So I want to Install Jelly Bean - have never rooted before or flashed any ROM"s. I have some questions for you experts.
1. I know when you root, you lose all data. How do I make a file to flash to the new JB ROM to restore all my apps/contacts/pics etc? I have heard of nandroids, but not sure if they just flash the old rom back to my phone. I want a failsafe, obviously, in case the new rom shits the bed, but also want to have to easily transfer my old data to new ROM.
2. What is the easiest way to root?
3. How do I flash the new ROM? (have the 7/24 bugless beast JB file on my computer)
To add to sdrawkcab25:
Preface: Do not attempt this unless you have at LEAST 90% battery charge! The last thing you want is to be in the middle of a ROM flash and your battery die! You want plenty of spare battery, trust me!
1. The best way to do this is to connect your Nexus to your PC and move your pics, videos, movies and music to the PC for safekeeping. I actually moved the Android folder over, as it contains a lot of app data. After rooting/ROMming, you can copy it all back.
2. Another vote for Wug's Galaxy Nexus Root Toolkit. It will automatically push the ADB commands to your phone that will unlock and root your phone.
The Toolkit recommends that, after rooting, you install ROM Manager and have it reflash ClockworkMod to make sure it "sticks". I have had no problems with my phone in doing that. This is the time to move your ROM etc. to the internal memory.
3. Once you have ClockworkMod, it's time to make your first nandroid backup. It's a snapshot image of the phone's entire current state, compressed into a zip file and stored in internal memory. If something goes horribly wrong (and they sometimes do), you can wipe the phone and restore the nandroid... instead of starting all over. Select "Backup/Restore" and "Backup".
When your nandroid is complete, hit "install zip from SD Card" and "Choose zip". DO NOT SELECT ANYTHING! You are simply making sure your ROM (and gapps if required) is available for flashing. The last thing we want to do is to wipe the system and then not have a ROM to flash. If you can see the ROM, then go back to the main menu and select "Wipe data/factory reset". This deletes user data. Then select and wipe cache. Then wipe System. That wipes out the Verizon operating system on your phone. Finally, select "advanced" and wipe Dalvik cache. Your phone is now empty.
Go back to the main menu and select "Install from SD card" again, "Choose zip" and navigate to your ROM. Select it and let it install. Afterwards, if your ROM requires gapps, immediately flash those next. When they are installed, go to "advanced" and select "Fix Permissions". This will take a few minutes.
When that's done, go back and select "Reboot System Now" and PUT THE PHONE DOWN! The first boot will take a l-o-n-g time - up to 5-10 minutes! Don't panic!
When you see the Android asking you to select your language, congrats! You have successfully flashed the ROM and may now set up your phone - and copy all your pics/vids/movies/music back.
This will be an excellent time to mention: If your ClockworkMod seems very sensitive (i.e. overshooting your target by flying through the menu too fast), that's normal on Nexus. I would highly recommend you check out TWRP 2.2. Team Win Recovery Project created an intuitive, touch-based recovery that is, in my opinion, far superior to ClockworkMod in many respects... even ClockworkMod Touch. It is easy to install in your existing recovery by installing the flashable version. It will NOT restore Clockwork nandroids and vice versa, so if you choose TWRP, make a new nandroid immediately.
If you have any other questions, and you will, feel free to read the stickies about rooting. If there is still something you don't understand, feel free to PM me ( or ask it here in the thread, so lurkers and Android newbies can learn
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