I got a Nexus 7 last year and have been playing with it on and off since then.  Recently I upgraded to JellyBean 4.2.2 and it toasted my Root.  I went searching for the Root instructions again and found that things had changed since I had last done it.  I decided to write this article to create a permanent place to document this process, hope it helps you too.

Install Android SDK

I know it’s a pain, but really if you’re going to hack around with an Android device you should go ahead and do this.  Additionally, Google has made the process a LOT easier now.

  1. Download the SDK from here.  You probably won’t need them, but instructions are here.
  2. Unzip it into a folder (doesn’t matter where, though if you want to keep it around, somewhere sane).
  3. [Optional] Open Terminal and update your PATH variable by editing .bash_profile and adding the following line:
    1 export PATH=$PATH:/PATH/TO/YOUR/sdk/platform-tools
    4. Re-open Terminal to prepare for the next steps

    Download Requisite Files

    1. Download ClockworkMod Recovery here (v6.0.2.3).
    2. Download SuperSU here (v1.04).
    3. If these links don’t work, just Google for them.  I listed the versions available at the time I wrote this article.

    Prepare for Flashing Recovery and Rooting by Entering Debug Mode

    1. Copy both files you downloaded above to the **/PATH/TO/YOUR/sdk/platform-tools **directory.
    2. Plug your Nexus 7 into your computer via the USB cable.
    3. You should see an icon appear in the notification area that looks like a Bug (this won’t work under 4.2 until you enable Developer mode): 1. Go to Settings and select About
    4. Tap Build number 7 times (get it?).  It should now say “You are now a developer”
    5. Go Back to Settings
    6. Select Developer options
    7. Check USB debugging
    8. Swipe down your Notification Area and select USB debugging connected.
    9. Make sure the checkbox next to USB debugging is selected.

    Test Connectivity to your Nexus 7

    1. Run adb devices
    2. You should be prompted to grant permission for your Computer to attach to your Nexus 7 (on the Nexus 7 screen)
    3. Grant the Permission
    4. You should see something like:
      1 2 List of devices attached 0183972392402756 device
      5. If you do not, unplug and re-plug in your device and try again

      Flash ClockworkMod Recovery

      1. Run adb reboot bootloader to boot into the bootloader
      2. Run fastboot devices to ensure the device is still seen
      3. You should see something like:
        1 0183972392402756 fastboot
        4. Run **fastboot oem unlockfastboot** 5. Agree to the terms on the Nexus screen 6. You’ll see something like:
        1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... (bootloader) erasing userdata... (bootloader) erasing userdata done (bootloader) erasing cache... (bootloader) erasing cache done (bootloader) unlocking... (bootloader) Bootloader is unlocked now. OKAY [ 25.039s] finished. total time: 25.039s
        7. Run **fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-touch-6.0.2.3-grouper.img** 8. ****You should see something like:
        1 2 3 4 5 sending 'recovery' (6644 KB)... OKAY [ 0.833s] writing 'recovery'... OKAY [ 0.272s] finished. total time: 1.104s

        Verify Installation of ClockworkMod Recovery

        1. Power down your Nexus 7
        2. Press and hold the Power, Volume Up, and Volume Down keys until you see the Bootloader
        3. Use the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons to cycle the choices until you see Recovery mode, then press the Power button.
        4. You should see ClockworkMod Recovery
        5. Tap the reboot system now button to return to normal operations
        6. It will probably warn you that the ROM will reflash stock recovery, tell it to Fix

        Repeat the steps above to attach your Nexus 7 to your Computer in debug mode.

        Root your Nexus 7

        Run:  adb push UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.04.zip /sdcard/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.04.zip

        This will copy the SuperSU binary to the /sdcard directory on your Nexus 7

        1. Power down your Nexus 7
        2. Press and hold the Power, Volume Up, and Volume Down keys until you see the Bootloader
        3. Use the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons to cycle the choices until you see Recovery mode, then press the Power button.
        4. You should see ClockworkMod Recovery
        5. Tap install zip from sdcard
        6. Tap choose zip from sdcard
        7. Tap 0 to access the /sdcard area
        8. Tap UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.04.zip
        9. Reboot your Nexus 7

        You’ve now successfully Flashed ClockworkMod Recovery (CMR) and Rooted your Nexus 7