How to Root the Nextbook 8 (NX008HD8G)

If you have bought the Nextbook 8 from Walmart, you will know that it’s one of the cheapest tablets (at $99, it’s got to be) available with its spec sheet – a 1.5GHz dual-core processor with 1GB RAM, 8-inch touchscreen display, 8GB on-board memory with a memory slot for more space, and even a mini-HDMI port to boot.  We’ll show you how to root this tablet and get something more for its $99 price tag, like changing themes, overclocking/underclocking and many other things that you normally won’t be able to do on it.  Read on then to know how to root the Nextbook 8.

I.  Before You Begin

1.  Back up everything you feel is important before you start.

2.  Charge your device to 75% or more before you begin to prevent unwanted shutdowns.

3.  This method will only work for the versions of Nextbook 8 bought before August 2013.  Check the back of the tablet and if the serial number begins with YFG1013, YFG1113 or higher, this procedure is not for you!

II.  Necessary Downloads

1.  SMT_Next8HD8G_Mod_Recovery.zip [Download link available in this post]

2.  Kyser_Root-signed.zip [Download link available in this post]

III.  Rooting the Nextbook 8

1.  Extract SMT_Next8HD8G_Mod_Recovery.zip to a folder on your desktop.  You should end up with a file called uImage_recovery with no extension.

2.  Connect your device to your PC and copy both uImage_recovery and Kyser_Root-signed.zip to your device’s external SD card (not the internal memory, insert a microSD card if you don’t already have one); do not put them into any subfolders just drop them in the main folder of your device’s external SD card.

3.  Power down your device and reboot to the modified recovery you have just copied.  To do this, with the device powered off, press and hold the Volume Up + Volume Down buttons with the Power button until you pass the splash screen, a black screen and you see the recovery menu.

4.  Use the Volume Up and Down buttons to highlight the ‘Flash zip from EXT card‘ option and the power button to confirm the selection.

5.  Once flashed, go back to the main menu and select ‘reboot system.’

Once the Nextbook 8 reboots, check for the SuperSU app in the app drawer (install it from the Play Store if you don’t find it) to verify you are rooted!

9 thoughts on “How to Root the Nextbook 8 (NX008HD8G)”

  1. Allen Vermillion

    Okay I’ve got a couple questions – I follow the instructions above and here’s my checklist:
    Download smt_nextbook mod recovery.zip – check
    Download kyser zip – check
    Unzip mod recovery and copy file ulmage file and kyser.zip to sd card – check
    Hold volume + , volume -, & power to boot screen – check
    *** here’s a question*** you say “flash zip from ext card option” I don’t have that, mine has “apply update from adb” update from ext” apply update from cache” and wipe options so I tried selecting the apply update ext and selected sdcard, then the kyser signed.zip.
    At this point it runs thru the dos style screen (still plugged into the pc via usb) and installs everything, says setting permission, create symlink, unmount system, finished reboot now, install from sdcard complete.
    I highlight reboot from the top blue list,
    It reboots and takes me thru setting everything up (wifi, faq, etc) I log in to my Google Chrome store account to download rootchecker or anything for that matter and it starts but never actually downloads anything just shows the status bar. Working, I’ve tried restarting and redoing the root process.
    Where did I go wrong??????
    Am I supposed to turn on usb debugging?
    When do I unplug the usb?
    Thanks. My nextbook was made in June 2013, jellybean v4.1.1

    1. I ran into the same problem when I downloaded a ROM and custom recovery. What happens is it messes up your internal memory by saying you do not have any available. You have to wipe data, cache, and dalvic. Do a factory reset also. You must do this several times. The way to do this is to download twrp recovery. Just follow the link above and I think it will lead you to another link for the twrp download. When you find it, verify that your board and model numbers match. There are two available downloads for each, the 7 and 8 versions. I hope you made a nandroid backup also. Just let me know if I can help out further.

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