Google may have not come up Android 6.0 factory images for Nexus 4, but there is a developer community working round the clock to get the nexus Marshmallow love, and it just arrived once more in the form of an AOSP based custom ROM.

Remember that Nexus 4 Marshmallow update ROM we shared earlier, well, that is also a good choice to update to Marshmallow, but here’s another, and this one is easier to install than earlier one.

What you will get by installing this ROM is stock Android 6.0 firmware, based on the 6.0 AOSP code that Google uploaded to Open Source project. You will not get Google Apps by default as its pure stock Android that is part of the deal.

And hence you will need to install the Google Apps (Gapps) separately. We’ve provided the Marshmallow Gapps here, and you can download any one of your choice to get Google Play Store and other apps, and then can install missing apps form play store.

Android 6.0 brings lots of cool new features, that help you gain more control over your Nexus 4. You can now decide which apps on your Nexus 4 have what permissions.

There’s new Doze mode included by default, which means battery life is greater than ever on a given device when running Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Let’s see how to install Nexus 4 Marshmallow update.

Downloads

  • Android 6.0 custom ROM — Link | File: aosp_mako-ota-eng.franzd.zip (210.8 MB)
  • Google Apps (Gapps) — Link (not available yet, you will have to live without them for now)

Supported devices

  • LG NEXUS 4, model D820 and D821
  • Don’t try this on any other device than the one having model no. specified above.

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.

Backup!

Backup important files stored on your device before proceeding with the steps below, so that in case something goes wrong you’ll have backup of all your important files.

How to Install

Required: You will need to have TWRP recovery installed on your device to be able to install Marshmallow custom ROM and Google Apps (Gapps). Check out our page on Nexus 4 TWRP recovery for flashing Gapps.

Step 1. Download the Marshmallow ROM and gapps file from above.

Step 2. Connect your device to PC and transfer the ROM and gapps file to it. Disconnect the device then. Remember the location of the files.

Step 3. Boot your Nexus 4 into recovery mode. If you are rooted, you can use Quick Boot app from play store. To manually boot into recovery mode, do this:

  • Power off the device. Wait for 4-5 seconds after screen goes off.
  • Press and hold Volume Up + Power button together until you see anything on screen. This is bootloader mode, and you will see FASTBOOT written at the top.
  • Now, use volume down two times to bring up recovery mode, and then power button to select it and boot into recovery mode.

You will enter recovery mode soon, and should see TWRP recovery. If you see 3e recovery, then you need to install TWRP recovery for this.

Step 4. [Optional] Once in TWRP, create a backup of your device. Tap on Backup, and then select all the partitions for back. Now do the swipe action at bottom to start creating a backup for emergency cases. This backup is really a lifesaver!

Step 5. Do a Factory Reset. On TWRP’s main screen, tap on Wipe, then advanced wipe, and now make sure you have selected these partitions: dalvik cache, data, system and cache. Then do the Swipe action at bottom to confirm it.

Step 6. Now, install the ROM file. On TWRP’s homescreen, tap on Install, and then locate the ROM file and tap on it. Then do the Swipe action at bottom to begin flashing the update.

Step 7. Tap on Home button to go back. Now, install the Gapps the same way you installed Marshmallow ROM on your Nexus 4.

Step 8. When it’s done, tap on Reboot system button to restart the device.

That’s it.

Let us know if you need any help with this via comments below.