The Google Nexus 5 is finally witnessing the Android 5.0 Lollipop rollout over the air as a system update coming into the notifications panel. As you know, these role in phases to all people with the device, therefore some will see it arriving today and others will not be so lucky. If you want to skip the waiting process and update your handset to the official Lollipop software you can flash the file manually after the steps below.
The build number for the official Android 5.0 is LRX21O and it comes at around 400 MB. That means it is a large update and it will take a long time to finish upgrading if you are using the Home WiFi. We suggest completely skipping downloading using the mobile data plan since it is a long-awaited upgrade and a great deal of people will be installing this one. Skip the mobile data connection since the high traffic will result in a less stable experience that is prone to freezing. That advice is for those looking to install the OTA where people here don’t need to worry since we are flashing the firmware direct.
The guide we are presenting to you today teaches how to install the Nexus 5 LRX210 hammerhead factory image provided by Google. That’s the build number for the official update so you need not worry about if this is the genuine product.
You should note that there’s no reason to install it this way unless you are wishing to skip the waiting line. The same build will eventually arrive to your phone as an automatic OTA update. It might come in the next 30 minutes or the next 30 hours. Nobody knows the exact sequence for the staged rollout apart from the folks in the Mountain View complex and the phone carrier networks.
Do not try using these steps for any other device under the Nexus range including the Nexus 7, Nexus 4, Nexus 9 or 10. You run the risk of soft-bricking the handsets if you attempt to install inappropriate files.
The steps we are listing below are for advanced Android users only. We previously mentioned that it’s for those who are looking to fast forward the situation. While that’s correct, if you aren’t an Android enthusiasts with experience in flashing or rooting a device then it’s a great idea to just wait for the official over the air signals.
Unlike other flashing tools, following this procedure will wipe all the current data stored on the phone. That means unless you backup the EFS, call logs, SMS texts, pictures, videos, music files and all other data they are lost by the time the steps are finished. You will be left with a phone that appears like it’s just come out of the box. If you already have your preferred method for backing up, go ahead and do that. Otherwise you want to install the Helium for Android application available from the Google Play Store to make copies of the market applications and sync the phone contacts. Use SMS backup+ also available from the Play Store for those messages you don’t want to lose. There are many other options available such as G Cloud Backup, Holo and more.
You must stopover at the Developer Options menu and enable USB Debugging Mode from the Settings menu. Now you can successfully connect the phone on the computer. Correspondingly, you must have a computer, notebook or laptop readily available to use with the steps. Transferring files from the computer first is the safest way to go about this business. That’s why we always chose that path.
Temporarily disable any security programs you might have running from the computer such as Microsoft Security Essentials. Furthermore, stop the security applications running on the phone if you are using antivirus for the Android operating system.
You must use a Windows-based PC ranging from Windows XP through to Windows 8.
The Nexus range always comes with USB charging as a default stock feature. That means when we plug the handsets into the computer with the USB wire, they will automatically start charging the device’s battery up since it’s connected with a power source. That means theoretically you should end up with more power than when you started if you are connected to the computer for most of the guide. Nevertheless, it’s a great idea to reserve some power just in case this feature isn’t working. Sometimes it can play up for certain devices. If you know USB charging isn’t working for you then you want to save at least 50% battery charge. Double check this by turning the phone on, navigating to the status bar and observing the battery icon.
Make sure you have the up-to-date USB Drivers ready for flashing on the computer. That way we can connect without any hassles.
How To update the Google Nexus 5 using the Android 5.0 Lollipop LRX21O Factory Image
- Download the Android SDK pack here.
- Extract the files from the folder.
- Transfer the extracted files to the C:\ partition on the mobile.
- Start the Android SDK manager.
- Install the Drivers
- Download the Google Drivers here for the computer.
- Find the USB cable
– look at the wire connecting the phone charger if you cannot find it. - Connect the mobile to the computer using the USB wire.
- Navigate to the Device manager and click the ‘Nexus 5’ line.
- Click the ‘Update Drivers’ option.
- Point ‘browse location’ towards the Google drivers location.
- Click the button to confirm.
- Download the 5.0 LRX210 hammerhead factory Image here.
- Extract the files to a single folder on the computer.
- Turn the nexus off.
- Boot it back up into Bootloader mode.
– press Volume Down + Volume Up and the Power buttons at the same time. - Hold Shift and right-click the mouse on the folder’s empty area and launch the command line.
- Fetch the USB cable.
- Connect the Nexus 5 to the computer.
- Type ‘ADB Devices’ from the command line and verify the process by tapping enter.
- Now type ‘ fastboot oem unlock’
- Find the Flash-all.bat file from the extracted Lollipop files you put into a single folder.
- Launch the Flash-all.bat file.
- Wait for the flashing to finish.
- You can enter ‘fastboot oem unlock’ once more.
- Wait until it prompt you to ‘press any key’ for it to boot up in normal mode.
- Enter your Google details to start using the new OS version again.
Now you can start using some of those apps for rooted Android users such as Virtual Button Bar, LBE privacy Guard, Dual Mount SD Widget, Hexamob recovery pro, total commander, Boot manager, Sixaxis controller, Samba file sharing, SD maid, AutoKiller memory Optimizer, LCD Density, keyboard manager and more.