The Android L release is a huge update to the Android OS, we were expecting a rapid influx of Android L ports from the developer preview factory images that Google released for selected Nexus devices. However, as huge the Android L release update is, it seems it hasn’t been an easy road for our awesome developers at XDA to port Android L to other Android devices.
The LG Optimus G is only the second non-nexus device to get the Android L port, while the first being HTC One M7. Also, among the Nexus devices only Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 2012 have received the Android L port from developer preview factory images that Google released for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 2013.
So there really are very few Android devices out there that are running on Android L. Lg Optimus G users, you’re among those few lucky people. Cheers to that!
The LG Optimus G Android L port has already progressed well, the build is at release 11 now and most of the bugs have been sorted out. The XDA thread of the Optimus G Android L port mentions the port as ready to be used as your daily driver. Let’s take a look at the issues that are still present on the ROM:
Bugs/Issues on Optimus G Android L port
- Camera is a bit buggy
- NFC isn’t working
- Heat issue
- Slow charging (related to the heat issue)
- For Sprint Optimus G, there’s workaround to get service (fix available)
- Random device update force close issues (fix available)
- No SD Card error on some apps (fix available)
NFC incompatibility shouldn’t be anything to stop you from using this ROM as your daily driver, as regards for other issues, they will be sorted out soon since devs already have found quick fixes for most of them. So without further ado, let’s hit the downloads section and flash this Android L ROM for Optimus G.
CUSTOM ROM INFO
| Name | Android L Developer Preview Port |
| Android Version | Android L (released on June 25th, 2014) |
| Is this official? | No. |
| Stability | Good enough for daily use. |
| Credits | Kevinjoa and ThatKawaiiGuy |
WARNING!
Warranty may be void of your device if you follow the procedures given on this page.
You only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.
OPTIMUS G ANDROID L INSTALLATION GUIDE
Before you begin with guide instructions below, make sure your android device is adequately charged — at least 50% battery of the device.
STEP 0: CHECK DEVICE MODEL NO.
To make sure your device is eligible with this, you must first confirm its model no. in ‘About device’ option under Settings. Another way to confirm model no. is by looking for it on the packaging box of your device. It must be LG E975 (GEE)!
Please know that this page is meant only for LG Optimus G. Please DO NOT try the procedures given here on any other device of LG or any other company. You have been warned!
STEP 1: BACKUP YOUR DEVICE
Back up important data and stuff before you start playing around here as there are chances you might lose your apps and app-data (app settings, game progress, etc.), and in rare case, files on the internal memory, too.
For help on Backup and Restore, check out our exclusive page on that linked right below.
► ANDROID BACK UP AND RESTORE GUIDE: APPS AND TIPS
STEP 2: INSTALL CWM/TWRP RECOVERY
Skip this step if you already have CWM or TWRP recovery installed on your device.
Make sure that you’ve latest version of the recovery installed on your device.
→ Optimus G CWM based PhilZ Touch Recovery
STEP 3: INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
DOWNLOADS
Download the file given below and transfer it to a separate folder on your phone and remember the location.
ROM FILE (pre-rooted)
DOWNLOAD LINK (download the latest release, apprx. size 400 MB)
For updates on the ROM, check the original page →
Be sure to transfer the ROM file you downloaded above to your phone and remember the location of the file.
You will need to flash it now on your device using either of ClockworkMod (CWM) or TWRP recovery.
We’ve got separate guide for CWM and TWRP recovery, so use the guide relevant to the recovery you have installed on your device.
GUIDE FOR FLASHING ROM IN CWM RECOVERY
Example video: If you haven’t used CWM recovery before to install a .zip file of a ROM or anything else, then we suggest you first watch a video of that to get familiar with the process. Click here to watch the video
- Boot into recovery mode. If you’re rooted, the easiest way to boot into recovery mode would be using the QuickBoot app. If not rooted, then follow the instructions below:
- Power off your device and wait for 5-10 seconds until the device is fully switched off.
- Press and hold Volume Down + Power button together and release them as soon as you see the bootloader screen.
- Press Volume Down button twice and then press Power button to boot into recovery mode.
└ In Recovery mode, use Volume buttons to navigate Up and Down between options and use Power button to select an option.
- Create a Nandroid Backup from recovery. It’s optional but very important to do, so that in case something goes wrong you can restore to current status easily. For making a Nandroid Backup, go to Backup And Restore » Backup.
- Perform a full clean-up of the device (This will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). For this:
- Select Wipe data/Factory reset, then select Yes on the next screen to confirm factory reset (screenshot).
- Select Wipe Cache Partition, then select Yes on the next screen to confirm wiping cache.
- Install the ROM file:
- Select Install zip » Choose zip from sdcard (or external sdcard, you know where your files are) » browse to the location where you saved the file and select the ROM file.
- Select Install zip » Choose zip from sdcard (or external sdcard, you know where your files are) » browse to the location where you saved the file and select the ROM file.
- Reboot your device. For this, go back to the main menu of recovery and select reboot system now.
That’s all. Your phone will now reboot and it will take some time as it’ll be phone’s first boot after installing Android L, be extremely excited for this!
Note: In case your device gets bootloop (stuck at logo while rebooting), just do a factory reset (step 3) and you will be fine.
GUIDE FOR TWRP RECOVERY USERS
- Boot into recovery mode. If you’re rooted, the easiest way to boot into recovery mode would be using the QuickBoot app. If not rooted, then follow the instructions below:
- Power off your device and wait for 5-10 seconds until the device is fully switched off.
- Press and hold Volume Down + Power button together and release them as soon as you see the bootloader screen.
- Press Volume Down button twice and then press Power button to boot into recovery mode.
└ In Recovery mode, use Volume buttons to navigate Up and Down between options and use Power button to select an option.
- Create a Nandroid Backup from recovery. It’s optional but very important to do, so that in case something goes wrong you can restore to current status easily. For making a Nandroid Backup, go to Backup » and select all check boxes and swipe on the Swipe to confirm option at the bottom of the screen to confirm backup.
- Perform a Factory Reset (this will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). For this:
- Tap on Wipe » then at the bottom of the screen do a Swipe on the ‘Swipe to factory reset‘ option (screenshot).
- Install the ROM file:
- Tap on Install » browse to the location where you saved the files and tap on the ROM file. Now at the bottom of the screen, do a swipe on the Swipe to confirm flash option to begin flashing.
- Tap on Install » browse to the location where you saved the files and tap on the ROM file. Now at the bottom of the screen, do a swipe on the Swipe to confirm flash option to begin flashing.
- Wipe cache and dalvik cache after the ROM is successfully flashed.
- Reboot your device. Go back to the main menu of recovery and tap on Reboot » then, tap on System to reboot your phone.
That’s all. Your phone will now reboot and it will take some time as it’ll be phone’s first boot after installing Android L, be extremely excited for this!
Note: In case your device gets bootloop (stuck at logo while rebooting), just do a factory reset (step 3) and you will be fine.
LG Optimus G Android L quick fixes
- Service issue on Sprint: Download and flash the Release 3 first, add your carrier in carrier settings and then flash the latest release)
- Random device update force close issue: Using a file manager app with root permissions (we recommend ES File explorer app), rename /system/app/OmaDmclient.apk to OmaDmclient.apk.bak
└ thanks to dwielunski
- No SD Card error on some apps: Using a file manager app, go to /sdcard/android/data, look for the app’s folder that is giving you the error and delete it.
FEEDBACK US!
It was easy to install Android L ROM on your Optimus G, right? Let us know how it is to your liking in comments below.
Your suggestions and queries, if any, are most welcomed!
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