How to Root Nexus 5 on Android 6.0 MRA58K Marshmallow

Prerequisites:

•This Root method is only for Android 6.0 (MRA58K) 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 6.0 MRA58K software version.

•Make a Nandroid backup of your previous phone set up before proceeding – for just in case anything goes wrong.

•You will need a custom kernel (i.e. Despair Kernel) for this root method to work.

÷ How to Root Nexus 5 on Android 6.0 MRA58K Marshmallow.

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.

Step 2 – Enable USB Debugging mode in your Nexus 5.

Step 3 – Download Fastboot from the following links depending on your OS and extract it in android-sdk-windowsplatform-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 Despair Kernel andDownload SuperSU v2.49 (BETA-SuperSU-v2.49.zip) for Nexus 5 on your PC, if you haven’t already.

Step 5 – Connect and mount your Nexus 5 USB memory on your computer using the USB cable.

Step 6 – Now copy/paste theDespair.M.HH.R1.8.zip and BETA-SuperSU-v2.49.zip files to your SD card. Make sure the files are in the SD card root (not in any folder).

Step 7 – Then turn OFF your phone.

Step 8 – Download CWM 6.0.4.5 and save it to your android-sdk-windowsplatform-toolsdirectory 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 5. 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-windowsplatform-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-6.0.4.5-hammerhead.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 Despair.M.HH.R1.8.zip and select it using the Power button. Confirm the installation on the next screen and the installation procedure should start now.

Step 16 – Repeat this same Step 15 for theBETA-SuperSU-v2.49.zip file as well.

Step 17 – 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 5 is now rooted on Android 6.0 Marshmallow firmware on your phone! Check for the SuperSU app in your apps list to verify.

Share This:

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin Whatsapp Whatsapp

About Steven Perry

This is a short description in the author block about the author. You edit it by entering text in the "Biographical Info" field in the user admin panel.