Unlocking, rooting, relocking and unrooting simplified!
VERSION 1.3 - This program contains all the files you need to unlock and root your device, or flash it back to stock and re-lock it. You can also use this program to backup all your user apps, system apps, and app data, and easily restore them later in one click; you can flash or boot any img files you wan’t to any partition on your device; as well as flash any current or future stock android release, making updating your device as easy as can be; and now with the latest release (v1.3) you can configure your drivers automatically.
There is now one universal version that works for both Verizon (CDMA) and GSM models.
~ my goal for this project is make the entire process as smooth and simple as possible ~
Feature breakdown
System Variables
- Ask the end-user if they wan’t to update their systems path variable to point to adb for global use (from the cmd prompt)
- This is an optional step.
Drivers:
This will automatically:
- Install the “Verizon_Wireless_I515_Galaxy_Nexus_USB_Driver_v1.4.6.0.exe”
- Attempt to install the drivers automatically using pnputil or devcon depending on the users system.
- Provide the end user detailed instructions for manually configuring their drivers.
- Driver configuration is a two step manual process:
- Your device has to be configured once when its ON and again when its in BOOTLOADER
- You have to manually configure these drivers through device manager.
- Follow the onscreen instructions for driver configuration, or refer to manual driver configuration for more details.
Unlock:
This will automatically:
- This will unlock your device which will also inexorably factory reset your device.
- Factory resting means that, ALL your user app settings and files will be erased.
- So… please take the steps necessary to preserver your important data.
- I recommend backing up all your picture, music files, and such manually by just:
- Plugging your device into your computer and using drag and drop to copy them over
- Then use the backup feature of the toolkit to make a full backup of your apps and settings
- See “backup and restore”
- I recommend backing up all your picture, music files, and such manually by just:
Root:
This will automatically:
- Push su.zip (Superuser.apk) to your sdcard
- Flash clockwork mod (this is specific to your device model; ie CDMA version vs. GSM version)
- Provide on screen instructions for completing the rooting procedure
- Launch a script which automatically enters adb shell commands to rename the file “recovery-from-boot.p” to “recovery-from-boot.p.bak” in order to ensure permanent clockwork
Flash Stock + Unroot:
This will automatically:
- Download the latest 4.02 android release for your specific model (CDMA/LTE vs GSM/HSPA+)
- Hashcheck the resulting download once it’s finished to verify the files integrity. If it passes:
- Extract the .tgz factory image package in the proper manner to a specific sub directory in your GnexToolkit folder
- Flash the stock images to your device in a highly controlled and ordered fashion.
- Allow you to bypass the download and extract phase in the future if you have already done it before
- Allow you to point the program to ANY android factory image package, and let the program take care of the rest
- This process also includes a user input box governed hashcheck verification step to ensure the files integrity.
- Has an option to start the flashstock process from bootloader mode incase the user is bricked and can’t boot ups charged first!
- Flashing stock will also inexorably unroot your device.
OEM lock:
This will automatically:
- Re-lock your device back to original equipment manufacture specifications.
- You must use the “flash stock + unroot” feature first before being able to use this option successfully.
Backup Apps + Data:
This will automatically:
- Initiate a backup of all your apps and app data
- User will be prompted to enter a password on there device to protect their backup file
- Once the backup is complete it will be stored on the users computer in the directory:
- And the file name will automatically be generated as the date and time the backup was made
- Note: this does not backup all of your SDcards contents: So its up to the end-user to backup any picture or music files they have.
- This only backs up apps + app data
- The user is given the option to backup system apps as well
Restore Apps + Data:
This will automatically:
- Initiates a customized browse to file window which asks you to locate the android backup files (*.ab) you would like to restore
- This browse to file window automatically defaults to the proper location of your backups
- Wugs_GnexRootToolkit\nexusbackup
- This browse to file window automatically defaults to the proper location of your backups
- Once the user selects the backup file, the program will automatically initiate a restore operation
- User will be prompted to enter the password they set in order to restore their file
- When the correct password is entered the file will be restore.
- User will be prompted to enter the password they set in order to restore their file
Quick tools:
- Provides the end user an easy one click method for rebooting their device
- Rebooting their device into bootloader mode, and checking if their device is recognized.
Flash to partition:
- Provides the end user an easy one click method for flashing any img file to any partition on their device
- Is designed to make modding on the nexus as simple as selecting the file you wan’t to flash and pressing ok
- Has the option to boot img files as well, to try them out temporarily before flashing them permanently
- More info here: flash-to-partition
Instructions:
- Do not plug in your device until this program prompts you too!
- Install the program by double clicking the GnexRootToolkit.sfx.exe
- This will extract the contents to %HOMEDRIVE%\Wugs_GnexRootToolkit
- Place a shortcuts on your Desktop
- Launch the program for first use
- Use the “Drivers” option to make sure all your drivers get configured properly.
- This is a crucial step. Nothing else will work otherwise, so make sure your drivers are properly configured before you try doing anything else with this program.
- Follow the onscreen driver instructions carefully and you should have no problems.
- Use the “Backup Apps + Data” if you want to preserve your apps and settings for restoration after you unlock and root.
- Then use the “Unlock” to unlock and the “Root” to root… Tada! Enjoy your unlocked and rooted device. ^_^
- Then whenever you need to go back to square one just use the “Flash stock + Unroot” and “OEM lock” features.
- Remember that this option can also be used if you completely brick.
- This should bring you back to a fully locked stock factory state.
Download:
GnexRootToolkit.v1.3.sfx.exe [Mirror 1] [Mirror 2]
Checksums:
File size: 40.5 MB MB
CRC-32: 60173e80
MD4: ce769bb081167b821b02518f49cb9374
MD5: ae6dda67dc46026cd1684464137ecbc8
SHA-1: 20e0f5cdacd2e7a970a1a6be2d87c1d08c938c5e
Checksums:
File size: 40.5 MB MB
CRC-32: 60173e80
MD4: ce769bb081167b821b02518f49cb9374
MD5: ae6dda67dc46026cd1684464137ecbc8
SHA-1: 20e0f5cdacd2e7a970a1a6be2d87c1d08c938c5e
Need a simple way to validate checksums? I recommend: http://code.kliu.org/hashcheck/
Changelog
Credits:
- Droid Life for their great instructions!
- Google for being pwn and making android.
- Koush for making Clockwork Mod
- mskip for information on Devcon.exe on XP
- copkay for his great guide on making backups
- WugFresh (thats me!) ^_^
Donate:
~ If you like my work please consider making a small donation. Help and support is greatly appreciated. Thank you! ~
{{ WugFresh }}
Is not downloading and the mirror does not work if it does work will donate no problem
Sorry about the bad links. I needed to find a better host. New links are up now that should be fast and stable.
bad links again…
Working on it now, sorry for the link problems. This will ultimately get resolved tomorrow when version 1.2 is released, which will be significantly smaller.. but for now, I am working on more mirrors.
great work, i will waiting for GMS Version
Thanks. Its up now!
My computer says it cannot recognize adb
Have you tried the latest version. Version 1.1 ?
hey wug so you have gmex toolkit ver 1.1 up yet? plz plz plz
Now I do
Slight driver problems with GSM version, reboot fixed that. Now unlocked and rooted…and donated. Thanks for all the hard work
Great. It probably had to do with with your environmental variables not refreshing until the reboot. Glad it worked for you. And thank you!
GSM link not working anymore
Working on it. I am sorry for the inconvenience. Its hard to manage all the all the traffic. Will get working mirrors up shortly.
Link not working for CDMA verison
Working on new mirrors now. I am sorry for the link problems. The file is big so they are constantly going down with the massive amount of traffic they are getting. Version 1.2 will be ready tomorrow though, which will be significantly smaller, and work for both CDMA and GSM.
Sweet thanks. Downloading now. I was planning on doing it manually but I’m having trouble getting the Android SDK set up and it’s pissing me off. Hopefully this will get me going.
no support evidently for windows 7 x64?? took about an hour to download only to get an error…??
I built this on Windows 7 x64… so no, that’s not true. I also tested this on 3 different x64 Win7 machines, as well as two Win7 x86 machines, and 2 XP x32 machines, and even one XP x64 machine. Can you please describe your error? When it was initially extracting? If so.. that means it was an incomplete download. Did you hashcheck the file. Please provide more details and I can try to help. Either way, I am uploading new mirrors now, maybe that will help you.
my luck I only downloaded to ‘run’ and didn’t save the setup file.. so i am back to redownloading it again right now.. if your new mirrors are any faster by any chance, it may be able to download it over faster.. otherwise it’ll be about another hour… and my guess is maybe it didn’t download right.. i don’t remember the entire error message i got, but if i get it again, i will make sure i copy it before clicking okay next time.. will keep you posted..
Is there a way to restore a password that you used to do a backup.
I haven’t looked into it but my guess is no… kinda would defeat the purpose of a password. It’s most likely encrypted.
when will 1.2 be up?
Now. :p (sorry for the late response)
Wugfresh! can i use your program to unlock (vodafone) my galaxy nexus in spain? is it 100% safe? do i lose the warranty from samsung? thank you!
Yes, you can use my program to do that. Make sure you check the radio button for “GSM/HSPA+” in the main interface. Nothing is 100% safe regarding computer technology, but I am very confident that it will work will without problems, and that it won’t do anything that isn’t reversible. When you unlock your phone it may void your warranty, as you can see clearly on the unlock screen, but that all depends on your warranty.. I don’t know what yours is in Spain. That said, you can easily use my Root Toolkit to get back to 100% stock.. so there would be no way for them to know that you unlocked it in the first place. Hope that helps.
when i try to unlock it wont recognize the abd device..how do i get it to recognize it? Thanks
Take a look at this: http://www.wugfresh.com/dev/gnex-root-toolkit/manual-driver-configuration/ and try the latest version of my program: Version 1.2.2 walks you through the manual driver installation.
so wugfresh the only difference in 1.1 is that it allows you to back up apps and settings?
http://www.wugfresh.com/dev/gnex-root-toolkit/changelog/
Used GNRT v1.1 to succesfully unlock&root my CDMA GN. I proceeded to install ClockworkMod from the market and performed reflash. After installing all my apps, I downloaded Titanium BU and when I ran the app it said my su.zip was not most up-to-date and so I allowed TBU to install newer.
I am no longer able to get ClockworkMod to backup my ROM, it crashes then phone reboots to recovery and hangs till I do a battery pull. I tried your RT to do a backup but my device isn’t being found (debugging is checked)… actually one time it listed a device and said it was offline; i tried to do a backup but it failed.
Where do you think the problem lies, could it be the new su.zip TBU installed? Your help would be much appreciated as I can no longer use your tool to get back to stock.
I recommend trying everything again with my latest version. If your device is listed as offline.. then that could be caused by one of many things.
Simply try a different USB port (most common fix).
Otherwise, your PC won’t allow ADB to use port 5037 for some reason. It could be your firewall. Try opening taskmanager, killing all instances of adb.exe, then disable your firewall and run it.
If that doesn’t work try opening up cmd prompt (Start > cmd.exe) and then entering the cmd:
NETSTAT -oYou will then probably see the socket (generally 5037) in CLOSE_WAIT state and the respective process number
If you grab TCPVIEW TCPView for Windows you can find the culprit. It’s probably another program interfering with it… occupying that port number.
Let me know. If you are still having problems, send me an invite on gtalk and I will help you out the next time I am free to chat.
Is the Galaxy Nexus Toolkit for CDMA still available? Link doesn’t seem to work.
The latest version (v1.2.2) is universal. Supports both CDMA and GSM models.
WEnt through the process using the tool. Got to the point of “rebooting” using clockworkmod. When I reboot I get an organge circle with a top hat on it and it just stays that way.
Anyone have any idea how I proceed.
Thanks,
Tom
I have had that happen to me before. I fixed it by simply repeating the process. Sometimes clockwork doesn’t flash right the first try. Try going through the root process one more time.
Thanks! Great work! Excellent instructions and implementation. Donation on the way!
Thank you! I am happy it worked well for you!
just got my phone last night. went from the old env touch to the gnex so im having fun and learning. ive unlocked my phone independent of this tool.
when rooting it (using the tool), the phone enters bootloader mode and the script then tries to run the recovery clockwork toro img (im cdma). this has failed twice–the first time, i followed directions and tried to enter recovery mode but i got enjoy the little red caution sign above the open android. i ended the script the second time. any thoughts? i’d like this thing rooted as soon as possible.
thanks. the tool looks wonderful.
edit: rooted it without the tool last night. still wondering bout that img not flashing though.
You need to go through the SDK+File and Drivers first no matter what.
I don’t suppose there’s any chance of you releasing a similar tool for Mac? If not, are you aware of anything similar for Mac users?
It’s not on my immediate to-do list. I am sorry, not that I know of right now.
Wuggy: DroidmodderX suggested I use yojr tool to install clockwork mod. However, I used his method of using superboot (one click windows batch program) to root. I dont have clocmwork recovery and would like to try installing a rom. Do I need to reroot phone using your awesome program??? Thanks
You could do that, or you could just use the quick tools buttons to reboot your phone into bootloader, then check to see if your computer recognizes a fastboot device, and then use the flash (permanent) file to recovery button… and select a clockworkmod image file. You could even try out the new touch version (beta) this way. Or you could just go through the root process (after selecting SDK+Files and going through driver configuration) and it will flash it for you. Your call.
this toolkit is damn cool, simply to rooted my gnex. but there is a problem after it, why my phone ring always change to mute automatically. i dont know exactly this because of rooting or other bugs? tq
Rooting and your ring tone are unrelated.. if you can’t get to the bottom of it, I recommend just reflashing stock.
Im just trying to unroot…do i need to do the sdk and drivers still? I assumed yes, but im getting errors installing an MTP driver? Any suggestions?
Yes. The MTP driver shouldn’t be a problem if it’s not configured properly. Just make sure your computer recognizes your device as an ADB device while its on, and when its in bootloader mode. Just run through the manual driver setup in the program, all instructions are included. If you are still left with a lingering un-configured MTP device, that’s ok. Just make sure your computer can recognize your device as an ADB device, when its on, and when its in bootloader mode.. that’s all that matters.
Alright, when the prompt asked if my device was showing above (a list of numbers and symbols) there was nothing there even after manually installing the ADB drivers. It did show up in my device manager window but not in the command prompt…I thought that MTP issue may have been the reason but I guess not. How can I get it to show up in the prompt? Thanks so much for helping.
Is USB debugging enabled on your device? And if so, what is it showing up in your device manager as? Have tried a different USB port?
Yes, but I tried it again with another port and it worked
everything worked perfectly and I’m now back to stock and relocked! You’re the best. Definitely some quality work you’ve done, worth a donation for sure!
Great, I am happy to hear that! Thank you!
I unrooted, locked my GalaxyNexus, then rerooted using the WugFresh latest root toolkit, and it was super easy. Followed all instructions carefully, and most importantly, Patiently.
I am a newbie, this is my second Gnex (first one bricked, restored, but charger port was loose), and I am very happy to now have Clockwork Mod on my phone.
Now, on to next learning curve, how to install a ROM. Super Easy, thanks WugFresh, you’re brilliant. Donation coming!
Hi! I bought my Galaxy Nexus already unlocked. I want to root it but never done it before. After root do I need to install a specific ROM? I mean, right after rooting it will be working already but with factory ROM? thanks!
Ooopsss…clicked System Variables, selected 3, closed, clicked Drivers, waited to finish, closed, then clicked Root as my phone is already unlocked…nothing happens and after waiting some time tried to close the application, no luck, its freezed. I’m using Win7 32bit Ultimate. And no, the cell was not plugged in
Sounds like you didn’t fully complete the driver setup. Please refer to the manual driver instruction here:
http://www.wugfresh.com/dev/gnex-root-toolkit/manual-driver-configuration/
You probably preemptively stopped the driver setup. It has to bring you through a whole script to check that everything works..ect.
No.. just use this root, and then you are rooted on the factory ROM. What you decide to do from that point on is up to you
Wug,
Hey, I am not able to config my fast boot drivers. In my device manager, it says my drivers are up to date and all. My phone is in USB debug; however, on a side note, I get devconi386 failed when trying to install the device drivers.
Thanks,
Aaron
Wug,
Your magic is “jedi-esque,” I got it to work. Just a minor conflict that I resolved in USBDeview
Haha, thanks man! Glad you got it working! I figured USBDeview would be good to include.
Looks like you got it fixed.
Geat program! unlock and root was a breeze. My question how do you flash custom roms? don’t want to have to set up android SDK if i can just use your amazing program. Thanks so much
Custom ROMs usually come in Update.zip format and are meant to be flashed in ClockworkMod Recovery, which this program flashed to your phone already when rooting. Typically the process for flashing a ROM, is to:
1. Download the ROM and put the zip file somewhere on your sdcard
2. Boot into clockworkmod recovery by booting into bootloader and selecting recovery (just like you did when rooting). Or you can do it manually by pressing both volume buttons and the power button, then going into recovery.
3. Use Clockworkmod recovery to wipe data, cache, and dalvik cache
4. Then use Clockworkmod recovery to install the zip
- Install zip from sdcard
- Choose zip from sdcard
- Navigate the ROM.zip and select it
- Yes
- Wait for it to flash
- Back out of recovery, and reboot system
There is lots of info out their on flashing ROMs… hopefully that helps gets you started.
- Ch
Another satisfied customer here, just wanted to leave a note saying thanks and the toolkit worked flawlessly, thanks again!
Thanks rkflash! Happy to hear that!
This does not work for me on XP followed all the guide for the drivers, XP ALWAYS installs the “galaxy nexus” drives no adb.
used the built in CMD program to remove all.. followed manual guide 100%… waste of 2 hours.
In windows7 the toolkit will only install on my works network drive z:, even though its not online, cannot choose install location..
dont get it..
Are you sure USB debugging is enabled. I have configured the drivers on numerous XP machines… both 32 and 64bit, its hard for me to determine what your particular problem is based on the information you provided. If you are still having difficulties, send me an invite on gchat and I will see if I can help you out.
I am sorry that I didn’t allow the end-user to choose and install location. That was a poor choice on my part. I will certainly change that in the next release. That said.. all the files are locally contained within that directory, so as a quick fix you can just cut and paste the entire folder to wherever you want it, and then run it from there.
Hi Wugs..
Thanks for your reply, I appreciate your help!
Sorry for my harsh comments, your tool looks so good i desperately want it to work, i am a noob
Yes USB debugging is on, I have turned off automatic driver updating BUT whenever I hit “scan for hardware changes” or unplug and replug the phone – the system installs the “galaxy nexus” drivers and the internal storage auto play comes up. I tried manually installing your drivers witch works but your toolkit does not list any adb or fast boot devices…? its seems that XP will automatclly install the wrong drivers no matter what I do? (its a fresh XP 32Bit SP3 install, even tried a system restore, no help)
Yes, location choice would be nice, I cannot move any files because my work location is unavailable (would not install there anyway) the whole installer fails..
Again thanks for your help and any more if you have the time!!
John
HI Wug,
Me again, just to let you know I tried on a totally different XP laptop and it works!!!
Must have been a problem on the laptop.. you are the man!! What a great tool, my thanks are endless!
i can’t update driver manually. it says the driver is already up to date… i turned off auto driver download option on my computer but it seems it’s still downloading and configurating driver automatically what should i do?
Do they work? Have you tried listing adb devices and fastboot devices? Chances are, if you turned that setting off, your computer is automatically installing the Samsung drivers from your local machine, not from the web. You can just remove the Samsung Driver package from add/remove programs in control panel. Also you can use the included USBDeview program to remove all instances of your device while its disconnected, so you can be sure its removed prior to re-connecting your device.
Hey used your toolkit. worked great but data would never turn on. no 3g or 4g. used the unroot option and now i have data. any suggestions?
Unlocking and rooting have absolutely nothing to do with connectivity. Chances are that whatever caused your data issue was due to something you did after you rooted. Try and backtrack what you did after you rooted, then maybe you can figure out what caused the problem. It could be something simple like an app that is disagreeing with your device, or it could be due to something you flashed or attempted. I have no idea of knowing exactly what caused it for you.. I can only guess. If you can’t figure it out, then it must have been an anomaly. Just try using my program again (after making sure you have a complete download by hashchecking it), and see if you get different results.
Backed up the data with the prog, then wiped the system. I’m looking to only restore certain applications and certain pieces of data now – is this possible? Is there some sort of “ab” file viewer?
Unfortunately no, its a batch operation. There is no way that I know of to selectively restore data from an ab file. However, one of the benefits of rooting though is that you can install and run a root app like Titanium Backup or Jrummy’s ROM Toolbox, which will allow you to selectively backup and restore data.
So just to make sure, if I want to retrieve some settings for a random program from the toolkits backup, there’s no way even with those programs, correct?
Also, if I’ve reinstalled a program, will it be smart enough to not reinstall it again and overwrite settings? Or will everything be overwritten for all programs?
Correct. The .ab backup feature is a newly implemented option made possible on ICS. Although it allows for unrooted backups and restores, it still has some limitations. There are no available selective restore programs that will work with .ab files. Those apps I mentioned were android apps, that work on the device itself and do utilize ab files at all, they compress the data into .tgz fils and backup the apps.
I am pretty certain that it will overwrite settings. Like I said, its a batch operation. It will restore everything.
I have been getting the “offline” statement next to my serial number when try to root the device. I closed all instances of adb.exe and I have looked through TCPView and have nothing listed as using 5037 until I startup your ToolKit. I have also uninstalled and re installed the driver (samsung, pdaNet, and yours) approx. 10 times.
I have had that happen to me before on a few machines. I ultimately resolved the issue by simply utilizing a different USB port on the comp. Why it doesn’t like some usb ports, when everything with TCPview indicates that it should be working… I have no idea. But that should fix it. Just try different USB ports until you see an online device.
With this program can I create a back up of the apps on my un-rooted G-Nex or is that only to create a back up once rooted? Thanks! I look forward to attempting my first root!
Yes, you can make a backup with an unrooted G-nex. One of the main benefits of this backup method.
The Root toolkit v1.3 the latest version of the toolkit or is there a newer version. I am new to this and can you send me a link for the video on how to Root Galaxy nexus. Thanks and have a great day.
Yes v1.3 is the latest version as of today. v1.4 will hopefully be done sometime this weekend. The Unlockr made a nice video of it here: http://theunlockr.com/2012/01/26/how-to-root-the-samsung-galaxy-nexus-one-click-method-lte-and-gsm-versions/ , just realize that the video isn’t in realtime.. and that it was edited to filter out all the wait time. When you actually do it, make sure to be patient.
I was wondering if v1.4 has come out yet.
That is still in the kitchen
almost… it has some really cool new features.. still getting them ironed out, and beta testing before the public release. This site will always have the latest version and information… so stay tuned!
Ok Thanks for what you do!!!
Not working at all. Well it installs the driver but after that, it just freezes. It just freezes and does nothing.
It froze on you because I had my script hit the exit button on that last screen of the installation. Since you probably pressed that before my script did.. the script is frozen. I won’t have it do this in the next release. Just ctrl+alt+delete… ect. And do it again. It will skip the samsung installation. Just be patient with my script.. everything is automated. In this case.. too much.
Ok after I restarted it, it works now.
However, I’m trying to unlock bootloader and I got to the Fastboot Mode but it wont go to the “Unlock Bootloader?” screen. It’s stuck at Fastboot Mode.
Nicely done WugFresh! Everything worked well!