[HOW-TO] The Nexus 6 All-In-One Beginner's Guide

[ktmom]

Ok thank you, I'll sift through and see what I can find. Basically if I can get TWRP back on it I'll be home free. As it stands now I can't boot to recovery or use the TWRP app to flash anything.

Edit: tried it at work on Windows with no success. Downloaded the stand alone ADB and Fastboot. Tried other options when the USB cord is plugged in (file transfer, PTP, etc). The command "adb devices" still shows nothing is plugged in.

Could it be my cord? I've tried 7 different ones lol

Cord could be a problem. Getting drivers correct on Windows could be a problem. I'm under the impression it's easier on a Mac. I use Linux and the trick there is to set-up permissions.

But also the newest versions of fastboot and ADB have been problematic for the N6. Remember this device is no longer supported and the commands for the pixel devices are different from the N6. I think it should still return results for "adb devices" though.

There are also standalone versions which are older, and are available here on xda. I seem to remember this was discussed within the last several pages of this thread.

Are you having the same problem for fastboot? If flashing TWRP is your goal, it is fastboot you need over ADB.


"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." - Will Rogers

 

[phr0zen]

Cord could be a problem. Getting drivers correct on Windows could be a problem. I'm under the impression it's easier on a Mac. I use Linux and the trick there is to set-up permissions.

But also the newest versions of fastboot and ADB have been problematic for the N6. Remember this device is no longer supported and the commands for the pixel devices are different from the N6. I think it should still return results for "adb devices" though.

There are also standalone versions which are older, and are available here on xda. I seem to remember this was discussed within the last several pages of this thread.

Are you having the same problem for fastboot? If flashing TWRP is your goal, it is fastboot you need over ADB.


"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." - Will Rogers

First off, thanks for taking the time to address my situation. I know the device is older and unsupported, which was to be expected and wasn't too bothersome when I could only find information with the latest date of 2016 . I was able to use the Lx Multitool, which is, i believe what was suggested to look for. With this, I was able to wipe everything and install TWRP (granted an older version but I didn't care at this point).

My next issue is - I cannot figure out a way to flash a ROM with this tool. In ADB, I cannot transfer files and in Fastboot, the program does not allow flashing of ROM's. It keeps wanting to open the .zip file instead. It's also saying that I need to turn on "file transfer" or "MTP"... but how can I do that if the only thing installed is TWRP?

I apologize if some of this seems trivial - again this is totally new to me despite being in the android rooting game since the Galaxy S2 days haha

 

[ktmom]

First off, thanks for taking the time to address my situation. I know the device is older and unsupported, which was to be expected and wasn't too bothersome when I could only find information with the latest date of 2016 . I was able to use the Lx Multitool, which is, i believe what was suggested to look for. With this, I was able to wipe everything and install TWRP (granted an older version but I didn't care at this point).

My next issue is - I cannot figure out a way to flash a ROM with this tool. In ADB, I cannot transfer files and in Fastboot, the program does not allow flashing of ROM's. It keeps wanting to open the .zip file instead. It's also saying that I need to turn on "file transfer" or "MTP"... but how can I do that if the only thing installed is TWRP?

I apologize if some of this seems trivial - again this is totally new to me despite being in the android rooting game since the Galaxy S2 days haha

Use TWRP to flash a custom (non-stock) ROM.

If you do want to flash a stock ROM, those will be image files (*.img) which is the only thing flashed through fastboot.

The only thing you'll "flash" through ADB, is a stock full OTA, but I've only ever bothered installing stock with fastboot.

Some additional comments;

You really want to install the latest TWRP (twrp-3.2.1-0-shamu.img). If you have a sufficiently older version, you may have trouble installing a custom ROM. No matter what you do, don't let TWRP install root!

You should be able to upgrade to the newest TWRP from within TWRP by downloading the latest TWRP image file (.img) from the download link and put it on internal storage. Boot TWRP then go to install and find and select the Images... button. Browse to the image that you downloaded and select it. Choose recovery and swipe to flash.

You should be able to plug you phone in to the computer while in TWRP and drop the file in to internal storage through the PC's. If you can not do this, this is why you're having trouble with fastboot and ADB.

Do you know what version of stock is currently (last installed) on the phone? If you want to install a recent nougat or any oreo custom ROM, you med the most recent bootloader. The way to do that is to fastboot flash the last stock release ( fastboot factory images).





"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." - Will Rogers

 

[ktmom]

I was thinking about this, did I miss the fact that you have no OS installed at all?

In that case, if USB Debugging in Developer Options wasn't enabled before whatever wipe was done on the phone, ADB won't work.

It does sound like fastboot is working for you. Double check by connecting the phone and typing "fastboot devices" in the command line on whichever computer you are using. If fastboot is working, I suggest you get back to a known state and use the link (above) for the factory image. Use the last one and fastboot flash the stock ROM back onto your device. The instructions on the linked page are accurate. When they refer to "older devices" that includes the N6.

Once you are back to stock, boot, go to developer options and enable usb debugging. Then see if ADB works for you. You must be booted into either Android or TWRP for ADB to work. While you are booted into the OS, download and save on internal storage what ever custom ROM you want to use.

Once you get to a known condition, go back to the bootloader which is the only place fastboot works and re-flash TWRP. Use the command fastboot reboot recovery to go straight into TWRP and now you can flash the custom ROM from within recovery.

"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." - Will Rogers

 

[phr0zen]

Use TWRP to flash a custom (non-stock) ROM.

If you do want to flash a stock ROM, those will be image files (*.img) which is the only thing flashed through fastboot.

The only thing you'll "flash" through ADB, is a stock full OTA, but I've only ever bothered installing stock with fastboot.

Some additional comments;

You really want to install the latest TWRP (twrp-3.2.1-0-shamu.img). If you have a sufficiently older version, you may have trouble installing a custom ROM. No matter what you do, don't let TWRP install root!

You should be able to upgrade to the newest TWRP from within TWRP by downloading the latest TWRP image file (.img) from the download link and put it on internal storage. Boot TWRP then go to install and find and select the Images... button. Browse to the image that you downloaded and select it. Choose recovery and swipe to flash.

You should be able to plug you phone in to the computer while in TWRP and drop the file in to internal storage through the PC's. If you can not do this, this is why you're having trouble with fastboot and ADB.

Do you know what version of stock is currently (last installed) on the phone? If you want to install a recent nougat or any oreo custom ROM, you med the most recent bootloader. The way to do that is to fastboot flash the last stock release ( fastboot factory images).





"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." - Will Rogers

Update: I was able to get the phone up and running again through a fit of rage. Lete try to answer a couple of your questions.

The TWRP that came with the software was out of date but I was able to find the current .img, which I placed in the appropriate folder within the program. So that's installed :good:

When I plugged the phone into the computer, it would not let me transfer files because it couldn't mount /data. I couldn't find which file system it should be so I attempted ext4 which threw an error. Ended up going with Fat even though you my understanding Fat does not support root. This can be fixed later after work.

My last ROM was Screw'd, which interestingly enough managed to stay on the phone, along with the Gapps package. I'm not entirely sure how that happened since I wiped everything.

So as of now everything's working except root, which I more than likely need to change the file system to accommodate root. Hopefully this will be my last PITA post about this issue and again, I thank you for your time and input.

 

[Galliardox]

Ok, like a year ago I unlocked the bootloader, installed SuperSU, and TWRP, however the TWRP did not replace the stock recovery, because instructions on TWRP website were ****. I did not really care about it back then. Later on I gave this phone to my brother and he broke the charging port (hate Micro-USB, btw). The phone later updated to 7.1.1, and the root disappeared. Now, I want to install root on this Nexus again, but USB-port is broken, but I have unlocked bootloader and Android 7.1.1. What can I do?

 

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

Get the USB port fixed. You can't root without it since the stock recovery will refuse to install unsigned packages.

 

[zapjb]

Late to the Nexus 6 party. Got one with 7.11 & bootloader unlocked.
Afaik this used Nexus isn't rooted. I've read a bunch here at XDA. But I haven't rooted a phone in ~3+ yrs. All this is way confusing to me. Is there a 1 2 3 guide? Afaik it's unlock bootloader [done], turn on USB debugging [done].

But I can't find clear instructions on how to root this sucker. Help appreciated.

 

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

But I can't find clear instructions on how to root this sucker. Help appreciated.

In a nutshell...

1. Download Minimal ADB and Fastboot and install it. As an alternative, ADB and Fastboot are available direct from Google, in which case you will have to manually create a directory to store them in on the root of your C: drive.
2. Download TWRP recovery for the N6 and place it in the same directory ADB and Fastboot are located in.
3. Download the latest version of Magisk to the PC and copy it to the N6 internal storage.
4. Enable developer options if not already enabled and enable USB debugging.
5. Shut down the N6.
6. Press and hold "Volume Down" and the Power button to enter Bootloader mode.
7. Connect the N6 to your PC using a known working USB cable.
8. Open Minimal ADB and Fastboot. If ADB and Fastboot were manually installed, open a command prompt and navigate to the folder where ADB and Fastboot were stored.
9. Type "adb devices".
10. Type "fastboot oem unlock" to unlock the bootloader (skip this step if already done). WARNING: This command will completely wipe the phone.
11. Type "fastboot flash recovery twrp-xxx.img", replacing "twrp-xxx.img" with the actual file name.
12. Type "adb reboot recovery" to enter the fresh copy of TWRP on the device.
13. On the screen that appears, select the checkbox and then swipe to allow modifications to system.
14. Tap "Install".
15. Navigate to where the Magisk zip was stored and tap on it. If the bootloader unlock wiped the zip out of internal storage, copy the zip from the PC to internal storage and try again.
16. When the Magisk installer completes, tap "Reboot System" to start up the device.

Rejoice, for you are rooted.

 

[zapjb]

In a nutshell...

1. Download Minimal ADB and Fastboot and install it. As an alternative, ADB and Fastboot are available direct from Google, in which case you will have to manually create a directory to store them in on the root of your C: drive.
2. Download TWRP recovery for the N6 and place it in the same directory ADB and Fastboot are located in.
3. Download the latest version of Magisk to the PC and copy it to the N6 internal storage.
4. Enable developer options if not already enabled and enable USB debugging.
5. Shut down the N6.
6. Press and hold "Volume Down" and the Power button to enter Bootloader mode.
7. Connect the N6 to your PC using a known working USB cable.
8. Open Minimal ADB and Fastboot. If ADB and Fastboot were manually installed, open a command prompt and navigate to the folder where ADB and Fastboot were stored.
9. Type "adb devices".
10. Type "fastboot oem unlock" to unlock the bootloader (skip this step if already done). WARNING: This command will completely wipe the phone.
11. Type "fastboot flash recovery twrp-xxx.img", replacing "twrp-xxx.img" with the actual file name.
12. Type "adb reboot recovery" to enter the fresh copy of TWRP on the device.
13. On the screen that appears, select the checkbox and then swipe to allow modifications to system.
14. Tap "Install".
15. Navigate to where the Magisk zip was stored and tap on it. If the bootloader unlock wiped the zip out of internal storage, copy the zip from the PC to internal storage and try again.
16. When the Magisk installer completes, tap "Reboot System" to start up the device.

Rejoice, for you are rooted.

Awesome you are my Nexus 6 hero. I will try later after I rest up from tweek reading & dl every YT vid I could find on Rooting - TWRP - Magisk on the N6.

 

[zapjb]

I've run into a problem. The N6 is detected by my W7 pc when the N6 is in regular phone mode. But the N6 doesn't say it's connected when in Bootloader mode. I tried in safe mode as well. Excellent directions I just can't figure past instruction #7. It's a known good cable except in Bootloader mode.

 

[ktmom]

I've run into a problem. The N6 is detected by my W7 pc when the N6 is in regular phone mode. But the N6 doesn't say it's connected when in Bootloader mode. I tried in safe mode as well. Excellent directions I just can't figure past instruction #7. It's a known good cable except in Bootloader mode.

I'm not experienced in Windows so I can't help you there, but in bootloader you need fastboot. In recovery or booted up you need ADB.

The phone presents different device identifiers to the computer in these modes, and different drivers are needed, so it is possible to have proper drivers installed for one mode, but not the other.

With my limited knowledge of Windows, with the phone connected via USB and booted to fastboot (bootloader), is there a yellow warning icon in the device manager? That would be a clear indication that the drivers needed are not installed properly. Typically people have to delete any currently installed drivers and reinstall. There should also be a stand alone fastboot available for W7, but that still requires the drivers are installed correctly.

There is always using a live boot USB drive with Ubuntu or Mint [emoji6]



"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." - Will Rogers

 

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

@ktmom: Something I failed to mention because I'm running Windows 10, which includes an Android USB driver.

 

[ktmom]

The thing is, all of the information in the OP is still valid with the exception of the need for one click root. Rooting is as simple as flashing a modern root zip in TWRP.

"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." - Will Rogers

 

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

@ktmom: I worked harder, not smarter.

 

[zapjb]

Ok kind XDA'ers. After 7. Connect the N6 to your PC using a known working USB cable. I scroll to Restart Bootloader on the N6 Bootloader menu.

So now I THINK I'm stuck at 11?. Type "fastboot flash recovery twrp-xxx.img",replacing "twrp-xxx.img" with the actualfile name.

I copied the CMD prompt verbage. Again help is appreciated.


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>adb devices
List of devices attached
* daemon not running; starting now at tcp:5037
* daemon started successfully


C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.2
.1-0-shamu.img
(bootloader) slot-count: not found
(bootloader) slot-suffixes: not found
(bootloader) slot-suffixes: not found
(bootloader) has-slot:recovery: not found
target reported max download size of 536870912 bytes
sending 'recovery' (12027 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.468s]
writing 'recovery'...
OKAY [ 0.781s]
finished. total time: 1.249s

C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>adb reboot recovery
error: no devices/emulators found

C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>

---------- Post added at 11:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:45 AM ----------

The thing is, all of the information in the OP is still valid with the exception of the need for one click root. Rooting is as simple as flashing a modern root zip in TWRP....

Is this possible? I don't have Root. If so how? Thanks.

 

[ktmom]

...

C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>adb reboot recovery
error: no devices/emulators found

...

Notice that you used ADB? You must use fastboot in the bootloader (fastboot mode).

...

Is this possible? I don't have Root. If so how? Thanks.

Download Magisk (search xda for the Magisk forum) and flash it in recovery.


"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." - Will Rogers

 

[zapjb]

....Download Magisk (search xda for the Magisk forum) and flash it in recovery....

Ok I toggled to Recovery Mode & TWRP showed on my N6. I flashed Magisk & selected what I believe were proper options.

N6 notifies me:
TRWP App Update Required
Please update the TWRP App!

When setting up my N6. Not this XDA root stuff just Google regular stuff I skipped ALL the Google options.

Can I Factory Reset my N6 getting all the beginning Google setup prompts & still KEEP the Magisk Flash? Or do I have to reflash Magisk?

Or should I enter my Google ID accept the PlayStore EULA, & update the TWRP App? Then scrounge around for all the Google choices I skipped?

Thanks.

 

[ktmom]

Ok I toggled to Recovery Mode & TWRP showed on my N6. I flashed Magisk & selected what I believe were proper options.

N6 notifies me:
TRWP App Update Required
Please update the TWRP App!

When setting up my N6. Not this XDA root stuff just Google regular stuff I skipped ALL the Google options.

Can I Factory Reset my N6 getting all the beginning Google setup prompts & still KEEP the Magisk Flash? Or do I have to reflash Magisk?

Or should I enter my Google ID accept the PlayStore EULA, & update the TWRP App? Then scrounge around for all the Google choices I skipped?

Thanks.

If you factory reset stock, you'll need to do everything you just did, over again. How about you skip using stock and use a custom Oreo ROM instead. The problem with stock is that the security updates are no longer released and the last release was before a couple of rather serious flaws.

I suggest you download AOSiP 8.1. That is one of a couple dozen available Oreo ROMs for this device. It's stable, had nice features and is actively developed. Once you get the hang of the flashing thing, you can try other ROMs is you want.

Download Open Gapps stock package. Make sure to also download the md5 file from that same page.

Look through the list of apps that are included in the stock package and if there are any you don't want installed, post here and I'll help you create a config file to exclude them from install.

Don't do any other steps until you've got the custom ROM file, Gapps and the optional Gapps config file all in internal storage. You probably want them in the same place you put the Magisk file.

To flash a custom ROM:

You'll need to reboot into TWRP
Usually you would make a backup (called a nandroid) but in your case it's easy enough to just restore a stock image if necessary.

Select “Wipe” from TWRP main menu and choose Advanced. Check boxes next to system, data, cache and dalvik. Then do the wipe. This will clean the device from stock, ready to flash a custom ROM. It's also referred to as a "clean flash".

Use the back button to return to the main menu

Choose "Install" and on the next screen add the custom ROM. Now choose add more zips and choose the Gapps file. Again add more zips and choose Magisk. Now flash these files. Watch the screen so if there is an error you'll see it.

Once every thing is done installing, reboot and setup like you would stock.

"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." - Will Rogers

 

[zapjb]

@ktmom You continue to be of great help.

I have dl AOSiP-8.1-Official-shamu-20180617.zip & AOSiP-8.1-Official-shamu-20180617.md5sum. It verified.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/development/aosip-8-1-official-t3801408
camcory the developer says, "These are local builds I do prior to official releases to test commits and or features."
So Do I have official release or no?

Another page hosting camcory
https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=224503&sort_by=date&sort_dir=DESC
says AOSiP-8.1-Official-shamu-20180614.zip is the latest official release.

Are both 20180617 & 20180614 official releases?

As far as Open GAPPS. I'm not sure what platform I'm on. So I downloaded ARM 8.1 stock & micro. The micro seems more to my liking. Can I add apps not in micro, I'd think so?

Any harm in making a Nandroid anyways & having it in Internal storage for convenience sake? And what are the steps through TWRP? Or I just put shamu-n6f27m-factory-bf5cce08.zip in internal for CYA purposes?

I love XDA!