How to Root the Nexus 4 (Android 4.4)

So you just updated your Nexus 4 to the latest Android 4.4 KitKat and the SuperSU app is nowhere to be found on your device? It’s gone. Whenever you update your device to a newer firmware, the root-access gets lost. However, new methods just keep coming that let you root your device even after the updates. This guide shows how you can root your Nexus 4 running Android 4.4 KitKat:

I. Before You Begin:

1. This will void the warranty of your device. However, you can reinstate the warranty by unrooting your device if there’s any unrooting procedure available.

2. You should have appropriate drivers installed on your PC. If you don’t, head here and get them installed first.

II. Downloading Required Files:

1. ClockworkMod Recovery Image

2. SuperSU

3. Fastboot

III. Unlocking Bootloader of the Nexus 4:

1. Download and place all three files onto your Desktop.

2. Unzip files from Fastboot archive over to your Desktop.

3. Turn ON the USB debugging option on your device by going to Menu>>Settings>>Developer options>>USB debugging.

4. Plug in your device to your PC using the USB cable.

5. Launch a Command Prompt Window on your Desktop. To do that, just hold down the Shift button and right-click on any blank area on your screen and select Open command window here.

6. Type in following command into the Command Prompt Window:

adb reboot bootloader

7. Your device should reboot into the bootloader mode.

8. Once in bootloader mode, type in following command:

fastboot oem unlock

9. Follow the instructions displayed on your device’s screen.

10. You’re done!

Great! Your bootloader’s been successfully unlocked. It’s time to flash a custom recovery on the device, let’s do that now!

IV. Flashing a Custom Recovery on the Nexus 4:

1. Ensure that the USB debugging is enabled on your device and your device’s plugged-in to your PC.

2. Open a Command Prompt Window on your Desktop. To do that, simply hold down the Shift button and right-click on any blank area on your screen and select Open command window here.

3. Type in following command into the Command Prompt Window:

adb reboot bootloader

4. Your device should reboot into the bootloader mode.

5. Once in bootloader mode, issue the following command. Make sure to replace recovery.img with the actual name of the Recovery Image you downloaded:

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

6. It should flash the recovery on your device.

7. Reboot your device once the recovery’s been flashed.

8. You’re done!

Awesome! The CWM Recovery’s been successfully flashed on your device. Let’s root it now!

V. Rooting the Nexus 4 running Android 4.4 KitKat:

1. Connect your device to your PC via USB cable.

2. Copy the SuperSU zip over to the root of your SD card.

3. Open a Command Prompt Window on your Desktop. To do so, hold down the Shift button and right-click on any blank area on your screen and choose Open command window here.

4. Type in following command into the Command Prompt Window:

adb reboot recovery

5. Your device should reboot into the CWM Recovery mode.

6. Once in Recovery, select install zip from sdcard followed by choose zip from sdcard.

7. Choose the SuperSU zip to be flashed on your device.

8. And it’ll start flashing the zip on your device.

9. Once it’s been flashed, reboot your device.

10. You’re now rooted!

Wonderful! You’ve successfully rooted your Nexus 4 running Android 4.4 KitKat and you can now enjoy all the root-privileges a rooted user usually gets!

VI. Flash a Custom ROM (Optional):

1. If you are ready to flash custom ROMs on your device, head to the How To Flash a Custom ROM on the Nexus 4 to learn how to do that.