Everybody knows that Google’s Nexus 7 tablet, with a price tag of US$199, is an awesome and powerful device armed with the latest quad-core processor. What’s even better is that you can enhance the tablet by rooting it and installing custom ROMs. But, all of these things can only be made possible when you have an unlocked bootloader.

For the guys at XDA, nothing is impossible and senior member WugFresh has already unlocked the tablet’s bootloader through the use of a graphical interface. This method eliminates the need for typing commands manually through ADB and makes unlocking the bootloader easy, most especially for beginners.

Check out our guide below for the complete details on how to unlock bootloader and root the Google Nexus 7 using a toolkit.

Warning

• The instructions in this guide are intended for use with the Google Nexus 7. Applying these instructions on another device or model may produce undesired outcomes.
• The information in this guide is provided for instructional and educational purposes only. There is no guarantee that these instructions will work under your specific and unique circumstances.
• Use these instructions at your own risk. We shall not hold any responsibility or liability for whatever happens to you or your device arising from your use of the info in this guide.
• Read and understand the whole guide first before actually performing the instructions.

Requirements

• Google Nexus 7
• A Windows PC
• Download the Google Nexus 7 Toolkit (NexusRootToolkit.v1.5.2.sfx.exe, md5sum: 0558d6aad855d048bcb319bcff3271ce) and save it to your computer.
• Backup all personal data on your phone to make sure you have a copy of your personal data (e.g., contacts, SMS, MMS, Internet settings, Wi-Fi passwords, and the like) in case the procedure in this guide erases such data.
  • For backup tips, check our guides on how to sync your data to the cloud and how to create local backups of your mobile data.

Instructions

Unlocking the Nexus 7 bootloader

1. Launch the NexusRootToolkit.v1.5.2.sfx.exeon your computer.
2. Connect your Nexus 7 tablet to your computer via USB cable.
3. Under Your model type, select the Change button and choose the appropriate model of your tablet.
4. Select the Unlock button, and press the Ok button to unlock your tablet’s bootloader.
5. Wait for a couple of seconds and your tablet will automatically boot into Bootloader Mode.
6. On your tablet, you should see a message saying “Unlock bootloader?” Select Yesby using the tablet’s Power button to confirm the selection. Wait for couple of seconds as your tablet will be unlocked, after which it will reboot itself.

Rooting the Nexus 7

1. Launch the NexusRootToolkit.v1.5.2.sfx.exe on your computer.
2. Select the Root button to start rooting your tablet. You can also install ClockworkMod Recovery if you select the Permanent CWM option.
3. Press the Ok button to begin rooting your tablet. Your tablet should automatically reboot itself to Bootloader Mode. The program will then push the necessary files to your tablet, like BusyBox, su binaries, the Superuser.apk, and the rooting script.
4. Your tablet should reboot automatically to Fastboot Mode. Wait for a couple of seconds until the program finishes pushing the necessary rooting files.
5. Unplug your Nexus 7 from your computer.
6. On your tablet, launch the Superuser application to update the binaries.
7. Launch BusyBox and grant root access.

Congratulations! You have successfully rooted and unlocked your Google Nexus 7 tablet.