[Complete Guide] SHIELD Tablet K1 Root, Custom Rom and Xposed Framework

[Toby4213]

Hello Guys,

At first a little background story:
I bought the Tablet 3 Month ago. I have got the Update to Android 6.0 in January and unfortunately, I applied it.
So If you don't want to apply a custom rom do not update to 6.0, because 5.1.1 is much better.

I am not responsible if anything goes wrong.
Ok, so let's get started:
At first you must install Minimal ADB and Fastboot on your PC/Laptop/Mac.
Windows: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2588979
Linux/Mac: http://rootmygalaxy.net/install-adb-and-fastboot-on-mac-or-linux/
Here is the link for all OSs: http://lifehacker.com/the-easiest-way-to-install-androids-adb-and-fastboot-to-1586992378
Before you can Root or flash a Custom Rom you must flash the recovery:
You will need:
-Nvidia Family Drivers(Extract it in a folder of your choice): http://nvidiashieldzone.com/files/shieldtv/shieldfamilydriver.zip not working anymore, official link:
http://developer.download.nvidia.com/mobile/shield/SHIELD_Family_WHQL_USB_driver_201801.zip
-As many of you are experiencing problems with my previously mentioned TWRP 2.8.7.3 version I am replacing the link with the official TWRP Shield Tablet Download Site. Just take the newest stable version: https://dl.twrp.me/shieldtablet/ (Put the file into the ADB+Fastboot Folder)
-TWRP 2.8.7.3 Recovery(Put the file into the ADB+Fastboot Folder): Download URL: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24269982087009777
Developer Post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/shi...recovery-twrp-2-8-7-0-touch-recovery-t3257172
Install the Drivers

Connect your Tablet to your PC

Windows:
Open your Device Manager
If there Is a device with a yellow ! klick on it and update the Drivers Manually(select the Folder where you extracted the Family Divers)
Linux:
You don't need any drivers
(For every fastboot command in ADB+Fastboot you will need a "sudo" in front of it...)
Mac:
You also don't need any drivers
(For every fastboot command in ADB+Fastboot you will need a "./" in front of it...)

Flash Recovery
1. Open Minimal ADB and Fastboot
2. Type in

adb devices

if you get a long term of numbers and letters your drivers are correctly installed, If this command does not bring up a device, check your cable connection and/or update your drivers again.
3. Now you must enable developer options on your SHIELD Tablet K1
3.1 Go to your Setting, scroll all the way down and choose Info(or similar)
3.2 Tap seven times on the Build Number
3.3 Now go back and now there is a new menu point Developer Options
3.4 Open them and Enable USB Debugging
4. Now type

adb reboot bootloader

EDIT: 4.1 To enable the fastboot protocol, you must select "Fastboot mode" on the Tablet. After that type

fastboot devices

in order to check if fastboot is enabled.
5. Before you can do anything you must unlock the Bootloader
5.1 Type in

fastboot oem unlock

5.2 Follow the Instructions on the Terminal(On your tablet: press the volume down button and then the power button)
6. Now you are ready to flash the recovery
6.1 Type in

fastboot flash recovery twrp-x.x.x-x-shieldtablet.img

6.2 Wait until it is finished then navigate with the volume buttons through the Menu on your Tablet and choose the option recovery mod with you power button
7. You are now in a custom Recovery on this point you must decide what you want to do:
-Do you only want to root your Device
-Or do you want to install a custom rom

Custom Rom
If you want to be on the safe side you should consider wiping the /data partition (Troubleshoot section at the end of the Post)
1. You can access your tablet from your PC
2. Now move your Custom rom to your internal or SD Card Storage
2.1 Download your custom rom of your choice.
2.1.1 Cyanogenmod 12.1 (Android 5.1.1) and BlissPop v4.0.3 https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=150249
2.1.2 Cyanogenmod 13.0 (Android 6.0) https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=27600&sort_by=date&sort_dir=DESC
2.1.3 Nvidia Shield Tablet Resurrection ROM (Android 6.x) https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=60681&sort_by=date&sort_dir=DESC
2.1.4 BlissPop
2.2 Download Google Apps (Gapps) (ARM Device)
2.2.1 Android 5.1 http://opengapps.org/?api=5.1&variant=stock
2.2.2 Android 6.0 http://opengapps.org/?api=6.0&variant=nano
2.3 Download Nvidia Apps (You still need to install Nvidia Shield HUB from the Play Store)http://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tablet/development/shield-apps-cyanogenmod-12-t3070116
3. In TWRP click on Backup and Swipe to Back Up
3.1 Now go to Wipe. For a dirty flash you will only need to wipe the Dalvik and Cache for a full wipe select Dalvik, System, Data, Cache
4. After it has finished Click on Install and choose the .zip of your Custom Rom
4.1 To install the Google Apps click on Add More Zips and select the GApps zip
4.2 And again click on Add More Zips and select nvsystemservices.zip
4.3 now you can Swipe to Confirm Flash

Root
Download the Latest Stabel SuperSU file: http://download.chainfire.eu/supersu-stable and copy it to the internal or SD Card Storage
For Android 7.0 (Nougat) the SuperSU r4 2.78 version is confirmed working.
1. Open Minimal ADB and Fastboot
2. Type in

adb reboot recovery

to enter the recovery mode
3. In TWRP click on Backup and Swipe to Back Up
4. After it has finished Click on Install and choose the UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.65-20151226141550.zip (or similar) and Swipe to Confirm Flash
5. Restart you Tablet and now a new App SuperSU is Installed

Xposed Framework
Download the Xposed Framework Zip file, take the newest version:
(The Shield Quad Core has a 32 bit arm architecture, so you need the framework for arm)
SDK21 for Android 5.0: http://dl-xda.xposed.info/framework/sdk21/arm/
SDK22 for Android 5.1: http://dl-xda.xposed.info/framework/sdk22/arm/
SDK23 for Android 6.0: http://dl-xda.xposed.info/framework/sdk23/arm/
and the apk: https://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3921508&d=1477916609
and move them to you Tablet.
Developer Thread (for the uninstaller): https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3034811
Go to Recovery with Root
1. Now that you have root you don't need you PC anymore. Go to the Play store and download Quick Boot
2. Open Quick Boot and klick on Recovery
3. Allow Root rights and the Tablet should boot into recovery
Go to Recovery without Root
1. Shut down your Tablet
2. Press and hold the Vol down button and the Power button until the Bootloader screen appears
3. Navigate with the volume buttons through the Menu on your Tablet and choose the option recovery mod with you power button
Install Xposed Framework
1. In the TWRP Recovery (Optionally you can make a Backup) select Install and choose the xposed-v80-sdk22-arm.zip file
2. When you get an Error let me know
3. Now Restart you Tablet and install the .apk file normally
4. In the App Press Framework and now there should be a green writing saying: Xposed Framework version 80 is active
5. Here is a list of very useful programs for the Xposed Framework: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/best-xposed-modules-android-t3103027

Please Leave a post if you are getting errors or something isn't clearly explained! And if I could help you, consider giving me a Thanks

Troubleshoot
If you are stuck in a Bootloop:
Without data loss(e.g. when you installed Xposed framework zip and its stuck in a bootloop)
1. flash the stock rom boot image BUT ONLY IF YOU DONT USE A CUSTOM ROM (it will probably loose root). go to https://developer.nvidia.com/gameworksdownload#?search=SHIELD Tablet K1&tx=$additional,shield and download the latest NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet K1 Recovery OS Image
2. Unpack the zip file and flash it to your Tablet

fastboot flash boot boot.img

If something went wrong while flashing a custom rom (after that you will need to flash the custom/stock rom again)
wipe the /data partition. It could be encrypted from the previous rom. Be aware that you need to reinstall the rom, therefore loose all your data. Troubleshot guide by agentbob123


-Toby

Credits:
@xsquid mac support
@agentbob123 suggestion to mention to wipe the /data partition as a solution for being stuck in a bootloop
@champs777 suggested the newest TWRP
@grävling mentioned importance of waiting until the recovery flash is finished

 

[nielsscholte]

Hello Guys,

At first a litte background story:
I bought the Tablet 3 Month ago. I have got the Update to Android 6.0 in January and unfortunately i applied it.
So If you don't want to apply a custom rom do not update to 6.0, because 5.1.1 is much better.

Ok, so let's get started:
I am not responsible if anything goes wrong.
At first you must install Minimal ADB and Fastboot on your PC/Laptop/Mac.
Here is the link for all OSs: http://lifehacker.com/the-easiest-way-to-install-androids-adb-and-fastboot-to-1586992378
Before you can Root or flash a Custom Rom you must flash the recovery:
You will need:
-Nvidia Family Drivers(Extract it in a folder of you choice): http://nvidiashieldzone.com/files/shieldtv/shieldfamilydriver.zip
-TWRP 2.8.7.3 Recovery(Put the file into the ADB+Fastboot Folder):
Download URL: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24269982087009777
Developer Post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/shi...recovery-twrp-2-8-7-0-touch-recovery-t3257172
Install the Drivers

Connect your Tablet to your PC

Windows:
Open your Device Manager
If there Is a device with a yellow ! klick on it and update the Drivers Manually(select the Folder where you extracted the Family Divers)
Linux:
You dont need any drivers
(For every fastboot command in ADB+Fastboot you will need a sudo in front of it...)
Mac:
2016/02/16 Please leave a post if you how to do this

1. Open Minimal ADB and Fastboot
2. Type in

adb devices

if you get a long term of numbers and letters your drivers are correctly installen, If this command does not bring up a device, check your cable connection and/or update your drivers again.
3. Now you must enable developer options on your SHIELD Tablet K1
3.1 Go to your Setting, scroll all the way down and choose Info(or similar)
3.2 Tap seven times on the Build Number
3.3 Now go back and now there is a new menu point Developer Options
3.4 Open them and Enable USB Debugging
4. Now type

adb reboot bootloader

5. Before you can do anyting you must unlock the Bootloader
5.1 Type in

fastboot oem unlock

5.2 Follow the Instructions on the Terminal(On your tablet: press the volume down button and then the power button)
6. No you are ready to flash the recovery
6.1 Type in

fastboot flash recovery twrp-2.8.7.3-shieldtablet.img

6.2 Wait until it is finished then move with the volume buttons through the Menu on your Tablet an choose the option recovery mod with you power button
7. You are now in a custom Recovery on this point you must decide what you want to do:
-Do you only want to root your Device
-Or do you want to install a cutom rom

Custom Rom
1. You can access your tablet on your pc
2. Now move your Custom rom to your internal or SD Card Storage
2.1 Download your custom rom of your choice. I decided to use Cyanogenmod 12.1 (Android 5.1.1) http://forum.xda-developers.com/shi...-cyanogenmod-12-shield-tablet-lte-na-t3055043
2.2 Download Google Apps (Gapps) (ARM Device) http://opengapps.org/?api=5.1&variant=stock
2.3 Download Nvidia Apps (You still need to install Nvidia Shield HUB from the Play Store)http://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tablet/development/shield-apps-cyanogenmod-12-t3070116
3. In TWRP click on Backup and Swipe to Back Up
4. After it has finished Click on Install and choose the .zip of your Custom Rom
4.1 To install the Google Apps click on Add More Zips an select the GApps zip
4.2 And again click on Add More Zips and select nvsystemservices.zip
4.3 now you can Swipe to Confirm Flash

Root
Download the Latest Stabel SuperSU file: http://download.chainfire.eu/supersu-stable and copy it to the internal or SD Card Storage
1. Open Minimal ADB and Fastboot
2. Type in

adb reboot recovery

to enter the recovery mode
3. In TWRP click on Backup and Swipe to Back Up
4. After it has finished Click on Install and choose the UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.65-20151226141550.zip (or similar) and Swipe to Confirm Flash
5. Restart you Tablet and now a new App SuperSU is Installen

Please Leave a post if you are getting errors or someting isn't clearly explaned!


-Toby

My tablet just keeps rebooting to the lock screen whenever I try to go to recovery mode... Somehow twrp doesn't stick... It did when I was on Lollipop. I have already tried to flash the recovery, do a full reboot before trying to get in twrp but without success.

 

[xsquid]

On mac
You dont need any drivers
(For every fastboot command in ADB+Fastboot you will need a ./ in front of it...)

example being ./fastboot oem unlock

 

[Toby4213]

On mac
You dont need any drivers
(For every fastboot command in ADB+Fastboot you will need a ./ in front of it...)

example being ./fastboot oem unlock

Thank you I added this in guide

 

[Toby4213]

My tablet just keeps rebooting to the lock screen whenever I try to go to recovery mode... Somehow twrp doesn't stick... It did when I was on Lollipop. I have already tried to flash the recovery, do a full reboot before trying to get in twrp but without success.

Try other TWRP versions like 2.8.7.0 or 2.8.7.1 i think the 3.0.0.0 is for Andoid 6.0 devices so if you are currently in the newest version of the Android OS try this one out
The 3.0 versionof TWRP was unstabel on my device so you should flash it wipe the storage and flash one of the older ones

 

[xsquid]

My tablet just keeps rebooting to the lock screen whenever I try to go to recovery mode... Somehow twrp doesn't stick... It did when I was on Lollipop. I have already tried to flash the recovery, do a full reboot before trying to get in twrp but without success.

3.0.0.0 wasn't out yet when I did mine but it was doing the same thing and this worked perfectly:

Try deleting recoveryonboot.p in /system

Credit to fards.

 

[SonicDBZFan07]

3.0.0.0 wasn't out yet when I did mine but it was doing the same thing and this worked perfectly:



Credit to fards.

How can I remove this file without root ?

 

[xsquid]

How can I remove this file without root ?

Try your normal command line for flashing recovery except change flash to boot. It doesn't flash it, just boots to it.

In other words, if you are using:

1. Fastboot Flash recovery recoveryname.img

Do instead:

2. Fastboot boot recovery recoveryname.img

While in recovery (make sure the supersu zip is on the sd card or wherever you normally flash files from first) flash supersu. You should now be rooted but without a recovery.

Go then to delete the file and then reboot, flash the recovery as normal (#1), reboot and then it should be good to go. It was for me.

 

[cacaroti]

rooted device no need to unlock bootloader it will unlock for ittself

just go to playstore and dowload twrp manager
choose the name of your device
and choose one of the two versions available
for shield tablet the version 3.0.0.0 doesnt work well it spilts the screen but wthe other version Works great

the link is twrpmanager on play.google


this way you dont need to connect your tablet to your pc

 

[Trafalgar Square]

Great work!

 

[LinxuSx]

Thank you for the awesome guide. Besides deleting the TegraOTA apk, is there any other app/service that I should disable to prevent OTA updates?

 

[diji1]

Followed the guide after screwing my device up with official firmware. Thanks for nothing Nvidia, why are you offering OTA that cause the device to stop working correctly.

Nothing happened other than appearing to boot itself to the "powered by android" (kernel) screen over and over.

Held down power + volume UP ...

And it factory reset itself.

Somehow.

Did I mention that Nvidia is a terrible company?

Edit: Fixed using TWRP v3.0.0 - this guide should be updated to reflect this particuarly as people who screw their device up after trusting Nvidia OTA MM will be using it.

 

[Toby4213]

Followed the guide after screwing my device up with official firmware. Thanks for nothing Nvidia, why are you offering OTA that cause the device to stop working correctly.

Nothing happened other than appearing to boot itself to the "powered by android" (kernel) screen over and over.

Held down power + volume UP ...

And it factory reset itself.

Somehow.

Did I mention that Nvidia is a terrible company?

Edit: Fixed using TWRP v3.0.0 - this guide should be updated to reflect this particuarly as people who screw their device up after trusting Nvidia OTA MM will be using it.

I'm sorry that you had that problem but this guide is a general guide and not an screw nvidia (besides they are awesom giving us a really good tablet for 200 Buck, but jea?) guide. TWRP v3.0.0 has his bugs so generally when you have finished deleting the stock rom you should flash TWRP 2.8.7.3 works the most stabel.

 

[Toby4213]

Great work!

Thanks, i appreciate that

 

[psychic99]

Add TWRP to M image (Shield 1.1)

Folks,

Just received Nvidia Shield K1 and OTA immediately upgraded it to M (Shield 1.1) and I unlocked bootloader no problem. However when I go to flash or temp boot twrp 2.x or 3.x it flashes OK, but when I reboot (either via fastboot or hard off/start to recovery manually) it appears it is overwriting the recovery partition and it just boots normally.

Is there a limitation to flashing twrp bootloader in M, and do I have to downgrade to L to flash recovery partition?

I seem to be happy w/ stock (limited stick time), I just want to root at this point and install my favs. Once I get this running will supersu pro preserve root, or do I need to turn off nvidia OTA process.

Also I see optimization for chrome, does this do anything X1 optimizations)?

Thanks

 

[trveller72]

Folks,

Just received Nvidia Shield K1 and OTA immediately upgraded it to M (Shield 1.1) and I unlocked bootloader no problem. However when I go to flash or temp boot twrp 2.x or 3.x it flashes OK, but when I reboot (either via fastboot or hard off/start to recovery manually) it appears it is overwriting the recovery partition and it just boots normally.

Is there a limitation to flashing twrp bootloader in M, and do I have to downgrade to L to flash recovery partition?

I seem to be happy w/ stock (limited stick time), I just want to root at this point and install my favs. Once I get this running will supersu pro preserve root, or do I need to turn off nvidia OTA process.

Also I see optimization for chrome, does this do anything X1 optimizations)?

Thanks

After you flash twrp reboot to recovery. I may be wrong, but I think the stock ROM overwrites the custom recovery at reboot. If you reboot to twrp first after flash, twrp will disable this.

Sent from my SHIELD Tablet K1 using Tapatalk

 

[DiWizard]

Rooting

Hi everyone,

Yesterday got my new Nvidia Shield Tegra K1 and upon using it I noticed it's a great tablet for it's price range and will do my job easier while flying my Phantom 4. To be honest it's seems very stable and solid but was thinking about rooting it. I have some questions regarding the process wince I haven't rooted anything since my HTC Fire, log time ago that was. What are the benefits of rooting this device ? Will I still be able to update the Shield with its official updates ? Will I be able to roll back to an unrooted tablet should I need too ? I wasn't planning on flashing a custom rom but if I'll do what are the pros and cons of doing so ? I know that maybe searching this forum I would find all the answers needed but since there is so much information and threads I'm lost as from were to start from.

Would be nice to guide me about how to properly root my device with all the necessary links. My tab is running on Android 6.0.

I thank you so much guys for the hard work you all do in providing such information. I know it takes a lot of time and patience.

 

[Techie Android]

I just got a Shield K1. I like it a lot but I wanted to root it. Then I saw how confusing it is to distinguish between it and the previous model. My guess is whatever is out there that says Shield Tablet means the old one not the K1. I also updated mine to MM cause I'm using and 128GB micro sd card for internal storage. I guess I'll just have to wait until more support comes out for this tablet such as a stable TWRP 3.0 Recovery and the ability to gain root access and custom ROMs like CM 13.

 

[ps2lover]

do you recommed to install all OTAs before install custom recovery and custom roms or is it better to install twrp-2.8.7.1 out of the box and then go for the custom stuff ?

 

[Deleted member 2943498]

I would install all updates to get the latest bootloader. Do not install twrp 2.8.7.1. Install the official 3.0.x from the official site.