The Nexus 5 has barely had the Android 5.0 Lollipop update for a week and already there is an easy way to root the device. Some people still haven’t received the update on their devices but here is how to root it if you have it or when you get it.
Important: Rooting your Nexus 5 will wipe all data from the device so be sure to backup anything you don’t want to lose before moving on. There are risks associated with rooting your smartphone or tablet and you should be aware and ok with this before rooting your Nexus 5.
Required Files to Root the Nexus 5 on Android 5.0 Lollipop
(Download)
Contains ADB Tools, SuperSU, ClockworkMod Recovery and the modified boot img
Nexus 5 Android 5.0 Lollipop Root Instructions
- Enable USB Debugging on your phone by navigating to the “settings -> developer options”. If you don’t see developer options you need to go to “settings -> about phone” and tap the “build number” repeatedly 7 times to enable it.
- Connect your phone to the PC via USB and wait for your Nexus 5 to be recognized.
- Extract the required files downloaded above and navigate to the “N5 Lollipop Root” folder.
- Copy the “UPDATE-SuperSU.zip” file to the root of your Nexus 5 (not within a folder)
- Restart your Nexus 5 in fastboot mode by turning it off and then holding the “Power + Volume Down” buttons at the same time until you see the fastboot menu.
- From a command prompt navigate to the “N5 Lollipop Root” folder
- Type “fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-touch-6.0.4.5-hammerhead.img”, press enter.
- Type “fastboot flash boot boot.img”, press enter
- Now that you have the modified boot image installed use the volume keys to navigate to select “Recovery Mode” and press the power button to select it.
- From within recovery you now need to use the volume keys to select “install zip” then select “choose zip from SD card”
- Next you need to select “UPDATE-SuperSU.zip” (you may have to look around for it) then press power to select it.
- Once you see “Install from SD card complete” you can back out to the main menu and reboot your Nexus 5.
- Congrats your Nexus 5 is Rooted running Android 5.0 Lollipop.
The first boot after rooting your device will take a long time and of course that is why we always recommend a full charge before starting the process. Make sure you leave your phone plugged in until it completes booting into Android to avoid any issues along the way.
Also if you run into a boot loop after restarting your phone do not panic. Turn off your Nexus 5 and reboot back into fastboot mode as you did earlier but this time go to Recovery and wipe data, wipe cache partition and reboot again. Sometimes with any root process you need to wipe the data to avoid hanging.
Let us know if there are any steps that are confusing or if you have any additions we should make. Good luck and happy rooting.