LG Nexus 5X TWRP Recovery: Downloads and Guide

Love for Nexus devices comes mainly because of their hackability. Which is why TWRP recovery comes first to mind, and Nexus 5X is no different.

But on Android 6.0, you might need a modified boot image to be able to use root using TWRP recovery. We’ve seen the same on Marshmallow root for Nexus devices.

Hopefully, a guy like Chainfire (his Marshmallow root) comes with Nexus 5X modified boot image soon, so that we can accomplish gaining root access on your dear device earlier than later.

For now, though, enjoy TWRP while the modified recovery and root bomb drops off, then we shall see how to use Xposed on Marshmallow pretty soon happening too.

NOTE: Right now, the device forces encryption by default, which is why it may ask you for a password or something. Until a modified boot image is available, one that disables force encryption by default, and also is of permissive type, TWRP recovery might not be that helpful.

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)

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.

How to Install TWRP Recovery on Nexus 5X

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

Step 1. Download the two files required for installing TWRP on Nexus 5X using this method.

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

Step 2. Create a new folder called nexus5xtwrp, and transfer the two downloaded files into that folder.

Step 3. In nexus5xtwrp 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 nexus5xtwrp, right? Cool.

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

Step 5. Boot your device into bootloader mode. For this,

  1. Power off the device. Then wait for 4-5 seconds after screen goes off.
  2. 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 6. Now, open command window in the nexus5xtwrp folder, in which you have the modified boot and TWRP files. For this:

  1. Open that nexus5xtwrp folder and then left click on empty white space in the folder.
  2. Now, while holding shift key, right click on empty white space to get a pop-up as shown below.
  3. 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 nexus5xtwrp folder.

Step 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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, 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.

That’s it. Your Nexus 5X now has TWRP recovery. If you wish to root it, then simply flash the SuperSU 2.52 or newer version, which you can find here.

Need help?

Let us know via comments section below if you need any help installing TWRP on Nexus 5X, or are stuck somewhere.

Via Chainfire

Posted by
Kapil Malani

A die-hard Liverpool FC fan, Kapil is a big fan of Batman, Android and street Cricket. In that order, probably. Email: [email protected]