Rooting Support for the Nexus 7. Tablet

[S.Prime]

Post your rooting issues and tips for the Nexus 7 Tablet. We will add the knowledge from this topic to the official "Step by Step Guide" and also attempt to resolve any rooting problems. The contributions from successful rooters will be greatly appreciated.

S.Prime

[birdastrompgman]

I'll probably be attempting to root my N7 soon. 

In preparation, I should do a backup of My N7.  Should I also uninstall all my apps before the backup, and download them again after the root procedure?

Should I just copy my sddrive folders and files to my laptop or desktop?  It seems only installed apps store data and files to the sddrive

Or do I need to backup to the lowest level possible?  How do i do that without permission?  Is there a backup app that's recommended? 

[comiskeybum]

It would be tedious to delete all the apps yourself.  The rooting process will do that for you.   

[S.Prime]

The rooting process will delete all of your apps and data. Your apps from Google Play Store or Amazon,but can be re-installed from your account on both of them. Your data like pictures, documents, music, books, etc. that are not available for re-download will need to be copied to an external source.

[frank]

I'd highly recommend reading these two links for info on the Wugfresh toolkit and how you can use it to do a backup without root.  It brings back all your apps, data, and settings very efficiently.

http://www.wugfresh.com/dev/nexus-root-toolkit/
http://webtrickz.com/how-to-backup-galaxy-nexus-apps-data-without-rooting/

[S.Prime]

If you use the backup option in the Nexus Root Toolkit make sure that you do not check the system + data option, leaving it unchecked will backup just your apps and data to PC that is connected to your tablet. I have not tested this backup method, but after I do, when I try a custom rom or if someone tries it with the Nexus 7 and confirms that it works I will add it to the guide. I simply was not comfortable adding something to the guide that I had not tested . On a note of caution, I would suggest a manual copy of any important pictures, music, documents, etc. to an external source, just to be safe.

[frank]

I used it successfully to transfer from my original Nexus 7 to my replacement (screen lifting issue).
I left system+data unchecked.   And yes, copying pictures/music/videos/documents/books manually is REQUIRED, not just a precaution.  The backup method does not include those type of media.

Coming from Titanium Backup on my last tablet, this way is much faster, automatic, and saves completely offline (on your pc) so it doesn't waste internal storage.

[birdastrompgman]

My courage is increasing. Thanks to you all for your time and advice and encouragement.

I'm concerned about the possibility of the nexus 7 shutting off from inactivity during the process.  Is this a groundless fear?

Should I set the display timeout to 30 minutes, or go to developer options and tell the N7 never to turn off while I'm engaged in the rooting procedure?

[frank]

I don't think that is an issue, but I don't see any reason why you couldn't set the screen timeout to 30mins to be safe.  I'd guess both the backup and restore each took around 5-10 minutes.

Also, the unlocking and rooting functions were very fast, just a few minutes.  But I did have to tinker a bit to get the initial setup completed (I had to do manual steps 1-8).

[markmcg]

I see you have 'rooted' N7 - was it easy?
TIA

Mark

[S.Prime]

@ Mark

We have tried to make rooting as easy as possible with this Step by Step Guide

[birdastrompgman]

My N7 is successfully rooted!  I had to manually point to the drivers (using Win 7), but the procedure went smoothly otherwise.  Thanks to everyone who pioneered the way for me, and gave guidance/pointers.

If I can assist others, I'll be happy to do so.  This is my first Android device and first root.

[S.Prime]

Congratulations on achieving root birdastompgman. Please test file transfer to your PC with a usb cable and report back back if you see an improvement. Since rooting I have transfered video files as large as 1.2 GB and as many as 40 audio files at one time without issues, but I cannot honestly claim that it is a benefit of rooting unless someone else can confirm the improvement in their N7 as well.

[birdastrompgman]

Sorry, but I have no baseline, as I never hooked up the cable between computer and N7 prior to rooting.

[radiocycle]

I'd highly recommend reading these two links for info on the Wugfresh toolkit and how you can use it to do a backup without root.  It brings back all your apps, data, and settings very efficiently.

http://www.wugfresh.com/dev/nexus-root-toolkit/
http://webtrickz.com/how-to-backup-galaxy-nexus-apps-data-without-rooting/

I see that the backup without rooting is 'aimed' at the Galaxy Nexus.  Would that same procedure/program work for our N7s?

Thanks Frank,
radio