Hello,
I'm hoping to get some help with my Nexus Player that has been down since N Preview 1.
To preface this, yes I've been rooting and romming for years, I would not consider myself a "newb" in the slightest but no matter what I try, I can't get this working.
I enrolled in the dev program and did the OTA for Preview 1. It got pretty laggy so I went into settings and just had it reboot. Ever since I rebooted it, it's been stuck in a boot loop.
I tried the following things in this order using stock recovery only because for some reason I can't get it to flash a custom recovery (and yes, bootloader is unlocked):
1. Wipe cache via stock recovery
2. Factory reset
3. Flash factory marshmallow image via bootloader
4. Manually flash each partition separately
5. Wipe individual partitions and then reflash their respective images
6. Nexus Root Toolkit automated "Back to stock" feature
7. Flash Google's OTA Zip file
8. Ask for help on XDA.
Regardless of what I do or how I do it, I get errors in the command prompt when flashing via fastboot and when I try to do anything via stock recovery I get the error that you see in the video.
Any help would really be appreciated.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/RVctbNjKnRE
Here's a follow up video that shows the errors that I'm getting in detail.
Thanks again for your help.
Is there really anyone that can help me?
Which method did you use to try to flash a custom recovery? Nexus Root Toolkit fails for that function but I have had success when I use the fastboot flash recovery command manually. If you manage to get TWRP 3.0.2-0 to flash and reboot in to it, you can try flashing the latest system.img file from the recovery mode's GUI (after you've saved the file on to an external storage device).
Thanks. I'm know I tried to flash twrp manually at some point but I'll give it a shot. I may also try the "Boot into Custom Recovery" that a lot of the toolkits offer. Although, I'm pretty sure I've tried that in the past too.
I'll update with results.
GabbyWC said:
Which method did you use to try to flash a custom recovery? Nexus Root Toolkit fails for that function but I have had success when I use the fastboot flash recovery command manually. If you manage to get TWRP 3.0.2-0 to flash and reboot in to it, you can try flashing the latest system.img file from the recovery mode's GUI (after you've saved the file on to an external storage device).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright,
I tried flashing via fastboot and the command prompt completes and says it's finished but when I reboot to recovery I just get the standard Android recovery.
I tried locking the bootloader so I could then unlock it and force a factory reset but it wouldn't even allow me to lock it.
Again the command prompt made it seem like it worked just fine but it didn't actually do it.
Try the fastboot boot recovery (filename) command as an alternative. I suggest not using the current version of Nexus Root Toolkit for anything recovery-related when it comes to the Nexus Player. In other words, use the AndroidSDKSlim package and try things manually with the command prompt.
Okay. I'll give it a shot.
GabbyWC said:
Try the fastboot boot recovery (filename) command as an alternative. I suggest not using the current version of Nexus Root Toolkit for anything recovery-related when it comes to the Nexus Player. In other words, use the AndroidSDKSlim package and do things with the command line utility.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That command won't even work for me.
Fastboot boot recovery [file path to twrp]
https://goo.gl/photos/mYKGkxEfsaJE6gXK7
According to the attached picture, the actual command may be slightly different. Based on your most recent pictures, however, it seems that you may not be going through the manual process as I would expect. What I mean, for example, is:
1) Download AndroidSDKSlim.zip and extract it to your C: drive. Copy the twrp.img file to the platform-tools folder.
2) Use the search function of Windows 10 to load cmd.exe.
3) Navigate to the platform-tools directory by using the cd (directory path) command.
4) After you've navigated in to the platform-tools folder, try the recovery flash command I suggested earlier or the one shown in the attached screenshot.
GabbyWC said:
According to the attached picture, the actual command may be slightly different. Based on your most recent pictures, however, it seems that you may not be going through the manual process as I would expect. What I mean, for example, is:
1) Download AndroidSDKSlim.zip and extract it to your C: drive. Copy the twrp.img file to the platform-tools folder.
2) Use the search function of Windows 10 to load cmd.exe.
3) Navigate to the platform-tools directory by using the cd (directory path) command.
4) After you've navigated in to the platform-tools folder, try the recovery flash command I suggested earlier or the one shown in the attached screenshot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've uploaded what I did to YouTube.
Okay, I watched your video. The picture I attached in my previous post says to type in fastboot boot twrp.img whereas you still left in the word recovery before the file name.
GabbyWC said:
Okay, I watched your video. The picture I attached in my previous post says to type in fastboot boot twrp.img whereas you still left in the word recovery before the file name.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Holy moly, didn't even notice! I'll try now and report back!
GabbyWC said:
Okay, I watched your video. The picture I attached in my previous post says to type in fastboot boot twrp.img whereas you still left in the word recovery before the file name.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright! I tried it and instead of rebooting into a recovery, it just reboots the bootloader.
Which recovery does it boot in to if you then use the bottom button to access recovery mode immediately after this step?
---------- Post added at 04:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:39 PM ----------
If that still doesn't let you in to the custom recovery, I'll quote WugFresh on something else you can try with his Nexus Root Toolkit (if you haven't already done so).
2. The toolkit can be used to flash these factory packages, but if you are experiencing "system.img" not found errors, due to a possible issue with google's package - simply enable FORCE FLASH MODE, which is in the toolkits main options menu (just make sure you have selected the correct device before flashing).
3. If you experienced any weirdness or you device is messed up, simply use "Flash Stock + Unroot' with "Softbrick mode" to restore your device back to stock (you can also use this to flash Lollipop directly - which, as I just mentioned - may be good to enable force flash mode first).
See next post.
GabbyWC said:
Which recovery does it boot in to if you then use the bottom button to access recovery mode immediately after this step?
---------- Post added at 04:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:39 PM ----------
If that still doesn't let you in to the custom recovery, I'll quote WugFresh on something else you can try with his Nexus Root Toolkit (if you haven't already done so).
2. The toolkit can be used to flash these factory packages, but if you are experiencing "system.img" not found errors, due to a possible issue with google's package - simply enable FORCE FLASH MODE, which is in the toolkits main options menu (just make sure you have selected the correct device before flashing).
3. If you experienced any weirdness or you device is messed up, simply use "Flash Stock + Unroot' with "Softbrick mode" to restore your device back to stock (you can also use this to flash Lollipop directly - which, as I just mentioned - may be good to enable force flash mode first).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get the stock Android recovery if I reboot into recovery immediately after that step using the hardware button.
Also, I've tried the force flash through NRT, I've tried manually flashing each image via NRT (and via command prompt via fastboot). It seems to be able to write every single partition EXCEPT the system partition, and clearly it's having issues getting a recovery to stick too.
It's unfortunate that none of these troubleshooting ideas has worked for you. If a preview image of Android N caused this, I'm starting to think that a factory image of a stable Android N release may be necessary to fully flash the device.
GabbyWC said:
It's unfortunate that none of these troubleshooting ideas has worked for you. If a preview image of Android N caused this, I'm starting to think that a factory image of a stable Android N release may be necessary to fully flash the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think that will work. Regardless of what image I'm flashing that shouldn't change the fact that I can't write to the system partition at all or that a recovery won't stick.
GabbyWC said:
It's unfortunate that none of these troubleshooting ideas has worked for you. If a preview image of Android N caused this, I'm starting to think that a factory image of a stable Android N release may be necessary to fully flash the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I've waited all this time to flash the stable Nougat build on this Nexus Player and I'm still seeing all the same errors.
When I boot into stock recovery and "adb sideload" the update I get errors saying "unable to mount cache" and when I try to flash via fastboot I get errors saying it can't write the system partition.
I wish we could get some more attention to this thread, this is beginning to seem like it's impossible...
Related
Hello everyone!
I tried to restore the stock image using Nexus 4 Tool Kit (both the original one and the Wug's one), and everytime I tried, the script stucked at "writing system".
I manually flashed system and userdata images with Wug's tool kit and everything went well but I only have 5Gb memory instead of 16.
Does anyone know why?
Try this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2033692
[HOW-TO] Fix internal storage if 16GB now shows 8GB
Sent from my Nexus 4
OP...
In future, don't use a toolkit. Do it yourself
I'm having a similar problem to the OP - I'm trying to do a factory restore, and am unable to flash the "system" image. I can't boot, recovery mode won't work anymore (I get a red warning sign instead)...
I think all of this has to do with me being naieve and following a youtube video instead of the CM wiki to install CM 10.1.
How can I unbrick my phone?
4OnTheFloor said:
I'm having a similar problem to the OP - I'm trying to do a factory restore, and am unable to flash the "system" image. I can't boot, recovery mode won't work anymore (I get a red warning sign instead)...
I think all of this has to do with me being naieve and following a youtube video instead of the CM wiki to install CM 10.1.
How can I unbrick my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When going into recovery the warning sign is the splash screen for stock recovery. This likely means that you have not yet flashed a custom recovery yet, which is necessary to flash CM. First read this guide to unlock the bootloader (if you havent already), then flash a custom recovery (preferably TWRP). After you have installed the recovery, download CM as well as the latest gapps package and place them somewhere on your internal sd. Boot into recovery and go to the wipe menu, then swipe to factory reset. Finally flash the rom and gapps, and then reboot.
4OnTheFloor said:
I'm having a similar problem to the OP - I'm trying to do a factory restore, and am unable to flash the "system" image. I can't boot, recovery mode won't work anymore (I get a red warning sign instead)...
I think all of this has to do with me being naieve and following a youtube video instead of the CM wiki to install CM 10.1.
How can I unbrick my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are doing a factory restore and DONT need to flash everything individually than don't. yes its good to know how to do it manually but if your flashing everything back just use the script that google provides.
reboot to bootloader/fastboot and run the flash-all.bat file and its all done for you. no toolkits no playing with commands that you dont know properly etc.
if you dont know how to do it right pick the least complicated option.
noobdeagle said:
if you are doing a factory restore and DONT need to flash everything individually than don't. yes its good to know how to do it manually but if your flashing everything back just use the script that google provides.
reboot to bootloader/fastboot and run the flash-all.bat file and its all done for you. no toolkits no playing with commands that you dont know properly etc.
if you dont know how to do it right pick the least complicated option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using the .bat file... I've also tried the toolkit, and both appear to use the same basic procedure, and they stop at "writing system" no matter what.
Does anyone happen to know how the .bat file and toolkit get access to the phone? ...because I can't see it in adb (I'm guessing it's because I can't boot the phone.) However I can get into fastboot and recovery modes on the device.
I cannot get the device (nexus 4) to boot or connect in ADB mode to my computer. What can I do??
UPDATE - PROBLEM FIXED
I un-bricked my phone
SOLUTION this is what worked for me, your mileage may vary
Install ADB drivers, etc. from Android SDK (google how to do this)
Flash custom recovery (can be done easily with Nexus 4 Toolkit here on XDA) - I used TWRP Touch Recovery.
Once that is done, shut the phone off completely and boot into Fastboot (hold volume down and power)
Use volume keys to select Recovery Mode, then hit Power
In recovery mode:
Wipe > Advanced Wipe > Check off the box beside "System" > Swipe to Wipe
Go back to recovery mode main screen:
Wipe > Format Data > Follow the instructions on the screen
I think this step is what did it. When having problems with partitions, just format everything and start over
Now we should be able to write to the System partition, meaning you can flash a ROM and get your phone to boot again.
Follow the rest of these instructions to quickly flash the stock Android image from Google onto your phone.
Go back to recovery mode main screen, once again:
Reboot > Bootloader > Follow any additional instructions it gives you
Download Google Nexus 4 factory stock image "occam" (Google it)
When that is downloaded, open it with 7zip. Inside there are some files, one of which is called image-occam-jdq39.zip. Inside are some images - unzip those as well. You'll need the system.img file in a bit...
Using Wug's Nexus Root Toolkit (Google it - install it on your Windows PC):
Open the program
Launch advanced utilities
Hit the System button to permanently flash to System partition. Hit "ok" on the window that pops up.
Find the system.img file I mentioned back on step 10 and select that, when prompted, and open it.
If all went well, your device will now boot into the stock Android ROM.
noobdeagle said:
if you are doing a factory restore and DONT need to flash everything individually than don't. yes its good to know how to do it manually but if your flashing everything back just use the script that google provides.
reboot to bootloader/fastboot and run the flash-all.bat file and its all done for you. no toolkits no playing with commands that you dont know properly etc.
if you dont know how to do it right pick the least complicated option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too am stuck at writing system. I"m not sure what you mean when you said "run flash-all.bat". Where do I get that?
Thanks.
Soundchasr said:
I too am stuck at writing system. I"m not sure what you mean when you said "run flash-all.bat". Where do I get that?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The system takes awhile to write, how long have you guys wait before you say its "stuck"?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
About 20-25 minutes.
Yea, that's way too long.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Stuck, but working
I was flashing the 4.3 image using the included flash-all.bat (but I edited it to remove -w parameter so that it wouldn't wipe my data).
In the 'writing system' step, the command window got stuck. In the phone screen, at the bottom, it said 'writing' for a while and then that also went away. I waited for ~40 min, and still the command window was at 'writing system', so I closed the command window, and booted my phone by selecting start from the bootloader.
And voila! It worked. Booted in under a minute, the flash was a success, I got JB 4.3 without losing any of my data.
Lost my root and custom recovery though. But I knew that would happen. Gonna try SuperSu for 4.3 now, after flashing TWRP.
Had the same problem, tried everything! With my tiny powers, but it kept stucking at "writing system" . I thought that I bricked the device, so for the last hope, I installed WugFresh's Nexus Toolkit and did a Fast Stock + unroot. It Installed everything flawlessly! I'm gonna donate to that guy! He's a godsend savior.
My wife has a rooted nexus 7 2012 wifi and she unintentionally accepted the ota Android 4.3 update. So of course it unrooted her.
I originally had a hell of a time rooting this tablet using wugfresh nexus toolkit. Took me several days to succeed and the same thing is happening again. My Windows 7 laptop keeps installing the wrong drivers even though I selected the option to disable the auto driver configuration. Also USBDeview never shows the installed Samsung adb drivers yet when I try to install them I am warned they are already installed. It's already been hours and who knows how many retries and reboots!
So even though I'm a newbie I decided to go the Android sdk route.
1. Where do I download the files I need to just root the darn tablet?
2. What do I do next?
Please keep it simple........
Anyone want to walk me through it on the phone?
Thanks
If you are new to using SDK, check this out for a well laid out tut on how to get set up and rooted.
I now have android sdk set up.
What are the commands I should issue to root?
Thanks
now you need to flash a custom recovery then flash a root zip file via windows command prompt...Have you figured out how to interface with your device and the windows command prompt? eg;
-a good first command is "adb devices" and see if it lists your device, if it does your golden...
-then you would issue "adb reboot bootloader"
-once in bootloader you would issue "fastboot flash recovery whateverrecoveryouchose.img"
-then while in bootloader toggle with the volume keys to "recovery" option and press power
-now you will be in your new recovery you just flashed and you can push the zipped root file you chose to the sdcard, "adb push rootyouchose.zip /sdcard/"
-once its been pushed you can flash it in recovery and reboot, and you are now rooted
-this is the latest cwm recovery that you could flash in fastboot as described above
-this would be the root file you want to push then flash in recovery
-this may be of some help, scroll down halfway
Thank you so much for helping. You can't know how much it is appreciated.
-a good first command is "adb devices" and see if it lists your device, if it does your golden...
Got that. It works!!
-then you would issue "adb reboot bootloader"
Worked! Got the Android on his back.
-once in bootloader you would issue "fastboot flash recovery whateverrecoveryouchose.img"
Is recovery image on my pc or the tablet?
Why do I have to indicate the img name here if I will later select it
When I write
Fastboot flash......... Img
I get
Unknown partition 'the image file name'
"error : cannot determine image filename for. '.......'
You need to have downloaded a recovery image, that is what you flash I linked to one on my last post, that file is called "recovery-clockwork-touch-6.0.4.3-grouper.img" so you would issue,
fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-touch-6.0.4.3-grouper.img
"fastboot flash recovery" is telling it to flash a recovery file and "recovery-clockwork-touch-6.0.4.3-grouper.img" is the recovery file in this case to be flashed so, combined its, "fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-touch-6.0.4.3-grouper.img"
I do not use Windows, I use a terminal instead of windows command prompt so I can't be specific as I am not too familiar with windows command prompt. With terminal it is much easier in my opinion but you need to be running nix or Mac OS to have a terminal
OK, still can't get past the final stage in rooting my wife's nexus 2012 nexus 7.
I have the proper drivers installed and it connects fine with my Windows 7 laptop.
From a Windows 7 command prompt
1. "abd devices "
Correctly returns the attached nexus
2. "abd reboot bootloader "
Correctly reboots the tablet
3. **here's where things breakdown :
I downloaded the latest twrp openrecovery img for grouper and renamed it (for simpler typing)
" openrecovery-twrp-grouper.img"
However, when I now issue the command
"fastboot flash recovery openrecovery-twrp-grouper.img"
I get an error :
Cannot open openrecovery-twrp-grouper.img
The same thing happened with the clockwork-touch recovery img. That is why I downloaded the twrp img which I am more familiar with anyway.
So, am I missing a step between rebooting the bootloader and flashing the recovery? After the bootloader is rebooted and I get the Android on his back with an empty belly, do I need to do something else before flashing?
Do I need to put the recovery image somewhere special in the nexus file structure?
I'm stuck.
Thanks
Anderson2 said:
OK, still can't get past the final stage in rooting my wife's nexus 2012 nexus 7.
I have the proper drivers installed and it connects fine with my Windows 7 laptop.
From a Windows 7 command prompt
1. "abd devices "
Correctly returns the attached nexus
2. "abd reboot bootloader "
Correctly reboots the tablet
3. **here's where things breakdown :
I downloaded the latest twrp openrecovery img for grouper and renamed it (for simpler typing)
" openrecovery-twrp-grouper.img"
However, when I now issue the command
"fastboot flash recovery openrecovery-twrp-grouper.img"
I get an error :
Cannot open openrecovery-twrp-grouper.img
The same thing happened with the clockwork-touch recovery img. That is why I downloaded the twrp img which I am more familiar with anyway.
So, am I missing a step between rebooting the bootloader and flashing the recovery? After the bootloader is rebooted and I get the Android on his back with an empty belly, do I need to do something else before flashing?
Do I need to put the recovery image somewhere special in the nexus file structure?
I'm stuck.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, Anderson2...
If I may throw in my couple of cents...
The recovery.img file to be fastboot flashed (TWRP or CWM, it really doesn't matter which) needs be to stored on your PC... on the same PATH as the FASTBOOT.EXE file. The easiest way of accomplishing this, is to copy it directly into the folder that contains your FASTBOOT and ADB executables.
Where this folder is located on your PC depends on how you have fastboot setup, but it's usually stored in a folder called /Platform-Tools (if I remember correctly). But because I've never bothered myself installing the whole Android SDK (of which Fastboot is a part of) on my PC, I'm not sure of it's precise PATH (ie. it's location) but I think it's somewhere in the Android SDK folder.
For myself, I just maintain a simple folder on the Windows desktop containing the FASTBOOT.EXE and ADB.EXE files and a few necessary Windows .DLL files. When I wish to fastboot flash a Custom Recovery, I simply copy the Custom Recovery .img file (TWRP or CWM) into this folder, rename it to recovery.img (renaming it thus makes typing at the command prompt easier, and reduces the scope for potential typos)... boot the Nexus 7 into the bootloader, hook it up to my PC via USB. And then open a command prompt on the folder, and run...
Code:
fastboot devices
This is purely diagnostic, and hopefully confirms a working fastboot connection.
You should see something like this...
Code:
025d2d424bxxxxx fastboot
A serial number followed by the word fastboot. If you see this, you can go ahead and run...
Code:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
(This command assumes an unlocked bootloader... indicated by an unlocked padlock symbol under the Google logo upon boot. If it isn't, you should unlock it with fastboot oem unlock BEFORE fastboot flashing the Custom Recovery).
My point is, though... the 'recovery.img' to be flashed must be in the same folder as the FASTBOOT.EXE file, or as you have discovered, you will get the error "Cannot open recovery-twrp-grouper.img".
If fastboot can't find it.. it can't open it.
Hope this helps.
Rgrds.
Ged.
GedBlake said:
Hi, Anderson2...
If I may throw in my couple of cents...
The recovery.img file to be fastboot flashed (TWRP or CWM, it really doesn't matter which) needs be to stored on your PC... on the same PATH as the FASTBOOT.EXE file. The easiest way of accomplishing this, is to copy it directly into the folder that contains your FASTBOOT and ADB executables.
Where this folder is located on your PC depends on how you have fastboot setup, but it's usually stored in a folder called /Platform-Tools (if I remember correctly). But because I've never bothered myself installing the whole Android SDK (of which Fastboot is a part of) on my PC, I'm not sure of it's precise PATH (ie. it's location) but I think it's somewhere in the Android SDK folder.
For myself, I just maintain a simple folder on the Windows desktop containing the FASTBOOT.EXE and ADB.EXE files and a few necessary Windows .DLL files. When I wish to fastboot flash a Custom Recovery, I simply copy the Custom Recovery .img file (TWRP or CWM) into this folder, rename it to recovery.img (renaming it thus makes typing at the command prompt easier, and reduces the scope for potential typos)... boot the Nexus 7 into the bootloader, hook it up to my PC via USB. And then open a command prompt on the folder, and run...
Code:
fastboot devices
This is purely diagnostic, and hopefully confirms a working fastboot connection.
You should see something like this...
Code:
025d2d424bxxxxx fastboot
A serial number followed by the word fastboot. If you see this, you can go ahead and run...
Code:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
(This command assumes an unlocked bootloader... indicated by an unlocked padlock symbol under the Google logo upon boot. If it isn't, you should unlock it with fastboot oem unlock BEFORE fastboot flashing the Custom Recovery).
My point is, though... the 'recovery.img' to be flashed must be in the same folder as the FASTBOOT.EXE file, or as you have discovered, you will get the error "Cannot open recovery-twrp-grouper.img".
If fastboot can't find it.. it can't open it.
Hope this helps.
Rgrds.
Ged.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much! That is very helpful. I had assumed the recovery img should be on the tablet. No wonder fastboot could not find it! I'm sure that will solve my problem.
Thank you for helping. I'm slowly learning my way around the adb, fastboot commands as I'm sure I'll need them again when 4.4 unroots me again.
Anderson2 said:
Thank you very much! That is very helpful. I had assumed the recovery img should be on the tablet. No wonder fastboot could not find it! I'm sure that will solve my problem.
Thank you for helping. I'm slowly learning my way around the adb, fastboot commands as I'm sure I'll need them again when 4.4 unroots me again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, problem Anderson2... glad to help.
Adb and fastboot are indeed powerful and useful tools, and I would strongly recommend anybody wishing to 'modify' their Nexus 7 (everything from rooting to flashing Custom ROMs) to familiarise themselves with the fundamentals of their operation... rather than relying on toolkits.
There are actually ways of flashing TWRP or CWM Custom Recoveries directly from the Nexus 7 itself, without recourse to either fastboot or the need for a PC... by using apps like Flash Image GUI or Flashify. But these apps need you to be already rooted, unfortunately.
So to summarize how to acquire root the old fashioned way....
---------------------------------------
1). Unlock the bootloader first with fastboot oem unlock. For security reasons, this will factory reset the device... ie., WIPE everything on it.
...but I assume your Nexus 7's bootloader is already unlocked, given it's been rooted once before.
And so swiftly skipping forward to step 2...
2). Fastboot flash a Custom Recovery (CWM or TWRP) with fastboot flash recovery recovery.img... where 'recovery.img' is the Custom Recovery of your choice. Reboot the device by using the Custom Recovery's own reboot option.
3). Download Chainfire's UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.65.zip root package directly to your Nexus 7. This DOES need to be on the Nexus 7. Most Android browsers (including Chrome) download stuff to the /download folder on the devices internal storage. You'll need to remember the location, for when you come to flash it with either CWM or TWRP.
4). Boot the Nexus 7 into the bootloader. Although you can do it with adb reboot bootloader, you can also do it manually as follows...
- Shut down the Nexus 7 completely.
- Press and hold the VOL-DOWN button... whilst holding, press the POWER-ON button for about 5-10 seconds. The device should now boot into the bootloader.
5). Boot into your Custom Recovery... whilst in the bootloader, use the VOL-KEYS to navigate to the RECOVERY MODE option, and press the POWER BUTTON to select. The device will now boot into either CWM or TWRP Custom Recovery.... whichever one you fastboot flashed earlier.
6). Now to ROOT!
** If using TWRP... tap on the INSTALL button, and then navigate to the /download folder on the Nexus 7's internal storage, and where Chainfires UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.65.zip is awaiting. Tap on it, and Swipe to Confirm Flash.
** If using CWM... tap on the INSTALL ZIP option, followed by CHOOSE ZIP FROM /SDCARD... tap on the folder 0/... this gives you access to the internal storage of the Nexus 7... from which you can navigate to the /download folder, where again, Chainfires UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.65.zip is awaiting. Tap on NO (the first default option) or YES - Install UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.65.zip.
On every screen in the CWM filemanager (by which you navigate) there is ALWAYS a ++++Go Back++++ option at the bottom of the screen. So you can always backout out of anything. In CWM you can also use the VOL UP and DOWN keys to scroll, with the POWER-BUTTON to select an option.
Once you have flashed Chainfire's SuperSU root package, reboot the device with the Custom Recovery's own reboot option.
Upon reboot, and whichever Custom Recovery you're using , it ***MIGHT*** suggest you are unrooted... and offer to fix root for you. Ignore it, and continue to reboot.
---------------------------------------
And that's it... that's how you root a first generation Nexus 7 (2012).
Hope this is of use and... Good luck.
Rgrds,
Ged.
GedBlake said:
No, problem Anderson2... glad to help.
Adb and fastboot are indeed powerful and useful tools, and I would strongly recommend anybody wishing to 'modify' their Nexus 7 (everything from rooting to flashing Custom ROMs) to familiarise themselves with the fundamentals of their operation... rather than relying on toolkits.
There are actually ways of flashing TWRP or CWM Custom Recoveries directly from the Nexus 7 itself, without recourse to either fastboot or the need for a PC... by using apps like Flash Image GUI or Flashify. But these apps need you to be already rooted, unfortunately.
So to summarize how to acquire root the old fashioned way....
---------------------------------------
1). Unlock the bootloader first with fastboot oem unlock. For security reasons, this will factory reset the device... ie., WIPE everything on it. I assume your bootloader is already unlocked.
So swiftly skipping forward to step 2....
2). Fastboot flash a Custom Recovery (CWM or TWRP) with fastboot flash recovery recovery.img... where 'recovery.img' is the Custom Recovery of your choice. Reboot the device by using the Custom Recovery's own reboot option.
3). Download Chainfire's UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.65.zip root package directly to your Nexus 7. This DOES need to be on the Nexus 7. Most Android browsers (including Chrome) download stuff to the /download folder on the devices internal storage. You'll need to remember the location, for when you come to flash it with either CWM or TWRP.
4). Boot the Nexus 7 into the bootloader. Although you can do it with adb reboot bootloader, you can also do it manually as follows...
- Shut down the Nexus 7 completely.
- Press and hold the VOL-DOWN button... whilst holding, press the POWER-ON button for about 5-10 seconds. The device should now boot into the bootloader.
5). Boot into your Custom Recovery... whilst in the bootloader, use the VOL-KEYS to navigate to the RECOVERY MODE option, and press the POWER BUTTON to select. The device will now boot into either CWM or TWRP Custom Recovery.... whichever one you fastboot flashed earlier.
6). Now to ROOT!
** If using TWRP... tap on the INSTALL button, and then navigate to the /download folder on the Nexus 7's internal storage, and where Chainfires UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.65.zip is awaiting. Tap on it, and Swipe to Confirm Flash.
** If using CWM... tap on the INSTALL ZIP option, followed by CHOOSE ZIP FROM /SDCARD... tap on the folder 0/... this gives you access to the internal storage of the Nexus 7... from which you can navigate to the /download folder, where again, Chainfires UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.65.zip is awaiting. Tap on NO (the first default option) or YES - Install UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.65.zip.
On every screen in the CWM filemanager (by which you navigate) there is ALWAYS a ++++Go Back++++ option at the bottom of the screen. So you can always backout out of anything. In CWM you can also use the VOL UP and DOWN keys to scroll, with the POWER-BUTTON to select an option.
Once you have flashed Chainfire's SuperSU root package, reboot the device with the Custom Recovery's own reboot option.
Upon reboot, and whichever Custom Recovery you're using , it ***MIGHT*** suggest you are unrooted... and offer to fix root for you. Ignore it, and continue to reboot.
---------------------------------------
And that's it... that's how you root a first generation Nexus 7 (2012).
Hope this is of use and... Good luck.
Rgrds,
Ged.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you all very much. I greatly appreciate your help.
This post should be a sticky!
One more question, this nexus 7 2012 is my wife's. But I also own a nexus 7I this one a 2013 which is currently rooted with Android 4.3 and twrp Nandroid backups. I'm afraid that when the 4.4 ota upgrade comes along it might again unroot both our tablets. Are the rooting commands or procedures different for the 2013 nexus 7 (other than using a flo recovery img,) or do I do exactly the same as described above?
Again, you guys are wonderful to help us newbies out. Many thanks to all. Wish I could do something in return.
Anderson2 said:
Thank you all very much. I greatly appreciate your help.
This post should be a sticky!
One more question, this nexus 7 2012 is my wife's. But I also own a nexus 7I this one a 2013 which is currently rooted with Android 4.3 and twrp Nandroid backups. I'm afraid that when the 4.4 ota upgrade comes along it might again unroot both our tablets. Are the rooting commands or procedures different for the 2013 nexus 7 (other than using a flo recovery img,) or do I do exactly the same as described above?
Again, you guys are wonderful to help us newbies out. Many thanks to all. Wish I could do something in return.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello again, Anderson2...
Well, you sort of are already doing something in return.... you're asking questions.
Questions that require answers. Those answers, whoever posts them, may be of assistance to somebody else. Somebody else looking for a solution to a similar problem.
I always look upon these forums as a means of sharing. Not everybody can know everything. God knows, I don't know everything.... and I've been messing around with Android for three years now. So don't worry so much about it being a quid pro quo sort of arrangement.
I know what I know primarily as a result of my own experiences and what I've learned here from the many (in most cases, more knowledgeable) posters here on XDA. What you learn today, you can pass on to others, tomorrow (metaphorically speaking). We, all of us, stand on the shoulders of each other.
With regard to the second generation Nexus 7 (2013)... I'm afraid I really don't know much about it... but I'd be surprised if rooting it deviated significantly from rooting the first generation Nexus 7....
Namely...
1). Unlock the bootloader.
2). Flash a Custom Recovery.
3). Using that Custom Recovery, flash some SU root package... probably from Chainfire.
Anyway, I've found this tutorial here...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2382051
...and it appears to follow a very similar template.
The Nexus 7 (2013) forum itself, which is also worth visiting, is located here....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-7-2013
Rgrds,
Ged.
i used nexus root tool kit to update nexus 4 from 4.4 to 5.0... all done in pc but mobile is stuck in boot loop. can anyone tell me how can i restore my phone to normal working...
Please help me i am noob here
is there any one who can help me here
i thought i will get ans with in 1hr... still waiting if someone can help
letsnexus said:
i thought i will get ans with in 1hr... still waiting if someone can help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why we don't recommended using tool kits. You should try flashing the factory image using fastboot.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
Same here, i tried re-flashing many times. Darn that nexus root toolkit
any suggetion or link which can help me to use fastboot use and install stock rom
thank alot for help
I am currently in the same position ! Used a toolkit too, always have.
This is why you never use a Toolkit, it's always been mentioned around in XDA that this has always been a developer website of learning and knowledge. You must always know what goes on behind than just blindly flashing things. It's a rule of thumb that you're more likely to brick your phone with a Toolkit than by yourself. Easiest step as follows.
1. Download factory image
2. Download ADB files
3. Make a folder and extract the adb files and factory image inside the same folder.
4. Plug the phone in bootloader mode or simply type adb reboot bootloader (Developer options must be enabled and USB Debugging) by exiting the folder, holding shift, right clicking the folder and pressing open command window and typing the command.
5. Every factory image comes with a flashall.bat, double click it and voila. Updates like it should. (User data will be wiped)
If you don't want your userdata to be wiped, simply open flashall.bat with notepad++, erase the '-w' in "fastboot -w update image" and save the file and launch it again.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
I will try that way later when I get in, I would have assumed that the toolkit did exactly those steps though, just an easy to use frontend
hazwheel said:
I will try that way later when I get in, I would have assumed that the toolkit did exactly those steps though, just an easy to use frontend
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to stock recovery and do factory data reset and reboot phone. First time boot takes very long time (around 10 to 15 minutes). After successfully boot into android L check for the storage space. If it says only 5 GB available instead of 12 GB (My nexus is 16GB) then Go to Settings > Backup & Reset and select Factory data reset.
I had experienced these issues when upgrading to Lollypop and solved them on my own.
Note: If you were not able to boot into stock recovery, try twrp recovery. you have to install it using fastboot
fastboot flash recovery <filename.img>
letsnexus said:
any suggetion or link which can help me to use fastboot use and install stock rom
thank alot for help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
although the link is for kitkat but the same method applies to flashing lollipop
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-4/general/how-to-how-to-flash-factory-image-t2010312
moorthidaniel said:
Go to stock recovery and do factory data reset and reboot phone. First time boot takes very long time (around 10 to 15 minutes). After successfully boot into android L check for the storage space. If it says only 5 GB available instead of 12 GB (My nexus is 16GB) then Go to Settings > Backup & Reset and select Factory data reset.
I had experienced these issues when upgrading to Lollypop and solved them on my own.
Note: If you were not able to boot into stock recovery, try twrp recovery. you have to install it using fastboot
fastboot flash recovery <filename.img>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I was able to get into recovery with this method, and wipe but I get can't mount cache errors during the wipe , waiting for the phone to reboot now, hopefully it will and get out of the bootloop. stupid thing is I'm not a noob, but stumped by this. Good excuse to upgrade to the N5 I guess
---------- Post added at 03:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:55 PM ----------
Wow, this method worked! Brilliant! Thanks, and dammit, it worked, 10 minutes after she agreed to me getting am upgrade !
For all of you whom are stuck in bootloop a fastboot oem lock comand when in fastboot will solve the problem.
So go into bootloader and run "fastboot oem lock" for some reason on some devices Android 5.0 won't boot with unlocked bootloader.
hazwheel said:
OK, I was able to get into recovery with this method, and wipe but I get can't mount cache errors during the wipe , waiting for the phone to reboot now, hopefully it will and get out of the bootloop. stupid thing is I'm not a noob, but stumped by this. Good excuse to upgrade to the N5 I guess
---------- Post added at 03:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:55 PM ----------
Wow, this method worked! Brilliant! Thanks, and dammit, it worked, 10 minutes after she agreed to me getting am upgrade !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK great. Cheers, I helped someone today in this forum.
bett3rthan said:
For all of you whom are stuck in bootloop a fastboot oem lock comand when in fastboot will solve the problem.
So go into bootloader and run "fastboot oem lock" for some reason on some devices Android 5.0 won't boot with unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That did NOT work for me, the getting into recovery and wiping the device DID work though.
---------- Post added at 04:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:03 PM ----------
moorthidaniel said:
OK great. Cheers, I helped someone today in this forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, Thanks, unfortunately, she has withdrawn the offer of an early upgrade :silly:
thax
Misledz said:
This is why you never use a Toolkit, it's always been mentioned around in XDA that this has always been a developer website of learning and knowledge. You must always know what goes on behind than just blindly flashing things. It's a rule of thumb that you're more likely to brick your phone with a Toolkit than by yourself. Easiest step as follow
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you alot, you help in really good manner
and teached us not to use toolkit
will learn more abt rooting and flashing thank you once again
I am hitting this problem now, I got a OTA. After restarting its keep on looping waiting for more than 20mins still it's looping.
Tried going to boot-menu and did factory reset and it booted good after ~10 mins.
sububack said:
I am hitting this problem now, I got a OTA. After restarting its keep on looping waiting for more than 20mins still it's looping.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Power off, hold Vol Down + Power, when you get to the Android laying down, press volume up + pwr, then wipe the /cache from the menu (you do not need to do a full factory wipe, just wiping cache will do), and then reboot and wait. It will boot this time properly. @WugFresh is aware of the issue and said will put a fix in 1.9.9 for the N4
Thanks , I have tried clearing the cache and started waiting for an hour. Since it was still looping tried after factory reset/wiping user data. And then after 10min it came good.
I post this on Google Product Forum 2 days ago. Hope it helps
https://productforums.google.com/fo...ce=footer#!msg/nexus/Lv8fHtyJOPQ/wDzRUm4b2UsJ
(updated 29/11/2014)[not perfect but it is a SOLUTION]
The idea of this is to downgrade your nexus 4 without wiping your data, which means stuff you will need includes:
1. adb and fastboot on your computer (I am using mac but you can find it on windows as well. There are tones of website and forums telling you the latest method of getting it onto your computer)
2. factory image of nexus 4(I use 4.4.4, since that's what it was. I don't have the time and energy to try to do the same thing with lollipop. you can try can leave a comment).
update: do NOT try to flash 5.0 rom using this method. You will be stuck at boot loop again
3. usb cable
4. nexus 4 with unlocked bootloader(the process of unlocking bootloader will wipe your device)
5. computer
steps
1. unzip the factory image (something.tgz)
2. for me, after unzipping the .tgz, I still find another .zip inside. unzip that too.
3. hold vol+, vol-, and power button simultaneously to enter fastboot mode
4. open terminal(mac)(it would probably be cmd for windows)
5. connect your nexus 4(in fastboot)
6. to make sure it connect successfully, type "fastboot devices". if something like "005040c0d54bb291 fastboot" appears, you are good. Otherwise, try reconnect your device/boot to fastboot again/use another usb cable
7.now we need to tell the terminal to navigate to the location of the unzipped factory image. to do that, i suggest you put the unzipped folder to somewhere easy to find, like desktop. these are some commands to help you navigate:
"ls" allows you to look at whats inside the current directory of the terminal. For example, this is the output after typing "ls" for me:
some folder Photos
nexus4image.tgz how many folders do you have
5.zip occam-ktu84p
more folder occam-ktu84p.zip
after knowing where you are, use "cd" (below) to go to your folder
"cd" means change directory. For example. "cd Photos" will brings me to the "Photos" folder. And then if I type ls, I will see a whole bunch of photos in my photos. If you go to the wrong folder, type "cd ..", and it will bring you back to the previous folder.
8. flash bootloader.
enter the following command, BUT REMEMBER TO CHANGE THE NAME TO FIT YOURS(DIFFERENT VERSIONS HAVE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FILE NAME AT THE END(type ls first to help you type the correct name)
fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-mako-makoz30d.img
9. reboot bootloader. just copy and paste
fastboot reboot-bootloader
10. flash radio
enter the following command, BUT REMEMBER TO CHANGE THE NAME TO FIT YOURS(DIFFERENT VERSIONS HAVE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FILE NAME AT THE END(type ls first to help you type the correct name)
fastboot flash radio radio-mako-m9615a-cefwmazm-2.0.1701.03.img
11. reboot bootloader. just copy and paste
fastboot reboot-bootloader
12. flash system
system.img is located inside the zip, use ls to help you navigate. This steps takes the longest time, total time on this step is 87 seconds while the others are less then 1 second
fastboot flash system system.img
13. flash boot
boot.img is located inside the zip, use ls to help you navigate.
fastboot flash boot boot.img
14. flash recovery
fastboot.img is located inside the zip, use ls to help you navigate.
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
15. format cache(not the memory, so everything should be fine)
fastboot format cache
16. reboot and wait
this will reboot your device. You probably have to wait for a while to initialise all the apps. after than you are good to go!
fastboot reboot
credit: my friend for giving me this idea + http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-4/general/how-to-how-to-flash-factory-image-t2010312 + HelpMyNexus
Hello,
I saw that the OTA update to Lollipop was available on my phone today, so I went ahead and let it download. Upon completion of the download, it restarted and applied patches, then restarted again and has been stuck in boot loop for about an hour. After reading several other threads on how to try to reset the phone, I'm stuck. When I try power + volume up or down, the LED status indicator flashes red and I never get to any kind of other screen. Am I completely screwed? I previously had stock 4.4.2 with no modifications.
Finally was able to get to the bootloader menu. Apparently having the phone plugged into the charger was preventing me from getting there for some reason. I ended up having to wipe the phone to get it to boot
so you can get into clock recovery right? download nexus 4 toolkit..that might save your phone. I suggest you to unroot and flash everything to stock and then unlock again and start everything from scratch. good luck.
Similar issue on an OTA upgrade to an unrooted N4. It's stuck on the Lollipol boot screen with the rotating Circle thingies.
I can get to the Android System Recovery but there's no CWM or TWRP on my N4. I'm guessing a factory reset will fix it but is there a way to preserve my pics/files on the phone before doing so?
Sportfreunde said:
Similar issue on an OTA upgrade to an unrooted N4. It's stuck on the Lollipol boot screen with the rotating Circle thingies.
I can get to the Android System Recovery but there's no CWM or TWRP on my N4. I'm guessing a factory reset will fix it but is there a way to preserve my pics/files on the phone before doing so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess TWRP Recovery has option to enable MTP and you can access the internal SD card by connecting mobile with computer using usb cable.
---------- Post added at 06:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:37 PM ----------
Sportfreunde said:
Similar issue on an OTA upgrade to an unrooted N4. It's stuck on the Lollipol boot screen with the rotating Circle thingies.
I can get to the Android System Recovery but there's no CWM or TWRP on my N4. I'm guessing a factory reset will fix it but is there a way to preserve my pics/files on the phone before doing so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash TWRP Recovery using fastboot.
1. If you have otg y cable, connect it and use file manager to copy all the files.
2. OTG method is failed then select “Mount”, then select only “Data” and connect your Nexus 4 to your computer and Enable MTP in TWRP. now you can use adb pull and push commands.
I ended up going the factory reset route, which wasn't really a bad thing. My photos had been backed up in dropbox and the play store remembered all the apps and were able to reload them. The only things I really had to do was reload some music onto the phone and re-enter passwords for apps.
Same story here: sideloaded the OTA zip file, then had bootloop. Tried a few approaches, but none worked. In the end only wiping the data was the solution for me. Lost some userdata in a few important Apps...
I went through this yesterday. The only way to get it to boot is a Factory Reset from Recovery. It works like magic, but sucks you lose the data.
Got the OTA yesterday and also got a bootloop(stuck in boot screen animation). I couldnt afford losing my photos/videos as i had no backup , so i figured out a super easy to get it to boot without wiping data .
I was unrooted with stock recovery running stock 4.4.2, bootloader was unlocked. I flashed CWM recovery through fastboot and wiped chache+ Dalvik from there then simply rebooted the phone .
I had already tried wiping cache from the stock Android recovery,needless to say that didnt work for me.
If anyone else is having the same problem please try the method above and report back, cheers!
I post this on Google Product Forum 2 days ago. Hope it helps
https://productforums.google.com/for...Q/wDzRUm4b2UsJ
(updated 29/11/2014)[not perfect but it is a SOLUTION]
The idea of this is to downgrade your nexus 4 without wiping your data, which means stuff you will need includes:
1. adb and fastboot on your computer (I am using mac but you can find it on windows as well. There are tones of website and forums telling you the latest method of getting it onto your computer)
2. factory image of nexus 4(I use 4.4.4, since that's what it was. I don't have the time and energy to try to do the same thing with lollipop. you can try can leave a comment).
update: do NOT try to flash 5.0 rom using this method. You will be stuck at boot loop again
3. usb cable
4. nexus 4 with unlocked bootloader(the process of unlocking bootloader will wipe your device)
5. computer
steps
1. unzip the factory image (something.tgz)
2. for me, after unzipping the .tgz, I still find another .zip inside. unzip that too.
3. hold vol+, vol-, and power button simultaneously to enter fastboot mode
4. open terminal(mac)(it would probably be cmd for windows)
5. connect your nexus 4(in fastboot)
6. to make sure it connect successfully, type "fastboot devices". if something like "005040c0d54bb291 fastboot" appears, you are good. Otherwise, try reconnect your device/boot to fastboot again/use another usb cable
7.now we need to tell the terminal to navigate to the location of the unzipped factory image. to do that, i suggest you put the unzipped folder to somewhere easy to find, like desktop. these are some commands to help you navigate:
"ls" allows you to look at whats inside the current directory of the terminal. For example, this is the output after typing "ls" for me:
some folder Photos
nexus4image.tgz how many folders do you have
5.zip occam-ktu84p
more folder occam-ktu84p.zip
after knowing where you are, use "cd" (below) to go to your folder
"cd" means change directory. For example. "cd Photos" will brings me to the "Photos" folder. And then if I type ls, I will see a whole bunch of photos in my photos. If you go to the wrong folder, type "cd ..", and it will bring you back to the previous folder.
8. flash bootloader.
enter the following command, BUT REMEMBER TO CHANGE THE NAME TO FIT YOURS(DIFFERENT VERSIONS HAVE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FILE NAME AT THE END(type ls first to help you type the correct name)
fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-mako-makoz30d.img
9. reboot bootloader. just copy and paste
fastboot reboot-bootloader
10. flash radio
enter the following command, BUT REMEMBER TO CHANGE THE NAME TO FIT YOURS(DIFFERENT VERSIONS HAVE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FILE NAME AT THE END(type ls first to help you type the correct name)
fastboot flash radio radio-mako-m9615a-cefwmazm-2.0.1701.03.img
11. reboot bootloader. just copy and paste
fastboot reboot-bootloader
12. flash system
system.img is located inside the zip, use ls to help you navigate. This steps takes the longest time, total time on this step is 87 seconds while the others are less then 1 second
fastboot flash system system.img
13. flash boot
boot.img is located inside the zip, use ls to help you navigate.
fastboot flash boot boot.img
14. flash recovery
fastboot.img is located inside the zip, use ls to help you navigate.
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
15. format cache(not the memory, so everything should be fine)
fastboot format cache
16. reboot and wait
this will reboot your device. You probably have to wait for a while to initialise all the apps. after than you are good to go!
fastboot reboot
credit: my friend for giving me this idea + http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexu...image-t2010312 + HelpMyNexus
Tired of waiting for the OTA? Can't use it because you're rooted? Don't want to wipe your entire phone? No problem! Here's how you can upgrade with Google's Nexus factory images without wiping your apps or sdcard.
NOTE: You must have your bootloader unlocked. If you've never unlocked your bootloader, I don't think there's any way to do this without wiping your data.
STEP 1: Install fastboot
Fastboot is Google's utility for flashing factory images. You can also use it to flash custom recoveries like TWRP and CWM. The standard way to get is is through Google's Android SDK, but that's a bit heavy-duty, so you can also download just the most important tools (fastboot and adb) separately, packaged by users. Here are some links:
Official Google Android SDK (cross-platform): http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html#Other[1]
Unofficial for Windows: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html#Other[2]
Unofficial Mac/Linux: http://code.google.com/p/adb-fastboot-install/[3]
Windows users might also need to install drivers: http://developer.android.com/sdk/win-usb.html[4] (can any Windows users confirm whether it's necessary?)
STEP 2: Prepare factory image
Download the latest Nexus 6 factory image at https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images#shamu[5]
Unzip it and open the resulting folder
Unzip the "image-shamu-*.zip" file in there
You should now be looking at something like this: http://i.imgur.com/mzrfwrP.png [6]
STEP 3: Flash! (Ah-ahhhhh! [7] )
Connect your phone to your computer via USB, and enter the bootloader. You can enter the bootloader by holding down the power and volume-down buttons to boot. Once you see the bootloader, you can release the buttons.
Open a terminal/command prompt. The syntax might be slightly different on Windows than on Mac or Linux, but basically the same. Anything you see in <> you need to replace, e.g. with the actual path to your factory image folder. The rest you should be able to copy and paste. (Tip: you can easily enter a folder path into your terminal/command prompt by simply dragging the folder onto your terminal window. This works on Mac, Windows, and the vast majority of Linux GUIs.) Enter these commands:
cd </path/to/shamu-lmy47d>
fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-shamu-moto-apq8084-71.08.img
Reboot the bootloader.
fastboot flash radio radio-shamu-d4.0-9625-02.95.img
cd <image-shamu-lmy47d>
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash cache cache.img
fastboot flash system system.img
If you DO NOT use a custom recovery (like TWRP or CWM), then also: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
Don't worry if you see messages like "target reported max download size of 1073741824 bytes". Just wait and let it finish.
Reboot your phone and enjoy. It's normal for the first boot to take a while. Going from Kitkat to Lollipop took about 20 minutes. Going from 5.0 to 5.0.1 took 5-10, I think. YMMV.
A WORD OF WARNING: If you're moving between ROMs, you generally should do a complete reset, including wiping data. Many users have reported problems going from KitKat to Lollipop without wiping data and recommend a factory reset anyway. If you're okay with wiping everything, you can simply use Google's included flash-all scripts, or flash the userdata.img file yourself. Personally, I'm not going to bother wiping adta for an incremental update like 5.0.1->5.1. As always, be sure to back up your data!
Shamelessly stolen from: http://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus5/comments/2phqy7/howto_upgrade_android_using_nexus_factory_images/
Shouldn't you also fastboot reboot bootloader after radio flash?
This is the scenic route.
I tried to update using wugz, without unlocking the bootloader. failed. Oh well, I'll wait to receive ota
Unless this method doesnt require unlocking?
If you have an OTA zip file, this is different than using a System Img?
I do not think you need to lose data or unlock your bootloader?
Found a link for the OTA zip file.
If I remember right you can copy the zip to you phone with a USB cable.
Go into the bootloader, Volume Down and Power.
Select the zip.
I did not think you needed a terminal and all the commands if you had the OTA zip on your phones SD card.
Am I wrong does something like this not work?
or
I can just wait.....
This worked great.
I was unbranded with VZ sim, unlocked, rooted with TWRP recovery. Didn't want to lose all that nor my apps or data. This method upgrades to 5.1 without any loss.
When I was done with the flashing, I rebooted to TWRP recovery (not system) in order to wipe dalvik and cache (just to be certain). I wiped and then rebooted to system. TWRP noticed I didn't have SuperSU installed so it installed it for me. Meaning, once I got my system rebooted, I still had root too.
All in all, this process worked great for me. Thanks.
I run the first two commands
fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-shamu-moto-apq8084-71.08.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
they worked, then i moved to the radio
fastboot flash radio radio-shamu-d4.0-9625-02.95.img
but it failed.
Any idea?
---------- Post added 14th March 2015 at 12:17 AM ---------- Previous post was 13th March 2015 at 11:53 PM ----------
Nikos2k said:
I run the first two commands
fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-shamu-moto-apq8084-71.08.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
they worked, then i moved to the radio
fastboot flash radio radio-shamu-d4.0-9625-02.95.img
but it failed.
Any idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the message after the radio flash command:
fastboot flash radio radio-shamu-d4.0-9625-02.95.img
target reported max download size of 536870912 bytes
sending 'radio' (85422 KB)...
OKAY [ 2.697s]
writing 'radio'...
(bootloader) flashing modem ...
(bootloader) flashing modem ...**☺
FAILED (unknown status code)
finished. total time: 3.721s
Why the failed message?
I'm decrypted. Will this re encrypt my Nexus or do I have to flash a non enforce img?
Thank you, this really helped.
Since my bootloader was locked i had to unlock it as well.
Had a bit of a scare with the whole erasing screen staying on for too long.
Went back and redid the process, and went downstairs for 5 minutes, came back and phone was booted.
Anyway, thank you again
Will this work on an encrypted phone?
mikeadamz said:
Tired of waiting for the OTA? Can't use it because you're rooted? Don't want to wipe your entire phone? No problem! Here's how you can upgrade with Google's Nexus factory images without wiping your apps or sdcard.
<<snip>>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't suggest that anyone read and follow someone else's instructions when doing something like this. Not because the instructions are wrong or anything, but because blindly following instructions doesn't involve *understanding* anything.
So rather than reading and following instructions, read and UNDERSTAND the process of installing factory images as delivered with the factory images (flash-all.sh). If you UNDERSTAND the process and what everything does, then (a) you *already know* what needs to be adjusted to do what you want, and (b) if something starts going wrong in the middle of it, you will understand why, and what to do to correct it.
mikeadamz said:
cd </path/to/shamu-lmy47d>
fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-shamu-moto-apq8084-71.08.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, thanks for the write up, I do greatly appreciate it. Second, thanks for the tip on dragging file locations into the command prompt. Very helpful.
Now my question. When I did this I tried using exactly the steps above and had no luck whatsoever. I'd cd to the location of the img files as noted and it would say fastboot is unrecognized as an internal or external command. I moved the file into the fastboot location and got the same issue. I finally ran the fastboot from the adb folder location and just referenced the full file path for each img file (using the drag and drop method) and everything went swimmingly. My question is just about using fastboot. Should it have worked when I used cd to go to the img file location? Is there something I need to do to make it work as you described?
Thanks!
Nick
Nick D said:
First, thanks for the write up, I do greatly appreciate it. Second, thanks for the tip on dragging file locations into the command prompt. Very helpful.
Now my question. When I did this I tried using exactly the steps above and had no luck whatsoever. I'd cd to the location of the img files as noted and it would say fastboot is unrecognized as an internal or external command. I moved the file into the fastboot location and got the same issue. I finally ran the fastboot from the adb folder location and just referenced the full file path for each img file (using the drag and drop method) and everything went swimmingly. My question is just about using fastboot. Should it have worked when I used cd to go to the img file location? Is there something I need to do to make it work as you described?
Thanks!
Nick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2588979
Now ADB and fastboot are installed system wide. Put your files anywhere, I use the desktop. Hold shift and right click on wherever your files are and select "open command prompt here" and flash away. Simplified, no more dragging and dropping.
Will try with the new update (5.1.1 (LMY48M)) to ensure it works. Thanks!
[/COLOR]
handyarrow said:
Will this work on an encrypted phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have been flashing this zip in twrp after the fastboot stage without an issue for the last few updates - http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/development/mod-disable-force-encryption-rom-kernel-t3000788
Flashed LMY48M with fastboot method and it works great.
My phone is encrypted.