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Nothing & CMF Phone Root Guide

Root Nothing Phone devices with straightforward process.

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Related Guides:

Supported Devices ​

All Nothing Phone models supported:

  • Nothing Phone (1) - Codename: Spacewar - Released July 2022
  • Nothing Phone (2) - Codename: Pong - Released July 2023
  • Nothing Phone (2a) - Codename: Pacman - Released March 2024
  • Nothing Phone (2a) Plus - Codename: PacmanPro - Released August 2024
  • Nothing Phone (3) - Codename: Metroid - Released July 2025
  • Nothing Phone (3a) - Codename: Asteroids - Released March 2025
  • Nothing Phone (3a) Pro - Codename: Asteroids - Released March 2025
  • Nothing Phone (3a) Lite - Codename: Asteroids - Released October 2025

All CMF by Nothing Phone models supported:

  • CMF Phone (1) - Codename: Tetris - Released July 2024
  • CMF Phone (2) Pro - Codename: Galaga - Released April 2025

NOTE

Note: All Nothing Phones are unlockable globally. No regional restrictions.

Prerequisites ​

Critical Requirements ​

BEFORE YOU START

Data Wipe: Unlocking bootloader erases everything including internal storage.

Backup Everything: Photos, contacts, messages, app data, authenticator codes.

Warranty Void: Bootloader unlock voids manufacturer warranty permanently.

Glyph Interface: May not work on some custom ROMs. Test before full switch.

Hardware Requirements ​

  • Nothing Phone device (any model)
  • Quality USB-C cable
  • Computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
  • 50%+ battery charge

Software Requirements ​

On Computer:

  1. Platform Tools (ADB/Fastboot)

  2. USB Drivers (Windows)

    • Usually auto-install
    • Or download generic Android drivers

  3. Stock Firmware (for recovery)

On Device:

  1. Magisk APK

Device Preparation ​

Step 1: Enable Developer Options

  1. Settings > About phone
  2. Tap "Build number" 7 times
  3. Enter PIN/password

Step 2: Enable Required Settings

Settings > System > Developer options:

  • OEM unlocking: Enable
  • USB debugging: Enable

Step 3: Verify ADB

bash
adb devices
# Accept debugging prompt
# Should show "device" status

Unlock Bootloader ​

Step 1: Enter Fastboot Mode ​

Method 1: ADB

bash
adb reboot bootloader

Method 2: Hardware Keys

  1. Power off
  2. Hold Volume Down + Power
  3. Release at fastboot screen

Step 2: Unlock Bootloader ​

bash
# Verify connection
fastboot devices

# Unlock bootloader
fastboot flashing unlock

# Alternatively (if first doesn't work)
fastboot oem unlock

On Device:

  1. Warning screen appears
  2. Use Volume keys to navigate
  3. Select "UNLOCK THE BOOTLOADER"
  4. Press Power to confirm
  5. Device wipes and reboots

Step 3: Complete Setup ​

After automatic factory reset:

  1. Complete Android setup
  2. Re-enable Developer options
  3. Re-enable USB debugging

Root Installation ​

Determine Correct Image ​

DeviceAndroid VersionImage to Patch
Nothing Phone (3) SeriesAndroid 15/16init_boot.img
Nothing Phone (2a) SeriesAndroid 14/15init_boot.img
Nothing Phone (2)Android 13/14/15init_boot.img
Nothing Phone (1)Android 13/14/15init_boot.img
Nothing Phone (1)Android 12boot.img
CMF Phone SeriesAndroid 14/15init_boot.img

Check in Magisk app "Ramdisk" field if unsure.

Method 1: Boot Image Patching ​

Step 1: Extract Boot Image

For Nothing Phone (2) and (2a):

  1. Download OTA update or firmware
  2. Extract payload.bin
  3. Use payload-dumper-go:
bash
./payload-dumper-go -o extracted payload.bin
  1. Find init_boot.img in extracted/

For Nothing Phone (1):

  • Check current Android version
  • Android 13+ uses init_boot.img
  • Android 12 uses boot.img

Step 2: Transfer to Device

bash
adb push init_boot.img /sdcard/Download/
# Or
adb push boot.img /sdcard/Download/

Step 3: Install Magisk and Patch

bash
adb install magisk.apk

Note: Use latest Magisk version from GitHub Releases

On device:

  1. Open Magisk
  2. Install > Select and Patch a File
  3. Choose boot/init_boot image
  4. Wait for patching

Step 4: Transfer Patched Image

bash
adb pull /sdcard/Download/magisk_patched_xxxxx.img ./

Step 5: Flash Patched Image

bash
adb reboot bootloader

# For Android 13/14
fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched_xxxxx.img

# For Android 12
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched_xxxxx.img

fastboot reboot

Step 6: Verify Root

  1. Open Magisk app
  2. Should show:
    • Magisk: Installed
    • App: Latest

Test:

bash
adb shell
su
id
# Returns: uid=0(root)

Post-Root Setup ​

Configure Magisk ​

Settings:

  • Zygisk: Enable
  • Enforce DenyList: Enable
  • Hide Magisk app: For banking apps

DenyList Configuration:

  • Google Play Services
  • Google Play Store
  • Banking apps
  • Payment apps

Nothing OS Optimization ​

Battery Optimization:

  1. Settings > Battery
  2. Find Magisk and root apps
  3. Set to "Unrestricted"

Background Activity:

  1. Settings > Apps
  2. Magisk and root apps
  3. Allow background activity
  • Universal SafetyNet Fix
  • Shamiko - Root hiding
  • LSPosed - Framework
  • Systemless Hosts - Ad blocking

OTA Handling ​

For A/B Devices (All Nothing Phones) ​

Step 1: Download OTA

Settings > System > System update

Download but don't reboot yet

Step 2: Magisk Installation

  1. Magisk > Install
  2. "Install to Inactive Slot (After OTA)"
  3. Wait for completion
  4. Reboot when prompted

Root preserved after update!

Troubleshooting ​

Tap to expand common issues and fixes

Bootloader Issues ​

OEM Unlocking Greyed Out

Solutions:

  1. Remove all accounts
  2. Factory reset
  3. Wait 24 hours
  4. Try again

Fastboot Not Detecting

Solutions:

  • Update Platform Tools
  • Try USB 2.0 port
  • Different cable
  • Reinstall drivers

Installation Issues ​

Magisk Shows N/A

Solutions:

  1. Verify correct image
  2. Check Android version
  3. Re-patch correct image
  4. Flash to correct partition

Bootloop After Root

bash
fastboot flash init_boot stock_init_boot.img
# Or
fastboot flash boot stock_boot.img
fastboot reboot

Glyph Interface Issues ​

Glyph Not Working After Root

Usually continues working with Magisk. If issues:

  1. Check for Glyph-related modules
  2. Reinstall Nothing OS stock
  3. Some custom ROMs may not support Glyph

Unroot and Restore ​

Remove Root ​

bash
# Magisk > Uninstall > Restore Images

Flash Stock Firmware ​

Via fastboot:

bash
# Flash stock images
fastboot flash boot stock_boot.img
fastboot flash init_boot stock_init_boot.img
fastboot reboot

Relock Bootloader ​

RELOCK WARNING

Only when completely stock!

bash
fastboot flashing lock

Custom ROMs ​

Available ROMs ​

LineageOS:

  • Official builds for Nothing Phone (1) and (2)
  • Available for Phone (3a) series (unofficial)

crDroid:

  • Available for Phone (3a) series
  • Based on LineageOS 23

/e/OS:

  • Privacy-focused option
  • Available for Phone (2)

OrangeFox Recovery:

  • Available for Phone (2), (3), and (3a) series
  • Alternative to TWRP

Note: Glyph Interface support varies by ROM! Most custom ROMs have limited or no Glyph support.

Device-Specific Notes ​

Nothing Phone (3) Series ​

Nothing Phone (3):

  • Released July 2025
  • Snapdragon 8s Gen 4
  • Android 15/16
  • Monochrome LED display (489 LEDs)
  • IP68 water resistance
  • 5 major Android upgrades promised

Nothing Phone (3a/3a Pro):

  • Released March 2025
  • Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
  • Android 15/16
  • 3 major Android upgrades promised
  • IP64 water resistance
  • Shared codename: Asteroids

CMF Phone (2) Pro ​

  • Released April 2025
  • Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset
  • No Glyph Interface (CMF brand)

Best Practices ​

Security ​

  1. Hide Magisk for sensitive apps
  2. Configure DenyList properly
  3. Only trusted modules
  4. Keep Magisk updated

Community Resources ​

Official Nothing:

Developer Community:

Awesome Android Root Resources:

Getting Help ​

Provide:

  • Exact Nothing Phone model
  • Nothing OS version
  • Android version
  • Error messages
  • Steps attempted

Next Steps ​

After Rooting:

  1. Essential apps:

  2. Enhance experience:

  3. Explore ROMs: