Nexus 7: Upgrade to Google Android 4.2

Nexus 7: Upgrade to Google Android 4.2

If you are one of those unlucky ones who were not able to place in the order for the new Nexus 4, there are many in the same plight. If you do have the Nexus 7, a little consolation might be that you can now upgrade to Google Android 4.2. It has not appeared as an OTA update but you can install the Android 4.2 OTA update manually through CWM. The update file is directly from Google server if you are concerned on authenticity. I have just flashed my Nexus 7 and it is now on 4.2.

Installation Steps for Android 4.2 on Nexus 7

  1. You would need to have stock Android 4.1.2 build JZO54K ROM in order to upgrade
  2. The Nexus 7 has to be rooted
  3. Install ROM Manager from Google Play
  4. Start ROM Manager and choose Option 1: Install ClockWorkMod Recovery if it had not been installed
  5. Copy the zip file that you want to install into your Nexus 7
  6. Boot to recovery through ROM Manager (option 2)
  7. Select install zip from sdcard
  8. Then select choose zip from sdcard
  9. Select the update zip file (takes about 2-3 min)
  10. Reboot system
  11. ROM Manager CWM may warn that “ROM may flash stock recovery on boot. Fix?” and “Root Access may be lost – fix?” Choose Yes to both to keep CWM Recovery and Root.

Download Android 4.2 OTA update (Build number JOP40C) for Nexus 7 here (http://android.clients.google.com/packages/data/ota/google_nakasi/094f6629314a.signed-nakasi-JOP40C-from-JZO54K.094f6629.zip)

Google Android 4.2 Features

The new version of Android, is still named ‘Jelly Bean’. New features include a Swype-like keyboard, which allows you to trace out words and it works well with the current keyboard implementation. Alongside, there’s a new 360-degree camera function but it isn’t very applicable to the Nexus 7. Oh, and there’s multi user support too, which would be more useful for tablet-like devices like the Nexus 7 or Nexus 10. Lockscreen widget is another much welcome feature for quick access to mail or calendar. Privacy might be a concern for users though.

The first problem I had was that APEX Launcher crashed upon start up. It’s back to the default launcher, which may not be that bad ever since landscape support was added and now with the new desktop clock widgets, which are rather spiffy looking.

2 Replies to “Nexus 7: Upgrade to Google Android 4.2”

  1. Hi
    It would be nice if we could get a couple of readers to band together to purchase a new Nexus 7 ( 32 GB )with 3G directly from US. I believe we can all save about $ 100 each !Asus definitely sells the Nexus 7 much higher in Singapore .Maybe you can take the initiative .

  2. Hi Pat, thanks for the suggestions, but its not something that we would want to embark on at the moment. Do consider individual shipping as well so that you do not need to pay GST(<$400). Other than shipping through vPost and others, you can also consider B&H which sells theN7 32GB with 3g with direct shipping to Singapore, at a total price of 340 USD for the 32GB and 3G option. Not too bad a price (42USD for shipping).