How to Root Nexus 5X

We yesterday shared the Nexus 5X TWRP recovery for you, and as you must have sensed it, we too saw the root coming once TWRP was out. It only took a day for that to happen, thankfully, as we now have root access on Nexus 5X.

In order to root Nexus 5X, you are gonna need a custom kernel, a modified boot image if you feel more like it, plus installing the SuperSU package from recovery.

Our guide below covers the A to Z of this, and even if you are new and rooting an Android device for the first time, you must not find it difficult.

We hope Xposed framework support for Marshmallow 6.0 and Nexus 5X drops soon, but until then, you can use the precious root access for apps like Titanium backup, Tasker, etc.

Let’s see how to root Nexus 5X by LG and Google.

Supported devices

LG Nexus 5X, codename bullhead
Don’t try this one any other device!

Important: Check your device’s codename on free Android app called Droid Info. If you see the codename mentioned above in the app, then use this recovery, otherwise not. BTW, you can check device’s codename on its packaging box too.

Downloads

Download modified boot image — Link | Download Mirror | File: bullhead-mdb08i-boot.zip (9.98 MB)
Download TWRP recovery — Link | File: twrp-2.8.7.0-bullhead.img (15.9MB)
Download SuperSU root package — Link | File: BETA-SuperSU-v2.52.zip (3.8 MB)

Here is what we’re gonna do with the above.

We are going to install the modified boot image first, then TWRP recovery, and will then use the TWRP to flash all new SuperSU 2.50 package to acquire root access.

Warning!

Warranty may be void of your device if you follow the procedures given on this page. You only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

Backup!

Backup important files stored on your device before proceeding with the steps below, so that in case something goes wrong you’ll have backup of all your important files.

Nexus 5X Root Video Tutorial

Here is a video tutorial right below that shows how you can root your Nexus 5X using Chainfire’s root method, and it uses the guide below exactly.

It’s good if you watch the video and proceed with the guide. Especially if you are new to rooting and flashing stuff using fastboot commands and TWRP.

How to Root Nexus 5X

Required: Make sure you have unlocked bootloader of Nexus 5X. This will delete data, and until you have done this, you cannot root your device.

Step 1. Download the three files required for Nexus 5X root using this method.

Which means, just to be clear, download the modified boot image file(in .zip format), then TWRP file, and then the SuperSU file.

Step 2. Create a new folder called nexus5xroot, and transfer the three downloaded files into that folder.

Step 3. In nexus5xroot folder, extract the zip file to get boot.img file from it. Rename the TWRP recovery file to twrp.img — this makes it easy to enter commands when installing the boot and TWRP recovery below in this guide.

So, you now have boot.img and twrp.img in the folder called nexus5xroot, right? Cool.

Step 4. Install ADB and Fastboot drivers on your Windows PC.

Step 5. Connect the device to PC, and transfer the SuperSU file to your Nexus 5X. Remember the location of the file. Then disconnect the device from PC.

Step 6. Boot your device into bootloader mode. For this,

Power off the device. Then wait for 4-5 seconds after screen goes off.
Press and hold Volume down + Power button together to enter bootloader mode. You will see FASTBOOT written at top.

This screen should be displaying the bootloader status as Unlocked, at the bottom of the screen. If it says Locked, then you need to unlock bootloader fo your Nexus 5X first, and for that see the link right above step 1 above.

Step 7. Now, open command window in the nexus5xroot folder, in which you have the modified boot and TWRP files. For this:

Open that nexus5xroot folder and then left click on empty white space in the folder.
Now, while holding shift key, right click on empty white space to get a pop-up as shown below.
Now choose Open command window here option from that.

open command windows here
You will see a command window open up, with location directed to nexus5xroot folder.

Step 8. Test whether fastboot is working alright. Connect the device to PC first, and then in the command window, run the following command.

fastboot devices

→ Upon this, you should get a serial no. with fastboot written after it. If you don’t get fastboot written on cmd window, then it means you need to reinstall adb and fastboot drivers, or change restart PC, or use original USB cable.

Step 9. Flash modified boot image now. Use the following command for that.

fastboot flash boot boot.img

(You have to use the boot image’s filename in the above command, which in our case is boot.img, from step 2.)

Step 10. Boot into TWRP recovery now to be able to flash SuperSU on next steps. Use the following command for that.

fastboot boot twrp.img

→ Once you are in TWRP, allow it to mount system as read/write.

We are using the boot command above, which doesn’t installs TWRP recovery actually, but allows us to boot into it using the TWRP image on PC. This way stock recovery is retained upon root, which is required for installing OTA updates.

If you want install TWRP permanently, then use the following command

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img

(You have to use the recovery image’s filename in the above command, which in our case is twrp.img, from step 2.)

Step 11. When done, simply reboot to Recovery mode now. (SKIP this step if you used the boot command above, as you are already in TWRP.)

For this, disconnect the device. Now, use Volume up/down button to bring up RECOVERY menu, and then use Power button to select it.

You will boot into recovery mode now, and will see TWRP recovery.

→ Once you are in TWRP, allow it to mount system as read/write.

Step 12. Now’s the time to root your Nexus 5X. Install SuperSU now.

In TWRP, tap on Install, and then select the SuperSU file. Next, do the swipe action at bottom of the screen to flash the SuperSU file.

Tip: BTW, if you can’t install SuperSU as said above, then first wipe data of your device using Wipe menu of TWRP. (Tap Wipe button and then do the swipe action as bottom.) And then reboot the Nexus 5X.

Now, check in Settings > Security > Encrypt phone, and it shouldn’t be encrypted anymore. Which means we have decrypted it, disabled encryption on Nexus 5X.

Now, try installing SuperSU using Install menu again.

Step 13. When done, tap on Reboot System button to restart the device.

That’s it. Your Nexus 5X is now rooted wit Chainfire’s root trick.