Root Nexus 5 on Android 4.4 KitKat using CF-Auto-Root

We have already covered a tutorial on how to root Nexus 5 on Android 4.4. KitKat, but if you want an even easier tutorial, follow this complete guide on the rooting process using CF-Auto-Root. You can easily root Nexus 5 on Android 4.4 KRT16M build with this tool. We will be using Chainfire’s CF-Auto-Root tool. You can easily root Nexus 5 on Android 4.4 KRT16M KitKat using the tutorial below. You will need to have an unlocked bootloader first, or this tutorial will wipe off all your data. 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 KRT16M on Nexus 5 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 using CF-Auto-Root. Read our list of the essential root apps available! 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 5 Android 4.4 KRT16M Details:

Nexus 5 was announced and released yesterday along with the new Android 4.4 KitKat, the next version of Android for phones, tablets and other devices. And with this phone, you can now also root Nexus 4 on Android 4.4. The method to root Nexus 5 Android 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.

For those who are not sure about CF-Root, please read the following two paragraphs for a quick intro to the root package:

CF-Root is the root for “rooting beginners” and those who want to keep as close to stock as possible. CF-Root is meant to be used in combination with stock firmwares, and be the quickest and easiest way for your first root. A modified recovery and cache partition will be flashed, which will install (only) SuperSU, then clean-up the cache partition and re-flash the stock recovery.

LG Nexus 5 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 5 properly. If not, you can download the latest official drivers from our Android USB Drivers section here:

Download LG Nexus 5 USB drivers!

All set and ready? Good. You can now go to the next page and root Android 4.4 KRT16M on Nexus 5 + install ClockworkMod recovery with the given step-by-step tutorial.

HOW TO: Root Android 4.4 KRT16M on Nexus 5

We have put together a detailed step-by-step instructions guide on how to root Android 4.4 KRT16M KitKat on Nexus 5. Please read the complete tutorial once before actually performing it.

Just To Remember:

• This root method is only for Android 4.4 (KRT16M) installed on Nexus 5 and I am not sure if it will work on the other variants of the Nexus 5 on other carriers.
• Your Nexus 5 bootloader should be unlocked.
• Nexus 5 should be on Android 4.4 KRT16M 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 5.

Step 3 – Download Fastboot and extract it in android-sdk-windows\platform-tools directory. Create directory if not already there.

NOTE: Skip Steps 1, 2, 3 if you already have them.

Step 4 – Download CF-Auto-Root (CF-Auto-Root-hammerhead-hammerhead-nexus5.zip) for Nexus 5 on your PC.

Step 5 – Connect your Nexus 5 to your computer using the USB cable.

Step 6 – Turn OFF your phone.

Step 7 – Get into the Fastboot/Bootloader Mode on your phone. Turn ON the phone while pressing and holding the Volume Up + Volume Down + Power buttons till you see the Fastboot menu and START on top.

Step 6 – Now extract the downloaded file (in Step 1) anywhere in your computer. Go to that location.

Note: If you followed our tutorial on setting up Fastboot on your computer, there is a 99% chance your Fastboot directory will be the platform-tools folder in your Android SDK directory.

Step 7 – From the CF-Auto-Root files in your Fastboot directory, do the following depending which OS you are on:

Windows:
— Run root-windows.bat

Linux:
— chmod +x root-linux.sh
— Run root-linux.sh

Mac OS X:
— chmod +x root-mac.sh
— Run root-mac.sh

Step 8 – Now wait and watch as the process is completed — or follow the on-screen instructions on your phone if in case you have to unlock the bootloader.

Step 9 – After the installation completes, the phone will boot now and it might take about 5 minutes to boot on your first time. So, please wait with patience!

That’s it! Your Nexus 5 is now rooted on Android 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!