[notification type=”alert”]Note:  These instructions are for Nexus based Devices: Galaxy Nexus: GSM Models (both yakju and non-yakju builds), Galaxy Nexus: CDMA/LTE Verizon Models, Galaxy Nexus: CDMA/LTE Sprint Models, Nexus S: Worldwide, i9020t and i9023 Models, Nexus S: 850MHz, i9020a Models, Nexus S: Korea, m200 Models, Nexus S 4G: d720 Models, Nexus 7: Asus Tablet, Nexus 7 3G: Asus Tablet, Nexus 7 v2 (2013): Asus Tablet, Nexus 7 v2 (2013) LTE: Asus Tablet, Nexus 10: Samsung Tablet, Nexus 4: LG Phone [/notification] [notification type=”error”] I am NOT responsible for any mistakes you make or anything happening to your phone. These instructions worked for me, they probably will for you too, but USE AT YOUR OWN RISK! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! [/notification]

supersuSo my phone updated to 4.3 the other day, didn’t notice much of a change except for the fact my phone was no longer rooted. This was a bit of a pain as quite a few of my apps require root. Take for instance Hola, a program used to fool the internet into believing you come from a different IP so that you can unlock sites like Netflix, Hulu, and Space. Hola, in order to function the way it is supposed to needs root access. Now some can argue that you don’t need root and can use the VPN method of connecting, well if you had ever tried the rooted way, you would know why VPN isn’t the best way to go.

So how does one re-root 4.3? I mean there are a hell of a lot of tutorials out there, why would you want to look at mine? Well, I will explain. 99% of all tutorials out there have the exact same 4 lines of instuctions:

  1. Flash TWRP from the bootloader (fastboot flash recovery FILENAME.img).
  2. Reboot into recovery (adb reboot recovery or hold Power+VolDn, then select Recovery).
  3. Flash SuperSU from Install > Download.
  4. You should be rooted.

Now as a novice, and the fact that i root my phone MAYBE once a year, less if possible, I have no idea how to use Fastboot or ADB, or where to get the drivers (For the Galaxy Nexus, its a downright pain to get the right drivers, seems like the only model that Google didn’t make drivers for and Samsung can’t get the model number right for)

So the questions is, “Is there an easier way to Root my phone?” and the answer is, unequivocally “YES!“, however there are more steps, as I am sure there would be in the instructions above if they told you step by step what you needed to do to install the drivers, and Fastboot/adb, and show you the right instructions. But bear with me, this way is easier, I promise, especially for a novice like myself.

Forget all the instructions I have just shown you, you don’t need them, at all, ever. What you do need, is the following set of instructions, that do everything for you.

  1. Download and install Nexus Root ToolKit v1.7.1 (NRT) Note: Other loaders I am sure can be used if you do not have a Nexus based device, but the creators of the NRT included everything in their install.
  2. Select your device (in my case it was a “Galaxy Nexus” and the build was “YAKJU/TAKJU-MAGURO: Android *.*.* – Any Build“ – You can find your build under Settings > About Phone)
  3. A popup will say “We are currently have no TWRP recovery for your build in the local directory. The toolkit would like to download this: openrecovery-twrp-2.6.0.0-[model-name].img“ where model name is the right one for your phone, mine was maguro. Once installed, the main program will pop up, leave it open but do nothing with it yet.NRK
  4. Copy the included SuperSU zip file to your device – It came with the Nexus Root Kit and is located here – C:Program Files (x86)WugFresh DevelopmentdataRoot_FilesUPDATE-SuperSU-v1.51.zip
  5. If you don’t already have the usb drivers installed:
    • Unplug your device from the USB
    • go back to the Root Toolkit we left open and select “Full Driver Installation Guide – Automatic + Manual“.
    • Once clicked select “step 2” and install the Driver Solution #1 – Universal Driver – this should work for your device, if not try the others.
    • Once fully installed got to “step 3”, plugin your device and press “Full Driver Test” – If successfull, your phone will reboot and test the drivers.
  6. Once all the drivers are taken care of, you can chose to do a backup, this is highly recommended.
  7. Once your backup is complete, select “Root” and check “Custom Recovery” – This will update the TWRP custom recovery and allow you to install the new SuperSU version.
  8. When the TWRP loads during the reboot, select the “Install” button, locate the SuperSU file you copied to your phone, then reboot
  9. Open SuperSU app, it may say you need to update it, simply select the TWRP option and let your phone reboot once more.
  10. You should now be rooted

 

Now as you can see, my instruction have 6 extra steps, but to be honest, it is a much easier way for a novice to find his way around and get it done right the first time. And most of it is the install process of the drivers.

This way is also easier because you simply have to press buttons, not type in long strings of commands. The other nice thing about the NRT is that if you every had any problems, you could easily flash, unroot, and OEM lock your device all with a few clicks, un-voiding the warranty.

Hope you enjoy a newly re-rooted device, as I will.

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