[How-To] Root and unlock the bootloader of the Nexus 4/5 without wiping data

mihahn · Jun 16, 2014

This is a tutorial on how to root and unlock the bootloader of the nexus 4 without wiping any data!

Note: I'm not responsible for any damage on your phone! You choose to do these modifications and you are responsible for any problems!

I tested this on Android 4.4.3, but you may try it on other android versions, too. Please report if it works

Devices you can root using this app:
- Nexus 4: 4.4.3, 4.4.4
- Nexus 5, 4.4.3

1. Install the towelroot app (xda thread) from the project site! Please thank geohot, he made this possible!

2. Open the app and click on "make it ra1n"

3. Wait 15 seconds and the phone will reboot!

Congratulations! Your phone is rooted now!

4. Install either SuperSu or Superuser

a) In the app update your binary the "normal way" (without a custom recovery)

b)
1. Install BootUnlocker for nexus devices to unlock your bootloader! In the app, click "unlock" to unlock it!

2. Now you are able to install a custom recovery like TWRP or cwm

3. Boot up your system again, open SuperSu or Superuser and update the binary (using "TWRP/CWM")

This is it! You're rooted now and you can easily unlock/relock your bootloader using the BootUnlocker app without wiping any data

Note: This was not my work! I just wrote down some steps to root and unlock

How to unroot:

1. Reflash the stock recovery image/stock kernel/etc (only necessary if you are running a custom kernel/recovery/etc)

2. Open BootUnlocker and lock the bootloader. Now you are able to uninstall the app!

3. Open SuperSu -> Settings -> Full unroot. This will unroot your phone and the app will automatically be uninstalled.

4. Reboot and done

salxtai · Jun 29, 2014

noob clarifications

Hey, came across your post in another post where you mentioned this method would prevent the posibility of the phone being wiped when unlocked + rooted via "traditional" methods using a PC w SDK etc. Phone at present is locked, unrooted stock Nexus 4 kitkat 4.4.4 stock.

Just wanted to clarify a few points since this is the first time I've come across a method where the phone is rooted and unlocked from within itself (I've rooted and unlocked a HTC desire back in my heydays).

--- Do I need to unlock the phone if I just want to change the kernel from stock to the Matr1x kernel? (I had taken unlocking as a given as it was the first step in every guide - there is no mention of steps on how to actually install the kernel but I was going to research that process once root and unlock was done successfully)

--- Any chance you can give steps on updating the binary the 'normal' way? (never done this before)

--- How do you install CWM using your method? Again, I have only seen it being installed via command lines from the PC

Apologies in advance for the dumb questions but searched and couldn't find any clear answers for those steps that I'm not understanding

mihahn · Jun 29, 2014

salxtai said:
Hey, came across your post in another post where you mentioned this method would prevent the posibility of the phone being wiped when unlocked + rooted via "traditional" methods using a PC w SDK etc. Phone at present is locked, unrooted stock Nexus 4 kitkat 4.4.4 stock.

Just wanted to clarify a few points since this is the first time I've come across a method where the phone is rooted and unlocked from within itself (I've rooted and unlocked a HTC desire back in my heydays).

--- Do I need to unlock the phone if I just want to change the kernel from stock to the Matr1x kernel? (I had taken unlocking as a given as it was the first step in every guide - there is no mention of steps on how to actually install the kernel but I was going to research that process once root and unlock was done successfully)

--- Any chance you can give steps on updating the binary the 'normal' way? (never done this before)

--- How do you install CWM using your method? Again, I have only seen it being installed via command lines from the PC

Apologies in advance for the dumb questions but searched and couldn't find any clear answers for those steps that I'm not understanding

1. To flash a kernel you have to unlock your bootloader, that's right. You just flash it using your PC and fastboot, there are many guides on how to do that

2. If your phone is rooted and you have SuperSU installed there'll be a popup and it'll tell you to update the binary before using the app. You are able to select the "normal" way then without a recovery

3. You can install CWM/TWRP using your PC in fastboot mode!

No problem, just ask :good:

PGvossman · Jun 30, 2014

Can the usual commandline methods for other things be used after this?

mihahn · Jun 30, 2014

PGvossman said:
Can the usual commandline methods for other things be used after this?

If you mean fastboot commands for example to flash another kernel/recovery/etc, yes! There's no difference between unlocking using this method or another "old" one, but this one doesn't wipe data

pincher65 · Jun 30, 2014

PGvossman said:
Can the usual commandline methods for other things be used after this?

yes. can also be used flashify to flash recovery.img without PC

PGvossman · Jun 30, 2014

I think I'll give it a try then (assuming there's no risk of bricking my phone or doing irreversible damage). On that subject, is there an easy way to lock the bootloader and unroot?

mihahn · Jun 30, 2014

PGvossman said:
I think I'll give it a try then (assuming there's no risk of bricking my phone or doing irreversible damage). On that subject, is there an easy way to lock the bootloader and unroot?

Check the OP, there are already the steps given to unroot and relock

Soymicmic · Jun 30, 2014

mihahn said:
I tested this on Android 4.4.3, but you may try it on other android versions, too. Please report if it works

I tested this on Android 4.4.4... it works fine!

Note: with TowelRoot v3 it isn't necessary reboot, but when I've tried to update SuperSu it fails so reboot and that's all

Thanks so much!

PGvossman · Jul 1, 2014

I apologize for asking so many questions but what exactly is "updating the binaries". Is that just for the app itself or does it do something to the phone?

mihahn · Jul 1, 2014

PGvossman said:
I apologize for asking so many questions but what exactly is "updating the binaries". Is that just for the app itself or does it do something to the phone?

It updates the superuser binary that got installed by Towelroot I guess

anees167 · Jul 2, 2014

will this method work on the nexus 5?

dodgebizkit · Jul 2, 2014

mihahn said:
This is a tutorial on how to root and unlock the bootloader of the nexus 4 without wiping any data!

Note: I'm not responsible for any damage on your phone! You choose to do these modifications and you are responsible for any problems!

I tested this on Android 4.4.3, but you may try it on other android versions, too. Please report if it works

1. Install the towelroot app (xda thread) from the project site! Please thank geohot, he made this possible!

2. Open the app and click on "make it ra1n"

3. Wait 15 seconds and the phone will reboot!

Congratulations! Your phone is rooted now!

4. Install either SuperSu or Superuser

F

a) In the app update your binary the "normal way" (without a custom recovery)

b)
1. Install BootUnlocker for nexus devices to unlock your bootloader! In the app, click "unlock" to unlock it!

2. Now you are able to install a custom recovery like TWRP or cwm

3. Boot up your system again, open SuperSu or Superuser and update the binary (using "TWRP/CWM")

This is it! You're rooted now and you can easily unlock/relock your bootloader using the BootUnlocker app without wiping any data

Note: This was not my work! I just wrote down some steps to root and unlock

How to unroot:

1. Reflash the stock recovery image/stock kernel/etc (only necessary if you are running a custom kernel/recovery/etc)

2. Open BootUnlocker and lock the bootloader. Now you are able to uninstall the app!

3. Open SuperSu -> Settings -> Full unroot. This will unroot your phone and the app will automatically be uninstalled.

4. Reboot and done

Thanks, for the average user who doesn't use custom roms or anything really crazy, is super su or Superuser a better option? Or is it the same more or less? Thanks

mihahn · Jul 2, 2014

anees167 said:
will this method work on the nexus 5?

Yes, it should work fine. Try it

dodgebizkit said:
Thanks, for the average user who doesn't use custom roms or anything really crazy, is super su or Superuser a better option? Or is it the same more or less? Thanks

These two are basically the same, as they are apps to manage the superuser permissions of other apps. You may use the one you like

Messpelled · Jul 14, 2014

That was easy

Of course I don't see this thread unitl after I spent the last hour setting everything up in Ubuntu to root the old fashioned way! Used this and was rooted in no time.

ashutoshchauhan211 · Jul 25, 2014

ota updates affected or not?

does using this towelroot will affect the ota updates i.e. if any ota update comes will i able to install as in the stock rom...?? please clarify this...

Rohit02 · Jul 25, 2014

ashutoshchauhan211 said:
does using this towelroot will affect the ota updates i.e. if any ota update comes will i able to install as in the stock rom...?? please clarify this...

see towelroot only roots your device.

You can get OTA PROVIDED - You dont change any of the stock files.. Nothing should be changed.

marculin · Jul 31, 2014

mihahn said:
This is a tutorial on how to root and unlock the bootloader of the nexus 4 without wiping any data!
b)
1. Install BootUnlocker for nexus devices to unlock your bootloader! In the app, click "unlock" to unlock it!

2. Now you are able to install a custom recovery like TWRP or cwm

3. Boot up your system again, open SuperSu or Superuser and update the binary (using "TWRP/CWM")

Hi, I have rooted Nexus 4 4.4.4 with towelroot app (and I have SuperSu app).
Now, If I install custom recovery, I will lost data? With custom recovery, I will get OTA update?
Thank you

nexusfans · Jul 31, 2014

blank nexus 4 without ROM

hi

i tried to install android L, forgot to backup the old ROM , unable to flash the new android L and i cant even restore the old ROM because i forgot to backup the ROM. Tried to do ADB SIDELOAD also....it says cannot read the (file)...tried so many times
i am unable to install a ROM in my nexus 4....only thing i can see in my phone is recovery mode....

Kindly please help.........anyone please reply to this post....and help me......

pincher65 · Jul 31, 2014

nexusfans said:
hi

i tried to install android L, forgot to backup the old ROM , unable to flash the new android L and i cant even restore the old ROM because i forgot to backup the ROM. Tried to do ADB SIDELOAD also....it says cannot read the (file)...tried so many times
i am unable to install a ROM in my nexus 4....only thing i can see in my phone is recovery mode....
Kindly please help.........anyone please reply to this post....and help me......

http://xdaforums.com/nexus-4/general/how-to-how-to-flash-factory-image-t2010312

[How-To] Root and unlock the bootloader of the Nexus 4/5 without wiping data

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