[GUIDE] Linux Ubuntu: Unlocking Bootloader / Rooting Nexus S

[BlackOtaku]

One thing I've noticed is there isn't a lot of documentation for getting set up and unlocking your bootloader on a Linux OS. Setting up your machine to get adb and fastboot to recognize your device takes a tiny bit of extra work on a Linux operating system, but what exactly needs to be done may not be clear to everyone. Whether it's because you're new to the Android SDK/adb, somewhat new to Linux, or can't simply can't seem to find the Vendor Code for the Nexus S. (For those who are looking specifically for this, it's '18d1', and I assume will be the same on all Nexus devices to come; If this means nothing to you right now, read on.)

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility if something goes wrong (if it does, it should be fixable though), Unlocking your bootloader voids your warranty (but you can lock it back), Unlocking the bootloader will wipe your entire phone, including USB Storage; so make a copy of all those family photos and other files you may have put onto the USB storage if you want to keep them.

For the sake of sanity, this guide assumes you are using Ubuntu. If you're using something else (or different applications), there are terminal commands offered, and you probably have an idea on how to adapt the given instructions to your Linux OS.

Preparation: Installing the Android SDK, ADB, Fastboot & Setting Up Your Nexus S to be Recognized

1. Download the Android SDK for Linux: http://dl.google.com/android/android-sdk_r08-linux_86.tgz

2. Save it in a folder of your choice. I chose to keep it in my Downloads folder, myself. If you'd like, you can rename it to the simpler name of 'AndroidSDK.tgz'. The rest of the guide will assume that you did, because I'm lazy, and it makes things simpler; it will also assume you saved it in Downloads. If you feel that you have the intuition to rename and edit the path names based on your own choices, then fine; but if you're utterly lost here, just stick with what I'm doing; download to 'Downloads', rename to 'AndroidSDK.tgz'.

3. Now that you have it, navigate to the folder you downloaded it to, right-click, and click 'Extract' to unzip it. If for some reason you cannot do this, open up a terminal and try this command:

tar zxvf /home/<your-user-name>/Downloads/AndroidSDK.tgz

You may have to adjust the command if you didn't save it under Downloads or didn't rename the file to AndroidSDK.tgz.

4. Now, we'll install adb and some other software packages by starting up the Android SDK and AVD Manager. Start it either by:

- Navigating to your AndroidSDK folder, going to the 'tools' folder and double-clicking the file called 'android'; if a popup opens asking you what you want to do with it click 'Run'.

- Using this command:

/home/<your-user-name>/Downloads/AndroidSDK/tools/android

5. In Android SDK and AVD Manager, click on "Available packages". Check the box next to "Android SDK Tools, revision 8" and "Android SDK Platform-tools", and click on "Install Selected" then "Install". When prompted click "Yes" to restart ADB.

6.You should now have a folder in /home/<your-user-name>/Downloads/AndroidSDK/ called "platform-tools".

7. Download fastboot here: http://developer.htc.com/adp.html
- Save it to the aforementioned platform-tools folder.
- Now, navigate to the file, right click it, click 'Properties', go to the 'Permissions' Tab and check 'Allow executing file as program'. Alternatively, run this command:

chmod +x /home/<your-user-name>/Downloads/AndroidSDK/platform-tools/fastboot

8. Now to set things up so adb and fastboot recognize your Nexus.

- Type this command into a terminal:

gksudo gedit /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules

- Paste this into the blank file:

SUBSYSTEM=="usb", SYSFS{idVendor}=="18d1", MODE="0666"

- Click save and close.
- Then, type the following terminal command:

sudo restart udev

9. Almost done with preparations! Run this command:

gedit .bashrc

And add this line to the top of the file:

#AndroidDev PATH
export PATH=${PATH}:/home/<your-user-name>/Downloads/AndroidSDK/tools:/home/<your-user-name>/Downloads/AndroidSDK/platform-tools

Then save the file and close.

10. Download this file and save it to /home/<your-user-name>/Downloads/AndroidSDK/platform-tools: http://www.mediafire.com/?4pe5y906zr67nfh

10.We're ready to go!

Unlocking the Bootloader on your Nexus S and Rooting

Once again, unlocking your bootloader wipes everything on your device, including USB storage. Make a backup of any files you want to keep.

1. On your Nexus S, go to Menu>Settings>Applications. Select "Development" and check the box next to "USB debugging"

2. Power off the phone, and then hold down the Volume Up button and the Power button simultaneously to get into Bootloader/Fastboot mode. Connect your Nexus to the computer via USB.

3. Run this command to unlock your bootloader: (Once again WIPES EVERYTHING!)

fastboot oem unlock

Hit Enter and on your phone you will be prompted to confirm the action. (Use Volume +/- buttons to choose, power button to confirm choice) Confirm. At this point you will have an unlocked bootloader.

4. Copy/paste the following into the Terminal window:

fastboot flash recovery /home/<your-user-name>/AndroidSDK/platform-tools/recovery-clockwork-herring.img

5. Use the Volume +/- buttons to choose the Recovery option, then press the power button.

6. In Recovery, go to 'mounts and storage' and choose 'mount USB storage'.

7. Go to this page: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=682828

About 1/5 of the way down on that page, find the link for "su-2.3.6.1-ef-signed.zip", which is the link for the Froyo version of Superuser. Control-click (right click) on that link and choose "Download Link As..." Save that file to your desktop and then copy it to the main directory of your mounted phone.

8. Click 'Unmount'. Go back to 'mounts and storage' and choose 'mount /system'. Then Go Back and choose 'install zip from sdcard'>'choose zip from sdcard'>su-2.3.6.1-ef-signed.zip

9. When it's finshed installing, reboot. You are now rooted.

Special Thanks
Amin Sabet; I used your Mac guide as a reference and copy/pasted some things for convenience.

Koush; For first posting the unlocking information, developing ClockworkMod Recovery, and ROM Manager. You should probably hook him up with a donation. https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/w...63663d3faee8d9384d85353843a619606282818e091d0

Michael.B.; for suggesting adding the platform-tools folder to the .bashrc file.

Linus Torvalds; Without which we'd have neither Android nor Ubuntu.

Feel free to leave your comments on the guide below.

 

[Michael.B.]

Good guide for beginners, I would throw in how to update their path so they can just type adb or fastboot

On Linux, edit your ~/.bash_profile or ~/.bashrc file. Look for a line that sets the PATH environment variable and add the full path to the tools/ and platform-tools directories to it. If you don't see a line setting the path, you can add one:
export PATH=${PATH}:/home/<your-user-name>/Downloads/AndroidSDK/tools:/home/<your-user-name>/Downloads/AndroidSDK/platform-tools

Be sure to update your username above.

 

[nicholasbgr]

Thanks a lot man, great guide. I didn't get my NS yet but this is gonna be very useful soon

ps: someone please stick this

 

[BlackOtaku]

Good guide for beginners, I would throw in how to update their path so they can just type adb or fastboot



Be sure to update your username above.

Thanks for the tip. I added your tip and instructions for marking fastboot as executable.

 

[theimpaler747]

Stuck due to the thread's usefulness

 

[nicholasbgr]

I forgot to ask: will this work for 64 bit systems?

 

[BlackOtaku]

I forgot to ask: will this work for 64 bit systems?

It should work just fine.

 

[dirk1978]

Thanks, got me rooted nice and quickly.

 

[confiq]

It should work just fine.

Yes but don't forget to install 32 libs.

Thanks for guide
Useful !
I'm waiting for cyanogen ROM so i'll able to install
Cheers

 

[Michael.B.]

To confirm, yes it works on 64bit. I am running that

 

[nicholasbgr]

Thanks for the confirmation, guys

 

[suomaf]

Good stuff, much appreciated.

 

[BlackOtaku]

I'm working on a simple shell script that should automate some of the more menial tasks while holding the user's hand through the process. I should have it up later today.

UPDATE: It's up! Link on the first page.

Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

 

[confiq]

question:
If I use

fastboot boot recovery.img

instead of

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

will i get OTA updates?

 

[confiq]

question:
If I use

fastboot boot recovery.img

instead of

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

will i get OTA updates?

Or, I don't get OTA until i change OS with zip file (ex: su app) ?

 

[BlackOtaku]

Or, I don't get OTA until i change OS with zip file (ex: su app) ?

You shouldn't flash the recovery in the boot partition, I think that will cause problems with the phone period. :S

If you flash a custom boot.img (which this guide doesn't cover, though the script will flash Superboot) or kernel like Paul's Superboot, Supercurio's Voodoo Kernel, or Koush's insecure boot.img, OTA updates will fail to install. OTA updates will also reflash your recovery back to stock. One of the devs around here will probably start modifying them so they don't check the boot.img or reflash the recovery though.

 

[PhantomRampage]

Thanks for this! Worked perfectly

 

[matroska]

Hi all,

I have a strange problem. I can install ClockworkMod recovery but, when I reboot the phone, I don't have superuser installed and su doesn't work. If I reboot the phone, I have to install the recovery every time. It seems it isn't permanent.

Thanks
Matroska

 

[matroska]

Hi all,

I have a strange problem. I can install ClockworkMod recovery but, when I reboot the phone, I don't have superuser installed and su doesn't work. If I reboot the phone, I have to install the recovery every time. It seems it isn't permanent.

Thanks
Matroska

To fix the problem, before selecting zip file, you have to select mount /system. Then go to apply update.zip and proceed as usual.

Thanks

 

[harman2]

ok im stock

with this part fastboot oem unlock ware i put this code in my terminal of my pc ,,i put the cell in fasboot , i intall everiting if i put that code in my terminal

bash: /home/toshiba/.bashrc: line 2: syntax error near unexpected token `('
bash: /home/toshiba/.bashrc: line 2: `export PATH=${PATH}:/home/<your-user-name>/Downloads/AndroidSDK/tools:/home/<your-user-name>/Downloads/AndroidSDK/platform-tools# ~/.bashrc: executed by bash(1) for non-login shells.'
[email protected]:~$ fastboot oem unlock
fastboot: command not found
[email protected]:~$


what can i do or im doing wrong