How to flash custom recovery ROM in Android device

1. Activate developer mode in mobile device

Go to Settings > About and tap 7 times on Version.

2. Enable USB Debugging in mobile device

Go to Settings > Developer Options > Enable “USB debugging”

3. Connect tablet to computer

Plug tablet to computer using an USB cable.

Swipe down your Notification Area and select USB debugging connected

Make sure the checkbox next to USB debugging is selected.

4. Download  custom recovery image in your computer

You need to download the image file (.img) that is compatible to your device.

Clockwork Mod Recovery

Unfortunately, CWM removed from his web the image download page (broken link). It looks as they want to encourage rooted app installation method instead of directly flashing recovery ROM.

If you are really interested in downloading CWM image, my advice would be to cross your fingers and Google it, or switching into rooted app installation.

TWRP

Visit this link and download latest version:

https://twrp.me/

I recommend to go to ‘Devices’ > Look up your brand > Look up your model > ‘Download links’ > Download newest version

If your model cannot be found, then TWRP is not compatible with your device.

Alternatively, you can download a generic version for all devices from this link but it did not worked for me:

https://dl.twrp.me/twrp/

 

5. Download Android Platform tools in your computer

Download Mac version (latest was 28.0.2):

https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools

Extract file in any folder. Take note of the path.

6. Test Android connectivity between computer and mobile device

Open a terminal, go to “platforms-tools” folder (wherever you extracted it) and run this command:

adb devices

Output may be as follows:

List of devices attached
015d30e122541a10    unauthorized

If this is the case, tablet must display a confirmation dialog to allow access to computer. Check “Always allow”and click “OK”.

Repeat the first command until you get an output like this:

List of devices attached
015d30e122541a10    device

7. Send command from computer to run mobile device bootloader

Run command:

adb reboot bootloader

Device screen must display a black screen with a disconnected Android robot.

8. Check that nexus 7 is in fastboot mode

Run command:

fastboot devices

Output should be:

015d30e122541a10    fastboot

9. Unlock bootloader

Run command from computer:

fastboot oem unlockfastboot

The correct output should be something as follows:

OKAY [  0.000s]
Finished. Total time: 0.000s

Confirm on mobile device that ‘Lock state’ has value ‘Unlocked’. In the Nexus 7 fastboot screen lock state should have change to unlocked.

In case you get an error like the one below, run same command again:

(bootloader) erasing userdata...
FAILED ()
Finished. Total time: 31.319s

9B. Delete userdata (optional)

./fastboot format userdata

10. Install a custom recovery in Nexus 7

In this case, we will use CWT (Clockwork Touch) but TWRP would work as well.

Run command:

./fastboot flash recovery /Users/pablo/Downloads/recovery-clockwork-touch-6.0.2.3-grouper.img

It did not work on the first time becauase I received a timeout error. Is solved it by selecting the “reboot bootloader” option from the Nexus 7 options (using volume up/down and power button to select the command), then running again same command.

Sending 'recovery' (6530 KB)                       FAILED (remote: '(Timeout)')
Finished. Total time: 4.065s

Success message was:

Sending 'recovery' (6530 KB)                       OKAY [  0.925s]
Writing 'recovery'                                 OKAY [  0.468s]
Finished. Total time: 1.451s

12. Run custom recovery

Enter bootloader:

  • Either start up normally and them type ‘adp reboot bootloader’.
  • On Nexus 7 (2012) device, press and hold Volume Down, Volume Up and Power buttons while starting to boot.

Then select ‘Recovery mode’ by selecting option with Volume Up/Down and then clicking on Power button.

External References

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