Nexus 4 root? Harder than I'd heard...

[lvdave]

I just bought a Nexus 4, based on what I'd heard about how easy a Nexus phone is to root. Only been using it a couple of days, but
am impressed, quite a snappy phone compared to my previous one, and how nice it is to NOT have all the carrier bloatware. So I started researching how to root it, as I want to be able to fully use TitaniumBackup and to try other recoveries/roms. I've rooted several LG phones in the past, and am fairly familiar with rooting concepts, soo.. First thing I see is towelroot.. Doesn't get much easier than that.. Whups. Towelroot tells me "device not supported". Some further checking indicates it only works with kernels pre-June '15.. Seems my phone is Android 5.1.1, with a kernel date of July 8, 2015, Build # LMY48T. Soo, on to Framearoot, which gives me "your device seems not vulnerable to the exploit included in framearoot"... sigh.. I've found other rooting packages, but all seem to require a USB connection to a Windows (shudder) system, which I don't have (all Linux here)... Seems rooting a Nexus isn't quite as easy/painless as I was led to believe.. In fact I rooted an old VirginMobile LG Optimus a few years ago with less hassle than I've seen so far with the Nexus... Any ideas??

Thanks
Dave

 

[anon(5719825)]

Search Google for Nexus tool kit. It will seek out and download everything needed to root the device. Easiest thing in the world to do.

Just saw that you are using Linux, it may not work, sorry.

 

[SactoKingsFan]

It's a good idea to learn how to manually unlock bootloader and flash TWRP custom recovery and SuperSU from fastboot. There should be a guide on XDA.

 

[lvdave]

Thanks for the replies.. I have adb and fastboot installed via the Android dev kit, but have never had to use fastboot for anything.. Will check xda for that guide.. Every rooting "toolkit" I found via Google assumed/required running from Windows. I used/supported Windows/Linux as a sysadmin for nearly 19 years before retiring in 2010, and I decided at that time I was done with MS products, and after seeing the nightmare that is Windows 10, I couldn't be happier with my decision..

Thanks again..
Dave

 

[thedogesoft]

Download Kingo ROOT on your device from kingoapp.com and it will one click root your phone. Hope this helps