So the new Nexus 7 has been arrived to world of Android and being explored by developers comprehensively to generate tweaks, MODs, custom ROMs and more that will enhance user experience but since it’s a Nexus device, you need to unlock the bootloader of your new tablet first before you load anything that we are talking about. The Android development community is already paying attention on new Nexus 7, for that if you love to hack your tablet, unlocking the bootloader is need of time especially to you.
However you no need to worry as unlocking bootloader on a Google Nexus device is very easy and simple to understand, but it’s worthy to remember that unlocking the bootloader of your new Nexus 7 [2013 version] will void the warranty of tablet, so think twice before taking the step. However you may get the warranty back by relocking the bootloader.
Read on how to unlock new Nexus 7 bootloader. Please make a backup of your device data such as SMS, internet setting, contacts music files etc because the below procedure will wipe data, you can sync your contacts with Gmail account and for messages use SMS apps, lastly use the carbon Android app to backup apps and data. Make sure ADB and Fastboot drivers are installed on your computer, you can install them here.
DISCLAIMER: Please proceed the below guide at your own risk, Android Egis will not be held responsible if your device lost data or gets damaged following this guide.
Instructions
Step #1: Download the fastboot package from here to your PC.
Step #2: Unzip the downloaded fastboot package into a folder and remember the location.
Step #3: Turn off your Nexus 7 tablet.
Step #4: Reboot your Nexus 7 into bootloader mode by holding down volume up, volume down and power buttons.
Step #5: Open command prompt and navigate to the folder where you have unzipped the fastboot package, if you are on Windows 7 or above, you can open the command directly from the folder, to do so open the folder, there press right click while holding down shift button on keyboard and then select “open command window here”.
Step #6: Plug your Nexus 7 to PC.
Step #7: Enter following command to generate the serial number of your tablet, if it does not show the serial number, you tablet is not connected to PC properly and drivers are not installed properly:
fastboot devices
Step #8: Enter following command to unlock bootloader now and accept what it ask for on tablet (you can select anything with power button and navigate with volume keys:
fastboot oem unlock
Step #9: Your new ASUS Nexus 7 have now an unlocked bootloader.
That’s it, you can now root the tablet as well as install custom recoveries to load custom ROMs. If you experience any error, leave a comment below.