As you might have heard, Google has started the rollout of the Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean update for the Galaxy Nexus, though it is currently only for the US GSM variant available on the Google Play Store, with the international Galaxy Nexus to get in the coming days. However, since the US GSM variant is the same as the international variant (with the only difference that the US variant comes with Google Wallet pre-installed), international Galaxy Nexus owners can install the update being pushed out to the US variant.

XDA Senior Member bigxie – who previously released a 4.1.1 ROM for the Galaxy Nexus built from sources – has released a pre-rooted version of the official Jelly Bean update which can be manually flashed via recovery, provided that your bootloader is unlocked. Those with stock devices will need to wait for the update to officially hit their devices, but courageous users can update right away thanks to the pre-rooted ROM.

NOTE: Users who bought the Galaxy Nexus from Google directly can use the guide → here to manually update.

Read on to find out how you can update to Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean on your Galaxy Nexus.

Compatibility

This ROM and the guide below are compatible only and only with the international GSM Galaxy Nexus, model number i9250. It’s not compatible with Verizon/Sprint variants or any other device. Check your device model in Settings » About phone.

Warning!

The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt anything if you don’t know completely what it is. If any damage occurs to your device, we won’t be held liable.

How to Install Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean on Galaxy Nexus i9250

  1. This procedure will wipe all your apps, data and settings. Backup your Apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. This Android backup guide would help you.
    Important! Don’t forget to at least make a backup of your APN settings, which you can restore later if your data connection does not work after installing the ROM. Use the backup guide to find out how.
  2. Unlock the bootloader on your Galaxy Nexus by following the guide → here. This will erase all your data, including the data on the SD card, so back everything up first (see step 1).
  3. [Important!] Install TWRP recovery on your Nexus by following the guide → here. Make sure to flash the GSM version of recovery. You need recovery to be able to install the ROM and can also use ClockworkMod recovery instead of TWRP.
  4. Download the latest version of the ROM from the official development page. Be sure to download the deodexed version.
  5. Copy the downloaded zip file to the SD card on the phone (do not extract it).
  6. Turn off the phone and boot into CWM recovery. To do this, press and hold the Volume Up + Volume Down + Power buttons together till the screen turns on. Then, scroll to the Restart Recovery option using the volume buttons, then select it using the Power button to restart in recovery.
  7. Now, tap on Backup, then slide the blue circle button at the bottom to the right to start backing up your current ROM, so that you can restore it later if something does not work out with the new ROM. After backup is complete, go back to the main menu by clicking the home button at the bottom left of the screen.
  8. Select Wipe, then select Factory Reset and then confirm the data wipe. This will not wipe your internal SD card’s contents, so do not worry. Then, go back to the main menu by clicking the home button after wipe is complete.
  9. Select Install, then scroll to the ROM’s file on the SD card (which you transferred in step 5) and select it. Confirm installation by sliding the blue button.
  10. After installation is complete, select the Reboot system button to reboot the phone and boot up into stock Jelly Bean Android 4.1.1.

Congratulations! Your Galaxy Nexus is now running the latest Android version – Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Let us know how it works!