Users with currently rooted Nexus 4 handsets who have updated to the new Android 5.0 Lollipop build will lose root after updating, but it can been re-rooted or rooted for the first time thanks to Chainfire Auto-Root tool. If you’re still interested in rooting your Nexus 4, we’ve put together an extremely easy tutorial that you can follow based on information found on XDA developers.
- Install any Google USB drivers on the computer that you’ll be using and enable USB Debugging on your Nexus 4, by going to Settings >> Developer options and check USB debugging. If you don’t see Developers options in Settings, you can access them by scrolling down to About, then repeatedly tap Build number until a pop up messages says “you are now a developer“.
- Download and extract the CF-Auto-Root-mako-occam-nexus4.zip file.
- Switch off and then boot your Nexus 4 in Bootloader mode by pressing and holding Volume Down buttons and then press the Power Key together until you enter the bootloader mode.
- Now in Bootloader mode, connect your Nexus 4 to your computer with USB Cable
- Next Step, Double click the root-windows.bat file. A command window will open up asking you to press a key to continue with unlocking the bootloader and rooting the device.
- Wait for the process to complete and click any prompts on your phone that come up when asked to.
- You will observe some weird scripts running on your Nexus 4, but don’t panic.
- Your Android should boot automatically and you should have root access on your Nexus 4 running Android 5.0 Lollipop.
Confirm that you have successfully rooted your smartphone by installing Root Checker from the Google Play store.