How To Add Google Wallet to the Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Have a rooted Samsung Galaxy Nexus? Curious what else you can do with it? Well, how about adding Google wallet to the device before it is technically “supposed” to be on it? Sure why not.

UPDATE December 19th, 2011:

There is a new file to use that is easier. You dont even have to be rooted (unless you are outside the US).

1. All you need is to be on Android 4.0.2 or higher (to check that go to Settings > About Phone).

2. Simply download the apk file from this link below and install it using any file manager (look for a file manager in the Market, install it, then open it and search for the apk file you downloaded from below and click it to install it).

Google Wallet APK

I. Before You Begin

1. You must follow our How To Root the Samsung Galaxy Nexus procedure then once done, head back to this one and go to the next step.

2. Next, you must do our How To Load a Custom ROM on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus procedure, once done, head back here to continue.

II. Flash Google Wallet

1. Download the Google Wallet zip file and save it to your computer.

Google Wallet Flashable .zip

3. Plug your phone in and mount the internal storage so we can transfer files to it.

4. Copy the .zip file over to the root of the internal storage (NOT in any folders, just on the internal storage or sdcard itself).

5. Turn the phone off, then turn the phone back on by holding down Volume Down and Volume Up buttons and tap Power button until the device vibrates, then let go of the power button but keep holding the volume buttons until the recovery mode comes up.

6. Once in recovery mode, scroll to Backup, then select Backup and wait for the phone to backup its current ROM.

7. Once it is done, select Wipe Data

8. Then select Install zip from SD Card

9. Select Choose zip from sd card.

10. Select the .zip file you loaded onto the internal storage or sd card earlier and wait for it to flash.

11. Once done, select reboot system now.

III. Fix Permissions

1. Once it boots back up into Android, turn the phone off, then turn the phone back on by holding down Volume Down and Volume Up buttons and tap Power button until the device vibrates, then let go of the power button but keep holding the volume buttons until the recovery mode comes up.

2. Now, select Advanced > Fix Permissions.

3. Once done, select Reboot System Now.

4. Once it reboots to Android you are all set.

14 thoughts on “How To Add Google Wallet to the Samsung Galaxy Nexus”

  1. two questions 
    1. will this work on the verizon version.
    2. Is this a custom Rom or just the app (will I still get OTA updates from google?)

      1. Lol, yes it will work on any Galaxy Nexus, and it was “supposed” to work on the stock ROM (so long as you were rooted and running a custom recovery) BUT I couldn’t get it to, so you have to load a custom ROM (doesn’t matter which one I used, MCR, or other ones) before you flash this for it to work.

        So, as for OTAs? No you wont get them unless you unroot, but as soon as they come out the ROM developers are quick to add them to their ROM so just update the ROM you are using to get the same features Google would have pushed to you anyway (and still be able to have root and Google wallet).

  2. I followed your steps, but it says I have “insufficient privileges” insufficient secure element privileges for this system image (release-keys)please contact google support. What am I missing? or doing wrong??
    Thanks in advance!

    1. It seems that it doesnt work on the stock ROM is the issue (even though it was “supposed to”). So you need to follow the steps above as I wrote them and flash a custom ROM first then you can flash the Wallet pack then boot into android then back into recovery then fix permissions then back into Android again. A little much I know but works fine after that 🙂

      1. I had ITL41D image. I need to use the ITL41F image. After I did this it worked. But I wasn’t able to run the OTA update to 4.0.2

        1. Wallet works on the galaxy nexus without rooting.  If you have google wallet added to My Apps in the market place (through having it on nexus s 4g before or some other method), the app automatically downloads when logging into galaxy nexus.  Then, just launch Google Shopper on the galaxy nexus first which initializes the device. Then, google wallet works fine on the Galaxy nexus.

  3. Even after fixing permissions, I’m still getting the “Unfortunately, Wallet has stopped.”  Message.  Any ideas on what else I can try?

    1. I’d try to flash a different ROM or at least just flash a the wallet .zip again, boot back into android completely after that, then boot back into recovery and fix permissions then reboot.

  4. Any chance David you can reply to some of these questions. I have a Verizon version as well and would like to know if this video will work with my phone.  Love your videos and tutorials, however just need some questions answered!!!  Thanks

    1. Hello @twitter-54300102:disqus ! Super busy, and its tough for me to get to the comments on all the videos, but I’m trying damnit! lol

      To answer your question, it SHOULD work on the Verizon version and I think @76814ef33520a18c47cbc433418e2fec:disqus above confirmed that it does as well if I read the comment right…
      Good luck!

  5. Hi I followed all these steps and flashed the MCR custom rom. My problem is I no longer have signal from the carrier. I can’t get 3G, 4G, or make calls. Is this an issue with the custom rom, or is this a Verizon or hardware error?

  6. Wallet works on the galaxy nexus without rooting.  If you have google wallet added to My Apps in the market place (through having it on nexus s 4g before or some other method), the app automatically downloads when logging into galaxy nexus.  Then, just launch Google Shopper on the galaxy nexus first which initializes the device. Then, google wallet works fine on the Galaxy nexus.

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