How to Root the Nexus 4 on Android 5.0
Google never forgets to update its Nexus devices whenever it comes up with a new version of Android. This time, the Android 5.0 Lollipop update has hit the Nexus 4, bringing its users a host of cool features. If you have got this update on your Nexus 4 and are looking to root it, here’s how you can do that:
Rooting is the process of gaining administrative rights on your Android device. Once we root our Android device, we can then make changes to it to customize it well beyond what it normally can do.
Once you have root access on your Nexus 4, you’ll be able to:
- Remove apps that were preinstalled by your carrier/manufacturer from your device.
- Free up storage space (because of the above benefit).
- Increase battery life (apps that might have been running constantly can be removed).
- Increase performance (after removing apps that are always running, the device will be less bogged down and run smoother).
- Update to a new version of Android (by flashing a custom recovery/ROM, see the end of this procedure for more info on that).
- Tons of other customizations when you use your new found administrative rights to flash a custom ROM (again, see the end of this procedure for more info on that).
Interested? Here’s how to root your Nexus 4:
I. Before You Begin
1. This’ll void the warranty of your device. We aren’t liable for the consequences of doing this procedure. Do it at your own risk.
2. This only works for the Nexus 4 device.
II. Downloading Required Files
1. Download CF-Root for your Nexus 4 and save it to your desktop.
III. Rooting the Nexus 4 on Android 5.0
1. Unzip files from CF-Root to your desktop by right-clicking on it and selecting Extract here.
2. Turn ON USB debugging on your device by heading to Menu > Settings > Developer options > USB debugging.
3. Power OFF your device.
4. Turn your device back on by holding down Volume DOWN and Power buttons together.
5. You should now be in bootloader mode.
6. Plug in your device to your PC using the USB cable.
7. Double-click on root-windows.bat available on your desktop and it’ll launch.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions for rooting your device.
9. Once rooted, download and install Busybox from the Google Play store on your device.
10. You’re done!
Cool! Your Nexus 4 running Android 5.0 is now rooted and has SuperSU and Busybox to help you get the root-only apps working on it.
Maybe you’re more interested in flashing a custom ROM on your device than just installing a couple of root-only apps? If so, here’s how you can flash CWM Recovery on your device that’ll let you flash a custom ROM on your device:
IV. Flashing a Custom Recovery on the Nexus 4
1. Head over to the Google Play store and download and install ROM Manager on your device.
2. Once installed, open the app from your app drawer.
3. Tap on Flash ClockworkMod Recovery.
4. Select your device from the list.
5. Let it flash the recovery on your device.
6. When it’s done, reboot your device.
7. You’re all set!
Congrats! You now have a working version of CWM Recovery on your Nexus 4 running Android 5.0 Lollipop. This should definitely give you a head start to jump into the custom developments’ world!
You can click here to find all of the Nexus 4 How To’s.
You can also find all of the Nexus 4 ROMs we have here.
