[How to] Unlock the Nexus 9 Bootloader and Root

[USBhost]

Can someone run

fastboot oem device-info

and see what that returns with? That's how you check the tamper flag on the nexus 4 and 5. It will probably be different on the N9, but it's worth checking.

Will do

---------- Post added at 03:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:54 PM ----------

[email protected]:~$ adb reboot bootloader
[email protected]:~$ fastboot oem device-info
...
(bootloader) [ERR] Command error !!!
OKAY [  0.005s]
finished. total time: 0.005s
[email protected]:~$

 

[tehpud]

ADB Devices empty?

This is to help those of you folks that are running into an issue with your ADB Devices command returning blank.
This is assuming you have gone through the trouble of troubleshooting and researching yourself. If you are at this point and reading this post, then you most likely already tried stuff like a different USB port, cable, adb kill-server / start-server stuff, and ensuring you have USB debugging enabled.

If you are still stuck, then let's get to work.
Windows 8/7
1) Plug the device into a USB directly connected to MOBO or into your mobo. If you are prompted with some ping on your computer, then that is a good start.
2) Open -> Device Manager
3) Go to "Other Devices"
4) Identify the tablet. It will probably say "ADB USB blah blah". That's the one we want.
5) Right click, Update Driver Software
6) Browse my computer
7) Let me pick from a list of device drivers (bottom box)
8) In the pop up select, "SHOW ALL DEVICES" at top of list, click NEXT.
9) Click "Have Disk"
10) Browse to your path where you have:::: "android-sdk\extras\google\usb_driver"
11) Click okay
12) Select Android ADB Interface
13) Click yes -> Install -> Close

At that point you should have your tablet asking for permission. If it's not plugged in, plug it in and see the prompt.

Enjoy.

 

[berendspruijt]

TNX!
this worked for me!
Windows 8.1

 

[mk92595]

Okay finally rooted

 

[nmil1484]

So I am pretty sure we will see some minor updates coming soon. Will we be able to take them with root?

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app

 

[nolook]

does the n9 show the unlock symbol when booting like other nexi? mine says unlocked in the htc bootloader but no unlock icon at boot?

 

[nmil1484]

does the n9 show the unlock symbol when booting like other nexi? mine says unlocked in the htc bootloader but no unlock icon at boot?

No. It will show it in fastboot or bootloader

Sent from my LG-VS985 using XDA Free mobile app

 

[fropirate]

Is anyone else losing root on the next reboot after following the instructions in the video?

 

[funkybside]

Is this method applicable to 5.1.1?

 

[PlusOmar]

This rooting method takes my Nexus 9 to a boot loop, I'm using Android 5.1.1

 

[bruce7373]

Why can't you just let TWRP root the N9?

Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Forums Pro.

 

[xfullmetal17]

CF-Auto-Root worked for me... The method in the OP I think has an old version of the boot.img file that 5.1.1 doesn't like.

I flashed the boot.img and system.img files from the factory image, then went and did the auto-root.

edit: so far it's booted and I've got my restore going, we'll see what comes of it after all's said and done.

edit the second: Looks like I got everything back, save pictures (and those were just a few random screenshots anyway). adb backup/restore works a lot better than I'd been reading it did.