Troubles getting root on Nexus 7

[mase123987]

Here is what I have: Nexus 7 2012 with Android 4.3, build number JWR66Y.

The first thing I did was use WugFresh's Toolkit. I went through the "Full Driver Installation Guide". I then did "Root" and let it download a custom recovery and install it (device was already unlocked). It got through that process and seemed like it worked. I open SuperSu to make sure, and I got the "there is no su binary installed" error. At this point, I thought that maybe I had done something to the device in the past that is holding the process up. So, I used the toolkit's "Flash Stock + Unroot" option to start from a fresh tablet. This worked perfectly. I then went through the exact same process as before (this time also unlocking it) and I got the same results.

Just to make sure it wasn't something with my laptop, I went over to my desktop and it the exact same thing. Same results. At this point, I tried another method from a different site, only to get the exact same results (it was late last night and I don't remember the site or method I used).

At this point, I am looking for one of two things:
1.A possible reason and fix to my issue so I can get root
2.A step-by-step manual way of rooting the device without using any type of toolkits. It seems just about every guide I found is centered around one toolkit or another. I found, in the past, that the toolkits don't always work and can often times cause issues.

Thanks for any help Ladies and Gents.

 

[Groid]

If I recall correctly, I installed a custom recovery (TWRP) through the Root Toolkit, put the latest Supersu.zip on my internal storage and flashed it in TWRP recovery to gain root. Flashing the Supersu.zip and updating the binaries resulted in root access for me. Search for the latest Supersu and try flashing it in recovery.

 

[mase123987]

If I recall correctly, I installed a custom recovery (TWRP) through the Root Toolkit, put the latest Supersu.zip on my internal storage and flashed it in TWRP recovery to gain root. Flashing the Supersu.zip and updating the binaries resulted in root access for me. Search for the latest Supersu and try flashing it in recovery.

I just did what you said and no luck. BTW, it currently has CWM on it, not TWRP. Every time I flash something in recovery, I do get the message "updating apps" right before I can start using the tablet.

 

[Groid]

Are you using the most recent version of CWM? I think it makes a difference. When I upgraded, I used the TWRP available at the time and Supersu1.51.zip. Since then I updated TWRP using Fastboot to flash the TWRP update zip. It was really easy since I don't have any issues connecting to my pc. You might try flashing the TWRP recovery and using the latest Supersu (not sure of the version). I remember having to respond to a question about trying to regain root or installing stock recovery during the supersu flash by saying 'no'.

 

[mase123987]

Are you using the most recent version of CWM? I think it makes a difference. When I upgraded, I used the TWRP available at the time and Supersu1.51.zip. Since then I updated TWRP using Fastboot to flash the TWRP update zip. It was really easy since I don't have any issues connecting to my pc. You might try flashing the TWRP recovery and using the latest Supersu (not sure of the version). I remember having to respond to a question about trying to regain root or installing stock recovery during the supersu flash by saying 'no'.

Actually I had TWRP on it before without luck. Yea I have been using the latest of all the software including Supersu....Seems kind of crazy it is this difficult to root a Nexus device.

 

[GedBlake]

Actually I had TWRP on it before without luck. Yea I have been using the latest of all the software including Supersu....Seems kind of crazy it is this difficult to root a Nexus device.

Hi, mase123987...

It's very odd you're having these difficulties rooting your Nexus 7. Out of the many Android devices available, Nexus devices are particularly easy to root.

I don't use toolkits myself, preferring instead to use fastboot... but here is how I would go about the process of acquiring root. (There's a good chance you'll already have done some of this stuff... so apologies if I'm going over old ground).

Unlock the bootloader with... fastboot oem unlock

Flash a Custom Recovery with... fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
Where recovery.img is your Custom Recovery .img file

Boot the Nexus 7 normally and download directly to your Nexus 7, UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.65.zip. This is the most up-to-date version from Chainfire.

It's possible you may have been using an older version intended for Jellybean 4.2.2. Due to the security enhancements of Jellybean 4.3, Chainfire has had to change the way root works. Instead of just dropping a su binary into /system/xbin, it now runs as daemon (called daemonsu) in the background, so it's important you get the latest version.

Shutdown the tablet completely, and boot into the bootloader (VOL DOWN+POWER BUTTON)... from there, using the VOL BUTTONS, navigate to 'Recovery mode'. Press POWER BUTTON to select. You should now boot into your previously installed Custom Recovery.

Tap INSTALL if using TWRP (or the equivalent in CWM), and navigate to the /download folder, where Chrome (or whatever Android browser you're using) will likely have downloaded Chainfires root package .zip to.

And then install it... and reboot as normal.

If TWRP or CWM says something like "Your device is unrooted - Fix?" (or something along those lines), just ignore it and continue to boot your device.

And that's it, you should now be rooted.

Good luck... and hope this helps.

Rgrds,
Ged.