Tutorial: How to root Nexus 4

By | November 27th, 2012



Now that people have started to receive their brand-new Nexus 4 devices, they must be excited to start tinkering with it. But, to get the full power and result out of an Android device you must root it. Nexus devices are particularly easy to root, but each device requires a new method to follow, for the Nexus 4 we are going to list the easiest method available, just follow the simple steps below to get your device rooted and set running.

Note: Hardwareinsight takes no responsibility of any bricked devices, try this at your own risk.

As we have mentioned before, backing up is a good practice as flashing the device will delete all your precious pictures and files.

ClockworkMod Recovery Method

  • First thing first, download the latest official ClockworkMod from CWM website and rename the downloaded file to ‘recovery.img’.
  • Enable Android Debugging option from Settings -> Developer Options -> Android Debugging
  • Connect the device to computer.
  • Now you would need to install the latest drivers, you can find them from here.
  • Or alternatively, you can download Nexus 4 root package, it is all in one package that can install the drivers for you.
  • Once the drivers had been installed, Download the flashable recovery package, SuperSU package with Busybox and transfer the files into phones internal memory.
  • Reboot into fastboot/bootloader mode via adb command or by pressing the power and volume down button.

adb reboot bootloader

  • Next thing you must do is to unlock the bootloader, this will wipe everything off from your phone. Command:

fastboot oem unlock

  • Now, make sure that in command promt you are in the directory where you downloaded the recovery.img
  • Once there, enter the following command into command prompt

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

  • You now have the recovery installed, you can boot into clockwork recovery by pressing volume up or volume down Twice.
  • Now flash the Superuser and Busy Box package you downloaded earlier.
  • Clear cache and dalvik cache.
  • Reboot device.

And that is it, if you followed the steps correctly, you will now have a working rooted Nexus 4. Credits to HQRaja of XDA developers for the method.