How to Root Nexus 6! [Windows/Mac/Linux]

For those of you who want to root your Nexus 6, remember that in order to root a Nexus device, you will have to unlock the bootloader first.  Unlocking your bootloader WILL ERASE EVERYTHING on your phone so we highly recommend you to root your Nexus 6 as soon as you receive it in the mail.  Also, copy EVERYTHING (all your photos/videos) to your computer so you don’t lose them.

This root method works on all Android 5.0, 5.0.1, 5.0.2, and 5.1 Lollipop.

With that said, let’s root Nexus 6.  This method will work on all Windows, Mac or Linux.  I will be using Windows for the tutorial but you can follow my Mac/Linux commands instead of Windows for terminal.

Step 1. Power off your Nexus 6 then hold down Volume Down and Power buttons together until you see the fastboot menu come up like below (sorry please ignore the thumb part, bad screenshot).

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Then connect a micro-USB cable from your Nexus 6 to your computer.

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Step 2. Go to our CWM/TWRP recovery page and download Nexus 6 CWM or TWRP recovery (it’s up to you to decide which one to use).

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Step 3. Also download fastboot.zip, SuperSU zip file, and USB drivers (for Windows only).

Download:

Download fastboot.zip

Download SuperSU zip file

Download USB Drivers (for Windows only)

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Step 4. Unzip fastboot.zip and you should get a folder called “fastboot” with all the files you need.  Copy and paste your CWM or TWRP recovery image file here (the file ending in “.img”).

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Step 5. If using Mac or Linux, skip this step.  If using Windows, open up Device Manager and install drivers.  (Please see video tutorial on how to install the drivers)

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Step 6. Next, open up a command prompt for Windows or terminal for Mac or Linux.  (If you don’t know how to do this, please google it!)

*WARNING – In this step we unlock the bootloader, doing this will ERASE EVERYTHING on your phone!!!

Then type:

For Windows:

cd Downloads
cd fastboot
fastboot oem unlock

For Mac:

cd Downloads
cd fastboot
chmod 755*
./fastboot-mac oem unlock

For Linux:

cd Downloads
cd fastboot
chmod 755*
sudo ./fastboot-linux oem unlock

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Step 7. Hit the Power button to unlock the bootloader then your phone will automatically reboot.

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Step 8. Once rebooted, sign in.

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Step 9. Copy the SuperSU zip file you downloaded earlier to your Nexus 6 storage.

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Step 10. Power off your Nexus 6 then hold down Volume Down and Power buttons together until you see the bootloader menu.

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Connect a micro-USB cable from your Nexus 6 to your computer.

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Step 11. Next type:

For Windows:

fastboot flash recovery PUTYOURRECOVERYNAMEHERE.img

For Mac:
./fastboot-mac flash recovery PUTYOURRECOVERYNAMEHERE.img

For Linux:
sudo ./fastboot-linux flash recovery PUTYOURRECOVERYNAMEHERE.img

Make sure to replace PUTYOURRECOVERYNAMEHERE.img with the CWM or TWRP recovery image file you downloaded earlier.
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Step 12. Go back to your phone and choose “Recovery mode” with the Volume buttons then hit the Power button to enter your newly installed CWM or TWRP recovery.

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Step 13. Choose “Install” or “install from sdcard”.

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Step 14. Browser your storage and find the SuperSU zip file and install it.

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Step 15. Reboot and you will find SuperSU app in your app drawer.  Open up SuperSU and if it asks you to update binaries, choose “Continue” then “Normal”.

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Step 16. To verify you have full root, download and run any rooted app like Titanium Backup app.  You should see a Superuser request window pop up.  If you see this, congrats!  You have successfully rooted your Nexus 6!

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Have a question?

Please post all your questions at the new Android Rehab Center at HighOnAndroid Forum, thank you for understanding!

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Max Lee

Max Lee is the founder of HighOnAndroid.com. Max makes Android tutorials and review videos for people who want to get high on Android over at his YouTube channel and Korean YouTube channel.