Awesome Android Root

Nothing & CMF Phone Root Guide

Root Nothing Phone devices with straightforward process.

Quick Navigation ​

Related Guides:

Device Compatibility ​

All Nothing and CMF by Nothing Phone models support bootloader unlocking and rooting. No regional restrictions - all devices are unlockable globally.

Codenames for firmware identification:

  • Phone (1): Spacewar · Phone (2): Pong · Phone (2a): Pacman/PacmanPro · Phone (3): Metroid · Phone (3a): Asteroids
  • CMF Phone (1): Tetris · CMF Phone (2): Galaga

NOTE

All Nothing Phones are unlockable globally. No known incompatible models.

TIP

Don't want to unlock? On the Nothing Phone (1), the community tool root-my-nothing grants temporary root via the GhostLock bug (CVE-2026-43499) - KernelSU installs with the bootloader still locked, and everything resets on reboot. See Root Without Unlocking the Bootloader.

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 ​

Device GenerationImage to Patch
All Nothing Phones (Android 13+)init_boot.img
Phone (1) on Android 12boot.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

The full root-hiding and Play Integrity setup is covered in Play Integrity and Banking Apps.

If an app still detects root

The Magisk setup above is simplest. Nothing phones use GKI kernels, so KernelSU (LKM) is worth checking: its App Profiles hide su and module mounts per app. See the KernelSU Guide, and switch cleanly, not over Magisk.

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
  • Play Integrity Fix - Banking app compatibility
  • 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 ​

Before switching to a custom ROM, verify Glyph support for your exact device and ROM.