[MAC METHOD] Root,Unroot & Unlock Your VZ Galaxy Nexus

[kevinC1124]

Yes I am trying to unroot - not sure which folders need to be in which

 

[BK8525]

Hi. There were two other people who had posted that they are hung up at the ./fastboot oem unlock part of unlocking the bootloader, where it seems to initiate but states "waiting for device."

I am stuck at this point also and would appreciate if anyone can help with this stage. Not sure if the issue is the mac not recognizing the phone or not because I have android file transfer and it does pop up when i connect by usb.

 

[zero neck]

Have you checked usb debugging on in settings?

And do you have all the files in the designated folder, named the correct names as stated in the OP?

If so, I would disconnect, reboot your phone, reboot your cpu, and try it again.

Also, what version of osx are you using?

 

[LocationDudeNYC]

Why is anyone on Mac still trying to Root using ADB? I did so painlessly using BreakDroid. Just rooted last week. Feels like my GNex is a new phone.
Google it.
It works.

 

[BK8525]

Actually, I searched around and was reading the windows method on another site and something helped me and may help the others.

After cd "dragged folder here" part, then hit enter.

now type ./adb reboot bootloader (hit enter)

NOW do the ./fastboot oem unlock (hit enter)

you should now get the pop up warning on your phone to choose yes and unlock bootloader, which worked.


Maybe I missed this in the OP's video, but I've got it now.

Hope this helps others stuck.

 

[anexiole]

Worked like a charm on my Macbook pro and brand new Galaxy Nexus GSM

thanks

 

[Asdad123]

Thanks for the info!

 

[SpaceHippie]

Hey all, im pleased to know this guide has helped so many users. Ive been away for a while since i traded my Nexus for the Rezound in January. Love the phone but got bored. So i'll be back to the Nexus in a few days. So i'll be available to help with any miscommunications or discrepancies in my post. look forward to re-connect with you all soon.

 

[resu_ruot]

Hello first post here.

I'm having some trouble trying to root using my mac.

after unlocking my phone i am able to put my phone in bootloader mode by typing:
./adb reboot bootloader
and then I try to enter:

Pablo-M-Cabreras-MacBook:adb-fastboot Pablo$ ./fastboot recovery recovery-clockwork-5.0.2.0-crespo.img

and the only thing i get is:

usage: fastboot [ <option> ] <command>

commands:
update <filename> reflash device from update.zip
flashall flash boot + recovery + system
flash <partition> [ <filename> ] write a file to a flash partition
erase <partition> erase a flash partition
getvar <variable> display a bootloader variable
boot <kernel> [ <ramdisk> ] download and boot kernel
flash:raw boot <kernel> [ <ramdisk> ] create bootimage and flash it
devices list all connected devices
reboot reboot device normally
reboot-bootloader reboot device into bootloader

options:
-w erase userdata and cache
-s <serial number> specify device serial number
-p <product> specify product name
-c <cmdline> override kernel commandline
-i <vendor id> specify a custom USB vendor id
Pablo-M-Cabreras-MacBook:adb-fastboot Pablo$

can anyone help with what I can be doing wrong? Any help would be appreciated. I've been at this since yesterday.

I previously had a Droid X and would root that using windows, but my mac is my primary computer and I would love to use it to root my phone.

Thanks.

 

[zero neck]

i think you need to enter the command like this

fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-5.0.2.0-crespo.img

 

[dmmarck]

Correct. Also, check your PMs, I sent you a method I personally use and it's a bit easier for the newer user IMHO.

 

[resu_ruot]

Thank you!

I entered it as you said (only difference i put ./ before fastboot and this is the result:

Pablo-M-Cabreras-MacBook:adb-fastboot Pablo$ ./fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-5.0.2.0-crespo.img
sending 'recovery' (4136 KB)... OKAY
writing 'recovery'... OKAY

also at the bottom of my phones bootloader screen it says fastboot status - okay.

 

[resu_ruot]

Everything seems to be going ok. I did have to pull the battery after fifteen minutes of it being on the Google screen.

I used Android File Transfer to transfer Superuser-3.0.7-efghi-signed.zip to my phone and then in Terminal I typed in ./adb reboot recovery to reboot in clockwork recovery and the phone never gets passed the Google screen. Is there another way to get into clockwork recovery?

 

[zero neck]

you can get to recovery manually (you already flashed recovery right?)
to get there manually turn off your phone, and restart while holding vol up, vol down, and power all together till you get to the bootloader screen - then, scroll down to recovery with volume keys, and select recovery with power button.

 

[resu_ruot]

I thought I had flashed recovery. I thought that was the last step you helped me out with? I manually went into recovery and it gave me the option of recovery mode, but when I chose that again it gets stuck in the Google screen.

 

[zero neck]

you're gonna have to reflash recovery. sorry man i was reading like ten things at once.


try this recovery file: http://download.clockworkmod.com/recoveries/recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.0.2-toro.img

make sure it's in the adb-fastboot folder and flash it in fastboot with the terminal commands.

hope that works out i gotta get some sleep but ill check in tomorrow

 

[resu_ruot]

That worked! Awesome Thanks again! And I wouldn't be here if that was all the help I needed . . .

So now I can get into clockwork recovery using the command "./adb reboot recovery" no problem. When I'm there I am trying to install:

Superuser-3.0.7-efghi-signed.zip

(I transfered that file to my phone using Android File Transfer)

The steps that I use are I go to:

- install zip from sdcard
- choose zip from sdcard
- Superuser-3.0.7-efghi-signed.zip
- Yes - Install Superuser-3.0.7-efghi-signed.zip

and then I get an error message:

-- Installing: /sdcard/Superuser-3.0.7-efghi-sig
ned.zip
Finding update package. . .
Opening update package. . .
Installing update. . .
E:Error in /sdcard/Superuser-3.0.7-efghi-signed.
zip
(Status 0)
Installation aborted.

So I'm stuck again. Sorry for a being a total noob at this, but again any help would be appreciated.

 

[zero neck]

sounds like the SU zip is corrupted or something. I would try to download again and try it with the new file.

you can google search for the file you hsould be able to find one or i can get you a copy of it tomorrow morning

gl!

 

[resu_ruot]

Thanks for all of the help Zero Neck.

I was able to find another superuser zip and dragged that onto my phone using Android File Transfer, but the problem is the same. I actually thought it was just my luck downloading another corrupted file so I downloaded a third with the same results.

I might be doing something wrong in transferring the file to my phone that's not allowing it to expand correctly.

Would it be better to transfer it to my phone using adb in terminal? And if so, how is that done?

 

[resu_ruot]

After a while I ended up trying out dmmarck's suggestion and followed these steps:

15) To root your device, type the following code into the terminal, hitting return after each line:

chmod +x install-superboot-mac.sh
./install-superboot-mac.sh

16) The terminal should say:

downloading 'boot.img'... OKAY
booting... OKAY

17) You will now see the black Google screen with the lock icon at the bottom

18) Your phone should reboot automatically after a couple minutes on the Google screen. If, and only if, your phone doesn't reboot automatically after 5 minutes, unplug the usb cable and perform a battery pull

19) Put your battery back in if necessary and power on your device

20) Be patient while it boots up, and don't worry - first boot may take up to 5 minutes (as sbenson suggests, remember to breathe!)

21) You will need to set up your phone now and log into Google, etc.

22) Confirm Superuser app in your app tray

This worked. Thank you both for all of the help. Now I'm going to try and install 4.0.4 and see how that goes.

Wish me luck!