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If you want to install custom ROMs and also backup/restore ROMs on your rooted Galaxy Nexus, you will need ClockworkMod Recovery installed on your Galaxy Nexus.
ClockworkMod Recovery is a tool that allows you to backup, restore, and install ROMs.
Before we begin, make sure you have rooted your Galaxy Nexus.
Step 1. Let’s turn off our Galaxy Nexus then boot into Fastboot mode by holding down Volume Down, Volume Up, and Power button together for about 10 seconds.
Step 2. Once in Fastboot mode, connect your Galaxy Nexus to your computer via a micro-USB cable.
Step 3. Next, download GalaxyNexusRecovery.zip below and unzip, you should get a folder called GalaxyNexusRecovery. You can place this folder in the root directory of you hard disk.
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Download GalaxyNexusRecovery.zip
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Step 4. Next open up a command prompt for Windows or terminal in Mac/Linux.
Browse to the GalaxyNexusRecovery directory by typing:
For Windows, type:
cd \GalaxyNexusRecovery
For Mac and Linux, type:
cd /GalaxyNexusRecovery
Next, type the following for GSM Galaxy Nexus (Unlocked/International/Asian/European):
fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.2-maguro-gsm.img
Next, type the following for CDMA Galaxy Nexus (Verizon Wiress 4G LTE):
fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.4-toro-cdma.img
For Mac, replace “fastboot” with “./fastboot-mac”.
For Linux, replace “fastboot” with “./fastboot-linux”.
Step 5. If you’ve successfully flashed the ClockworkMod Recovery, you can verify successful install by choosing “Recovery mode” using the Volume Down button. Then hit the Power button to enter ClockworkMod Recovery.
Step 6. If you see ClockworkMod Recovery, congratulations, you’ve installed ClockworkMod Recovery on your rooted Galaxy Nexus!
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These instructions are great. Any chance you might explain how we can take the google supplied factory image mysid-icl53f-factory-65895fa8.tgz file and put our GN back to stock? There are quite a few files in this package and I would hate to initiate the sequence wrong. This would be a great help for us Noobs that jumped into Rom loading before we used clockworkmod to backup the factory img.
Worked the first time only. After that each attempt to get into clockwork recovery, leads to the open droid exclamation after google (with the unlocked lock). After sitting like that for a few minutes it reboot by itself also hittingVupVdown&power I could get to a stock recovery to reboot . What could have failed? It worked perfectly the first time.
even me having the same problem…..
Having the same problem. what did you do to fix it?
The same thing was happening to me too. I just installed it a few times over and over. Finally started to work all the time.
Has anyone figured out why the stock android system recovery3e keeps coming back?
It’s because Android stock OS deletes any custom recovery on reboot. It’s a stupid security feature and annoying, you just have to install custom ROM to stop it.
I will try, This will be my first custom rom install
thank you.
hey lee,
If thats the case, then while installing custom ROM, anything goes wrong how could we access the recovery/backup restore. Everytime while entering fast boot mode, in spite of installing CWM the previous time there is no sin of CWM. What has to be done to fix this. Please mail – debashis.hira@gmail.com
Reflash CWM using fastboot and enter CWM.
thanks bro.. some how, I figured everything out and its fine now.
I looked further and figured it out .. operator error . ..
im having the same problem you had can you help me please?
Could you explain yourself a bit better for the noobs among us?
how did you fix your recovery problem, please help us
Perfect guide. Now please video for Stock recovery so we can be completely covered :). you are awesome
Can’t I just goto the market and download ROM manager and flash clockwork mod that way? I’m on the LTE verizon version
will this prevent OTA updates from google being installed on my device?
Love your site – helped me the most when I started with my Nexus. Had some experience with Huawei and Samsung, but never went into the Android OS like with my Nexus. Either way, what about the Apex Rom and Franco kernel? would you consider doing a review on them?
Cheers
Is your version of ClockworkMod Recovery compatible with Rom Manager? Basically, I tried to open RM and it said I had to install CMR before being able to use it (I’d already flashed your version, though). I was wondering if it was safe to install their second ClockworkMod recovery.
Yes, it’s safe and compatible with ROM Manager, you can also flash CWM from ROM Manager.
Reflashed from Rom Manager with no issues; thanks!
I still can not get root access with Rom Manager or Root Explorer, After following your instructions to root and flach CWM still no root access. The phone seems fine but I can not flash recovery with Rom Manager because It never gains root access, same with root explorer after it sets idle for about a minute it forces close because it’s trying to gain root accessand never does. I have seen several people having the exact same problem on your youtube video on how to root but I never see a follow up by you on any fixes. I do have superuser and superuser did 1 update but if I try to update superuser myself it will not update because it never gains root access. I dont understand unless it has something to do with the age of the phone, I just bought it 3 days ago brand new from a sprint store. Did they do something that is not allowing me to root my phone? It says unlocked and everything. STILL NO ROOT ACCESS.
I have the same problem as KyGun. I got rom manager to flash should I download a Rom and install it to get root access. Is the factory rom causing me to not have root access?
Hi There!! Trying to get superuser off the phone for an exchange. Can’t seem to get it off. I am no longer able to see my back-up of my stockroot. Seems that CWM and ES file explorer disappeared while changing roms. Please help. TY
CDMA Galaxy Nexus FYI….need to get EVERYTHING completely back to stock, including getting superuser off the phone
UPDATE: Figured it out, wasn’t waiting long enough for stock flash to finish. Superuser is now gone. Still would like to know what happened to my ES File Explorer and Rom Manager between flasing roms. What did I do wrong or not do at all? Thanks.
any idea why I’d be getting a permission denied response in terminal?
I did all procedures to install cwm, but after type on command line, appears a message and nothing happens. What can I do to fix it ???
I am trying to install this and i am getting message “sending recovery 5684kb” Can someone help me out
I figured it out you need to have sdk tools installed on your computer first. Please update your tutorial with prerequisites before doing this.
I still can not get root access with Rom Manager or Root Explorer, After following your instructions to root and flash CWM still no root access. The phone seems fine but I can not flash recovery with Rom Manager because It never gains root access, same with root explorer after it sets idle for about a minute it forces close because it’s trying to gain root access and never does. I have seen several people having the exact same problem on your YouTube video on how to root but I never see a follow up by you on any fixes. I do have superuser and superuser did 1 update but if I try to update superuser myself it will not update because it never gains root access. I don’t understand unless it has something to do with the age of the phone, I just bought it 3 days ago brand new from a sprint store. Did they do something that is not allowing me to root my phone? It says unlocked and everything. STILL NO ROOT ACCESS.
I got it to work after installing ROM Manager. Believe it did not work before as cwm did not have superuser permissions which were requested when flashing clockworkmodrecovery in ROM manager again.
i have tryed both teh one click and your method of rooting my nexus both methods have failed and i fallowed all instrution to the t i dont understand why this is so complicated my Samsung galaxy s2 was so simple
I know I need to install a custom ROM but how do I do that if nothing and I mean nothing has root access??
you dont need root just clockworkmod recovery to install custom roms. in fact u can skip root and install custom rom after this step.
OK. I know you must get tired of these questions so I will not ask anymore. I am obviously missing something because without root access Clockworkmod will not even let me install a custom from. It keeps telling me I need root access. It confuses me because I know there is something I’m not doing or something I miss. I feel like I have done everything correctly. My phone is unlocked but everything I try wants root access.
Do you have any information on how to remove Clockworkmod Recovery in case the phone needs to end up in the Samsung service for unknown reasons 🙂
You can install stock recovery or just unroot also: https://galaxynexusroot.com/galaxy-nexus-gsm-roms/how-to-installunroot-galaxy-nexus-gsm-to-android-4-0-4-ota-imm76i/
Can i also just install the backup of my stock software and it will go away? I currently have the yakjuxw version.
Thanks!
No, you will have to re-install recovery then.
Thank you so much! Your help is much appreciated.
Max… need some help here bud. I went thru all the steps untill intalling recovery, the phone booted back up and I copied hte SU ZIP to the phone. Now when I boot up and go to the recovery option, a little android guys lays flat with a red triangle on its stomach. I cant access the recovery mod.
I even tried to reflash recovery, here is what I did:
C:\Users>cd ..
C:\>cd GalaxyNexusRootNew
C:\GalaxyNexusRootNew>fastboot oem unlock
…
OKAY [ 23.411s]
finished. total time: 23.412s
C:\GalaxyNexusRootNew>fastboot flash recovery optimus_prime-touch-v5.5.0.4-6-toro-VERIZON.img
sending ‘recovery’ (6504 KB)…
OKAY [ 0.748s]
writing ‘recovery’…
OKAY [ 0.451s]
finished. total time: 1.200s
C:\GalaxyNexusRootNew>fastboot flash recovery optimus_prime-touch-v5.5.0.4-6-toro-VERIZON.img
sending ‘recovery’ (6504 KB)…
OKAY [ 0.720s]
writing ‘recovery’…
OKAY [ 1.897s]
finished. total time: 2.618s
C:\GalaxyNexusRootNew
Do:
fastboot flash recovery optimus_prime-touch-v5.5.0.4-6-toro-VERIZON.img
Then go right into recovery right away.
Stock Android erases custom recovery on reboot, and I forgot to mention that in the video.
Awesome! Entered recovery right after flashing the recover mod and was able to flash the SU files. So is this recover only a temp recovery? How do we get permanent recovery?
Request: Please delete my post form the root guide page, I got a little stressed and posted in both the places. Sorry.
when i enter fastboot flash recovery it says:
unknown partition ‘recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.2-maguro-gsm.img’
error: cannot determine img filename for ‘recovery-clockwork-5.5.0.2-maguro-gsm.img’
You forgot an extra “recovery” try retyping!
Help! i had trouble @ step 4 getting android on his back with red exclamation point, so i tried rerooting my gnex and now it just gets stuck half way the boot sequence and just repeats help! im really scared i bricked my expensive phone
Big trouble! Rooted/unlocked Verizon Galaxy Nexus. No problem.
Attempted to install several ROM’s to see which one I preferred. No problem.
Decided I wanted to go back to factory default. BIG PROBLEM!!
Tried recovery, tried all options to be found in regard to putting VGN back in to default ROM. Nothing.
It reboots and gets hung on word “Google” with an unlocked lock icon at bottom of screen.
Can’t go back. Can’t go forward.
Max. REALLY REALLY need your help. Can’t, simply can’t afford new phone.
Email me, please. Need step by step emergency recovery.
All I want now is to go back to 4.0.4 or 4.1 ‘stock’ with my apps I’ve installed.
Many thanks for your consideration in helping.
~Rick.
Not a huge problem, just try another Verizon ROM. Did you backup ur stock ROM?
First it was only letting me into Clockwork Recovery if I didn’t reboot, now it won’t let me in at all! I’m so frustrated! If my phone is rooted, why can’t I get into Clockwork Recovery Mode!?
Just use ROM Manager and install it from there.
I just tried installing Clockworkmod Recovery from the rom manager and it pulls up once but when I try it again it gives me the red exclamation mark. I also tried installing it from the galaxynexus toolkit but the same thing happened. I’m both unlocked and rooted. Please help
re-install ClockworkMod from ROM Manager and enter it right away.
i’m seem to be stuck on step 4 whenever i try to copy the command cd\GalaxyNexusRecovery it said the system cannot find the path specified? any reason why it keep said that?
How to setup kernel for stable performance & good battery life?
I’m currently using Galaxy Nexus (GSM) +JB Sourcery (Custom ROM) + Franco Nightly (Kernel)
Hi,
I need to update the TWRP on my system. Can you please guide me how to do it? I’m unable to install and new ROMs because of this and my GNex has slowed down a lot.
Thanks,
Rohit