How to Root and Flash a Custom Recovery Image on the Nexus 5  (WugFresh Toolkit Method)

Rooting is the process of gaining root access on a device. This allows us full access to all aspects of the device’s operating system. The most popular thing to do once you gain root access is to flash a custom recovery. Custom ROMs, overclocking kernels, adding certain new features, etc. all require what is known as a custom recovery image. When an Android device ships from the manufacturer, it has a recovery mode built in. This is used to restore the device if it becomes unresponsive and to perform updates to the operating system. Once you have root access, however, we can replace this recovery image with our own custom recovery image that can, not only perform those same functions, but has a lot of added new features. One such new feature, is the ability to allow us to flash 

custom versions of the operating system (custom ROMs). These custom versions, created by talented third-party developers, can add new versions of the operating system, add features from other devices that aren’t normally available on your device, etc.

Thanks to WugFresh and his popular toolkit for Nexus devices, we can root the Nexus 5 and flash a custom recovery image all in one shot. Here’s how.

I. Before You Begin

1. You must be using a Windows computer. The program is only for Windows.

2. Download the WugFresh Nexus Toolkit under Downloads on his site and save it to your Desktop.

3. Double click the .exe file you downloaded and follow the prompts to install the toolkit. Leave it open on the computer.

4. Select your device and version when prompted (you can check this by going to Settings > About > Look for the Android Version and Build Number and match them to the dropdown in the toolkit).

II. Setup USB Debugging and ABD Drivers

1. On your device, pull down the notification bar and tap the icon in the top right to show your quick settings.

2. Tap the Settings icon in the top right.

3. Tap About phone.

4. Repeatedly tap build phone until it says you are a developer.

5. Tap back.

6. Tap Developer Options.

7. Turn on USB Debugging.

8. Plug the Nexus 5 in via USB cable to your computer.

9. Open the Toolkit if it isn’t already open and tap Full Driver Installation and follow the prompts to install the drivers. 

III. Unlock the Bootloader, Root, and Flash a Custom Recovery on the Nexus 5

1. Once the drivers are installed, tap Unlock in the Toolkit and follow the prompts to unlock yourbootloader (select Yes on the device when it pops up on the screen to confirm the unlocking of the bootloader).

2. Once the device reboots, go through the setup process on the device and click skip on everything to just get back to the main screen.

3. On your device, pull down the notification bar and tap the icon in the top right to show your quick settings.

4. Tap the Settings icon in the top right.

5. Tap About phone.

6. Repeatedly tap build phone until it says you are a developer.

7. Tap back.

8. Tap Developer Options.

9. Turn on USB Debugging again if it isn’t already on.

10. In the Toolkit, check on Custom Recovery and tap Root. Wait for it to finish and follow and steps it asks you to do during that process.

Once it reboots, you are all set. Enjoy!

If this procedure helped you, please consider donating to the original developer or at least sending them a thank you.