Skip to main content

How to Unlock and Root Your Galaxy Nexus


How to Unlock and Root Your Galaxy Nexus

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is slowly making its arrival around the world. For you power users out there, you're probably wondering just how you can unlock your new phone, and open up its possibilities with root-level permissions.

Like the Nexus S and Nexus One before it, OEM unlocking the Galaxy Nexus isn't that difficult, but carries with it the possibility of bricking your phone, and voiding your warranty.

Also, these steps were completed on the GSM version of the Galaxy Nexus. Instructions and files may vary for the LTE version.

To OEM unlock your Galaxy Nexus, you'll need to download and install the Android SDK. Once you've got that installed and all the packages updated, grab fastboot (Windows or Mac) and put it in your platform-tools folder.

Next, boot your phone into fastboot mode by holding down the Volume-up, Volume-down, and power buttons. You'll know you're in the right spot when you see some red text on the screen that reads "FASTBOOT MODE." From there, connect your phone to your computer via USB. If the device fails to install, try installing PdaNet to install the drivers you'll need.

From there, open a command prompt (with administrative rights) and navigate to the platform-tools folder in your Android SDK folder. To make sure your phone is recognized, type fastboot devices (enter), you should see your device listed. If so, you're ready to OEM unlock your phone.

Be advised, before you go any further, in addition to the bricking and warranty voiding warnings we mentioned before, OEM unlocking your phone will wipe it clean, including your "sdcard" (which is really your internal storage). Pictures, videos, documents, downloads, apps, music -- all of it will be gone. You've been warned.

If you're okay with all that, type fastboot oem unlock (enter), then use the volume buttons on your phone to select YES, and press the power button to commit the change.

Congratulations! You've just unlocked your bootloader!

Next we'll want to root the phone. To do so, download and extract Superboot r2 into your platform-toolsfolder. Back in your command prompt, change into your Superboot r2 folder. If your phone isn't in fastboot mode, reboot into fastboot mode (using the same instructions as we mentioned above, checking fastboot devices to make sure your phone is detected).

Windows users should type install-superboot-windows.bat (enter) to run the rooting processes. Mac users type chmod +x install-superboot-mac.sh (enter) ./install-superboot-mac.sh (enter). Your phone will reboot and you'll be all set!

Once you've set up your phone, head to the Market and install Superuser to get all your power tools loaded up.

Congratulations! You're not only OEM unlocked, you're now rooted and have some awesome tools installed!

The last thing you may want to do is replace your recovery image with Clockwork Mod Recovery (CWM) (though doing so may mean you won't be able to install automatic OTA updates). Even if you opt to do this, I'd suggest you either hold off for a while, or use the ROM Manager app to download the best recovery image and flash it on your phone. Flashing it via fastboot didn't work reliably for us.

Enjoy your new-found freedom!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ipad apps: AppStart Review

AppStart For iPad Review Free for a limited time only , AppStart for iPad is a terrific app by the folks over at  AppAdvice.com  that’s meant to serve as a starter guide for new iPad users and owners. The promotion is only available for a limited time as customers flock to pick up their iPad 2s this week. Whether you’ve had your iPad since launch day or you just picked one up, AppStart For iPad is a detailed and comprehensive guide for the most popular and useful ways to utilize your iPad in addition to recommending a few apps to get your feet wet. When you first open the app, the home screen is displayed in a clean grid of buttons for you to tap-in and find out everything there is to do with the iPad. Each grid-box allows you to open up a mini-guide for how you can use your iPad as an eReader, home theater, radio, nightstand, magazine, or social media hub. Within each mini-guide, the folks over at App-Advice also throw in their suggestions for both free and paid apps that re...

Ipad 2 Accesories

Zagg have done it again and released what we are excited to say is the seasons MUST HAVE iPad accessory: The  ZAGGmate iPad case with keyboard . It’s not often that we get entirely blown away by an accessory for the iPad, but this one has left us shell shocked and in awe. The perfect compliment to your iPad, this is the first iPad keyboard case combo that we have seen yet that has done it right. In fact, it’s the best bluetooth keyboard we’ve seen to date as well! It’s so right and so perfect that we already wonder how we ever used our iPad without it! Check out the review below… ZAGGmate with Keyboard The iPad’s New Best Friend Our first impression of the ZAGGmate was: “Where’s the rest of it?” This iPad case is unlike anything else we’ve seen on the market to date and the designers at Zagg worked hard to literally rethink what an iPad case could be. This is an iPad case that doesn’t cover the whole iPad, but rather just covers the iPad’s screen, and leaves the back of the tablet...

Ipad 2 Apps: Skyfire Web browser Review

Ipad 2 Apps: Skyfire Web browser Review Skyfire for the iPad made headlines when it was first released, due to its ability to play Flash videos on a device previously void of this popular technology. Users flocked to the App Store, eager to drop five bucks for the chance to view their favorite clips, shows, and movies on their iPad. Not only did the browser play these videos, but the integrated video compression saved a significant amount of bandwidth for people on a restricted data plan. The initial excitement wore off quickly, though, as complaints were rampant about many sites not playing videos as expected. Since its inception Skyfire has certainly improved in this area, now claiming support for over 200,000 websites containing Flash. The dissenters will always be there as not every Flash video on the Web will be playable, even if the developers at Skype Labs remain diligent. Some of the backlash is warranted to a certain extent. If I paid $4.99 with the intent of viewi...