November 22, 2013

How to Root Nexus 4 on Android 4.4 KRT16S KitKat and Install CWM/TWRP Recovery

Google has confirmed the latest Android 4.4 Kitkat official update with build version KRT16S for the Nexus 4 E960. The new official update is now available as an Over-The-Air (OTA) update.

Nexus 4 users who have already updated their devices with Android 4.4 KRT16S KitKat, may root their devices using the tutorial below.

Disclaimer: Rooting voids the warranty of your device. We and the developer of this rooting procedures shall not be held responsible if any undesirable outcomes may happen to your device. use of this root guide is solely at your own risk!

Pre-requisites
1. Make a backup of all your important data before following the guide.
2. Enable USB Debugging Mode on the phone.
3. The Nexus 4 bootloader should be unlocked.
4. Ensure the battery of the phone is charged more than 80 percent.
5. The CWM/TWRP Recovery and SuperSU files compatible only with the Nexus 4 running on Android 4.4 KRT16S KitKat. Applying these on any incorrect variant will brick the device. Verify the model number of the Nexus 4 by navigating to Settings >> About Phone.

Files Required
1. Android SDK
2. Fastboot
3. CWM or TWRP Recovery
4. SuperSU (UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.75.zip) or the latest version

Steps to Root Nexus 4 Running on Android 4.4 KitKat and Install CWM/TWRP Recovery
Step 1: Install the Android SDK. The package includes the necessary drivers for connecting your Nexus phone to the computer, which is mandatory for the rooting process.
Step 2: Extract the Fastboot .zip file using WinRAR/7-Zip/WinZip or any other extracting tool and copy it to the android-sdk-windowsplatform-tools directory on the computer.
Step 3: Copy the CWM or TWRP .img file to the android-sdk-windowsplatform-tools directory on the computer.
Step 4: Connect the Nexus 4 to the computer using USB cable. Then copy the SuperSU .zip file to the SD card of your phone.
Step 5: Switch off the Nexus 4. Then boot the device into fastboot mode by pressing and holding Volume Up, Volume Down, and Power buttons together.
Step 6: Navigate to android-sdk-windowsplatform-tools directory and open Command Prompt (Shift + Right-click >> Open Command Prompt). Then run the following command:

fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-touch-6.0.4.3-mako.img

Step 7: Once completed, choose RECOVERY from the Fastboot menu and enter Recovery Mode.
Step 8: In CWM Recovery, select "install zip from sdcard" and then select "choose zip from sdcard". Now, navigate to the SuperSU .zip file that you copied earlier and confirm the installation by selecting Yes.
Step 9: Once the installation process completes, return to main recovery menu and select "reboot system now".

Nexus 4 running on Android 4.4 KRT16S KitKat is now rooted successfully. Open the app drawer of the Nexus 4 and look for an app called SuperSU. Verify the root status of the device by downloading Root Checker app from Google Play Store.

Thank's to all fellas at XDA who first tried out this rooting technique. This method was originally posted via XDA-Developer original thread.

5 comments:

  1. hi..Im college student, thanks for sharing :

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  2. Thank you, my N4 4.4 now rooted :D

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  3. If I do this process I will lose my files and games?

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  4. does anyone know the best way to backup my nexus 4?

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  5. Thanks for the article. I just rooted my Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4 using this article.. Totally cool
    i also find the root method for nexus 5
    root nexus 5

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