How to Root Sprint Nexus S 4G [Guide]

J. Miller, Ph.D. on May 22, 2011 with 0 Comments

The Nexus S 4G was released in later April and comes with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, AMOLED Screen, 16 GB Internal Memory, 1500mAh Battery, 1GHz processor, NFC, 5MP Rear Flash Camera, and a Front Camera. The impressive smartphone represents an all Google version of an Android phone for Sprint. The smartphone has been rooted and the instructions are below.

Step 1. Download and install an up to date version Android SDK

Step 2. Download and extract the root package. The files recovery3101.img and superuser.zip are included in the package and will be used.

Step 3. Connect your Nexus S 4G to the computer, and put the files superuser.zip on the SD card of you smartphone and power off phone.

Step 4. While the phone is off, hold volume down and the power buttons to get to bootloader

Step 5. Begin to Unlock the Nexus S 4G bootloader by going to the tools folder of Android SDK and opening a command prompt. An alternative way of opening the command prompt is by holding shift, right- clicking on the tools folder and hitting the “open command window here”.

Step 6. Type “fastboot devices”. If your device does not show up, your drivers are not installed correctly. You can download and install pdanet to ensure that the drivers are installed correctly.

Step 7. Type “fastboot oem unlock” to unlock bootloader. Follow the prompt and accept (volume up, then power button). The smartphone should reboot.

Step 8. Return to the bootloader by powering the phone off. While the phone is off, hold volume down and the power buttons to get to bootloader.

Step 9. Place the recovery3101.img in Android SDK’s tools folder and type “fastboot flash recovery recovery3101.img”

Step 10. Verify that you see “Flask OK” in the command prompt. Press the volume down button to scroll down to Recovery. Confirm by pressing the power button.

Step 11. Goto Flash Zip on the SD card and select superuser.zip. This will flash superuser [SU] on your phone. Reboot after the flash has been completed.

Step 12. Download and install ROM Manager from Android Market.

Step 13. Open ROM Manager create a backup of your current stock ROM and select ClockworkMAD Recovery 3.1.0. (some users have been having problems with the newest recovery)

Enjoy your rooted Nexus S 4G device. This process is being support on the official XDA thread.

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