How to root Google Nexus 5

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)

14 Comments

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posted on 04 Nov 2013, 02:22 2

1. improv (Posts: 96; Member since: 09 Sep 2013)

nooooo, dun do it!

:'(

Seriously though, people are impressive. Thumbs up.

posted on 04 Nov 2013, 02:34

2. Doakie (Posts: 2227; Member since: 06 May 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 04 Nov 2013, 02:45 4

3. woodshop20 (Posts: 459; Member since: 14 Sep 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 04 Nov 2013, 08:55

10. Tsoliades (Posts: 228; Member since: 22 Dec 2012)

How is Android becoming more closed?

posted on 04 Nov 2013, 14:50

13. sprockkets (Posts: 1611; Member since: 16 Jan 2012)

Security or easy to hack.

Pick one.

posted on 04 Nov 2013, 06:07 4

7. protozeloz (Posts: 5396; Member since: 16 Sep 2010)

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

posted on 04 Nov 2013, 07:03 2

8. Tsoliades (Posts: 228; Member since: 22 Dec 2012)

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

posted on 04 Nov 2013, 10:07

11. xfire99 (Posts: 933; Member since: 14 Mar 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 04 Nov 2013, 03:04

4. fistigons (Posts: 353; Member since: 11 Feb 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 04 Nov 2013, 04:15

5. Mimas (Posts: 22; Member since: 29 Mar 2013)

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

posted on 04 Nov 2013, 07:04 1

9. Tsoliades (Posts: 228; Member since: 22 Dec 2012)

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 04 Nov 2013, 05:13

6. Davidparker (Posts: 10; Member since: 04 Nov 2013)

First let me buy Nexus 5

posted on 04 Nov 2013, 12:42 1

12. fay99 (Posts: 113; Member since: 16 Mar 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 04 Nov 2013, 18:16 1

14. jsilvermist (Posts: 6; Member since: 23 Jul 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.