The Nexus 4 is quite popular and is the most successful Nexus device till date. Being a Nexus it surely receives the updates quickly from Google.

But it doesn’t only stop there. The updates  from your favorite development team like CyanogenMod, AOKP, ParanoiAndroid, TWRP, etc are also instantaneous.

Likewise, the ClockworkMod has recently release the latest version of their recoveries for Nexus 4. Not only do they bring new features but are also compatible with Android KitKat.

So, you shouldn’t get the pesky ‘set metadata recursive’ error with this version of recovery while flashing Android 4.4 base ROMs.

At the time of writing the latest version of CWM for LG Nexus 4 is 6.0.4.3.

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 device of LG or any other company. You have been warned!

BEFORE YOU BEGIN..

You must do this pre-installation stuff before attempting to install CWM recovery on your Google 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 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 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.

► Nexus 4 DRIVERS (ADB and Fastboot) 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.

GUIDE: LG GOOGLE NEXUS 4 CWM RECOVERY

DOWNLOADS

Download the either of the Installer file, for Touch edition and Non-touch edition of CWM recovery for your Nexus 4.

LG Nexus 4 CWM Recovery Installer – Touch edition: DOWNLOAD LINK | (Mirror)
File name: Nexus-4-touch-cwm-recovery-installer.zip (8.9 MB)

LG Nexus 4 CWM Recovery Installer – Non-touch edition: DOWNLOAD LINK | (Mirror)
File name: Nexus-4-cwm-recovery-installer.zip (8.8 MB)

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

  1. You need to unlock bootloader of your Nexus 4 first to be able to install CWM recovery. Since unlocking bootloader would completely wipe (delete everything) on your Nexus 4, be sure to backup your phone adequately before attempting to unlock bootloader and install custom recovery. Link – NEXUS 4 BOOTLOADER UNLOCKING GUIDE.
  2. Prepare your phone:
    • Enable developer options: Go to your phone’s Settings » select About phone » Scroll to the bottom and tap on “Build number” seven times to enable developer options.
    • Enable USB Debugging: Open phone’s Settings » select Developer options » Tick the “USB debugging” checkbox (under Debugging section).
  3. Connect your phone to PC with a USB cable and if a pop-up screen shows up on Phone asking you to Allow USB debugging for the computer, make sure you tick the checkbox and tap OK.
    Authorize computer for USB Debugging
  4. Extract the installer file (using 7-zip, preferably). For touch edition, it’s Nexus-4-touch-cwm-recovery-installer.zip. And for Non-touch edition it’s Nexus-4-cwm-recovery-installer.zip. You’ll get the following files, and one folder:
    • api (folder)
    • 1-click-cwm-recovery-installer.bat
    • adb.exe
    • AdbWinApi.dll
    • AdbWinUsbApi.dll
    • fastboot.exe
    • recovery-clockwork-6.0.4.3-mako.img (or) recovery-clockwork-touch-6.0.4.3-mako.img.
    • source.properties
  5. Double-click/Run the 1-click-cwm-recovery-installer.bat’ file and follow the simple on-screen instructions like ‘Press any key to continue..’ to install CWM recovery on your Nexus 4.
  6. Once the CWM recovery is flashed successfully on your Nexus 4, your device will reboot automatically.
    └ Note: In case the script gets stuck on < waiting for device > (see image below) for more than a minute or so, then it means you don’t have proper drivers installed on your computer for your Nexus 4. Follow the drivers installation guide provided above in ‘Before you begin..‘ section for troubleshooting driver and other connectivity issues.
    Device not found 'waiting for device'
  7. Try booting into recovery to verify if CWM recovery has been installed successfully:
    • Switch off your Nexus 4.
    • Press and hold ‘Volume Up + Volume Down + Power’ buttons together to boot into bootloader/fastboot mode
    • Press Volume Down until the Start button changes to Recovery Mode, then press Power button to reboot into recovery mode.

That’s all!

If you need any help with the guide above, let us know in comments below. We’d be happy to help!

Your suggestions are most welcomed!