How to Root the Nexus 9
One of the greatest things that the HTC Nexus 9 brings with it is the latest version of Android –Android 5.0 “Lollipop”. As soon as the device came out, devs began finding a way to gain root access on this latest version of Android (along with the first ever 64 bit processor on an Android device). And fortunately, they were successful in their findings. We now have a root method for the Nexus 9 that unlocks the bootloader, injects SuperSU, and roots the device. Here’s how it all works:
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 9, 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 9:
I. Before You Begin
1. This’ll void the warranty of your device. We won’t be held responsible if you end-up bricking or damaging your device. Do it at your own risk.
2. This should only work on Windows based PCs.
3. This’ll erase all the data on your device. So make sure to back it up before you do the procedure.
II. Downloading Required Files
1. Download ADB and save it to your desktop.
2. Download Root Package and save it to your desktop.
Root Package (Download link’s given in the first post)
III. Unlocking the Bootloader on the Nexus 9
1. Extract files from both ADB and Root Package to your desktop by right-clicking on each of them and selecting Extract here.
2. Head to Menu > Settings > About tablet on your device and tap about seven times on Build number. It’ll say you’re now a developer.
3. Head to Menu > Settings > Developer options and enable Enable OEM unlock and USB debugging options.
4. Plug in your device to your PC using the USB cable.
5. Launch a Command Prompt Window on your desktop. To do that, hold down Shift and right-click on any empty area on your screen and select Open command window here.
6. Type in following command into the Command Prompt Window and hit Enter:
adb reboot bootloader
7. Your device should reboot into bootloader mode.
8. Highlight the FASTBOOT USB option using Power buttons and select it using Power key.
9. You should now be in fastboot mode.
10. Type in following command into the Command Prompt Window and hit Enter:
fastboot oem unlock
11. Select Confirm when you are prompted and it’ll unlock your bootloader.
12. You’re done!
The bootloader on your Nexus 9 is now unlocked. It’s time to root the device, let’s see how:
IV. Rooting the Nexus 9
1. Ensure that you’re still in bootloader mode and are plugged in to your PC.
2. Type in following command into the Command Prompt Window and hit Enter:
fastboot boot inject.img
3. It should inject the SuperSU files into your device.
4. Once it’s done, you’ll be back to bootloader mode.
5. Now issue the following command:
fastboot flash boot patched.img
6. It should flash the patched kernel for SuperSU to actually work.
7. Once that is done, issue the following command:
fastboot reboot
8. Your device should reboot.
9. You’re all set!
Excellent! Your Nexus 9 is now rooted and is equipped with the SuperSU app to help you manage root-permissions on your device. Go ahead and load-up your device with your favorite root-only apps!
You can click here to find all of the Nexus 9 How To’s.
You can also find all of the Nexus 9 ROMs we have here.
