Nexus S 4G Full Update Guide

This guide will walk you through the process of taking the Nexus S 4G from stock to having the ability to flash the latest version of CyanogenMod.

Contents

Before you do anything — Make a backup

Don't forget to back up your data. If you have synced the device with a Google account, then the contacts, calendar, Gmail, & select other Google-related data will not be lost and will come back after the next sync. However, you should backup anything you want to keep that is not stored on the SD card:

• SMS/MMS messages,

• Call Log,

• Bookmarks,

• Applications; use  or the , for example,

• Any application data not on the SD card.

It would also be a good idea to backup everything stored on the SD card in the rare case the SD card must be formatted to resolve any major problems.

, , and  are all free applications that can assist with backing up your data.

Unlocking the Bootloader

WARNING: UNLOCKING THE NEXUS S 4G'S BOOTLOADER WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.

If the Bootloader on the Nexus S has already been unlocked, you may skip this section.

1. You will need  on the computer to unlock the bootloader on the Nexus S 4G. Follow the  guide, to get the  on the computer.

2. Power the Nexus S down, and hold Volume Up & the Power button until booted into the bootloader. You should see a black screen with a green android in the center.

3. Connect the Nexus S 4G to the computer via USB.

4. On the computer, open terminal and run:

   fastboot oem unlock

5. On the Nexus S 4G, a prompt will open up asking you if you are sure you want to unlock the bootloader and again warning you that doing so will void your warranty. If you agree to these terms, press Volume Up to select Yes, and then press the Power button to confirm.

   NOTE: Unlocking the bootloader wipes the device.

6. The Nexus S 4G will reboot.

Installing the ClockworkMod Recovery Image

If you have already flashed a custom recovery image, skip this section.

1. Download the latest version of the ClockworkMod Recovery:

   • ClockworkMod Recovery 6.0.1.0:

   • md5: 9c8d91c8e6bda83b8f3a777dcab32414

2. Place the ClockworkMod Recovery Image in the same folder as fastboot (the /platform-tools folder with the Android SDK folder).

3. Power the Nexus S 4G down, and hold Volume Up & the Power button until booted into the bootloader. You should see a black screen with a green android in the center.

4. Connect the Nexus S 4G to the computer via USB.

5. On the computer, open terminal and run:

   sudo ./fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-6.0.1.0-crespo4g.img

6. The ClockworkMod Recovery should now be installed on the Nexus S 4G.

Flashing CyanogenMod

If the Nexus S 4G has been rooted, unlocked, etc. through steps other than the method described above or running a custom ROM other than CyanogenMod and you are having issues flashing or booting CyanogenMod, it is recommended the Nexus S 4G be returned to stock & start over with the full instructions provided above.

Method via Recovery

1. Download the  of CyanogenMod.

   Optional: Download the  for the device.

2. Place the CyanogenMod update.zip file on the root of the SD card.

   Optional: Place the Google Apps .zip on the root of the SD card also.

3. .

4. Once the device boots into the ClockworkMod Recovery, use the side volume buttons to move around, and either the power button or the trackball to select.

   Optional: Select backup and restore to create a backup of current installation on the Nexus S 4G.

5. Select the option to Wipe data/factory reset.

6. Then select the option to Wipe cache partition.

7. Select Install zip from sdcard.

8. Select Choose zip from sdcard.

9. Select the CyanogenMod update.zip.

   Optional: Install the Google Apps by performing steps 7 - 9 again and choosing the Google Apps update.zip.

10. Once the installation has finished, select +++++Go Back+++++ to get back to the main menu, and select the Reboot system now option. The Nexus S 4G should now boot into CyanogenMod.

Method via ROM Manager

1. Launch RomManager.

   Optional: Choose the first option in the app, Flash ClockworkMod Recovery to update to the latest version.

2. Select the Download ROM option from the main menu in the ROM Manager.

3. Select the CyanogenMod option, and then choose the latest version of CyanogenMod from the menu.

   Optional: When you select the latest version of CyanogenMod, check the Google Apps option.

4. Once the ROM is finished downloading, it asks if you would like to Backup Existing ROM and Wipe Data and Cache.

5. If Superuser prompts for root permissions check to Remember and then Allow.

6. The Nexus S 4G will now reboot into the recovery, wipe data and cache, and then install CyanogenMod. When it's finished installing it will reboot into CyanogenMod.

NOTE: In order to flash CyanogenMod via ROM Manager, root access is required. Attaining root access is outside the scope of this wiki page.