New Nexus 7: How to Root, Unlock Bootloader and Install Recovery

Google recently unveiled it second generation Nexus branding 7in tablet, featuring a full HD display at 1920 x 1200 pixels at the company's press event. The New Nexus 7 with starting price at £199 will go on sale in the UK on 13 September.

Prior to the market release, recognised XDA developer philos64 has shared a guide which serves multiple purposes such as unlocking bootloader, installing TWRP recovery and for root access. Head over to the development thread to learn more about the New Nexus 7 guide.

Those who wish to root their New Nexus 7 and install TWRP recovery may follow our step-by-step guide.

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held responsible for any damage to the device. Users are also advised to ensure that their devices meet following requirements.

Pre-requisites

1) As unlocking the bootloader will erase the data of the device including internal storage, create a backup for all data.

2) Download and install Android SDK.

3) Download Fastboot Binary. Copy the downloaded binary to the Android SDK.

4) Install WinRAR or any other archive manager.

5) Enable USB Debugging Mode on the tablet to connect it with the computer and use Android SDK with it. [Press Menu>> Settings>> Applications. From there navigate and click on Development option then check the USB Debugging Mode.]

6) Ensure that the New Nexus 7 has above 80% of battery charge.

7) The tutorial is compatible only with the New Nexus 7. Applying this to any other variant might brick the device.

Steps to unlock bootloader of New Nexus 7

Step-1: Open a Command Prompt window and type the following command to reboot the device into booltoader mode

adb reboot bootloader

Step-2: Connect the Nexus 7 to the computer using USB cable

Step-3: Type the following command to initiate the unlock process

fastboot oem unlock

Step-4: Users will now be prompted with a dialogue to confirm the process, go through it. Use the Volume buttons to highlight Yes and select it using the Power button

Step-5: The tablet will go back to the bootloader screen. Press Power button to select Start to reboot into the unlock device

Note: Those who wish to install TWRP and root the device further, do not reboot the device. Leave the device at the same screen.

Steps to install TWRP recovery on New Nexus 7

Step-1: Download the latest TWRP recovery image file

Download link- TWRP v2.6.0.0

Step-2: Open the folder where the recovery image file has been downloaded. Press Shift key and right click on an empty space inside the folder. When a menu pops up, select the Open Command Prompt here

Step-3: Type the following command to flash the recovery image file

fastboot flash recovery

[For example to flash the downloaded 2.6.0.0 TWRP, type the following command]

fastbbot flash recovery openrecovery-twrp-2.6.0.0-flo.img

Step-4: The recovery will be flashed and the progress could be observed in the CMD window itself

To boot the Nexus tablet into Recovery, press the Volume keys (up/down) until Recovery Mode is displayed. Use the Power button to select it and the device will reboot into the TWRP recovery Mode.

Steps to root New Nexus 7

Step-1: Download the SuperSU root package for Nexus 7

Download link: UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.43.zip

Step-2: Connect the tablet to the computer using USB cable

Step-3: Copy the UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.43.zip to the device's storage on a secure location

Step-4: Open a new CMD window and type the following command

adb reboot recovery

Step-5: The device will now reboot itself into TWRP recovery mode

Step-6: Navigate to install. Select the UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.43.zip and slide the button to flash it

Step-7: When the flashing process is completed, go to Reboot >>System and slide the button to reboot the device

The New Nexus 7 running on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean should have be rooted with TWRP recovery installed and bootloader unlocked.

[Source: Droid Views]