There may be a plethora of devices coming out every second day from so many great manufacturers, but the Nexus line-up by Google is one its-own-kind. Google took a start in collaboration with HTC in 2010, and the Nexus series has greatly improved after going through the hands of Samsung, LG and for now the full stop is at Motorola. Just a month back, Google pulled the curtains off from the Nexus 6 in association with Motorola, the Nexus 6 won much of the spotlight. Nexus 6 is just a great upgrade over the Nexus 5, there’s nothing that will be disappointing the users with Google’s efforts on the Nexus 6. On the front we have a whopping 5.9-inch QHD display, Google has gone pretty big this time and the Nexus 6 stands perfectly in front of Samsung’s latest phablet, the Galaxy Note 4. The device is powered up with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 805 SoC accompanied by Adreno 420 GPU and a RAM of 3 GBs is fixed inside. Internal storage begins at 32 GB. A 13 MP shooter can be found at the back, while a 2 MP on the front. A battery of 3220 mAh can be found inside. Also, the Nexus 6 is water-resistant, which makes it Google’s first water resistant smartphone. These mouth watering specifications won’t let the Android freaks keep themselves away, specially when the device will be found running on Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box, and what’s more better than the stock Android, that always is the winning feature for the Nexus devices.
While some of you might have got your hands on the Nexus 6 and some might be planning to do so, you won’t be able to actually resist yourself from playing with the device beyond the limits set by Google. If you’re planning something like that, you may unlike the enhanced encryption system on your Nexus 6, that forcefully enables encryption on your Google Nexus 6 while your device boots up for the very first time. Wondering what’s this encryption? Well, let’s have a look on the answer first.
A brief intro to Encryption on Android devices
Encryption on Android devices is a little process that encodes the user data using an encryption key. Basically, encryption feature encrypts the data before it’s called in or any sort of change in the data is comitted, and if you want to read any data, it will be decrypted and then processed. This feature has been greatly enhanced in Android 5.0 Lollipop and Google has already provided all the details as well.
XDA recognized developer bbedward came up with a modified boot.img file that allows the users to disable this forced encryption feature in the Google Nexus 6. If you’re looking to disable it, this might be the right spot for you. Let’s go through the method now and learn how you can disable forced-encryption on your Google Nexus 6 running Android 5.0 Lollipop.
Here are some early preparations to begin with this process
1. This Guide Is Only For Google Nexus 6.
This custom ROM is only for the device mentioned above. Make sure that your model number matches the one listed above. To do so, go to Settings > About Device on your device and see your model number. Flashing a file on another device will result in bricking it.
2. Battery should be charged at least over 60%
Make sure that your battery is charged enough to complete the flashing process. In case your battery is low and your device goes dead during the flashing process, you may end up soft bricking your device as it won’t complete the flashing process.
3. Your Nexus 6’s Bootloader must be unlocked
You won’t be able to flash the boot.img if your Nexus 6’s bootloader is locked. You can unlock it using Wug’s Nexus Root Toolkit. You may also flash a custom recovery and root your Nexus 6 using the same Toolkit.
4. Install ADB & Fastboot
Android ADB & Fastboot are required for flashing the boot.img file through the command interface. You may follow our Minimal ADB & Fastboot guide in order to install the ADB & Fastboot drivers quickly.
5. Backup everything!
Just to be on the safe side, you may consider backing up each and everything from your Android device. This is highly recommended so that in case anything goes wrong, you still have the access to all of your data and you can restore it immediately. You may backup everything as listed below.
- Backup SMS Messages
- Backup Call Logs
- Backup Contacts
- Backup Media – Copy your files manually to your PC or Laptop.
- Titanium Backup – If already rooted, use Titanium Backup to backup all of your apps, system data and other important content.
- Backup Nandroid – You can do this using CWM/TWRP recovery.
6. Disclaimer
The methods involved in flashing custom recoveries, custom Boot.img files, ROMs and rooting your phone are highly custom and may result in bricking your device, and has nothing to do with Google or the device manufacturer that is also Google in our case. Also rooting your device will void its warranty and you will be no longer eligible for any kind of free device services by the manufacturers/warranty providers. In case of any mishap we may not be held responsible. Follow these instructions to the letter to avoid any mishap or bricking. Make sure that whatever you do, you are doing it at your own responsibility.
How To Disable Forced Encryption On Google Nexus 6
- Download the modified boot_noforceencrypt.img file for LRX210 build. Link
- Rename the downloaded file to only “boot.img” in order to make it easy for yourself.
- Now copy the renamed boot.img file in Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder that should be located under program files in your Windows installation disk.
- Open the Minimal ADB & Fastboot.exe file from your desktop. It should open up the command interface.
- Now put reboot your Nexus 6 into bootloader mode. To do so, turn off your device completely. Now turn it on by pressing and holding Volume Down + Power Key, your phone’s screen will light up showing the Android logo.
- If this doesn’t work, simply connect your Nexus 6 to your PC and in the Minimal ADB & Fastboot command interface, type “adb reboot bootloader“
- Once in bootloader mode, enter the following commands in the Minimal ADB & Fastboot interface.
-
fastboot flash boot boot.img
-
fastboot reboot
-
- This will flash the boot.img file and also reboot your device once done. That’s all.
Phewww! You’re done. Your device won’t enable force enryption feature anymore, but you can still enable the encryption from Settings > Security if you want. If you’re stuck with anything regarding this post, make sure that you reach us using the comment box below. We would love to help you out. Thanks all.
