For those who have already updated your phones to the new Android 4.4.4 KTU84P factory image, here is how to root Nexus 4 on this KitKat version. We will be using SuperSU as the superuser app because it is a lot more stable and gives better performance. Wondering what to do after rooting your Nexus 4? Well, read our list of the essential root apps available! This root method will even work if you install Android 4.4.4 KitKat through OTA update or with the factory image. You can easily root Nexus 4 on Android 4.4.4 KTU84P KitKat using the tutorial below. You will need to have ClockworkMod Recovery installed in order to get this root method working. Don’t worry, we have everything covered in the detailed steps below – even a tutorial on how to install CWM. Why should you root? Read: Benefits of rooting an Android device.
As you read further, we will guide you how to backup your important data, some other important tips and then tell you how to root Android 4.4.4 KTU84P on Nexus 4 with complete steps and how to flash ClockworkMod recovery on your phone. We will use ClockworkMod recovery as our custom recovery and SuperSU as our rooting package. For more details, continue reading. Let’s get on with the tutorial now.
Disclaimer: All the custom ROMs and firmwares, official software updates, tools, mods or anything mentioned in the tutorial belong to their respective owners/developers. We (TeamAndroid.com) or the developers are not to be held responsible if you damage or brick your device. We don’t have you on gun point to try out this tutorial 😉
Root Nexus 4 Android 4.4.4 KTU84P Details:
Android 4.4.4 KTU84P was released a few hours ago. This is a security fix for the Nexus family of devices, other than that, there are no announcements or news of anything else added into the latest KitKat software update. A full change log with all the details might get released soon. You can install this Android 4.4.4 update on the Nexus 5 (full tutorial), Nexus 4 (full tutorial), Nexus 7 2013 (full tutorial), Nexus 7 2012 (full tutorial) and Nexus 10 (full tutorial). Don’t we all love to update our devices to the latest Android version available? So yes, with that you also need to root your device back — if it was also rooted before. The method to root Nexus 4 Android 4.4.4 has been explained with instructions on the next page. In case you have problems connecting your phone with the computer, make sure USB drivers are properly installed and read the tips below.
In case you want to update Nexus 4 to Android 4.4.4 KTU84P KitKat using the official OTA software update or with the official factory image, read the following tutorials:
LG Nexus 4 USB Drivers
You will need to connect your Android phone with the computer. For that, please make sure you have installed the USB drivers for LG Nexus 4 properly. If not, you can download the latest official drivers from our Android USB Drivers section here:
Download LG Nexus 4 USB drivers!
All set and ready? Good. You can now go to the next page and root Android 4.4.4 KTU84P on Nexus 4 + install ClockworkMod recovery with the given step-by-step tutorial.
HOW TO: Root Android 4.4.4 KTU84P on Nexus 4
We have put together a detailed step-by-step instructions guide on how to root Android 4.4.4 KTU84P KitKat on Nexus 4. Please read the complete tutorial once before actually performing it.
Just To Remember:
- This root method is only for Android 4.4.4 (KTU84P) installed on Nexus 4 and I am not sure if it will work on the other variants of the Nexus 4 on other carriers.
- Your Nexus 4 bootloader should be unlocked.
- Nexus 4 should be on Android 4.4.4 KTU84P software version.
- Make a Nandroid backup of your previous phone set up before proceeding – for just in case anything goes wrong.
Complete Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step 1 – Download Android SDK from the Android Developers website and install. Also set it up with downloading platform-tools and USB drivers package in SDK. See: How to Set up ADB and Fastboot on Windows.
Step 2 – Enable USB Debugging mode in your Nexus 4.
Step 3 – Download Fastboot from the following links depending on your OS and extract it in android-sdk-windows\platform-tools directory. Create directory if not already there.
- Windows: Download here!
- Mac: Download here!
- Linux: Download here!
NOTE: Skip Steps 1, 2, 3 if you already have them.
Step 4 – Download SuperSU for Nexus 4 on your PC, if you haven’t already.
Step 5 – Connect and mount your Nexus 4 USB memory on your computer using the USB cable.
Step 6 – Now copy/paste the UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.99.zip file to your SD card. Make sure the file is in the SD card root (not in any folder).
Step 7 – Then turn OFF your phone.
Step 8 – Download CWM 6.0.4.7 or download TWRP 2.7.1.0 and save it to your android-sdk-windows\platform-tools directory on your computer.
NOTE: You can use any of the two custom recoveries – CWM or TWRP. If one fails to work, try installing the other one and use that.
Step 9 – Now go into Fastboot/Bootloader Mode on Nexus 4. How? Press Volume Down + Power keys for a few seconds till you see some text on the screen. This is Bootloader Mode.
Step 10 – Navigate to android-sdk-windows\platform-tools directory and open Command Prompt (Shift + Right-click > Open Command Prompt).
Step 11 – Type in the following command and press Enter.
fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-touch-6.0.4.7-mako.img
Step 12 – Once completed, choose RECOVERY from the Fastboot menu and enter Recovery Mode.
Step 13 – In ClockworkMod recovery, scroll down to “flash zip from SD card” and press the power button to select it.
Step 14 – Press the Power button again and select “choose zip from sdcard”.
Step 15 – Now using your volume keys, navigate to UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.00.zip and select it using the Power button. Confirm the installation on the next screen and the installation procedure should start now.
Step 16 – After the installation completes, go to “+++++Go Back” and reboot the phone by selecting “reboot system now” from the Recovery menu. The phone will boot now and it might take about 5 minutes to boot on your first time. So, please wait.
That’s it! Your Nexus 4 is now rooted on Android 4.4.4 firmware on your phone! Check for the SuperSU app in your apps list to verify.
To make sure you have correctly installed the above root method and it’s working, verify with Root Checker as given in the link.
Have fun playing with it! If you have any issues, please fire them up in the comments below!
I followed the all the steps.. Installed all the things as mentioned in the steps.. But now I am stuck at Google logo.. I was waiting for almost 30-40 minutes no changes.. I wipe all the /system and cache partitions.. no changes.. And one more thing I checked was ‘Step 16’ When selected ‘reboot’ I shown “Root access is missing. Root Device?” with Yes/No options.. I tried with both the options n number of times.. Still same issues.. Please HELP..
Buy a new phone
facing the same issue.. is the phone bricked? did you get any other option
Yeah happen to me all the time,just format everything and reinstall factory image.
If you have no idea what i am talking about don’t try to root if you don’t know how.
You need to reinstall Android using Google factory image.
Download and instructions: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images?hl=pt-br
Try by installing the superuser.zip instead of the update. It should work fine.
i follwed all steps and whn i checked for root in root checker it said i do not have root acsess
Never mind, i found a fix, i had to install 4shared and download superSU-1.94.apk, once i did that i went on the app and went into settings, i installed it into my device (as a default program) and it updated right after, then when i went into SuperSU it asked to update binary (i just hit normal) and after that it rebooted, once i rebooted i went back in superSU and gave it the access [Grant] and it gave me root acess, this is on nexus 4 androd 4.4.4 kitkat update, make sure you follow everything before this if you looking for a fix