The powerful Google Nexus 5 device comes out with a locked bootloader. We have prepared a step-by-step guide for all the users who want to learn to unlock the Bootloader of Google Nexus 5 device without damaging the device.
The unlocking process is not a complicated one, but before you start it, always keep in mind that once you apply this all data stored into Nexus 5 smartphone and into device’ memory will be deleted forever.
But have you thought why it is important to know how to unlock Nexus 5 bootloader. Once you know the unlocking procedure, you’ll have access of tons of new capabilities, possibility and options such as the possibility to root the device, to install a custom ROM, custom recovery images such as CWM and TWRP tools, custom kernels etc.
Before starting the step-by-step guide lets know all the prerequisites:
- All the instructions listed here work for Google Nexus 5 device only.
- Important: After you unlock the Nexus 5 device’ bootloader, all data stored into device’ internal memory will be completely wiped out.
- Important: Back-up all your data stored into device’ internal memory before you move to the next section of this guide.
- Ensure that the USB Debugging mode from Developer Options menu is enabled. To do that navigate to Settings, then open the About Phone section and there tap seven times on “Build Number” to unlock the Developer Options.
- The Google Nexus 5 device’ warranty may be revoked once you gain the unlock bootloader.
- Download and install the Google Nexus 5 USB Drivers on your PC.
- Uninstall or disable any antivirus applications from your computer, this kind of application can interfere with the unlock bootloader process and can interrupt the same.
- Ensure that the device’ battery is left with at least 65% power.
- In the next 2 steps, I will teach you two different methods to unlock the bootloader for the Google Nexus 5 device. The first will guide you to know how to unlock the bootloader using a ONE-CLICK method, and the second one will teach you how manually gain the unlock-bootloader.
Unlock Google Nexus 5 Bootloader via One-Click (Method) Script- Guide
- First, download the necessarily Bootloader Unlocking Files.zip from here and save it in your PC.
- Second, extract the downloaded zip file and save the folder on your computer.
- Third, connect the Nexus 5 smartphone with your PC using the USB data cable. (If the smartphone will ask you to allow USB Debugging mode, then you need to click YES option.
- Now, open the folder created in the step 2.
- Launch the ’1-click-nexus-5-bootloader-unlock.bat’ file.
- Note: If the script freezes, you should reinstall the USB drivers for Google Nexus 5 and after that, repeat the entire tutorial from the beginning.
- The unlocking process will start immediately. Confirm that you want to unlock the Bootloader.
Congratulation, you have successfully unlocked the Google Nexus 5 bootloader using a custom one-click method.
In case the above method doesn’t work for you, you can try to unlock the bootloader for Google Nexus 5 device using a manual method listed below.
Unlock Nexus 5 Bootloader using a manually method:
- Turn off the smartphone.
- After the smartphone is completely off, boot it into Download Mode (Press and keep holding the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously until the Bootloader Menu will be displayed.
- Now, open the folder created in step 2 in the first tutorial.
- Open CMD window (Command Prompt Window), to do this press and hold Shift button on your keyboard and then right-click the empty folder space. From the menu select ‘open command prompt window here’ option.
- Now, connect the Nexus 5 device with the computer using the USB cable.
- Next, enter the following command in the CMD window : fastboot devices
- Note: the above command will detect your smartphone and then you can move to the next step.
- If the device is not recognized by the computer, then you should reinstall the USB drivers once again.
- Now, unlock the bootloader by entering the following command: fasboot oem unlock
- Confirm for the unlock process.
