions can go a long way towards helping to make your rooting efforts a successful one.
All credit goes to the following folks (I'm just re-summarizing what has already been developed and published by them):
* Peter Alfonso for the insecure boot.img file which allows the system partition to be remounted in read/write mode so that the root programs may be installed.
* Koushik Dutta for ClockworkMod and his many other contributions
* Paul O'Brien of MoDaCo and XDA for Superboot
* davioxx at XDA for his [HOWTO] Root Your Stock Galaxy Nexus - xda-developers thread
* Free Your Android - How to Root the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Manual Method)
* Peter Alfonso for the insecure boot.img file which allows the system partition to be remounted in read/write mode so that the root programs may be installed.
* Koushik Dutta for ClockworkMod and his many other contributions
* Paul O'Brien of MoDaCo and XDA for Superboot
* davioxx at XDA for his [HOWTO] Root Your Stock Galaxy Nexus - xda-developers thread
* Free Your Android - How to Root the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Manual Method)
(alternative versions contributed / suggested by various people):
I'll keep updating this list as members report their success with various versions.
ADB/FB Driver Naked Samsung Driver 1.7 [ADB/FB Driver] Naked Samsung Driver 1.7 - xda-developers
(the one above worked great for me on Windows 7 Professional, 64 bit)
fastboot / adb (courtesy of 1wayjonny): Naked Samsung Driver 1.4.8.0.zip
fastboot (courtesy of Gyannea): Galaxy_usb_driver.zip
fastboot (courtesy of jocke.anell): usb_driver.zip (good reports for this one)
adb (courtesy of Gyannea): SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones_1.4.8.0.exe
(tip: click on the link that says "Softpedia Secure Download (US) [EXE]")
adb: Samsung_USB_Driver for_Moblie_Phones_v1_4_6_0.exe
adb: http://junefabrics.com/android/driver.php
Still having USB connectivity issues after having tried the drivers above? Try a different USB port on your computer and/or a different USB cable (sometimes its NOT the software ). Good luck!
ADB/FB Driver Naked Samsung Driver 1.7 [ADB/FB Driver] Naked Samsung Driver 1.7 - xda-developers
(the one above worked great for me on Windows 7 Professional, 64 bit)
fastboot / adb (courtesy of 1wayjonny): Naked Samsung Driver 1.4.8.0.zip
fastboot (courtesy of Gyannea): Galaxy_usb_driver.zip
fastboot (courtesy of jocke.anell): usb_driver.zip (good reports for this one)
adb (courtesy of Gyannea): SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones_1.4.8.0.exe
(tip: click on the link that says "Softpedia Secure Download (US) [EXE]")
adb: Samsung_USB_Driver for_Moblie_Phones_v1_4_6_0.exe
adb: http://junefabrics.com/android/driver.php
Still having USB connectivity issues after having tried the drivers above? Try a different USB port on your computer and/or a different USB cable (sometimes its NOT the software ). Good luck!
Cheers and thanks!