If you are one of the users of Google Nexus 4 device and have installed the latest official stock Android 4.4 Factory Image and now you want to install a custom ROM, you need to first know how to install a custom recovery image and root the device.
In the following step-by-step guide, we will teach you how to complete the root process in less than 10 minutes only.
Pre-requisites and guidelines:
- This guide works only for Google Nexus 4 device that runs the latest Android 4.4 KitKat factory image.
- The Google Nexus 4 device needs to have an unlocked bootloader.
- Ensure that the Android SDK is installed on your computer. Note: Since you’ve come from a manually KitKat flashing guide, we can safely assume that you have the Android SDK with adb and flashboot files presented in your computer.
- Make sure that the USB Debugging mode is enabled; you can enable the USB Debugging from Developer Options.
- Ensure that the device’ battery charge level is more than 65% before starting the root process.
- Firstly, you’ll need to install the TWRP custom Recovery image on the Google Nexus 4 device.
- Note: All the steps are presented under a single step-by-step guide explained below.
- This guide is destined to be used by the advanced Android users.
- All the instructions and files presented here are provided only for educational and instructional purposes, so you shouldn’t blame us in case you lose any data or break your device during or after the rooting process.
How to install TWRP Recovery and root Android 4.4 KitKat KRT160 for Google Nexus 4
- First, download the TWR Recovery image for Google Nexus 4 from here and save it in SDK> Platform-tools folder.
- Second, download the SuperSU root file from here, place the downloaded zip file in Platform-tools folder.
- Connect the smartphone to computer using the USB cord.
- Now, reboot the Google Nexus 4 device into Bootloader Mode. To do this go to the Platform-tools folder under SDK, and from there launch the CMD (Command Prompt Window) and enter the following command: ‘adb reboot bootloader‘.
- Next, in order to install the TWRP Recovery you will need to enter the next command: – fastboot flash recovery openrecovery-twrp-2.6.3.3-mako.img
- Now, wait for the TWRP Recovery to flash successfully, and after that enter the next line to restart the Google Nexus 4 device into TWRP custom Recovery Mode:- adb reboot recovery
- Now on the TWRP Recovery main menu tap on ‘Advanced’ option with the device still connected with your computer.
- Next, select ‘ADB Sideload’ option and then enter the next line in the Command Prompt Window: adb sideload UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.69.zip
- Now, wait for the process to be done.
- Restart the Google Nexus 4 device in normal mode.
- Disconnect the Google Nexus 4 device from PC.
- Open the Google Play Store and from there update the SuperSU application.
Congratulation, the Nexus 4 device has been successfully rooted using the TWRP Recovery custom image.
Now, you can start flashing new custom ROMs available for the Google Nexus 4 device, or other kernels, custom settings and application that requires the root access to be installed.
For any other supplementary questions, please don’t hesitate to use our comment section from below.