How to Flash Touch-based TWRP Recovery 2.1 on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus

The days of using volume keys to navigate the Recovery Menu may soon come to an end as more and more recoveries are adopting touch-based interfaces instead of the old ways.  While ClockworkMod Recovery has a touch-based version, TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) improves upon that popular recovery adding finger-friendly buttons the ability to save custom settings, customize the layout and the ability to install multiple zips in one go.  In this guide, we’ll show you how to get the TWRP Recovery 2.1 on to your Galaxy Nexus and move from ClockworkMod Recovery to something new and different.

I.  Before You Begin

1.  This procedure works on both variants – GSM Unlocked and CDMA – of the Galaxy Nexus.

2.  Your Galaxy Nexus should be rooted and have ClockworkMod Recovery installed before you can flash TWRP.  Check our guide on how to gain root and flash custom recovery for help with this.

II.  Necessary Downloads

1.  Openrecovery-twrp-2.1.0preview-toro-signed.zip (for the CDMA version).

2.  Openrecovery-twrp-2.1.0preview-maguro-signed.zip (for the GSM version).

III.  Flashing the Recovery

1.  Connect your Galaxy Nexus to the PC.

2.  Copy the relevant zip file (CDMA or GSM recovery) to the topmost folder of your device’s internal storage.

3.  Disconnect from the PC and power down the device.

4.  Reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery.  To do this, press and hold both the Volume Up and Volume Down keys and then press the power button until your device enters Fastboot Mode.  Use the Volume Up and Down keys to navigate to Recovery and press the Power button to select it.

5.  From ClockworkMod Recovery, choose “Install zip from SDcard“.  Then select “Choose zip from SDcard“.  Finally, select the relevant zip file you copied above and then select “Yes” to confirm installation.

6.  Once the installation is complete, select “Go Back” and then select “reboot system now“.

The next time you boot into recovery, you should be greeted with a nice tiled touch-enabled interface that is far more easier to use than ClockworkMod Recovery!!