Install Kali Nethunter on Nexus 7 (2012) (grouper, talapia)

nethunter_grouper-talapia.md

Unsupported

The Nexus 7 (2012) tablet is no longer supported by Offensive Security; I didn't have any luck with kernel/kali distributions, so attempted upgrading.

Problems

• Installing Open GApps slows the device to a crawl, haven't been able to install an app without the device freezing (though may need to let it sort itself out for longer)
• Attempted to avoid GApps by installing a browser from APK (via adb)
  • Mozilla Focus https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/focus-android/releases
    • Launching app shows screen, but crashes Android after a couple of seconds
  • Mozilla Fenix (Firefox preview) https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/fenix/releases
    • Does not work; all sorts of wierd behaviour after launching app
  • LineageOS Jelly browser works well, jQuarks via F-Droid probably best option.
• Still needs a basic file browser to easily install further APKs
  • F-Droid, Simple File Manager
• Unlegacy Android does not have iwconfig etc binaries which I suspect is causing issues. ip address etc works, so maybe not

Procedure

Downloads

If TWRP isn't flashed already, do that: https://dl.twrp.me/tilapia/

Unlegacy Android

I went with 7.1.2 as the 8.0 version is experimental

https://builds.unlegacy-android.org/aosp-7.1/tilapia/ (select the appropriate grouper build if that's your device)

General instructions here: https://www.unlegacy-android.org/projects/unlegacy-android/wiki/Install_UA_for_espresso

SuperSU

https://supersuroot.org/download/

Optional: Open GApps

See Problems above.

Unlegacy Android OS doesn't include a browser, will use Play Store to install Chrome, etc.

https://opengapps.org/

ARM, 7.1, pico

Nethunter

https://www.offensive-security.com/kali-linux-nethunter-download/

NetHunter Light ARMhf

https://images.offensive-security.com/nethunter/nethunter-generic-armhf-kalifs-full-2020.1.zip

F-Droid

Access to apps to complete functionality missing from Unlegacy Android

https://f-droid.org/

Flashing

1. Copy zips onto device
2. Boot into TWRP
   1. Wipe System, Cache, Dalvik-cache, Data
   2. Install Unlegacy Android: ua_tilapia-7.1.2-*.zip
   3. (Optional) Add zip: Open GApps: open_gapps-arm-7.1-pico-*.zip
   4. Add zip: SuperSU: SuperSU-v*.zip
   5. Swipe to flash/install
3. Reboot and get Android to Home Screen (Nethunter requires /data partition, so need to setup Android) If you do not install the Open GApps, it should go straight to home screen, with no setup
4. Power off and boot into TWRP
5. Install Nethunter: nethunter-generic-armhf-kalifs-full-*.zip
6. Reboot, wait for Android
7. Connect to wifi
8. Update Nethunter though Nethunter Store
9. Launch Nethunter app, CHRoot Manager; wait until complete, START KALI CHROOT
10. Test by launching NH Terminal, select Kali
11. (Optional) sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

Installing Utility Apps

1. Enable Developer options, enable USB debugging
2. Install F-Droid via adb: adb install "F-Droid.apk"
3. Allow F-Droid repository to update
4. Search F-Droid and install jQuarks, Simple File Manager, etc

Troubleshooting

NH Terminal crashes after selecting Kali shell

offensive-security/kali-nethunter#1041

"Try go into NH term and normal shell, not Kali Shell. Type "su" and "bootkali" result?"

May give you an error regarding kernel; this is how I figured out the the kernel/kali combinations weren't working.

NH Terminal crashes no matter what shell selected

Make sure Nethunter is updated from the store and CHRoot Manager is all OK