Google Asus Nexus 7 2012 Android 4.4 KitKat Update: Downloads and Step-by-step Guide

Even as almost all people wait for Nexus 5, or an official update from Google/respective OEM for the Android 4.4 Update, aka KitKat, for their device, you, the owner of glorious Asus Nexus 7 have a chance to take a break and have a KitKat well before any one else, including those who  have already order the shiny new Nexus 5.

You might have already read a lot about KitKat release, and how much cool Android 4.4 is, but you certainly wouldn’t have expected yourself to taste the latest update from El Goog that quickly.

It’s not an official update, btw. Here, you’ve got a custom ROM, made using the AOSP source code of Android 4.4 Update that Google released yesterday right after announcing the Nexus 5 and KitKat.

You would need a custom recovery, to be able to flash/install the Android 4.4 update on your Nexus 7, the 2012 edition. It’s not for the 2013 edition of Nexus 7.

Note: Mostly either of CWM and TWRP recovery do just fine to flash a ROM, but right now, some users are reporting that TWRP is unable to flash it — though it might work for you — while, CWM has been successful at flashing. So, we would recommend you have a CWM recovery installed in order to install this Android 4.4 ROM for your Nexus 7.

Here’s where you can get a custom recovery if you don’t have it already:

• LINK – CWM Recovery for Nexus 7 2012 (recommended!)
• LINK – TWRP Recovery for Nexus 7 2012

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.

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 Nexus7!

Do not flash this on other variants of the Nexus 7

BEFORE YOU BEGIN..

You must do this pre-installation stuff before attempting to install the ROM on your Nexus 7 in order to avoid any complications later, and have a smooth and successful process.

BACK UP 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

INSTALL GOOGLE NEXUS 7 DRIVER

You must have proper and working driver installed on your windows computer to be able to successfully install a firmware on your Google Nexus 7. In case you’re not sure, follow the link below for a definitive guide for installing driver for your Nexus 7 on your computer.

►  GOOGLE NEXUS 7 DRIVERS INSTALLATION GUIDE

CHARGE YOUR DEVICE

If your android device powers off due to lack of battery while the process is underway, it could damage the device.

So, make sure your device is adequately charged — at least 50% battery of the device.

EXAMPLE VIDEO

If you haven’t used a custom recovery, either CWM or TWRP, before, to install a .zip file of a ROM on anything esle, then we suggest you first watch a video of that, given right below, to get familiar with the process.

Just fyi, the video below shows installing a .zp file of recovery on Galaxy S3, but it doesn’t matter as the process remains exactly same. So, once you are finished with video, jump to downloads and step-by-step guide below.

GOOGLE NEXUS 7 (2012 edition) ANDROID 4.4 KITKAT UPDATE

DOWNLOADS

Download the files given below and transfer them to a separate folder on your tablet and remember the location.

• Android 4.4 ROM  |  DOWNLOAD LINK
  File name: aosp_grouper-ota-eng.dhacker29.zip
  File size: 161 MB

• Google Apps (Gapps)  |  DOWNLOAD LINK
  File name: gapps-kk-20131031.zip
  File size: 107.60 MB

Reminder: Before you proceed, make sure you’ve transferred the files you downloaded above to a separate folder on your tablet.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Make sure you have backed up your tablet adequately (including important data stored on internal memory). Also create a nandroid backup using your recovery for additional safety.

You’ll need either CWM or TWRP recovery for installing the AOSP Android 4.4 ROM on your Google Nexus 7. And since CWM and TWRP recoveries function differently we’ve put together separate guides for both of them.

So if you’re a CWM user, follow the CWM users guide and if you’re a TWRP user follow the guide for TWRP users.

FOR CWM RECOVERY USERS

1. Boot into recovery mode. For this:
   • Power off your device and wait 4-5 seconds after lights go off.
   • Press and hold Volume Down + Power key together and release the Power key once the Google logo appears, but keep holding the Volume Down key. You will be in Bootloader mode now.
   • Press Volume Down two times so that Recovery option appears, and then press Power key to reboot into recovery mode.
     └ In recovery, use Volume buttons to navigate Up and Down between options and use Power button to select an option.
2. Create a 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.
3. Perform a Factory Reset (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)
4. Now we install the Android 4.4 Update on your Nexus 7. For this:
   • Select Install zip » Choose zip from sdcard » browse to the location where you saved the file and select the file, aosp_grouper-ota-eng.dhacker29.zip » select Yes on next screen to confirm installation of the file.
     
5. That’s it. Android 4.4 ROM has been installed. Now, as it lacked Google Apps, you got to install the Gapps file, gapps-kk-20131031.zip like you installed the ROM file in previous step.
   └ Make sure to flash the ROM file first and then the Gapps file.
6. After you are done with flashing of both of the files, reboot your device. For this:
   • Go back to the main menu of recovery and select reboot system now.

That’s all. Your tablet will now reboot and it will take some time as it’ll be tablet’s first boot after installing Android 4.4. Be patient, and excited!

FOR TWRP RECOVERY USERS

NOTE: In case TWRP recovery fails you in installing the .zip file of this ROM in step 4 below, then you got to use the CWM recovery. It’s confirmed to be working.

1. Boot into recovery mode. For this:
   • Power off your device and wait 4-5 seconds after lights go off.
   • Press and hold Volume Down + Power key together and release the Power key once the Google logo appears, but keep holding the Volume Down key. You will be in Bootloader mode now.
   • Press Volume Down two times so that Recovery option appears, and then press Power key to reboot into recovery mode.
     └ In recovery, use Volume buttons to navigate Up and Down between options and use Power button to select an option.
2. Create a 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.
3. 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)
4. Now we install the Android 4.4 Update on your Nexus 7. For this:
   • Tap on Install » browse to the location where you saved the files and tap on the aosp_grouper-ota-eng.dhacker29.zip file. Now at the bottom of the screen, do a Swipe on the Swipe to confirm flash option to begin flashing.
     
5. Now, like you did in previous step, flash the Google Apps (gapps) file, gapps-kk-20131031.zip
   └ Make sure to flash the ROM file first and then the Gapps file.
6. After you are done with flashing of the files, reboot your device. For this:
   • Go back to the main menu of recovery and tap on Reboot » then, tap on System to reboot your tablet

That’s all. Your tablet will now reboot and it will take some time as it’ll be tablet’s first boot after installing Android 4.4. Be patient, and excited!

FEEDBACK US!

It was easy to install KitKat, the latest version of Android, on your Nexus 7, right? Let us know how it tastes.

Your suggestions are most welcomed!

Android 4.4 KitKat Screenshots

Via RootzWiki