How to Root the Nexus 7 (2013) (Android 4.4)
Unlike most other device users, the Nexus 7 (2013) users didn’t need to wait much longer to get the latest flavor of Android — Android 4.4 KitKat — running on their device. Usually, Nexus users are the ones who stand first in the queue to get the latest firmware updates and same has happened in the case of KitKat. So you got the KitKat running on your device and missing the root-access you had before the update? No worries, we already have a method that roots the device on this newer version of firmware. Here’s how:
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 over to this procedure and get the drivers installed first.
3. Back up any important data that you’ve stored on your device.
II. Downloading Required Files:
1. ClockworkMod Recovery Image (WiFi Only OR WiFi+LTE)
2. SuperSU
3. Fastboot
III. Unlocking Bootloader of the Nexus 7 (2013):
1. Place all three files you downloaded onto your Desktop.
2. Extract files from Fastboot archive over to your Desktop.
3. Enable the USB debugging option on your device by heading to Menu>>Settings>>Developer options>>USB debugging.
4. Plug in your device to your PC via USB cable.
5. 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.
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, issue the following command:
fastboot oem unlock
9. It should unlock the bootloader of your device. Say Yes to any prompts that ask you if you really want to unlock your bootloader.
10. Reboot your device once its bootloader’s been unlocked.
Great! You’ve successfully unlocked the bootloader of your device. Let’s flash a custom recovery on it now!
IV. Flashing a Custom Recovery on the Nexus 7 (2013):
1. Ensure that the USB debugging is enabled on your device and your device’s connected to your PC.
2. Launch 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 select Open command window here.
3. Type in following command into the Command Prompt Window and hit ENTER:
adb reboot bootloader
4. Your device should reboot into the bootloader mode.
5. Once in bootloader, type in 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. Once the recovery’s been flashed, reboot your device.
Awesome! A custom recovery’s been successfully flashed on your device. Let’s root that beast now!
V. Rooting the Nexus 7 (2013) running Android 4.4 KitKat:
1. Ensure that your device’s connected to your PC.
2. Copy the SuperSU zip over to the root of your device’s SD card.
3. Once it’s been copied, unplug your device from your PC.
4. Turn OFF your device.
5. Reboot your device into the Recovery mode. To do that, hold down Volume DOWN+Power buttons together.
6. Your device should reboot into the CWM Recovery mode.
7. Once in Recovery, select install zip from sdcard followed by choose zip from sdcard.
8. Choose the SuperSU zip you copied earlier to be flashed on your device.
9. It’ll start flashing the zip on your device.
10. Once it’s been flashed, reboot your device.
11. You’re now fully rooted!
Brilliant! Your Nexus 7 (2013) running Android 4.4 KitKat has been successfully rooted and flashed with a custom recovery. Feel free to install any root-only apps on your device or maybe flash an entire ROM!
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 7 (2013) to learn how to do that.
