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How to root Google Nexus 5

posted by Daniel P. / Nov 04, 2013, 2:21 AM

Google Nexus 5 has barely been out, but the inevitable has already happened to it - Chainfire has released an easy root for the handset, based on the rookie CF-Auto-Root tool. Here's what you have to do to root Google's finest:

- Download the ZIP file (see [Autoroot source link] below for link)
- Extract the ZIP file
- Boot your device in bootloader/fastboot mode. Usually this can be done by turning your device off, then holding VolDown+Power to turn it on.
- Connect your device to your computer using USB

- Windows:
--- Run root-windows.bat

- Linux
--- chmod +x root-linux.sh
--- Run root-linux.sh

- Mac OS X
--- chmod +x root-mac.sh
--- Run root-mac.sh

- Follow the on-screen instructions - watch both the computer and the device !

Note that if your device had not been unlocked before, this procedure will wipe all your data !

Are you having fastboot driver issues? You can find fastboot drivers in many places, but the easiest way is probably just installing the Android SDK.

Did you see the red Android logo during rooting, but SuperSU does not appear? This may sometimes occur due to left-over files and settings, however, you can usually install SuperSU from Google Play at this stage and it'll just work.

source: Autoroot & Chainfire (XDA-Devs)

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14 Comments

1. improv

Posts: 96; Member since: Sep 09, 2013

nooooo, dun do it! :'( Seriously though, people are impressive. Thumbs up.

posted on Nov 04, 2013, 2:22 AM 2

2. Doakie

Posts: 2478; Member since: May 06, 2009

Wait Nexus 5 is that hard to root? I thought the Nexus 7 was just a matter of flipping a switch in the recovery?

posted on Nov 04, 2013, 2:34 AM 0

3. woodshop20

Posts: 459; Member since: Sep 14, 2013

Yeah unfortunately Google is becoming more like Microsoft and Apple and making their OS more and more closed. The Android where we can root and flash roms and change frameworks will eventually be gone.

posted on Nov 04, 2013, 2:45 AM 4

10. Tsoliades

Posts: 228; Member since: Dec 22, 2012

How is Android becoming more closed?

posted on Nov 04, 2013, 8:55 AM 0

13. sprockkets

Posts: 1612; Member since: Jan 16, 2012

Security or easy to hack. Pick one.

posted on Nov 04, 2013, 2:50 PM 0

7. protozeloz

Posts: 5396; Member since: Sep 16, 2010

Eh... It has been like that.... For as far as I can remember

posted on Nov 04, 2013, 6:07 AM 4

8. Tsoliades

It has, correct. This is really not a hard procedure. All Nexus devices have a bootloader that requires unlocking.

posted on Nov 04, 2013, 7:03 AM 2

11. xfire99

Posts: 1206; Member since: Mar 14, 2012

In which way is this hard to root? Dl the zip package, unzip, boot into fast mode, connect phone to computer and run windows.bat file. Nexus 7 is harder to root then this and it just not just flipping a switch.

posted on Nov 04, 2013, 10:07 AM 0

4. fistigons

Posts: 368; Member since: Feb 11, 2012

If you root your Nexus 5 will you still be able to get the Android updates when they become available? Or do you have to re-root everytime a new version gets released? I know nothing about rooting.

posted on Nov 04, 2013, 3:04 AM 0

5. Mimas

Posts: 22; Member since: Mar 29, 2013

Mwa ha ha ha ha that's not something I'd say in public

posted on Nov 04, 2013, 4:15 AM 0

9. Tsoliades

As long as you haven't modified system files, you will be able to receive OTA updates. You will have to re-root, though, in most cases. It's really easy and it offers great benefits. I'd recommend it. :]

posted on Nov 04, 2013, 7:04 AM 1

6. Davidparker

Posts: 10; Member since: Nov 04, 2013

First let me buy Nexus 5

posted on Nov 04, 2013, 5:13 AM 0

12. fay99

Posts: 118; Member since: Mar 16, 2012

I do appreciate those nice people who automate the process and share with everyone. However, rooting any nexus devices is super easy, I always encouraged my friends to go to xda and follow the steps one by one manually so that they can learn all those basic commands themselves. It's 1000 times easier than you think.

posted on Nov 04, 2013, 12:42 PM 1

14. jsilvermist

Posts: 6; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

"Usually this can be done by turning your device off, then holding VolUp+VolDown+Power to turn it on" This isn't exactly true, with the Nexus 4/5 it is the VolDown+Power buttons, and it's Samsung devices that are VolUp+Power buttons, not both.