How to Unbrick Nexus 10 and Restore Stock Firmware

Nexus 10 users who have bricked their devices may follow our step-by-step guide below to unbrick the tablet and restore stock Android firmware using Google's Android Factory Image.

When Android Factory Image is applied on any Nexus devices, it restores to 100% stock firmware while removing all data. Also, users may flash a newer Factory Image over the older version, which is an alternative to an update.

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held liable for any damage to the devices. Before following the unbrick method users are advised to verify that their devices meet the following requirements.

Pre-requisites

1) Install USB Driver for Nexus 10 and install them on the computer. You will download a zip and then extract it on the PC. Connect the tablet to the PC and open Device Manger menu and Update the Driver Software for Nexus 10 device by pointing the 'updater' to location the USB drivers are extracted.

2) Enable USB Debugging on the tablet to connect it with the computer and use Android SDK with it. [Navigate to Settings>> About tablet. Tap on Build Number several times until a message appears saying 'You are now a Developer.' Now enable USB Debugging Mode by navigating to Settings>> Developer Options.]

3) As the tutorial might wipe out all data of the tablet, create a backup. If the device has any custom recoveries such as ClockworkMod or, TWRP then back up data using the recovery. [Click here for our guide to root and install CWM recovery on Nexus 10.]

4) If the Android device powers off due to lack of battery charge during the rooting process, it can damage the device. Therefore, ensure your Nexus 10 has a battery charge of above 80%.

5) The bootloader of Nexus 10 should be unlocked.

6) This unbrick method works with Google Nexus 10. Applying this on an incorrect variant might brick the device. So, verify the model number of Nexus 10 by navigating to Settings>> About tablet >> Model number.

How to unbrick Nexus 10 with Android Factory image from Google

Step-1: Download the latest Android Factory Image for Nexus 10 codenamed mantaray

Step-2: Extract the content from archived files with .tgz extension. Place the file in folder on the computer for easy access

Step-3: Switch off the Nexus 10

Step-4: Boot the tablet into Fastboot mode. For this press and hold Volume Down, Home and Power buttons together for a few seconds. Release all the buttons when the Fastboot Mode shows Start option listed in the upper part of the screen. The Fastboot Mode main menu should appear

Step-5: Connect the Nexus 10 to the computer using USB cable. Ensure that Google USB Drivers are installed on the PC, so that the computer will recognise the tablet

Step-6: Navigate to the Factory image folder created in step-2.

Step-7: Install the Factory Image file by double clicking flash-all.bat file for Windows users. Mac or, LINUX users should double click flash-all.sh file

Step-8: Wait for some time until the installation is completed

Step-9: When the installation process is completed, boot the tablet into Recovery Mode. Press Volume Up button until the Recovery Mode option appears then press Power button to boot into Recovery mode

Step-10: Perform a Factory Reset. Select wipe data/factory reset and confirm the process

Step-11: Reboot the Nexus 10 into normal mode

Following the aforementioned guide, Nexus 10 users should be able to restore stock Android firmware.

[Source: Android Geeks]