Google LG Nexus 4 Android 4.4 KitKat Update: Downloads and Step-by-step Guide

Nexus 4 KitKat update guide

Warning and Device check!
Before you begin
Example Video
Downloads
Step-by-step guide

You might have heard it more than many times already that Google has released KitKat, the version 4.4 of Android.

And you also know that Google has promised you the KitKat update very soon for your Nexus 4, but are not able to contain yourself too much with this and want to taste the Android 4.4 KitKat update right now.

Well, don’t be that sad, dear, as we’ve already got the Android 4.4 Update ready for you to install.

Please KNOW THAT this is not the official update from Google, which your Nexus 4 would be receiving in a matter of a week or two.

Note: You need a custom recovery to be able to install the Android 4.4 ROM we’ve got here.

If you don’t have a custom recovery, preferably ClockworkMod Recovery (CWM), install it using our guide linked below:

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 E960!

Do not use the procedures discussed here on any other device. You have been warned!

BEFORE YOU BEGIN..

You must do this pre-installation stuff before attempting to install the ROM on your Nexus 4 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 4 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 4. In case you’re not sure, follow the link below for a definitive guide for installing driver for your Nexus 4 on your computer.

► GOOGLE NEXUS 4 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 else, 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 .zip 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. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JHr2TVVoNk

GOOGLE NEXUS 4 ANDROID 4.4 KITKAT UPDATE INSTALLATION GUIDE

DOWNLOADS

Download the either of the Android 4.4 Kit Kat ROMs given below along with their respective Gapps files and transfer them to a separate folder on your phone and remember the location.

ROM 1

Android 4.4 ROM 1 file | DOWNLOAD LINK
File name: aosp_mako-ota-eng.papi92.zip
File size: 166 MB

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

ROM 2 (More stable)

Android 4.4 Kit Kat ROM 2 file | DOWNLOAD LINK
File name: AOSP_KitKat-110213.zip
File size: 160 MB

Google Apps | DOWNLOAD LINK
File name: pa_gapps-full-4.4-20131102-signed.zip
File size: 190 MB

SuperSU (Root) | DOWNLOAD LINK
File name: UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.65.zip
File size: 1 MB

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

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Make sure you have backed up your phone 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 4. 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.

GUIDE FOR CLOCKWORKMOD RECOVERY (CWM)

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.
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.
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)
Install the ROM .zip file first. For this:
- 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 .zip file » select Yes on next screen to confirm installation of the file
Now similarly flash the gapps .zip file, as you did in step 4.
└ Make sure to first flash the ROM file and then the Gapps file.
If you want root, also flash the SuperSU file, in the same way like ROM and Gapps file
After you are done with flashing 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 phone will now reboot and it will take some time as it’ll be phone’s first boot after installing Android 4.4, be extremely excited for this!

GUIDE USING TWRP RECOVERY

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.
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
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)
First Install the ROM file – aosp_mako-ota-eng.papi92.zip
- Tap on Install » browse to the location where you saved the files and tap on the aosp_mako-ota-eng.papi92.zip file. Now at the bottom of the screen, do a swipe on the Swipe to confirm flash option to begin flashing.
Now similarly flash the gapps .zip file, as you did in step 4.
└ Make sure to first flash the ROM file and then the Gapps file.
If you want root, also flash the SuperSU file, in the same way like ROM and Gapps file
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 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 4.4, KitKat. Be very excited, man!