How to install custom ROMs on your Nexus One for dummies

[kentusmc]

So Jeremy Sikora posted a wonderful guide but after the 2 days it took to root mine I thought I should repost his with a few additions!

(BTW I am using Windows 7 pro 64 Bit)
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How to install custom ROMs on your Nexus One
Disclaimer: While unlocking the bootloader/rooting of the Nexus One is pretty straightforward process, it will void your warranty and could have negative effects on the operation of your device. Please do the necessary research before you attempt the following procedure. Once the unlocking process is complete it can not be undone.

*Before you begin it is a wise idea to have a custom ROM you want to use already on your micro SD card (in the root directory - do not place the zip file in a folder) before you start any of the following.*

Before you Start the files you need you need will be found at the following links:

Android SDK

Fastboot

Superboot 1.1

Amon_RA's Recovery v 1.7.0

Setting Up The SDK

1. Download the Latest Android SDK from Google Android SDK

2. Extract the Android SDK .Zip file to C:\AndroidSDK then open the folder and run SDKsetup (this should name the new folder created AndroidSDK in the C directory.)

3. On your phone, click Settings; Applications; Development and make sure USB Debugging is on.

4. Plug your phone into your computer via USB cable (it needs to be on). It should say installing drivers if using Windows.

5. After it installs the drivers, goto the Start menu and type cmd into the search bar (Vista or higher) or click Run then type in cmd (XP) to open the command.

6. Type the following into the command prompt window (hitting enter at the end of every line):

cd\

cd AndroidSDK\tools\ (an easy way to do this is: with the command prompt open type cd then click and drag the tools folder on too the the command prompt and let go)

adb device


You should see a serial number pop up, it's the serial number of your phone. This means you are all set.

If you do NOT see a serial number, then we need to reinstall the drivers. This can be done by opening Device Manager and yous should see Nexus One under the Other Devices section with a yellow question mark.

If thats the case it is very easy to install the drivers from here

1.) Double click on the nexus one

2.) Click Update Drivers

3.) Click Browse my Computer for driver software

4.) Click Browse and find the usb_driver folder located in the sdk folder you created earlier (it should say C:\AndroidSDK\usb_driver)

5.) Click next and you should be on your way

6.) Double check in the command prompt window (hitting enter at the end of every line):

cd\
cd AndroidSDK\tools\
adb device


Unlocking the Bootloader

1.) Make sure your device is off. With your device connected to your computer enter fastboot mode by pressing the power button down while holding down the trackball.

2.) Now download and extract fastboot to your desktop.

3.) Windows Users: Enter bootloader mode by opening a command prompt and browse to the directory containing the fastboot files that you just extracted to your desktop, then type fastboot-windows oem unlock [Enter]

Mac Users: Enter bootloader mode by opening a terminal window and browse to the directory containing the fastboot files that you just extracted to your desktop. Assuming you extracted fastboot to your desktop, then Terminal commands to get to folder are as follows: cd ~/desktop/fastboot [Enter], then type ./fastbook-mac oem unlock [Enter]

Your bootloader is now unlocked.


Rooting your Nexus One

1.) Now we will gain root access to your device. Download this Superboot.zip file and extract it to a new folder on your desktop.

2.) Put your device back into fastboot mode as you did in step 1 of unlocking your bootloader.

3.) Windows Users: Double-click the install-superboot-windows.bat from within the new Superboot directory on your desktop.

Mac Users: While in the directory of 1.1-nexusone-superboot on your desktop type the following: chmod +x install-superboot-mac.sh [Enter] Then type ./install-superboot-mac.sh [Enter]

Bingo, your Nexus One is now "rooted"...


Flashing the RA-Nexus Recovery Image [1.7.0] to your Nexus One

1.) First thing you need to do is download Amon_RA's latest recovery image. As of writing this it is v1.7.0.

2.) Now you need to place that file into the root of your 1.1-nexusone-superboot directory that should still be on your desktop from the steps above.

3.) Reboot your computer(not a necessity for all but it was the only way I could get it to work)


4.) Now with your device off, connect it to you computer.

5.) Boot your device into fastboot mode by holding the power button down while holding the volume rocker down. Then press the power button down to select fastboot usb selected.

6.) Windows users: Launch the Command Prompt and change directories to 1.1-nexusone-superboot folder. Type the following: fastboot-windows flash recovery recovery-RA-nexus-v1.7.0.img and hit enter.

Mac users: Launch the Terminal and change your directory to 1.1-nexusone-superboot folder on your desktop. Type the following: ./fastboot-mac flash recovery recovery-RA-nexus-v1.7.0.img and hit enter.

The 1.7.0 recovery image is now loaded onto your Nexus One.


You are now ready to do a Nandroid Backup and install a custom ROM of your choice.

1.) With your device powered off hold down on the volume down rocker while pressing the power button. From there select "recovery".

2.) Once in recovery select backup/restore and choose Nand backup.

When that is completed you now have a backup image saved on your SD card in case you ever need to go back to the normal ROM.

3.) Now from the recovery menu select Wipe and then Wipe data/factory reset.

4.) Once the wipe is completed select Flash zip from sdcard to select the ROM you wish to install.

5.) Once the flashing process is completed simply reboot and enjoy your freshly flashed Nexus One!
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Thanks to Jeremy Sikora, xda-developers.com, theunlockr.com, And of course Android Central

 

[Droid800]

Can you clarify how you do the actual rooting on a Mac. NONE of the websites out there have any instructions worth a damn for doing it on a mac, and its extremely frustrating.

 

[kentusmc]

I haven't tried it on a MAC but I will do some research and post it for MAC and Linux

 

[Droid800]

I haven't tried it on a MAC but I will do some research and post it for MAC and Linux

Thank you SO much. I've had a really hard time getting any help with this.

Basically, I'm confused about this part:

Mac users: Launch the Terminal and change your directory to 1.1-nexusone-superboot folder on your desktop.

I've never done anything like this on my Mac (done it plenty of times on a PC), so I am fairly confused by anything involving terminal. I don't know how to change my directory to 1.1-nexusone-superboot, which is where I'm stuck. Basically, all I need is a simple step by step about interacting with the terminal and inputting the commands.

 

[Droid800]

Nvm. I did a little (okay a lot) more digging and was able to find some instructions about how to do it.

 

[Droid800]

New issue. I've flashed the recovery image and have superuser permissions, but I can't get into recovery. Every time I do it goes to the screen with the android and the exclamation point. I re-flashed the recovery image like multiple sites suggested, but it still doesn't work.

Edit: Apparently I didn't actually flash the recovery image, just the super boot image. I tried using the fastboot method to install the AR-recovery, but it isn't working.

 

[ekoulak]

New issue. I've flashed the recovery image and have superuser permissions, but I can't get into recovery. Every time I do it goes to the screen with the android and the exclamation point. I re-flashed the recovery image like multiple sites suggested, but it still doesn't work.

Edit: Apparently I didn't actually flash the recovery image, just the super boot image. I tried using the fastboot method to install the AR-recovery, but it isn't working.

had the same issue i had to use superboot to flash my recovery hope this helps

 

[kentusmc]

Ok sorry guys been a bit busy lately but i have been doing some searching and this is what I came up with I hope it helps.

Unlock and Root a Nexus One - Nexus one - Lifehacker

Google's Nexus One loaded with Android is rooted | Mac Hack PC - Hack it all you can...

Root Nexus One on Android 2.1 | Redmond Pie

[Complete guide with Images] Unlock Bootloader and Root Google Nexus One [Mac, Windows, Linux] | iLikeMyGooglePhone

 

[Jeremy]

Can you clarify how you do the actual rooting on a Mac. NONE of the websites out there have any instructions worth a damn for doing it on a mac, and its extremely frustrating.

The sticky is pretty straight forward for Mac users. Follow exactly what it says and you can't go wrong. It's literally spelled out for you.

 

[stalker]

Amazing guide.. really appreciate your work.. thank you buddy.

 

[serpico]

Ya, I'm going to try the sticky here and try my luck. I'm so confused reading articles from the wiki's at cyanogenmod.com and xda, then watching youtube videos, I'm so overwhelmed. Of course the thought of bricking my phone is in the back of my mind since I have no spare phone to use in case. But overall, I think the instructions here at androidcentral seem to be easy enough.

One question, how do we upgrade to cyanogenmod 7 when it's released? Is it just an OTA process or do I need to follow these steps all over again like I would right now from scratch for the first time on the nexus one?

 

[uansari1]

Ya, I'm going to try the sticky here and try my luck. I'm so confused reading articles from the wiki's at cyanogenmod.com and xda, then watching youtube videos, I'm so overwhelmed. Of course the thought of bricking my phone is in the back of my mind since I have no spare phone to use in case. But overall, I think the instructions here at androidcentral seem to be easy enough.

One question, how do we upgrade to cyanogenmod 7 when it's released? Is it just an OTA process or do I need to follow these steps all over again like I would right now from scratch for the first time on the nexus one?

I rooted my N1 2 days ago. Download the application to the below to your PC and run it to do a 1-click root. It will root your phone and install the SuperUser app. Takes all of 2 minutes and it's dead simple.

[APP]SuperOneClick v1.5.5 (Root, Unroot, Enable Non-Market App, Get UNLOCK code) - xda-developers

Once you've done that, download Titanium Backup and/or MyBackup Root from the Market and backup your settings. You could backup your apps as well if you want. Once you're done backing everything up, download ROM Manager form Market and use it to flash a new recovery and backup your existing system.

Then you're ready to flash whatever custom ROM you want. As for CM ROMs, they'll automatically become available in the ROM Manager app and you'll be able to download and flash them right from there.

 

[serpico]

Got some time today to test this out and hope I can get things working today.

I've been reading many instructions around the net and it varies. I'm not sure if it varies because it's old instructions or if it's just another way to do the process.

My confusion begins with fastboot & superoneclick. If I pick superoneclick does this unlock the bootloader as well? I bought my n1 from google online and understand it is already unlocked so I don't need to root it? Correct?

Some sites like the cyanogen wiki say to install fastboot and then either one of the recovery tools but no mention of downloading the android sdk like other site instructions.

In regards to the instructions above, I thought that using superoneclick wiped all the data from the phone. So would it not make sense to run a backup program first before running superoneclick?

Sorry about all the questions, I'm usually good at picking things up fast but this is as bad as jailbreaking and unlocking an iphone! I had to do this a couple of days ago as well without any knowledge and there were so many ways to do it as well.

 

[coolpapa28]

Bump! I'm also looking to do this for build FRG83G, which is the last update for my nexus one. Do all of these instructions apply to the latest build like mine?

 

[rockigirl]

Bump! I'm also looking to do this for build FRG83G, which is the last update for my nexus one. Do all of these instructions apply to the latest build like mine?

Just tried it and it worked for me.

 

[coolpapa28]

Just tried it too, works perfect and so easy! I'll be flashing a custom rom today to finish it off. Thanks!!

 

[serpico]

I did mine last night and it wasn't easy on a mac with limited command line experience. I unlocked the bootloader with fastboot-mac and then used superboot from monaco on my 2.3.3 build. Installed ROM Manager to install the recovery and backed up my current rom. Used Titanium Backup to backup apps and system data. Got tired and didn't finish installing Cyanogen 7 RC2 and Google Apps.

So my phone is back to where it was but with an unlocked bootloader and rooted. The only thing is that my Android Market is the old one. Will this update to the new one automatically?

UPDATE: The market just updated! 15 minutes after writing this I was looking for the best root apps and went to the market and it was loading the new version. Took awhile (since last night) to show up, but it did.