How to Install Android O on Nexus 5x
Almost 3 years after its launch, the Nexus 5 has now reached its life, which means that it will not be receiving the Android 7.0 Nougat update. While Google thinks that the Nexus 5 does not pack enough grunt to run Android 7.0 smoothly, the Android community thinks otherwise.
No wonder a stable build of Android 7.0 Nougat has already popped up for the Nexus 5. The ROM is good enough for daily driver use, with all the core functionalities of the phone like camera and Wi-Fi working as intended. The only functionality that has been reported to be broken is video playback, but this should not really be a deal breaker for most people.
If you plan on continue using your Nexus 5 for a few more months or years and are looking to get Nougat up and running on it, check out the steps below.
Pre-requisites
Since you will be flashing a custom ROM on the handset, there are some prerequisites that you need to fulfill and follow.
- If you have not already, backup all the data on your Nexus 5 before proceeding with the steps below.
- The process requires that your Nexus 5 is rooted with a custom recovery like TWRP installed. The TWRP recovery installed MUST not be the CAF version. If your device is not rooted, you can follow the steps mentioned in this article. It will guide you through the process of unlocking the bootloader of your Nexus 5, installing a custom recovery on it, and then gaining root access.
- Even if you are already running a custom ROM, do not try a dirty flash since you are bound to run into issues.
How to install Android 7.0 Nougat ROM on Nexus 5
Step 1: Download the Android 7.0 Nougat ROM and the Google Apps package for Nougat from below. Transfer both zip files to the internal storage of your Nexus 5.
- Android 7.0 Nougat ROM for Nexus 5
- Google Apps package (Download the micro package)
Step 2:With the ROM transferred, reboot your Nexus 5 into recovery mode. This involves switching off the device and then booting it into recovery by pressing and holding the volume down and power buttons for a few seconds. Alternatively, you can use an application like Quick Reboot from the Google Play Store as well, though the app requires root access to work.
Step 3: Once your device has booted into recovery mode, you need to wipe the /data and /system partitions. Head over to the Wipe option, and then swipe the bar at the bottom to do a factory reset.
Step 4:Head back to the main menu in TWRP and tapInstall.Select the Android 7.0 Nougat ROM file and flash it first. Once the ROM is installed, select theReboot systemoption that you see at the bottom. Wait for a few minutes while your Nexus 5 boots into Android. The first boot can take some time but be patient. If your device is stuck at the boot logo for a long time, it has likely entered into a boot loop. In such case, boot back into Android and repeat the steps mentioned above.
Step 5:Proceed to boot your Nexus 5 back into TWRP recovery. TapInstalland this time select the Google Apps zip package. Once the file is flashed, select the Wipe Cache option that you get. When done, reboot your Nexus 5 back into Nougat.
Step 6:When your device boots into Android, skip the setup process. Go to Settings -> Apps and enable the option to show system apps from the 3-dot overflow menu button located on the top right. Then, from the list of applications, give all the permissions to Setup Wizard and Google Play Services.
You will now be able to go through the Setup Wizard and sync your Google accounts with the handset. If you don't go this step, Google Play services will continue to crash for you. Also, make sure to grant all the necessary permissions to the Contacts and Contacts Sync app to ensure that your contacts are synced properly to the device.
Do note that some users reported that their custom recovery was replaced with the stock recovery after flashing the ROM. In such a case, make sure to flash TWRP recovery again on the handset.
Keep in mind that since this is an AOSP build of Nougat some key features like Doze are disabled by default. It is likely that the developer will update the build with these features enabled and improved stability sooner than later.
The above steps are also valid for the 2013 Nexus 7. Just get your hands on a stable build of Nougat ROM for the tablet from XDA and then simply follow the steps mentioned above to get Android 7.0 up and running on it.
If you are facing any issues while installing this unofficial Android 7.0 Nougat ROM on your Nexus 5, drop in a comment and we will help you out.
Read:Android 7.0 Nougat: Top 25 New Features
How to Install Android O on Nexus 5x
Source: https://www.androidbeat.com/2016/08/how-to-install-android-7-nougat-nexus-5/