Root Nexus 10 and Install Custom Recovery and ROM

We certainly have already guided you to go Custom on all the Nexus smartphones- Nexus 4, Galaxy Nexus & Nexus S and even on the Nexus Phablet- Nexus 7. So, why should be the Nexus 10; the ultimate Nexus tablet is left alone? Today, we shall put all our concern on the same. We’re going to put up easy-peasy guidelines, following these, you can easily Unlock the bootloader, Root Nexus 10 and install custom recoveries & ROMs. The method we are using here is a manual method, using fastboot and adb commands, rather than using a toolkit, which may sometimes be hasty (no offense).

Please make sure that you try everything in this specific post on a Nexus 10 and not on any other Android device. The commands shall be followed and typed in word-to-word, missing or wrong commands might lead you to a brick. If you do so, we’re and will not responsible for any damage caused.

If you’re are new here, then you might ask- what is Rooting? And why should I root?

What is Rooting?

It is a process of gaining root privileges over an Android subsystem. Rooting an Android device is easy in most cases. If you will to Install custom ROMs, kernels, other patches or add-ons to your Android device, rooting is what you will need. It can be achieved in two ways; either by manual method (using fastboot) or by automatic method (using toolkit or software) . We are going to guide you with the manual method by using fastboot commands.

What is a Custom Recovery?

A Linux/Unix operating system employs a recovery and since Android being based on Linux also has recovery. A Custom Recovery is a secondary recovery system which gives a user ability to wipe partition layouts, flash updates, ROMs, Kernels and Patches in a flash-able .zip format. TWRP and CWM (ClockworkMod) are two such Custom Recoveries, which supports several Android devices, officially or Unofficially.

What is a Custom ROM?

These are the aftermarket Android firmwares which are not officially supported by the device OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). They are made available to the users, publicly by Android developers all around the world at several Android communities including XDA-Developers, Rootzwiki and many more. Custom ROMs are either built from Google’s source code i.e AOSP (Android Open Source Project) as base or are modified versions of the device manufacturer’s ROM (Stock ROMs or Factory ROMs) with additional tweaks and extend functions which are not delivered with the Stock ROMs. Some of the popular Custom ROMs include CyanogenMod (CM), Android Open Kang Project (AOKP), MIUI, Codename Android (CNA), Oxygen, ParanoidAndroid, Xylon, LiquidSmooth, SlimBean and many more.

Before we put our steps forward, there are a few requirements that need to be fulfilled.

Prerequisites

• USB data cable compatible with Nexus 10
• Google USB drivers
• Backup your Device’s Storage, Text Messages, Contacts, Calenders and Organizer
• Battery level ~60+ %
• Custom files which include Recovery images, fastboot and adb files [N10CustomFiles.zip: Download here]
• Extract the downloaded N10CustomFiles.zip to the desktop so now you have N10CustomFiles folder on the desktop containing all the necessary files.

As soon as you’ve completed the above-stated requirements, you may follow the stated guidelines.

Unlock Bootloader

Note: This process will erase all the data on the device, so back it up before starting.

1. Power off your device.
2. Press the Volume Up, Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously until you see the bootloader screen.
3. Connect the device to the PC via USB data cable, you shall see pop-up regarding the Installation of drivers. Once done, you will be notified by another pop-up.
4. Open the N10CustomFiles folder, press Shift key and Right-click on an empty space, a menu shall open and select Open Command Prompt here.
5. The command window will pop-up, which is already cd’ed to the location.
6. To confirm if the device has been detected as fastboot devices. Type:

   fastboot devices

7. You will be displayed with the device ID. If not, consider setting up the drivers again, properly.
8. To unlock, type:

   fastboot oem unlock

9. Your device will respond to this command and will prompt with a warning. Read it carefully.
10. Use the volume keys to highlight Yes and select it.

Install Custom Recovery

The package we earlier downloaded contains the Images of 3 recoveries- TWRP 2.4.1.0, CWM 6.0.2.3 and CWM 6.0.2.3 Touch.

1. Power off your device. Press the Volume Up, Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously until you see the bootloader screen.
2. Open the N10CustomFiles folder, press Shift key and Right-click on an empty space, a menu shall open and select Open Command Prompt here.
3. The command window will pop-up, which is already cd’ed to the location.
4. To flash TWRP 2.4.1.0, type:

   fastboot flash recovery TWRP-2.4.1.0.img

5. To flash CWM 6.0.2.3, type:

   fastboot flash recovery CWM-6.0.2.3.img

6. To flash CWM 6.0.2.3, type:

   fastboot flash recovery CWM-T-6.0.2.3.img

7. Once you have flashed any one of the three recoveries, you can boot into it. You shall now disconnect the device.

How to boot into Recovery mode: Power off the device. Press the Volume Up, Volume Down and Power buttons altogether until you see the bootloader screen. Use the Volume buttons to highlight Recovery and select it using the Power button.

Root Nexus 10

1. Download the SuperSU binaries flash-able zip package. [UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.04.zip]
2. Connect the device to PC via USB data cable and enable USB Mass Storage.
3. Transfer the downloaded UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.04.zip to the device’s storage.
4. Disconnect the device.
5. Power off the device. Press the Volume Up, Volume Down and Power buttons altogether until you see the bootloader screen. Use the Volume buttons to highlight Recovery and select it using the Power button. Your device will boot into recovery.
6. In CWM:
   wipe cache partition
   Install zip from sdcard > choose zip from sdcard > Select the UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.04.zip that you transferred to the device
   When prompted, select Yes to initiate the flashing process.
   Reboot system now
7. In TWRP:
   Wipe > Cache
   Install > Select the UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.04.zip that you transferred to the device
   Slide the round button to initiate the flashing process.
   Reboot > System
8. Your device is rooted now.

Install Custom ROM

Installing a Custom ROM is very easy. The first step towards Installing one is to select a Custom ROM. You may select any ROM depending upon your desires and requirements. Once chosen, follow the mentioned steps.

1. Download the ROM flashable zip package.
2. Download latest Gapps zip package [Goo.im] and Add-ons (if any provided).
3. Connect the device to PC in USB storage mode via data cable.
4. Transfer the downloaded files in step #1 & #2 to your device’s storage root (not in any folder, for your ease).
5. Disconnect the device
6. In CWM
   Tap “wipe data/factory reset” and select “Yes”.
   Tap on “wipe cache partition” and select “Yes”.
   Go to “mounts and storage” > “format /system” & “format /boot”.
   Go to “advanced” > tap “wipe dalvik cache”.
   “Install zip from sdcard“> “choose zip from sdcard”. Select the ROM zip package placed on the root of your storage and select “Yes” when prompted to initialize the flashing process.
7. In TWRP
   Wipe > Cache
   Wipe > Dalvik Cache
   Wipe > Factory Reset
   Wipe > System
   Install > Select the ROM flash-able zip package that was earlier placed on the root of your storage. Slide the round button to initialize the flashing process.
8. When the ROM has flashed successfully, flash the Gapps package over the ROM followed by the add-ons (if any), in the same way as you flashed the ROM.
9. Reboot the device and you shall now be in your Custom ROM. Relish the most amazing custom features.

So, now you have managed to go complete custom on your Nexus 10. 
If you have got any queries or are stuck anywhere, be sure to comment and we will resolve on the very early basis. Please leave your feedback.

Read Next: Make Your Android Device Look Amazing with Swift Installer