Nexus One: Full Update Guide

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

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 Titanium Backup or the Astro File Manager, 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.

MyBackup Root, SMS Backup & Restore, and Call Backup & Restore are all free applications that can assist with backing up your data.

Unlocking the Bootloader

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

1. Install fastboot on the computer.
2. Boot into bootloader mode by holding down the trackball while turning the device on. You should see a white screen with three skating androids.
3. Connect the Nexus One to the computer via USB.
4. On the computer, open terminal and run:

   fastboot oem unlock

5. On the Nexus One, 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 One will reboot.

Installing a Custom Recovery Image

For the Nexus One, there are two custom recovery images available, Amon_Ra's Recovery & the ClockworkMod Recovery. Choose one and follow the instructions below on how to install each custom recovery image. If you have already flashed a custom recovery image, skip this section.

Amon_Ra's Recovery

1. Download the latest version of Amon_Ra's Recovery:
   • Amon_Ra's Recovery 2.2.1: Download

     md5: e8262ae23943ce50fd346001812fae79

2. Boot into bootloader mode by holding down the trackball while turning the device on. You should see a white screen with three skating androids.
3. Connect the Nexus One to the computer via USB.
4. On the computer, open terminal and run:

   fastboot flash recovery /path/to/recovery-RA-nexus-v2.1.1-CM.img

5. Amon_Ra's Recovery should now be installed on the Nexus One. But it's removed the first time the phone boots from the stock ROM, so it's time to flash CyanogenMod now.

ClockworkMod Recovery

1. Download the latest version of the ClockworkMod Recovery:
   • ClockworkMod Recovery 5.0.2.0: Download
2. Boot into bootloader mode by holding down the trackball while turning the device on. You should see a white screen with three skating androids.
3. Connect the Nexus One to the computer via USB.
4. On the computer, open terminal and run:

   fastboot flash recovery /path/to/recovery-clockwork-5.0.2.0-passion.img

5. The ClockworkMod Recovery should now be installed on the Nexus One.

Flashing CyanogenMod

Amon_Ra's Recovery process

1. Download the latest version of CyanogenMod.

   Optional: Download the Google Apps 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. Boot into Amon_Ra's Recovery.
4. Once you enter Amon_Ra's Recovery, scroll up & down with the trackball, and the trackball button to select.
5. Select Wipe, then Wipe data/factory reset
6. Select Flash zip from sdcard.
7. Select the CyanogenMod update.zip.
   • Optional: Install the Google Apps by performing steps 6 & 7 again and choosing the Google Apps update.zip.
8. Once the installation has finished, select Reboot system. The Nexus One now should boot into CyanogenMod.

ClockworkMod Recovery process

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

Method via Recovery

1. Download the latest version of CyanogenMod.

   Optional: Download the Google Apps 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. Boot into the ClockworkMod Recovery.
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 One.

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 One 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 One will now reboot into the recovery, wipe data and cache, and then install CyanogenMod. When it's finished installing it will reboot into CyanogenMod.