Unofficial Android 5.1 update reaches Nexus 4 as wait for factory image continue

Being a Nexus device with 2GB RAM, we fully expect the Nexus 4 to receive official Android 5.1 update soon. Yep, we expected Nexus 4 to receive it by now because it’s been launched for Nexus 6 for some time now, but that’s that. Anyway, if you own a Nexus 4 and are keen to try out the Android 5.1 update, you could now thanks to CM12.1, which also adds some fruitful nifty features of its own.

While CM team is yet to come up with official builds of the CM12.1, user-made builds have been increasingly made available now a days for lots of devices. And for a device like Nexus 4, they work pretty fine, too. There could still be some bugs you could come face to face with this ROM that are yet to be ironed out, but it could very well be your daily driver. Do give it a full test before considering it as such, just to be sure it doesn’t land in any awkward situation as your daily driver.

Android 5.1 update brings lots of cool tweaks to the OS, and support for some new features.

Btw, if you or any of your friends has any of the devices mentioned below, know that Android 5.1 update is also available on these:

• Galaxy S5 (Sprint and Verizon)
• Galaxy S4 LTE
• Galaxy S3 / LTE
• OnePlus One
• LG G3
• HTC One Max

Note: Keep in mind that this is not an official Google Android 5.1 update firmware for the Nexus 4, hence you may come face to face with some small bugs sometimes.

Update: April 2, 2015

Apart from the initial CM12.1 custom ROM that came first of all, more new Android 5.1 based custom ROMs are now available for the Nexus 4. We’ve got you a single window below to check out all the 5.1 ROMs available currently, and their bugs list and download links, together with the developer and development page.

Choose any one of them, and download that ROM’s files. Installation procedure is same for all ROMs and is provided below, too.

Nexus 4 Android 5.1 ROMs

Note: Grab the ROM file in .zip format from the downloads column above of the ROM you wish to install. Also download the Gapps (Google services) from the downloads section above.

FYI, do check out the source development page linked above as it hosts a discussion page and new updates from the developer. You could keep a tab on current issues with the ROM and also get to know about the fixes, if any, available.

Supported devices

• Nexus 4
• Don’t try on any other device

Instructions

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.

Important Note: 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.

1. Transfer the ROM file package file to your device’s internal storage and remember the location where you save it.
2. You need TWRP recovery for this. Get it from here. There’s good instructions set there, too. For more help, Google is your friend.
3. Boot into Recovery mode.
4. Once in TWRP recovery, take a backup of your current ROM. On TWRP, select Backup, then do a “Swipe to Back Up” on the bottom of the screen.
5. Once the backup is finished, select Wipe, then do a “Swipe to Factory Reset” on the bottom of the screen.
6. Go back to the main menu of TWRP recovery and select Install.
7. Navigate to the file where you saved your ROM’s zip file, select it and “Swipe to Confirm Flash” on the bottom of the screen. Now wait until the flashing process finishes.
8. Go to back to recovery’s Main menu, select Reboot » select System.

Your device will now reboot with Android 5.1 update, thanks to AOSP based custom ROMs.