How to install Android 4.4.1 on the Nexus 5

Google has started rolling out Android 4.4.1 to Nexus devices. The update is supposed to not only alleviate some bugs brought along by 4.4, but is also said to noticeably improve the camera on the Nexus 5. This is enough of a reason to go ahead and install the update right away without waiting for it to arrive automatically over the air. If you are just as impatient as we are, here is how to get 4.4.1 on your Nexus 5 today.

Here's how to get Android 4.4.1 on your Nexus 5 in a pinch. © AndroidPIT

What you’ll need

There are two things that you will need before you get started:

• ADB Tools
• the update to Android 4.4.1 for the Nexus 5

With the update, your Nexus 5 will acquire a build number of KOT49E. In order for the update to install, your device should already be running on build number KRT16M - this is the default OS build the Nexus 5 shipped with, so you should be fine. To find out if this is indeed installed on your Nexus 5, bring up your Android settings, tap on ‘About device’ and check out your build number there.

Installation process

On your Computer

Unzip ADB Tools, go to the adb-tools folder and press the shift button on your keyboard. Then, right click on your mouse in a free space in Windows Explorer and choose ‘open command prompt here’ from the context menu by left-clicking the mouse on this selection.

Now copy the Android 4.4.1 update file into the adb-tools folder and change its name to something shorter which you’ll have to type in later on. A good example would be ‘nexus5-441-ota.zip’.

On the Nexus 5

• Turn off the device
• Hold down the volume down and power buttons in order to enter the fastboot menu.
• By using the volume rocker, choose the option ‘Recovery Mode’ and confirm with the power button.
• As soon as you see the Android robot with its open tummy, press and hold Power, then tap (press) Volume up
• Again, by using the volume rocker, now choose the option ‘apply update from ADB’ in the open recovery menu and confirm with the power button.

Back on the computer

Connect your Nexus 5 to your computer via USB and go to the command prompt. Type in the following command in order to install the update.

adb sideload nexus5-441-ota.zip

Please note: if you renamed the update file something other than what we suggested above, please substitute whatever you renamed the file in the ADB command.

The installation process will now commence. The update will be copied onto your Nexus 5 and then be installed. After about 5 minutes, the entire procedure will be complete and you can restart your Nexus 5 via the option ‘reboot system’.

Done! You have now successfully installed Android 4.4.1 on your Nexus 5.

Tip: Should your Nexus 5 not be recognized by your computer, disconnect it from your PC, install the ADB tool into the adb-tools folder and connect the device to your PC again.

Let us know how the process went for you!

(translated by Loie Favre)

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