Here’s an updated guide on how to root your Nexus S and Nexus S 4G on Jelly Bean, ICS, Gingerbread. This new method also installs TWRP recovery instead of ClockworkMod Recovery.
Warning: Unlocking your Nexus S/Nexus S 4G will wipe your personal settings/data/internal storage!
Step 1. Power off your Nexus S or Nexus S 4G.
Step 2. Boot into fastboot mode by holding down both Volume Down and Power buttons together.
Step 3. Once in fastboot mode, connect your Nexus S/Nexus S 4G to your computer via micro-USB cable.
Step 4. For Linux and Mac, skip this step. For Windows, make sure you’ve installed correct drivers. You can watch the video tutorial on how to do this.
Once your drivers are installed, you should see “Android ADB Interface” in Device Manager.
Step 5. Download NexusSRootICS.zip and unzip to a folder called nexussrootICS.
Download NexusSRootICS.zip
Open up a command prompt/terminal and browse to the directory by typing:
For Windows:
cd \nexussrootICS
For Mac/Linx:
cd /nexussrootICS
Next, type the following to unlock your Nexus S/Nexus S 4G:
For Windows:
fastboot oem unlock
For Mac:
./fastboot-mac oem unlock
For Linux:
./fastboot-linux oem unlock
Step 6. Hit the Volume Up button once and then the Power button to unlock your Nexus S/Nexus S 4G.
Step 7. Your screen should now say, “LOCK STATE – UNLOCKED”.
Step 8. Next, type the following for Nexus S:
For Windows:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-crespo-2.0.0RC0.img
For Mac:
./fastboot-mac flash recovery twrp-crespo-2.0.0RC0.img
For Linux:
./fastboot-linux flash recovery twrp-crespo-2.0.0RC0.img
For Nexus S 4G, type the following instead:
For Windows:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-crespo4g-2.0.0RC0.img
For Mac:
./fastboot-mac flash recovery twrp-crespo4g-2.0.0RC0.img
For Linux:
./fastboot-linux flash recovery twrp-crespo4g-2.0.0RC0.img
Step 9. You can now go into Recovery by choosing RECOVERY from the fastboot menu.
Step 10. Next choose “Mount”.
Step 11. Choose “Mount USB Storage”.
Step 12. Copy the SuperUser.zip to the internal storage of your Nexus S/Nexus S 4G.
Step 13. Choose “Unmount” on your Nexus S/Nexus S 4G.
Step 14. Choose “Install”.
Step 15. Choose “SuperUser.zip”.
Step 16. Choose “Flash now”.
Step 17. Choose “Reboot System” and reboot system.
Step 18. Your Nexus S/Nexus S 4G should now show the Superuser app, congrats you’ve successfully rooted your Nexus S/Nexus S 4G!
GooglePlus
Want to stay updated on latest Nexus S Root news?
Sign up for our Nexus S Root Newsletter here so you don't miss a single tip and get personal help via e-mail! Nexus S Reference
You will need a rooted Nexus S to install all ROM/kernels.
NOTE: PLEASE ONLY INSTALL ROMS INTENDED FOR YOUR VERSION OF Nexus S! Otherwise you WILL BRICK YOUR PHONE and I will not be responsible!
How to Root Nexus S!
First time to rooting and custom ROMs? Please see our Nexus S FAQ FIRST! Nexus S ROMs
Nexus S ROMs
Nexus S 4G ROMs
Subscribe via RSS
Thank you very much man.
your tutorials are the most comprehensive. Even a total noob like me can easily root and enjoy the benefits.
I can’t get the driver installed on my pc. Tried the device manager, select android, update driver, and point to usb_driver folder, and still cant install. Puzzled here…Please give tutorial on installing Nexus S 4G driver to windows xp pc with no kies installed. thanks
already done it..
i did install samsung driver from https://nexusshacks.com/nexus-s-hacks/how-to-install-nexus-s-windows-usb-drivers/
and now it works..
thanks for the tutorial..
any suggestion for stable ICS Rom ?
i downloaded the CM9 from this site but cant get it installed, said it was problem with package.zip (i didnt remember the file extension). tried the miui and it works fine. .
It didn’t work for me either at first. I downloaded the USB drivers from the google sdk but windows refused to install. I ended up forcing it to use the bootloader driver. Windows warned me about it not being a valid driver, but after that it showed up properly and it worked. I’m guessing it just needs a device ID updated somewhere.
I just tried to follow your steps here but I got stuck trying to flash the recovery. It says it’s sending the recovery but just hangs there. Did the img get corrupted?
No, probably your drivers aren’t installed correctly if it’s hanging. Try verifying your drivers are working correctly.
I was wondering if the Unroot of Nexus S 4G that you posted will work after this?
I would like to unroot, upgrade, root, and be able to go back.
Yes, the unroot method still works fine.
Thanks. I will give it a try tomorrow and update.
Thanks for this site, it’s great.
just my few cents:
I came into fastboot mode by pressing Vol UP + POWER instead of Vol down + POWER.
After extracting nexussrootICS.zip with “File Roller 3.2” I have to apply the command
chmod 766 fastboot-linux
to make it executable.f
After that I couldn’t copy SuperUser.zip to mounted fileSystem as suggested. Instead I have to type
sudo cp -f /path/to/nexussrootICS/SuperUser.zip /media/35EE-1EOE/
where ’35EE-1EOE’ is my NexusS Device
also ALL Data was deleted, including ANYTHING on “SdCard” as I’m wondering, because on my Nexus One the Personal Data (like MP3s, Images, PDF’s, etc) was being kept on sdcard, even if I don’t removed it!
I am using mac so using terminal. My phone is plugged in and i type cd /nexussrootICS and i get “No such file or directory” what do i do??
I’m just pressing enter after I type it. Thats the right thing to do right?
Where did you unzipped the files to?
It might be something like cd Downloads/nexussrootICS depending on where you unzipped it to.
oh wow, completely skipped step 5, i didnt see it with the ads around it. Thanks
Hi, I also have this problem. I put cd \nexussrootICS but it says ”the system cannot find the patch specified”.
Thanks
Hi, I also have this problem. I put cd \nexussrootICS but it says ”the system cannot find the patch specified”.
I had the same problem. Try this: cd /Volumes/Macintosh_HD [ then press ENTER]
cd /nexussrootICS [ENTER]
./fastboot flash………
Hey there,
Thank you so much for the steps. My phone now says unlocked. But how do I flash custom roms? Everytime I try, i receive the not signed error and installation aborts. Also, once I go into recovery, I don’t see the gui I saw when I followed the steps to unlock, but a triangle and then after pressing buttons randomly, it will go into the option mode, where I use my vol. toggles to select reboot or recovery.
i9020a
Rogers
thank you so much!
Well it worked and it didn’t. I have rooted many android phones and this is my own second nexus s 4g. I rooted it fine on stock ICS, but after 1st time going into recovering installing Superuser it won’t go into TWRP recovery anymore. I get the android with the red triangle. How do I get around this? I was able to go into TWRP recovery again, but only after doing the recovery image through Comand prompt agian. HELP Please!!!
I have the exact same issue. I’ve tried it with clockworkmod and with twrp. After i do it through CMD, if i try to get into recovery it defaults back to the ‘locked’ recovery page with the red triangle. However when it’s booting up the padlock is unlocked, so I know it unlocked but I can’t seem to install either cwm or twrp. Argh!
Hi did anyone figure out how to get past the man with the triangle because im stuck then and my phone wont go into recovery mode.
I was able to unlock but I cannot load twrp. My terminal keeps giving me “error cannot load.” I’m working on a mac.
thanks max your hardwork made my day………..
Nice, but it is impossible to download that file nexussrootICS.zip
For linux I had to do what Rafael plus run all commands as Sudo
For linux I did what Rafael did plus I ran all the commands as SUDO
Yes, sudo or best is to do it under root, “sudo -i”.
Hi everyone,
I rooted my nexus s (ICS 4.0.3) and everything went very well… But if i try to get into recovery mode without this command in the terminal (on mac) i see the green android for 1sec and then its only black and i have to take my battery off in order to make my phone work again…
How can i install a new rom on my phone if i cant get in the recoverymode to wipe all data and install the rom from my sd card?
Can someone help me??
ps: sorry for my poor english
the issue is that the backlight is turned off with non superamoled screens after the 4.0.3 update (this is the official ota update). From what i’ve read, the solution is a real pain, but easy.. recovery is still there and working but because of the non-functional backlight, you cant see it. you need to go into very bright direct sunlight or use a very (and i cant stress this enough) very bright flash light. you’ll be able to see everything and carry on as normal. very inconvenient but everything works as it should. hope this helps.
Thank you very much for the detailed tutorial.
I bought a New Nexus S a week back in UK. I want to try this. But I need to clarify a couple of questions:
1. The stock OS is 2.3.1. If I do this process, will it upgrade to ICS? Do you suggest upgrading to ICS? (I don’t know if the hardware supports the new OS)
2. Once it is upgraded to ICS, can I still tether using USB or use it for a Wi-fi hotspot? That is my main purpose.
Regards,
Ravi.
PS: Another lame question: If required can I re-install stock OS 2.3.1 back?
Great tutorial, the first ever one that has worked for me! Im stuck though, can you please explain how to remove the superuser app?? Ive wiped the system, factory reset etc but the superuser app still shows up? Its not in the USB storage either…
pleasee help.
Thanks
You can use ES File Explorer, open the app and put it in Root Mode (in settings), then delete Superuser.apk in /system/app directory. You might want to reboot and the Superuser app should be gone but you won’t be able to run rooted apps after deleting it.
The best way ever i can follow …….easy, clear and great result !!!!!
I have successfully rooted my phone yesterday, but I was failed to load the twrp recovery today. It goes to stock recovery again. what’s wrong? I did nothing on recovery.
That’s what happens on stock ROM as it has security feature to overwrite it. You need to install a custom ROM so recovery stays. You can also use ROM Manager to flash CWM recovery and boot into recovery (right after) to flash a new ROM.
Quick question, what if my bootloader is already unlocked, where do I start what do I actually need to flash to get root?
the NexusSRootICS.zip file is damage , download finish only 5kn and cannot be open..
Are you trying to download on your phone? Try Dolphin HD or try downloading on your computer.
i using chrome download, on computer.
change to IE or firefox also same result, only 5kb zip file unopenable
DUDE! You are the best. I’ve spent HOURS trying to get Superuser to work. Your method worked. THANK YOU!!
The download doesn’t work I have tried on my phone my pc and my mac and all have failed. On my phone i have tried with normal browser and dolphin hd. Using dolphin hd i receive an “nginx error” saying the page i am looking for is temporarily unavailable.
I have a Nexus S (i9020A) running 2.3.6 can I still use this NexusRootICS??? I really can’t brick my phone as I am at boarding school in another country and I know ICS never came out for the i9020A (ATT version), I also noticed you were on T-Mobile in the tutorial. Please help guys! I would love to be able to get some extra features out of my brand new Nexus S. 🙂
Yes works on all Nexus S variants.
Okay, but will this work with Gingerbread 2.6.3? I don’t have a custom ICS for my phone or will this upgrade me to ICS.. Sorry, it’s my first Android phone
hi when i install the android adb interface for the android 1.0 driver it says windows encountered a problem whilst installing a driver…what should i do?! please help
Thanks MAx
When i copy the superuser.zip to my phone and press unmount, it just goes back to the previous screen and i cant install it
I got same problem, after Step 13 “Unmount”, the screen back only have the mount USB Storage option
Got it, you need to press the back key (buttom left of the 4 buttons)
Will this method works for Nexus S i9023?
Thanks
i followed above steps i have rooted my nexus s i9023 but only su file intalled but no root access what to do? 🙁
Same here.. any solution?
will this work on the canadian Telus Nexus S?
i9020a
build number GRK39F
worked like a charm
what a concise tutorial!
well done!
hi, i have this same phone as you. have you tried and custom mods yet? Or have you just rooted it? I would like to give this a shot but I want to make sure i have all the info first.
Cheers
thank you man:) I love u
I also get into fastboot mode with Vol *Up* and Power, rather than Vol Down.
At that point, I get “Found New Hardware / Windows needs to install driver software for your Android 1.0”
Windows (Vista 64) could not find this a driver, including in the android-sdk directory.
At this point, the device is no longer listed with “adb devices” or with “fastboot devices”, and the next step, “fastboot oem unlock” just hangs with the message “”
So… I’m stuck. Can you help me?
when you do the command part with cd \nexussrootICS it says” the system cannot find the path specified”
Thanks man !!!!! Cheers 🙂
trying to get free wifi hot spot rooted phone to fastboot flash recovery twrp-crespo4g-2.0.0RC0.img help thanx
Thanks man ! it s working . cheers 🙂
Just tried it after P Raddy said it worked on his i9020a. and…. it does! I got a little confused on how to get back to the install in TWRP but once I got back everything was working. Yay root!
for those of you having trouble downloading the nexussrootICS.zip – you want to actually click the link posted on this page. you will then be taken to the download page where you can download the 17.1 MB file.
if you right click or ctrl click the link posted on this page, you will be downloading a shortcut or something.
Hi,
I have already unlocked my phone while following the previous video but my root method was unsuccessful due to my superuser problem. I am using official ICS, so which step should i start from as i need to skip some steps as my phone’s already unlocked?
Pingback: Nexus S Rooten
Hi plxx help me
when i open terminal and when it try to copy files to root its shows me error
permission denind wat to do know
Thanks. I just wanted to say that TWRP recovery is awesome.
Pingback: Recovery freeze - sonst normal - Android-Hilfe.de
These are probably questions that are obvious for most, but since I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, I’m going to ask.
1. Other than the Samsung USB drivers that I already have on my computer, is the file NexusSRootICS.zip the only other file that I need?
2. Being as I have the NS4G from Sprint, I did not see the file for the 4G referenced in the instructions listed in the directory when I extracted the above zip file. Is is safe to safe to say the command is still valid?
3. Is NexusSRootICS.zip a full version of ICS and more importantly, does everything work? I.E., GPS, WIFI, WIMAX, Camera, Video, Hotspot, etc?
4. Any known issues with apps such as Google Maps, TeleNav, etc?
Thanks. I do appreciate any and all replies and hope they are kind. I’ve never rooted a phone before and my NS4G is currently running the stock version from Google, v2.3.7.
1. unlocking the bootloader technically “roots” phone right? just need su for rooted permissions?
2. if i want cwm recovery, can i just install super then cwm after rebooting phone from unlocking boot loader or do i have to flash from fastboot?
3. why twrp and not cwm recovery? adv vs disadv
feedback appreciated. thanks
running i9023 ics 4.0.3 nexus s
System cannot find the path specified – although I extractes nexussrootICS folder in C:\Users\Me\nexussrootICS
when i type cd \ nexussrootICS, it cannot find a path. WHat am i supposed to change in environment variables? (on w7)
do:
cd \Users\Me\nexussrootICS
worked fine. successfully rooted.
Hey guys! I have a question! my nexus is unlocked but not rooted!! so i have to start for the step no8. My question is if i try to root it ill lose my files or not?? because i want to root it but without to lose ANYthing!!! even my sms mms programms! because i have so many things inside. So its impossible to do that or not!? thnx
im abit lost here, ive type in cd \nexussrootICS and it says it cant find the file path etc. but if i type cd nexussrootICS
its alright, if i type it the secound way i just mention, will it be fine? after that when i type in fastboot flash recovery twrp-crespo-2.0.rco.img it says it cant find the path, please can you send me the full instruction from 1 to end in details , im very stuck i get it to say unlock then type the rest in, says cant find path etc.
PLEASE HELP
Thank you
Hello Rom Hak,
The reason is because when you type that out I noticed that you aren’t putting two zero’s(0) it has to be -2.0.0 and then also you are typing the letter o instead of a zero(0) after rc0. It has to be like this fastboot flash recovery twrp-crespo-2.0.0rc0.img
Hopefully this helps you and you have already figured it out and not waited this long. 🙂
sorry forgot to mention ive never rooted my phone before, could it be the course? or im i miss reading something?
Thank you
Wow!!:) i have successfully root my Nexus I9023 phone :p he is a god for nexus mobile^ v ^ i really impressed ur tutorial :)Really ah some man!!
thank u sooooo much Max Lee! :):)
hi is there anychance u can help me with my problmes
copy nexussrootICS folder to your c:drive its works!
i did all that and when i type it in, i get it to where i can unlock it and when i type fastboot flash recovery-twrp-crespo-2.0.rco.img it says cant find spe’ path
do u think its jest for nexus s T mobile, coz my fone is nexus s i9023
no it works for all variants.
boot into fastboot mode by pressing volume up and power button
and type in ur search bar u can find in start menu
type cmd in your search bar
open it and type
For Windows:
cd \nexussrootICS
For Mac/Linx:
cd /nexussrootICS
and 2nd step
For Windows:
fastboot oem unlock
For Mac:
./fastboot-mac oem unlock
For Linux:
./fastboot-linux oem unlock
@make sure your driver are installed successfully@
and confirme yes via volume up and down button
to confirme yes press power button then it will unlocked
i already unlock it but cant flash it and install custom rom ics
Wow!!:) i have successfully rooted my Nexus I9023 phone :p he is a god for nexus mobile^ v ^ i really impressed ur tutorial :)Really ah some man!!
thank u sooooo much Max Lee! :):)
hi! Great guide.
Got through it completely 🙂 Superuser is installed and I was initially in TWRP. After rebooting however I cannot get back into recovery. I do boot into fastboot, however after choosing recovery, I get “Google” splash and the unlocked lock, and then then the phone locks. i.e. I can’t get into recovery. I have to pull the battery. Anyone got an idea? I assume i was suppose to mount my sd in there as well?
Thanks!!
repeated TWRP, backed up and it solved my problem.
Keep up the great work 🙂
did u unlocked ur nexus?
Yes, it is unlocked. I got through the process fine. 2nd time around (when trying to solve the recovery problem, I just issued “fastboot flash recovery twrp-crespo-2.0.0RC0.img ” again and can get back into twrp. However that only seems to be the only way into twrp , is this the design?
This morning it is occurring again, but instead of locking up and requiring a battery pull, I now get the triangle with the ! and a lil Andrioid for a period of time, then after messing with the buttons ( I still haven’t figured out the combination) It loads what appears to be the default recovery.
Any suggestions?
FYI, Resolved.
I had successfully installed a rom and kernal. After that, TWRP recovery worked without having to re-issue the flash command / untethered.
[+1 – Bigxie ROM + Matr1x Kernel]
Is ir good rom n kernel to use?
How can I make a backup of my current ROM? Before I root it? and in case I need, to restore it to my stock ROM?
Heya!
When I make a command prompt its always says WAITING FOR DEVICE. Can u help me? Ive got everything. PDANet 2, the android comes up on device manager, etc
I had the same problem, and I thought that I have installed correct drivers. You have to go to Device manager, there you will see question mark by android device. Do right click, Browse my Computer for driver, Let me pick from a list.., Have disk and find in c:/nexussrootICS/usb-driver/android_winusb
How do you install clockworkmod recovery instead of twrp
Have Successfully installed SU after completing all steps however when any programs attempt root access, it is not prompted for access and is essentially denied. [i have notifications set as prompt]. For example when trying to use market enabler it will give me back a device not rooted error or when attempting to update su itself, when the “gaining root access” line comes up it comes back as failed. Have you encountered this problem before? do you know of a possible solution.
on step 5
./fastboot-linux oem unlock
my terminal says
bash: ./fastboot-linux: Permission denied
My cellphone is plugged in to the computer, however the computer cannot detect it’s presence, maybe it’s that.
I really have no clue what to do to make it happen.
I use ubuntu.
thanks
Well, I have exactly the same issue as Fabio. I’m running version 11.04.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
I had this same problem. You need to navigate to the fastboot-linux file (in file manager not terminal) and right click on the file. Then click on the second tab at the top (cant remember what it says but i think it might say permissions) and check the box that says “allow running file as an executable” (or something along those lines, its the bottom checkbox). Also remember to use “sudo ./fastboot-linux …” otherwise you computer will hang at waiting for device.
*right click on the file and click on properties
Thanks Adam,
Was able to root it!
Im using linux.
My Nexus S, i need to hold power and up volume.
I extracted the file to /nexussrootICS
root@bt:~# cd /nexussrootICS
root@bt:/nexussrootICS# ./fastboot-linux oem unlock
bash: ./fastboot-linux: Permission denied
This is what i get once i try to unlock…. Help? :C
Did you make sure that you made the file executable like I said a few posts earlier? Also make sure that you use the sudo prefix for your commands
Thank you so much. Very detailed tutorial, explained perfectly. 🙂
I just finished the root thing . Step by step , had a little trouble installing the driver (winxp 32 ) but other than that worked like a charm or at least so it seems .I’ve rebooted a couple of times , installed apps and got connected to the internet . The phone is Android 2.3.4 . From I ‘ve read there is an issue when someone will use the recovery . If someone could spare please explain a few things about recovery , WTRP , and CRC . I ‘d like to keep the phone stock as possible , Thanks
I had the bootloader unlocked already from flashing 4.0.4 Unofficial-OTA version to the NS4G. So I proceeded to try the steps of adding superuser again. It worked well, I am getting more familiar with these procedures, glad I am understanding more. I was a bit freaked out when the recovery wouldn’t install SU. That was after I had the device mounted to copy the zip over, and I hit the back arrow out to the install selection. So after two failed tries, I was a bit worried I had messed something up, but I did the reboot option, that allowed to reboot into recovery with TWRP. I went to install again and selected SU and installed without a glitch that time. So, thank you, look forward to trying some root only apps out, hopefully get to try to tether as I need to have internet access this weekend for something I am going to try to present to other members of a club. Thanks for the detailed images and walk-through. I think it is getting more and more people I am sure to do it, I was strictly someone who was in waiting for the “official” updates. Without these steps here and how to load 4.0.4, I wouldn’t have even attempted or tried. It is easy to write something up in forums, but I doubt that is where you get the most people to switch to the dark side.
What wallpaper you have?
…on your desktop pc
I am about halfway through, and am so frustrated… I had to post. This walkthrough is terrible. I appreciate the thought, but where is the actual EFFORT? There are so many questions here because the guide is poorly thought out and written. I’ve written a couple guides in my time, and let me point out the few most glaring omissions.
1. Proper Sequence – Have us download the files and install the drivers FIRST. Good preparation is one of the most important steps to a smooth experience with… Anything.
2. Proofreader – Volume Down + Power does nothing… it is actually Volume Up + Power. When something didn’t go as planned, I couldn’t trust this guide, because I already had to figure several small things out for myself.
3. Clear Explanations – i.e. “Press Volume Up once and Power, you are now unlocked”… Just tell us what to select, not how many times to press a button. You are ASSUMING our selector is in the same position as you at this time. Especially unreasonable when you’ve had them messing around for a half hour, downloading files and installing drivers that should have already been done. Also, try explaining to people to unzip the directory to the ROOT of your HD if you want the cd\nexussrootICS command to work.
I am not stupid, I am quite technically savvy and smarter than your average bear, yet I am new to the Android scene. Speaking from my perspective, this is an incredibly hard walkthrough to follow.
I was wondering if you could make a video for MAC, because I tried it on my Windows computer, but I am suck at Step 8 on my Windows. When I am on my MAC, I am even more confused. So could you please help me
It took a while before I passed step 5, but it worked. Thanks
eHow’d you get pass step 8? This is the only place I am stuck at. Please help
just copy-paste the command. But, I have another problem. I can’t install busybox and the app list in superuser is empty. I tried to check with check root basic and it said that my device does not have proper root access.
I re-flashed my device using ClockWorkMod instead of TWR and it worked
If you stuck, just try to use CWM instead of TWRP. Works for me
I rolled back my phone to GingerBread few days back. The problem is, I can go, search, and download the apps from market while accessing the market from phone.
However, if I access the market through my computer, it is not updating itself. The applications which were installed several months back (and uninstalled as well) are still being shown as INSTALLED in android market (only when accessed from Computer).
Moreover, almost 99% of the apps are shown as NOT AVAILABLE IN YOUR DEVICE’s COUNTRY – when accessed from computer.
Like I said before, its working smooth using market from my Nexus S.
Please help!
Regards,
I rolled back my phone to GingerBread few days back. The problem is, I can go, search, and download the apps from market while accessing the market from phone.
However, if I access the market through my computer, it is not updating itself. The applications which were installed several months back (and uninstalled as well) are still being shown as INSTALLED in android market (only when accessed from Computer).
Moreover, almost 99% of the apps are shown as NOT AVAILABLE IN YOUR DEVICE’s COUNTRY – when accessed from computer.
Like I said before, its working smooth using market from my Nexus S.
Please help!
Regards
i got my phone unlocked somehow not sure how. but im trying to use the cmd to get into cd \nexussrootICS but it keeps telling me system cannot find the path specified. ive tried doing things different but nothing im doing i working. please help.
when i go to cmd and type in cd \nexussICS it comes up with “the system cannot find the path specified”
but i did realize that instead of it being C: like it shows in the videos mine says “C:\users\Kyle>” would this be the problem? if so, how can i change it.
simply type in “cd \” or “cd /” – both will work and will get you to c:/>. Also make sure that you have placed the downloaded file at the correct location.
thank you for not answering my question, i clearly stated that i typed that in and it didnt work
how do u turn on your phone if the power button is broken, if i cant turn it on i cant root it 🙁
Hmmm… not sure on this one, you might have to break the power button and press it manually?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESbllTfne_g&feature=channel
a better video
i got it how to boot, unroot with a broken power button 😀
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=23426718#post23426718
cool thanx max. i just rooted my phone after thinking about it for a couple of days. haha
Great video with clear and concise instructions. Able to root and recover all settings.
Thank you!
there in an exclamation mark beside the Android ADB Interface. What do i do?
Hi, does this works for the i9020T version?
Also, what is the best way to back up everything (messages, apps, app data, etc)? I’ve heard of titanium backup but you need to root it first to use that app.
tutorial looks great and easy to follow, can’t wait to try it after i have my phone backed up.
look forward to hearing back from you!
Hey all!
First, thanks for the tutorial, really liked it. I have a small problem though. I tried to root my phone, everything went ok, as far when i have to reboot my phone and update the super user. The phone is not restarting at all, it’s not booting in, stucked at the “Google” sign.
What should i do?
thanks for this post !! I passed all steps you tell. My device (Nexys S Android 4.03 I9023XXKI1) ) is unlocked : I see : LOCK STATE – UNLOCKED.
Superuser is installed. To check if rooted, I installed Android Terminal Emulator, typed su, but I got : “/system/bin/sh: SU: not found
127]app_70@android:/ $
I’ve read some where that I should get a #
Did I miss something ?
Thank You
I umrooted nexos s with your c:\nexusrootnew mrthod but I could not go into recovery it shows triangle with exclamation and I did a reset, Now bootloader shows unlocked I have a superuser icon all functions are ok as I can see. But when in fasrboot i still can”t go into recovery and bootloaser shows . The phone works but I can”t do anything else please help. Thanks.
apparently a brightness problem : see that a few post above :
Gyan says:
January 27, 2012 at 6:30 pm
the issue is that the backlight is turned off with non superamoled screens after the 4.0.3 update (this is the official ota update). From what i’ve read, the solution is a real pain, but easy.. recovery is still there and working but because of the non-functional backlight, you cant see it. you need to go into very bright direct sunlight or use a very (and i cant stress this enough) very bright flash light. you’ll be able to see everything and carry on as normal. very inconvenient but everything works as it should. hope this helps.
Very good job. I was not confortable to do the root on my phone, tub this really simple and efficiency tutorial worked fine.
I’m having just one problem, when I try to update the Su Binary, it says that there’s no internet connection, but it’s (I tested with youtube and navigation).
I have the v3.0.3.2 which may be one of the last ones, but I’d like to keep updated..
Rgds
@FKempf
Thank you i did it in 5 minutes.
Thank you for this. But still I can’t download the nexussrootICS.zip from media fire. The file is always corrupted. 🙁
Hi right after I unlocked my phone, while adding the CMD codes before getting back tot the phone so were we had to write “fastboot flash recovery twrp-crespo-2.0.0RC0.img” I added that code and after clicking “enter” it says “FAILED <command write failed >”
Please help me out I restarted my phone so what do you suggest I do?
Hello, I’ve got root from your guild, thank you
I would like to ask that the rooted nexus s is able to get update 4.0.4 by OTA? I’ve read some forum about 4.0.3 has a bad recovery… any problem or bug occur after this root?
I’m new in rooting android … thank you for answering my questions
I have nexus s 9023. It was rooted using this method and was running pretty fine. I was on 4.0.3 stock which was automatically updated before i rooted. today i flashed 4.0.4 but i have a problem with root. fastboot screen, state-unlocked and superuser installed but no root access. i get notification that ‘superuser denied superuser’.
unlucky dude..i would throw that piece of crap away and buy an s2 ..best phone ever. peace brather
Thanks dude, it really helped me! But instead of flashing twerp recovery I downloaded clockwork recovery to the nexussrootICS paste and flashed it normally. Thanks again!
ps: there is a mistake in the text when you say to hold down volume down + power button. It’s volume up + power button.
i’ve done this whole thing n it was smooth ….. but few days earlier i got notify for updating to 4.0 android n when i selected to install then it rebooted n my fone stuck at screen where it says GOOGLE with a lock icon at the bottom … then like 4-5hrs later removed the batery n restarted …. n after a wek again got same notify for update n again restarted n again stuck ….. last nite again it downloaded 128mb of update n when it restarted to install the update it again stuck at the GOOGLE n the lock icon screen …..
now when i get into fastboot mode n select recover to unroot it …. even then it stucks at the same screen 🙁 …. help me now 🙁
For some reason I lost root access . I read elsewhere that usually updating the binary ends in such a condition . So , I suppose I should now unistall the SU , and follow the guide again without the unlock bootloader part . Right ?
Thanks
I cant get bootloader to unlock im on nexus s 4g official 4.0.4
Ok I was able to unlock and install superuser 3.0.7 signed.All went well with out any errors, but when I try and use rootchecker it tells me that this devise does not have proper root access. And when trying to use other programs needing root acces it says you do not have root access. Running the new ICS 4.0.4 on sprint nexus 4S. Any suggestion?
I’m still stuck on step 5
when i type cd \nexussrootICS it says system cannot find path specified. I did all the steps fro 1-4 correctly but i just cant find the file path. I created a desktop folder called nexusrootICS and zipped all the files there. Am i suppose to put it in a specific place?
Thanks in advance
What i did was i opened the file, clicked extract all and when it asked what you wanted it extracted to i typed C:\nexussrootICS and it worked when i typed it in the cmd.
Hey great guide, but I’m stuck on step 12. I can’t seem to find a SuperUser zip file because every time I download a SuperUser file, there isn’t a zip file. Can someone please help me by giving me a link to a download that actually has the zip file? Every file i download has two folder system, and META-INF but neither contain the zip. PLEASE HELP!
I did it and it works!
but now, if i want to go in recovery mode, my phone shows me a dead android picture and i can´t do anything else do you know something mayby?
Does anyone else have the problem that there is no SuperUser zip in the file? I downloaded it from many different sites but none contain the zip, only the folders: system, and META-INF
Hi,
I tried to unlock my nexus S with PC and Mac but I get this error: “… FAILED (remote: Erase Fail)”.
Can someone help me please?
Thx in advance
I want to suggest some things that wasn’t clear for me.
To use the ./fastboot on Linux (Ubuntu 12.04 and any other) you have to use the “sudo”:
sudo ./fastboot-linux oem unlock
But probaly you get something like “command not found”. To fix that, you need to give permission to use the file, just go to the folder and type on terminal:
“chmod u+x fastboot-linux”
Ah, another thing. If you open the “Rom Manager” to install any other Rom or Gapps, you need to open de “Superuser” before, if you don’t, it just frozen 🙂
Is there another way to root it without using SuperUser? I have already unlocked it and everything
Thanks
Pingback: Wants someone to Root for me (Nexus S)
whenever I type cd \nexussrootICS
the cmd prompt says pathway not found
ive tried uninstalling and reinstalling the driver and still nothing
HELP!
Did you unzip it to a new folder?
Just a note to anyone who needs to root an encrypted phone:
/sdcard and /data are encrypted by ICS, so twrp will not be able to mount them. It is possible to use adb push to put the SuperUser.zip into /cache and then browse around in the UI and find it there.
Replace steps 10 to 13 with:
adb push SuperUser.zip /cache
replace step 15 (“Choose “SuperUser.zip”.”) with:
select ..
select /cache
Choose SuperUser.zip
Hope this helps someone.
I just got a nexus s 4g and upgraded to ICS4.0.4.. when I try to follow the instructions the first screen i see is in step Unlock Bootloader Screen.. but no choices just two lines of text that say
USB control init
USB control init end
but I can not get past that point…
My Nexus S was rooted on GB. I want to get Titanium Backup working again, so I have to root it again.
I used a method that didn’t unlock the bootloader.
Reading instructions, it says you should have ADB Interface in device manager. I have Composite ADB Interface int Device Manager. Do I need to delete that? Or is it the same thing?
Buenas compañeros segi el tuto a la perfeccion asta el paso 6, no me sale esa pantalla en negro cuando le doy a subir volumen y luego boton encender, cuando en el cdm le pongo(fastboot OEM desbloqueo) no hace nada el telf, algien me esplica porfavor, un saludo y gracias
Hello, just one word to congratulated author’s tutorial ! Very very simple !! I try many way to root my NS but i don’t be strong in computer and i don’t understand nothing of others tutorials…
A big Thanks 🙂
I have a sprint nexus s 4g running 4.0.4. I got the phone unlocked but when I typed fastboot flash recovery twrp-crespo4g-2.0.0RC0.img. my command said error cannot load twrp why? after i did the unlock tho it did show my android on it’s back with red triangle and rebooted?
it does say unlocked still I dont know any help
The only thing i do is put the superuser.zip in my storage from the nexussrootICS file, go in recovery and install the file and its work! thats normal?
and install the .zip and its work! Thats normal?*
Noticed many people with the same problem as I was having for MAC’s step 7. Error will read “cannot load” if you copy the files to the desktop and follow this ~/desktop/nexussrootICS/fastboot-mac flash recovery ~/desktop/nexussrootICS twrp-crespo4g-2.0.0RC0.img Copy all and paste this should work. Everything else seems fine. I used clockworkmod instead with no problems. This will also fix the cd/ nexussrootICS problem. Just put the file on the desktop and type ~/desktop/nexussrootICS/fastboot-mac oem unlock . I hope this helps the mac people.
Sucessfully Rooted but now i wanna unroot process ICS Nexus S i9020
Just for anyone that has nexus s 4g with ics 4.0.4 I ran into problems when trying the mentioned methods above. First off the author doesn’t answer any questions concerning peoples problems, so I will clear something up. Twrp recovering did not flash, I’m not sure if it’s the version he used with ics 4.0.4 or what. So, download and use clockwork recovery instead. 2nd superuser from the .zip above also did not work, it shows super user when boot, but didn’t actually root the phone, so download newest superuser replace it with the one in this tutorial, load zip and boom you are rooted. Also, once phone is booted go to google play and type superuser and update if needed. Check for root with root checker or busybox. Hopes this helps someone. Again thanks for tutorial, great work.
Also, if anyone is having trouble with path directory, if using xp go to accessory command prompt instead of run and cmd in start menu. For both cd.. {two dots}several times until it shows C:/ Then cd /name_of_folder works. Windows 7 no / is needed at least not for me cd name of folder. Gl
Extreemly easy and good explenasion on how to do this! The best on the whole internet! Thanks man!
ZEDO, i think i screwed myself. My phone was already unlocked and i went back to a stock rom and it asked me to update to ics 4.0 the legit version. When i used rom manager it tells me my phone is not unlocked. Meanwhile in the bootloader it says its unlocked. Help please, preferably a video. Lemme know please.
David, you seem to have complicated the matter. Nexus is really brilliant when rooted. This is something that should make whole amount of difference.
I wanted to wipe the storage and taped on system wipe.. Now it doesnt start. and stucks at the google logo!!
HELP Please!
I’m stack at the CMD section when I need to type cd\nexussrootICS. i’m on windows. And it isn’t working it says “is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program and batch file.”
I’ve checked the drivers and their fine.
Whats am I doing wrong ?
Its ok. I named the folder wrong. lol
Can I flash the latest clockworkmod recovery?
Yes once rooted, you can use ROM Manager to install the latest CWM.
I mean I can install directly from windows ClockworkMod instead of the twrp?
You can OR simpler way is to install ROM Manager app (free on Play Store) and flash the latest CWM.
hey man….. I fallow all the steps to root my NEXUS S but when I turn it back on
I check and not rooted ….. what could be the problem? did it 3 times and is not rooting my mobile. let me kow please thank you…
What is the difference between ClockworkmodRecovery and TWRP? It’s actually the same, right?
They do the same thing, just different UI.
Im having great trouble with the command prompt part where you supposed to enter
cd \nexussrootICS
All im getting is “The system can not find the path specified”.
where did you unzip the files to?
For example, if it’s in your Download directory, you would do something like:
cd Downloads\nexussrootICS
Hi.
I rooted the device using this guide.
I now want to unroot it and reset the device to how it was when first purchased. Its i9023.
I followed your Unroot Nexus S guide, after downloading the file and transfering I can not enter RECOVERY.
I don’t have ClockWork so I installed ROM Manager and use it to get to rebbot recovery.
When I do I get a similer error icon to this one
http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/2395060/111204-14000936-android4icsbootloader-IMG_20111204_130918_large_verge_medium_landscape.jpg
How do I unroot it ?
I used this guide to root my device. I now want to unroot it using your “how to unroot nexus s” guide.
However I’m stuck right at the beggining. After downloading the i9023 file and placing it into the phone i can’t get to recovery.
I don’t have clockwork but downloaded ROM Manager and reboot it from there. When the device restarts and goes into recovery mode an error android sign comes on looking like this : http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/2395060/111204-14000936-android4icsbootloader-IMG_20111204_130918_large_verge_medium_landscape.jpg
What do I do ?
Hi can anyone help me with this I rooted my nexus s i9023 using this tutorial and it worked than the upgrade came out for android 4.0.4 so I upgraded and now I’m not rooted. I have tried to root again using 4.0.4 tutorials but the SuperUser.zip won’t install. When I was rooted using TWRP I couldn’t install roms so I was thinking if I got the SuperUser from here than flashed clockwork mod would that work?
Any advice would help thanks
Everything worked but when I turn my phone on I don’t see the SuperUser app. I copied both zipped file and unzipped file to my phone but still doesn’t work. Help me PLEASE lol
just download Superuser app off Play Store and see if it works.
i downloaded the app and its on here but when i open it, it says “no apps in list”. i also downloaded titanium backup and i got a error message from that saying i have to root the phone before use. so how do i know if its working?
Try reflashing the superuser files, try this superuser zip file if the one in the zip doesn’t work. http://downloadandroidrom.com/file/tools/CWM-SuperSU-v0.87.zip
o yea…i have a nexus s 4g running ics 4.0.4 and did not try to root it until today (so after the update)
i had to reflash ics software onto my device, my device is still unlocked i just lost the root part. so if i just flash the recovery part of the root via cmd will my internal storage be erased?
thanks for your help
Yes, if you are unlocked, just flash recovery then flash superuser files. Your storage won’t get touched at all unless you are unlocking the bootloader.
Hey Thanks a lot!
I followed your process but with a CWM recovery I had since you link for TWRP (root NExus S ICS) doesnt work… it downlods a file but the zip says its empty.
Thanks to you I cn instll CM9 now! Thank you!
I followed your instructions but I keep getting the “system can’t find the path specified.” I extracted the file to a folder on my desktop named nexussrootICS but I keep getting the same error. Can you help me?
Phone still says its not rooted? I followed the video exactly as it said and I didnt get any errors.
just run the last part again until it’s successful sometimes it takes 2 or 3 tries.
Is it safe to flash clockworkmod recovery via Rom manager if I flashed TWRP from tutorial ?
yes but twrp backups r not compatible with cwm so just know that beforehand.
So, I cannot flash any recovery. I’ve tried twrp, clockworkmod, and clockworkmod touch. I’m using Ubuntu 12.4 Precise. In terminal when I try flashing the .img file for the recovery, it hangs and says “sending ‘recovery’ (3464 KB). I’ve tried restarting my computer, restarting my phone into fastboot multiple times. I’m at a loss. This isn’t my first time rooting btw. I just got a replacement nexus s 4g because my old one’s internal sd card got corrupted. I need my root priveleges back!! It should just work. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Are u using USB directly to your computer not using a hub or USB 3.0 port?
I rooted my Nexus S ICS 4.0.4 and all my apps and images everything got deleted.. is there anyway to recover them?
Hi
just a quick question ,I did everything in the turorial and it all worked perfectly.I have the superuser app but when i tried to install any rooted app i dont get the popup asking for root its like its not there.Is there something else I have to do after this turorial to get rooted apps??
Thanks
It should pop up, just make sure you allow it in superuser, you might have disabled it.
Nope i set super user to allow all apps and titanium backup says it still could not aqquire root privilleges,Should i just wipe it and start again?
it worked when i used the updated tutorial in the link above………………….Will googles automatic update of jellybean still work on my phone now???
No but custom jelly bean rom should be here weeks earlier.
ok,but if i ever unrooted my phone would googles automatic updates return?
and are the custom roms for jellybean that are availible now the exact same as the official one that google will release soon and if not can i wait for the official google update and install it myself?
sorry for all the questions but I like to make sure 🙂
I just did this tutorial and it work fine… i turned rebooted my phone at the end and everything is WIPED!!!!! WTFF. Please tell me i didn’t lose everything. I didn’t know my personal data was at risk of being wiped and now its all gone. Is there any way to retrieve it? I mean the flashing didn’t do anything with the internal storage on the firmware correct? Where can i get all my photos and apps back
There is no way to recover them but thats hardly the authors fault is it??you should really research these things before you attempt them,I mean you are tinkering deep in your phone and oviously things are going to be changed and if you were really that worried about your photos etc you should have saved them on your PC or something.Thats what I did because thats what you do when you attempt things like this.
Do the tutorial working for non US version? I owe SLCD version GT i9023
Your method worked like a charm. But now JB is on the way. Will i be able to make OTA update or I’ll have to unroot? I also have not flashed a custom recovery. As you said, at stock roms the TWRP recovery goes away after a turn off/on your phone. I’m rooted with unlocked bootloader and a flashed superuser.
Once rooted u never need to take ota usually theres a zip file u can flash in cwm.
i am havin win xp .. i downladed the drivers.. when i open in device manager nd click nexus s there is option of reinstallin the drivers? what to do?
Hey when I try to install and then flash now it say aborting install
why don’t i get face lock in my nexus s 4.0.4 official update…????
need help asap….:/
The only reason that knocks any sense is that Face Recognization requires at least 1.3 MP camera. Nexus S has 0.7 MP
Hello, I have ICS 4.0.4 in my I9023… Is this tutorial for my Nexus or is it only for older version of ICS (sorry for stupid question but this tutorial is more than a half year old and I am generally scared of rooting… So I need to be sure that everything will work…) Thank you amaze
This tutorial works for 4.0.4 yes.
thank you very much! I was scared, but everything works greate… Just one more question: If I will do unroot like is described on this web, will I get oficially OTA updates?
yes!
I lost some minutes trying to discovery how to use cd on Windows. The cmd must be running in administrative 🙂
sir plz tell me that my nexus s is not charging or not recognized by window i have deleted everything even sd data t resoleve this issue but now i cant do anything just only clockworkmod or recovery is two options remanis on my nexus s i9023 plz what can i do my windows 7 laptop not recognizing my nexus s i cant do anything?any idea?plz help thanks in advance
Try installing a new ROM if you can access recovery. Try mounting as USB drive in recovery also to copy files over.
sir i have deleted every thing even sd card storage also but i forget that my nexus s is not recognized windows even its also not charging
sir tell me what can i do
yes i have try to test with 3 windows based laptop plz help me
Do you have another computer to test with?
yes i have try to test with 3 windows based laptop
Then it’s probably a defective USB, try contacting samsung for warranty repairs.
Thanks for this. I did this a month or so ago. Works great! However, today in the SuperUser Binary Updater I am trying to update Super User from 3.0.3.2 to 3.1.1. When trying to Update I get the error message “Gaining root access: Fail!” Can you help? Thanks.
Just a follow up, my OS has been updated to Jelly Bean 4.1.1 — is there a root for this? Thanks.
reflash the superuser until you see success message, it will work eventually.
if you want to root your nexus s 4.1.1 follow this link : http://www.teamandroid.com/2012/07/20/root-nexus-s-on-android-411-jelly-bean-jro03e-official-software-update/2/ I just rooted mine… works fine ;0)
I got ota jelly bean this week, can I root my phone with the usual ics/gingerbread root method???
problem solved!! 😉
hi.. my nexus s was unrooted and i update it to JB and i unlocked it and root it and i tryed flashin ICS rom and kernel and it stacked on the boot loader.. what to do?!?!?!?!?
Stuck you mean? try a fresh reinstall.
Hi, this is what i get after typing ./fastboot-mac oem unlock in the terminal.
… ERROR: usb_read failed with status e00002ed
FAILED (status read failed (No such file or directory))
Any idea what it means or how can i proceed from there? Thanks
Try using “sudo”
sudo ./fastboot-mac oem unlock
Thanks for the reply but it is now showing this
… FAILED (remote: Erase Fail)
any idea? appreciate your help.
Make sure u have only one android device connected to ur computer.
hey zedo.. i unlocked my phone..
bt superuser wen i update su bindary…
I get the error message “Gaining root access: Fail!” hellpp..
even when i open romtool box it saes no root acess gained…
i tried to flash other versions of superuser bt it isnt workn.. same message..
HELP HELP..
ok i did oit with one click.. wid the help of superSU..!!
OMFG THANK U I HAVE TRIED UR TUORIALS BUT ALWAYS FAILED I NEVER SAW THE NEXUS S 4G FLASHES 😀 THX U SAVED MY LIFE!!!
Hi there,
I’ve just recently installed Jellybean on my nexus S 3G and had to do a factory reset. I’ve followed your steps previously to successfully root the phone without an issue. This time around I can install Superuser but i cannot run Busybox as it says my phone still needs to be rooted. This also means i can’t reinstall Titanium backup which all my apps are on. Have you got any tips?
Cheers 🙂
Try the lastest version of superuser zip file should work.
Hi – My phone is currently running on Jelly Bean. Can I use the above method to root my phone ?
Thanks !
I have an untouched nexus s 4g with 4.04 and want to know if this method will work as well before I try.
yes works.
would this work if i have the official jelly bean update on my nexus s 4g or is there another way of rooting the phone please let me know??????
Nice, Root works with jelly bean as well just did the OTA update today sprint nexus s4g, and had to just reinstall the superuserzip.
never mind wifi teather, and titanium back up dont work, keeps having errors that say its not rooted.
but when i go to busy box it says it is?
OK. I found the superuser zip thats needed for Jelly Bean. Works Flawless..If any one wants its or the admin of this site would like to have it. Please contact me..
Hi Phil,
I am having the same issue or had with having everything done but I not working because I have Jelly Bean running. Can u let me know where to get the superuser zip needed for it to work? I really would appreciate it a lot!!! You can post on the webpage or email it to me….thanks again!!
Hi Phil,
I also need the correct Super User zip. Could you post a link?
Thanks!
Ok here it is ill share it just click on link and download file http://ppl.ug/d0rZckOM4CY/
then use this zip file instead of the ics one you have.. no seed to wipe any data on your phone just follow instructions on this on this page after the unlock part. just follow the flash twrp part. and put the file on your phone first.
and install by twrp. hope his helps everyone please comment…
Hye Phil,
i am now using jelly bean in my nexus s. can i use this tutorial to root my phone?
thanx bro…………………………………………..
Pingback: ASV – Backup und Gerätewechsel « daniels mobile welt
i was installing a rom and there was an error message so i rebooted the system now i can go to the fastboot screen but it will only respond to the power button but not the volume button what can i do i have a nexus s 3g please give me an answer
Hello, I seem to be stuck, when I am in command prompt I type in cd \nexussrootICS but my computer says that it can not find the path way, so what should I do? please help
Thank you.
Hey, Zedo, I tried rooting my device, but it keeps telling me that it cannot find root access, im not sure if I missed a step or what, but it can’t find it. Do I need to perform the process again, or what should I do? Help me please.
Hi, i’ve done all the steps, but like Luis I can’t get root access.
Done the fastboot flash recovery twrp-crespo4g-2.0.0RC0.img twice and still no root access.
To make it worst the phone died… When i was rebooting once again to access recovery mode, the battery droped out and since then there’s no signs of life. Gona take the phone to repair…
Any suggestions?!
Hello,
It’s first time I root my telephone.I did all the steps, the Superuser is installed after reboot, but when I checked the root access, it failed.
Do you know why?
Please help me.
Thanks !
I succeed root my phone by using the zip in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1795167
Thanks anyway
My phone was previously rooted with ICS, I have a NS4G.. When Jellybean was pushed, my phone updated automatically and when i check with root checker basic, it says that my phone is no longer rooted. with that said, when I turn on my phone, I still have the unlocked lock.. a little help please.. do I need to root my phone again or do something different.. I am pretty new at this but I think I can manage.
Hey when i started this my bootloader was already unlocked so i did everthing from there and everthing went well and super user was installed but now when i try to update superuser it says no root acces ??
same problem …every thing working fine installed su app and download root checker and this app says-your device does not have proper root access…!! what to do now..??
Mine is the same, says i dont have root access. Then when I try to do the recovery option from the boot screen i get a locked screen with a sick android.
Any help please.
Same here.. Gaining root access = fail. >-<
-hey max. please help us.
same here, all step works but root access failed failed failed.
if u want your phone back to lock stage u can by: step 1″cd \nexussrootICS” step2 ‘fastboot oem lock”
I have a Nexus S 4g as well, and I have the same problem….. No root access, wtf man! How do we get past this problem? I downgraded to 2.3.6 and everything worked fine including the SU app, I was completely rooted. But I missed my 4.1.1. look so I unrooted my device and tried again to root it to get a different outcome, but everything remains the same….. I hate being stuck on something that seems so simple to figure out….. HELP!!!!!
Guys i got a solution it´s a one click root called sabra
This is the best toolkit ever to root nexus s . I used it to root nexus s android 4.0.4 and nexus s android 4.1.1.
Thank you m sabra. Great job.
Original post and instructions
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show….php?t=1672708
Download site
http://www.mediafire.com/?1if2rvgpcte2rcs
Don’t forget to thank m sabra after using it.
Source: http://forum.xda-developers.com
I’m back….. I have installed a ROM on my own, and I am very pleased. I used twrp recovery to install the latest 4.2.1. Version for Nexus S 4g. I already had the ROM downloaded on my drive before I did anything. And in the step of actually being in recovery and copying the superuser app to my internal storage, I copied and pasted the ROM zip file to my internal storage as well. Flashed the ROM and let the phone do the rest. Hope this helps you guys who were stuck. Good luck…..
I try all the new ROM, thank you very much for your work.
i am having prob in cmd
and i cant get “cd /nexussrootICS”
to work plz help me
So,I already rooted my phone a while ago,and have 4.2 Jelly Bean installed on it (It’s a Nexus S,NOT 4g,the normal one) and for some reason I received a root access fail from the superuser app.I tried this method,and at first it looked like everything is fine,i got superuser installed again,the recovery said success etc etc.
However,superuser still cannot update binary because it doesnt get root access,and root checker also says that my phone is not rooted properly…what should i do??I’ve flashed at least 3 times,and it hasn’t changed
i have the rogers nexus s i9020a on 4.1.2 so will the root ics file given work?
thanks
I have the Nexus S 4g with 4.1.1 and i followed your steps (i used the fastboot flash recovery twrp-crespo4g-2.0.0RC0.img). When i try to update super user it fails to gain access to root. is there a fix for this?
Flashed to cricket.
Nexus S4g from Sprint, jelly bean os (4.1). Followed these instructions to the letter. Had similar problems mentioned by other users, but fixed on own. Phone was unlocked, superuser app installed. Tried rom manager, could not flash CWM. Tried updating superuser kernal, failed at gaining root access. Attempted to install rom from this site (Rasbean Jelly)…failed. Installed root checker, “sorry, this is not a rooted device.” Have been “rooting” and unrooting per this website for 3 days now and I don’t think I have any hair left. Tried one-click rooting…dead android…twice. Have SDK, but have no clue how to use, (however, it is how I installed the driver) which is why I liked this website and tutorial, but after all attempts, phone is not rooted. I’m lost and about to say stuff it. One last final plea of help before I call it quits. Thanks.
UPDATE: Followed steps again to unroot (steps found on this site will put Gingerbread back on phone). Once finished, rebooted phone. Confirmed Gingerbread OS. Then followed steps on this page to root phone. SUCCESS!!
Hi sir, after the root method, I tried to update from the super user but in “Gaining root access” it says fail..
Please help. I already follow your steps.
I had the same thing…i got the superuser app but it fails in gaining root access…also the titanium app says my phone is not rooted
Solution for my problem. I unroot my phone and reroot again…
THose who updated rooted ICS to JB, and lost their root access, there is a simple solution. Get the SU 3.2 app and binary, and flash with ClockWork Recovery Mod. Probably would work with just the new SU 3.; but I did the CW recovery mod. Works.
Finally after 3 months of haripulling, I have rooted JB 😀
hi… i’ve followed your turorial step by step, but i don’t have root access. i have the superuser app, but no root access. I’ve even downloaded the “Root Checker” app and it says my device is not properly rooted. Is there something i’m missing? I have a samsung nexus s, android 4.1.2
i really want this to work, all my files were wiped so i would at least like to achieve a proper root
ok i finally got it… it’s not from this website but there’s an updated Superuser file that i found… i followed the steps from this site, except i used the new superuser file. i now have root access. the file is called “Superuser-3.2-arm-signed” i can’t remember where i got it from
Yes, same problem I had.
http://downloads.noshufou.netdna-cdn.com/superuser/Superuser-3.2-RC3-arm-signed.zip
from
http://androidsu.com/superuser/
Same Problems. huhuhuuh
Hi right after I unlocked my phone, while adding the CMD codes before getting back tot the phone so were we had to write “fastboot flash recovery twrp-crespo-2.0.0RC0.img” I added that code and after clicking “enter” it says “FAILED ”
Please help me out I restarted my phone so what do you suggest I do?
try redownloading the zip file. then flash it again.
Try the latest recovery from here-
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1948238
Buenisimo, funciona perfectamente, gracias
hello my nexus S can’t find drivers on my windows xp (Korea version).
I have try Superuser-3.2-arm-signed.zip, also root access fail. My system 4.2
Thanks, this is the tutorial I tried last after Wugs kit. I like this straightforward approach better.
Thanks Max! I wanted to root my Nexus S for a long time and finally did it after watching your videos.
However, it wasn’t smooth sailing all the way. the superuser was not granted root access and i was stuck there for a couple of hours. Then i used the CWM-SuperSU-v0.87 (like you suggested here) and finally it worked.
I would like to ask you what would have happened when (without getting getting root access and using the TWRP recovery) I would’ve installed the ROM. Would it have bricked?
Hi, I followed the instructions and everything seemed to work, but when I reboot the phone, it doesn’t have root permissions. Then, when I try and reboot back into recovery, I get the image of the android with it’s chest open, meaning the recovery image is gone. I have to run the fastboot flash recovery command each time the phone reboots. Any ideas? Thanks in advance
EDIT
I happened to see this on your How to Root Nexus S or Nexus S 4G! [NEW][Mac|Linux|Win] post and it fixed the problem.
Thanks!
https://nexusshacks.com/nexus-s-hacks/how-to-root-nexus-s-or-nexus-s-4g-new/
http://downloadandroidrom.com/file/tools/SuperSU/CWM-SuperSU-v0.94.zip
Need help.
I have a Sprint Nexus 4GS running 4.1.1 (JRO03R) and I followed all the steps. I unlocked the boot loader and have TWRP running fine, But when I get in to recovery (TWRP) to mount and load Superuser then try to flash it, it fails and I can not gain root. Any idea what I an missing here.
Hi, thank you so much! I finally managed to root my Nexus S 4.1.2. I had problems with installing the drivers. On windows 8 you have to allow installation of unsigned drivers. I followed this tutorial to do that (http://www.craftedge.com/tutorials/driver_install_windows8/driver_install_win8.html). Also, the default SuperUser app was not working for me, it kept saying – fail. However, it worked with Superuser-3.2-arm-signed app.
Thank you.
Thanks! Very simple and easy and safe 😀 As it should be. And I didn’t have to scour the interwebs for a tutorial!
my phone is stuck on step 10 – after doing recovery its shows a red caution sign on android robot.. plzz help asap .. plzzzzzzzzzzz
my phone – samsung google nexus s i9023 ..
why I get notifikation “fail” for Gaining Root Access in proses SU binary update? Please guidence for my problem. Thanks.
when i use this cmd instruction
fastboot flash recovery twrp-crespo-2.0.0RC0.img
there is nothing happened just
when i use this cmd instruction
fastboot flash recovery twrp-crespo-2.0.0RC0.img
there is nothing happened just
waiting for device
am done and it shows the Superuser app
but when i installed wifi_tether and other app on ma nexus s its asking me for root
and a error not like “pls verify that your rom is rooted”
why like thiss ?? can any one can hlp me plzz ???
Hey guys! the tutorial is quite clear, but please, correct it, i’ve spent about 10 minutes trying to load my nexus s in fastboot mode!!
Step 2. Boot into fastboot mode by holding down both Volume Down and Power buttons together.
It’s Volume UP and Power, not Volume Down!
thanx!
The shipped SuperUser.zip does not properly work anymore when updated. Flash this zip from the official androidsu project instead: http://downloads.androidsu.com/superuser/Superuser-3.2-arm-signed.zip
Hi. Can anyone help me? When i type fastboot flash recovery twrp-crespo-2.0.0RC0 it says
error: cannot load ‘twrp-crespo-2.0.0RC0
sorry. i put .img on n it worked. but it did not root my fone. do i need a diferent superuser?
Rooting is something different than installing super user.For super user you need to flash the super user zip file.
Regards
so what is this page for? because in the end you unlock your phone and install super user
The whole proces from rooting to installing the superuser zip is explained on this page. You could try reading it.
lol at robin. my phone s now rooted. i just installd http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1948238 that version of super user
Hi Robin
hopefully you are an experienced user and can reply to my query posted later in this thread.
Thanks
why does the superuser always come in two folders from your link and i have a 4.1.2 nexus s ive been trying to root it for a while now and i cant manage to find the right superuser or if i am not extracting it right or something please HELP please i unlocked it and everything its just the superuser…
Alright, maybe i didn’t form my question right…. what i meant to say is in the clip when you drag the superuser to your internal storage and flash it, my superuser file comes in two folders superuser and superuser rold when i extracted it to my hard drive local C all it did is separate the folders individually but yet it doesnt show the same superuser.zip single icon represented on the clip i tried using superuser-3.2-RC3-arm-signed and CWM-SuperSU-v0.87 suggested on the comments above but then all i get when i open that file is 2 other files meta -inf and system tried extracting them same conclusion and when i installed them to my device it didn’t root as mentioned on the last post my phone is unlocked all that is necessary is to add superuser what should i do?
My device is a
Google Nexus S
Version: 4.1.2
Baseband: I9020XX
p.s: PLEASE HELP
IVE SPENT WEEKS TRYING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM
Doesn’t look like anyone’s bothered replying to posts on this thread 🙁
Pingback: Android 新人报告 | 半緣
Hello.
Will this guide work on the i9020 not the i9020T or i9020A? I live in the UK and my baseband version is i9020XXKI1. If not then can it be updated so I can use it to root my Nexus S?
Tried to unlock using this way on Macbook, but in nexussrootICS there in no file for fastboot-mac oem unlock.
What do I do?
Thanks
Ok – managed to get past this by typing in /nexussrootICS/fastboo-mac oem unlock and hey presto it worked!
Now stuck on next step – tried different methods but says either image will not load or cannot load. Help please!
In the hope that someone may reply/help on my screen it has all the usual lists for fastboot mode but my installation window on the mac says ‘cannot execute binary file’. Also at the bottom of the phone screen it says:
USB control init
USB control init end
Standard set configuration
I’ve scoured the web and forums for help on this and whilst several people have posted similar problems none of them seem to have been answered.
For newest information you have to go to see world-wide-web and on the web I found this site as a most excellent site for newest updates.
I can’t get this working on Fedora 18. I get following error for the Nexus OEM unlock
bash: ./fastboot-linux: /lib/ld-linux.so.2: bad ELF interpreter: No such file or directory
Any hints?
All I needed was 32bit versions of glibc and libstrc++ libraries. The app is not compiled on 64bit machine
Tried loads of different ways but still get this at step 7:
Last login: Wed Mar 25 13:34:29 on console
users-macbook-2:~ user$ desktop/nexussrootICS/fastboot-mac flash recovery twrp-crespo2.0.0RC.img
error: cannot load ‘twrp-crespo2.0.0RC.img’
Can anybody help please??????????????
You need to either change working directory or speficy full path for the image file
cd desktop/nexussrootICS/
./fastboot-mac flash recovery twrp-crespo2.0.0RC.img
or
desktop/nexussrootICS/fastboot-mac flash recovery desktop/nexussrootICS/twrp-crespo2.0.0RC.img
Hi Radek
thanks for taking the trouble to reply. I tried the second method (didn’t really understand the first :))
This is what happened:
users-macbook-2:~ user$ desktop/nexussrootICS/fastboot-mac desktop/nexussrootics/twrp-crespo2.0.0RC0.img
usage: fastboot [ ]
commands:
update reflash device from update.zip
flashall flash boot + recovery + system
flash [ ] write a file to a flash partition
erase erase a flash partition
getvar display a bootloader variable
boot [ ] download and boot kernel
flash:raw boot [ ] 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 specify device serial number
-p specify product name
-c override kernel commandline
-i specify a custom USB vendor id
users-macbook-2:~ user$
I then clicked on ‘recovery’, the android with an exclamation mark came up then the phone restarted. Any further help would me much appreciated.
Decided to root using a PC instead of Mac and it worked! 🙂
Foolish me – everything SEEMED to have worked – twrp loaded, SU installed, but when I try to run apps for rooted phone they won’t work. Also downloaded Root Checker which says i do not have proper root access.
Any solutions???
I have installed the driver but the my phone is not seen by my pc (windows 7 HP mini) and the root process is not working
stucked in “waiting for device” in command prompt (windows 7) drivers unstalled correctly (device manager shows “Android ADB interface”).. please help. Nexus S..
Hi, my mobile is nexus s I9023 and i want to update from ginger bread to jelly bean or ice cream sandwich …. could u tell me How ?
hi i tried to flash both clock and twrp recoveries but the cmd told me “cannot load recovery3101.img” what should i do?
I do not know whether it’s just me or if everybody else experiencing issues with your website. It appears as though some of the written text within your content are running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too? This might be a issue with my browser because I’ve had this
happen previously. Many thanks
Sorry to say but i think its your browser problem because i use so many browsers and in none of it this problem occurred.
I cannot find the SuperUser.zip in the folder. I downloaded the folder that you said to download… I downloaded it again but its still not showing up. Any suggestions?
i m using CM10 rom 4.2.2,,all of a sudden my phone doesnt boot and it also wont go into recovery mode from fastboot…..
also when i connect phone in fastboot mode it shows as Samsung Android phone in device manager, but when i go into download mode it shows nothing in device manager list
please help…
Thanks, worked great for me!
On Linux, the 2 only additional things were:
– Changing the fastboot-linux file properties to allow it to execute as a program,
– Execute the fastboot command with sudo, otherwise it says “”.
… otherwise it says: “Waiting for device”.
At the end, the Superuser app couldn’t get root privileges.
I made it work by installing the latest version “Superuser-3.1.3-arm-signed.zip” from http://androidsu.com/superuser
Thank you so goddamn much. <3
I push the volume down and power in same time my phone is just power on what should i do
try vup instead.
This may or may not work. Hard to tell as, nowhere can I find a file called NexusSRootICS.zip
Well written, comprehensive and complete document. Everything went fine but getting “No Service”.
Pingback: Test out Firefox OS on Nexus S | GeekAliens
Pingback: Testați SO Firefox pe Nexus S | GeekAliens
Sorry for the noob question. If I root my Nexus S does that mean I can use it with Net 10 service? Love the phone and it’s just an expensive camera right now…
PROBLEM.
I’m not sure whether my Nxus s is rooted or not … when I ”mount” (to installed an superuser) .. only SD storage which can be detected … my comp doest not show my fhon’s Internal storage .. then I installed it on SD storage .. . # how can I fix this? please help…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zVfiCul9Vs&feature=youtu.be
Cant use my Google Nexus S,. as you can see on the video it reboots on its own. I’m trying too root the damm think, can’t find the good USB drivers
Hi. I have reached Step 13 but when I press UNMOUNT I get back screen on Step 11. How to reach screen on Step 14 with INSTALL button? Please help
Hello there I am so glad I found your blog page, I really
found you by accident, while I was browsing on Yahoo for
something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a tremendous post and a all round
enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I
don’t have time to look over it all at the moment but
I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time
I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the superb work.
can Increase my Nexus S ram 512 to 1GB ?
Hi admin, do you monetize your site ? There is easy way to earn decent money
every month, just search on youtube : How to earn with wordai 4