Update: Both nexus 7 Wi-Fi (Grouper) and 3G (Tilapia) variants have the Marshmallow custom ROM now available. If you stll have either of them roaming around you, you better pick it up, and flash the unofficial Marshmallow update we’ve provided below. After all, why not?

Well, here’s the man Dmitry Grinberg at his cool best again — after releasing the AOSP based Marshmallow ROM for Nexus 4 and Nexus 10, the guy is back to make smile users of Nexus 7 (2012, the original one).

Google abandoned exactly these 3 devices for Marshmallow update this time around, so it’s very good to see our favorite Nexus device get Android 6.0 love from developers.

What if Google ditched the original 1st Gen Nexus 7 (2012) as far as official Marshmallow update goes, we always knew a custom ROM (or many of them, actually) would surely show up once the 6.0 code hits AOSP, which it did a few days ago.

And now we have a good working custom ROM available (sort of) for Nexus 7 2012, one that works well for the most part, while some present should be wiped out in coming few days, or maybe weeks.

But because Nexus 7 is a tablet, you really don’t mind if it’s front camera is untested — and might not work for the moment — or if it’s OTG support is broken, right?

After all, what we have is Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for your tablet, and that’s all that matters.

Let’s see how to install Marshmallow update on Nexus 7 1st Gen 2012.

Downloads

  • Marshmallow custom ROM:
    • For Nexus 7 WiFi (codename Grouper) — Link | Mega | Download Mirror | File: grouper-M-TWRP_v1.1.zip (185 MB)
    • For Nexus 7 3G (codename Tilapia) — Link | Mega | File: tilapia-M-TWRP_v1.1.zip (180M)
  • Google Apps (Gapps) — Link

Supported devices

  • Asus Nexus 7, 1st Gen (2012)
    • Wi-Fi edition, codename grouper
    • 3G edition, codename tilapia
  • Don’t try this on any other device than the one having model no. specified above.

Use the Droid Info app, to determine the codename of your Nexus 7. If it is exactly the one specified above, then it should be compatible with the 6.0 custom ROM we have here.

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 7 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 7 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 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.

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. Unmount System now. Use the TWRP’s mount menu, and then deselect the System from there, so that it’s not mounted while we flash the ROM.

Step 7. 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 8. Tap on Home button to go back. Now, install the Gapps the same way you installed Marshmallow ROM on your Nexus 7.

Step 9. 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.

Via Dmitry Grinberg