How to root Google Nexus 5X and install TWRP recovery

Using Chainfire's SuperSU beta package version 2.52 you can root your Nexus 5X smartphone which recently went on sale in a few key markets across the globe. Although Chainfire is yet to bring out a stable version of this SuperSU package, the beta release is good enough if you are looking for a safe root method.

Chainfire says v2.52 currently supports Android M only, but it should eventually make it to all APIs. This beta file is a recovery flashable file, which means you need to install it through a custom recovery. Below are the other changes introduced in SuperSU 2.52 beta:

• Adjusted more policies for M
• Fixed an issue with reading logs on M
• Reworked --context/--cn parameter (testing, currently M only, should eventually move to all APIs)

Following is a guide that will take you through the step-by-step instructions to root the Nexus 5X. Apart from the root package, you need compatible TWRP for the phone and a modified boot image. Before you go ahead with the rooting, make note of a few things: create a backup of all data of the phone. You will lose the warranty once it is rooted. The bootloader of the phone should be unlocked.

Download files
Modified boot image
TWRP recovery
SuperSU beta v2.52

How to root Google Nexus 5X

Step-1: Keep the above downloaded files in a separate folder and name it to anything you want, something like rootnexus5. This should be helpful to get all the files in a single folder

Step-2: Inside the folder, rename the TWRP recovery file to twrp.img and boot image to boot.img for easy execution of the commands that you will use later in the guide

Step-3: Ensure that you have installed ADB and Fastboot drivers on your PC

Step-4: Connect the phone to the PC and move the SuperSU root file to phone's storage

Step-5: Disconnect the phone and boot into bootloader mode

• Switch off the phone and wait for a few seconds until the screen goes off completely
• Press and hold the Volume Up, Volume Down and Power buttons together until your phone turns on. You should see Fastboot written on top of the screen

At the bottom of the screen you can verify the bootloader status of the phone, whether its locked or unlocked. You need to unlock in case it is locked

Step-6: Open a command window inside the rootnexus5 folder in which you have saved the boot and TWRP files

Open the folder, hold Shift key + right click on an empty space inside the folder. You should see a drop down menu, and select Open command window here option

Step-7: Enter the following command to check whether fastboot is working or not

• fastboot devices

You should see a serial number with fastboot written after it. If it does not appear, it means you need to reinstall adb and fastboot drivers, restart the PC or use an original USB cable

Step 8: Execute the following command to boot in to recovery

• fastboot boot twrp. img

The above command does not install TWRP recovery but allows the phone to boot into recovery. This way you can retain stock recovery on your phone even though it is rooted. If you want TWRP recovery, type in the command below

• fastboot flash recovery twrp . img

Step 9: Once the process is complete, disconnect the phone from the PC and reboot the phone into recovery mode

Use the Volume Up/Down button to get the Recovery menu and then use the Power button to select it. Your phone will be in TWRP recovery now

Step-13: From recovery, select Install then locate the SuperSU root file, select it and do a swipe to confirm flash option at the bottom of the screen

If the SuperSU does not install, then you need to wipe data on your Nexus phone from TWRP menu. Then reboot the phone

Step 14: When root package is installed, select Reboot system from recovery

When your new Nexus phone boots up, it should be rooted successfully, with TWRP recovery installed. To know more about the SuperSu beta, head over to the XDA development thread.

Via Android Soul