A fresh batch of awesome CyanogenMod 12 custom ROMs are up for grabs for downloading and installing on a range of devices. Today we are running through how you can get the same on this years Google Nexus 10. The Mountain View company create some of the best smartphones and tablets for customizing. Since the 10 is still considered a new device, we are sure some of you are reluctant to break open the operating system away from the factory restrictions. Before throwing the idea away, you should remember that they if you aren’t gaining root access on the nexus device then you aren’t doing it right!
We’ll run through some of the essentials well worth noting before starting the guide so you don’t make any mistakes and you know the risks. The first thing you should understand is that it does void the warranty. That said, you likely parted ways with any remaining a warranty already because you must have root access before thinking about installing custom ROMs.
The CyanogenMod team create arguably the best ROMs in the unofficial business. Still, you must backup your data because we are wiping the ROM clean before installing the CM 12 nightly build.
- You should take a Nandroid backup by download the Online Nandroid backup app, or waiting until you enter recovery mode during the guide and taking one then. Just remember to back up before performing the “wipe” to else you are left without your valuable data including phone contacts, text messages, settings, WiFi passwords, pictures, video and music files.
- You can read up on everything that’s in the new CyanogenMod 12 custom ROM from here: CyanogenMod 12 Is Out Now For A Custom Android 5.0 Lollipop Experience.
- As the title suggests, the build is based on Android 5.0 Lollipop. Furthermore, this is running on the latest 5.0.2 Lollipop which is the newest any device is running in the world. Some of the unofficial ROMs under the same name are not on this number yet.
- We are only plugging into the computer for some of the guide and not all. Therefore, you must reserve enough battery power to make sure the tablet isn’t shutting down until the flashing process finishes. Check what your battery icon says from the status bar.
- You must have a custom recovery installed on your device. Choose from two of the best options out there: TWRP recovery or ClockworkMod recovery.
- Allow permissions for the USB Debugging Mode from the Settings on the tablet. You’ll find the option coming from the Developer Options.
- Make sure you have the up to the minute USB drivers for your device. Nearly everyone should have that already so give it a test before you go searching for the drivers. Basically, plug the tablet into the desktop computer or laptop and try accessing the pictures coming from the tablet. If you are loading them on the computer, the drivers are working and you can skip downloading them again.
- If you change your mind after installing the custom ROM and wish you had a stock Android device again, you can anytime download the official Root and unroot pro application available from the Google Play Store. By unrooting the device you are taking away the unofficial ROM and root access. However, it comes at a premium price.
- For a free way out of the custom scene you can flash a different official firmware version of Lollipop back on your tablet and it will revoke the same privileges. Likewise, the warranty works again.
How To install CyanogenMod 12 Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Unofficial ROM on the Google Nexus 10
- Download the CM 12 build here.
- Download the Google Gapps pack here.
- Download both files to the desktop of the computer.
- Do not extract the files like you would for some other guides.
- Connect the tablet to the computer.
- Transfer the files over in normal mode to the internal SD card.
- Disconnect the Nexus device and boot it back up in custom recovery
- ClockworkMod users:
– pick the backup and restore option for taking the Nandroid
– pick “wipe data/factory reset”
– pick the “install zip from SD card” option
– pick “choose zip from SD card.” - Team Win TWRP users:
– pick the ‘backup” option
– pick “wipe” for wiping the data
– pick the “install” option. - Now upload the unofficial CM 12 zip file and wait for the flashing.
- Do the same for the Gapps package.
- Boot the device in normal mode from the main recovery menu.
If you are struggling to enter the custom recovery mode of your choice, you can boot your device in the same by downloading and installing the reboot manager application from Google Play. Moreover, if you device is getting stuck in a boot loop you want to enter the same mode and do a factory reset. Make sure you backup before wiping. Save the data to the internal storage memory card. That way you don’t lose the data when hard resetting or factory resetting the operating system.