Last Updated on April 5, 2017 by Mathew Diekhake

Owners of the Google Nexus 5 can update to the CM11 M11 Android 4.4.4 KitKat custom ROM. The M11 build is the snapshot variant which means it gets updates to the ROM monthly. That separates it from the nightly builds that see’s updates most nights of the week. The snapshots are  a stable version but not as stable as some other builds. You can install this on your daily phone with confidence of it producing a decent experience with a few bugs. All the bugs are not gone.

The build we have here today uses the M11 and not the M12. You may notice the M12 name around lately as the CyanogenMod team are working hard to release it for many smartphones. However, the new version for the nexus 5 is the M11 for the hammerhead. We aren’t sure why they are behind one increment, but you can see from the download link that the M series is available all the way through number 1 to 11. That is the latest available for the hammerhead.

CyanogenMod

Hammerhead is the code-name for the Nexus 5. Do not try installing the file below on any other device as it won’t work and can potentially harm the device.

  1. The best part about installing custom ROMs is the backing up process is easier than usual. With official and stock Android there is no simple way to back everything up. You may need several apps to help you store everything. With a Nandroid backup we can store pictures, music, videos, widgets, wallpaper, ringtones, system settings, passwords, WiFi passwords, games (even in progress), apps and more. There’s no chance of you including that on an app from the Play Store for official Android software such as Helium. If you don’t like taking Nandroid backups you can try installing Titanium backup. It’s another application from the Play Store that’s nearly as good. Of course, everyone has their own preferences so who are we to say what’s better. Sometimes it’s best to follow the procedure you already know and understand instead of starting something new and it goes wrong. That’s why there’s no incorrect way of backing up the data and the ROM, so long as you store the data.
  2. We are transferring the files from a computer to the phone. We do it that way because it’s the safest method for your phone.
  3. In order to transfer the files from the computer to the phone you must have working drivers. If you are an advanced Android users into modifying and customizing you surly already have them. You can check by plugging the smartphone into the computer with the USB cable; now try accessing the pictures from the phone on the computer by clicking the drive. You’ll find it from ‘My Computer” on Windows PC.
  4. If you have a lot of application on the phone you can use the computer to store the Nandroid backup data. Restoring the nexus 5 is as easy as transferring the data back to the phone. Just make sure you save it on your own partition or using your own user account so your family doesn’t delete the backup you create on the computer.
  5. Make sure you have enabled the USB Debugging Mode from the Developer Options menu. If you are connecting to the computer regularly, it’s likely on already. You’ll find the menu directly from the settings menu.
  6. Those preferring to air on the side of caution can temporarily disable the computer security and the Android security apps. You might have adware, virus protection and malware protection running from the computer. Remember to turn them back on again after leaving here and before you start browsing the internet. Otherwise you might find yourself installing the next available Trojan Horse.

Update Google nexus 5 with CM 11 M11 Snapshot Android 4.4.4 KitKat custom ROM

  1. Download the M11 hammerhead snapshot here.
  2. Download the Google Gapps pack for the last stages of KitKat here.
  3. Connect the nexus to the computer.
  4. Transfer the zip files (without unzipping them to the internal storage.
  5. Unplug the phone from the computer.
  6. Power down the device.
  7. Boot it back up in recovery mode.
  8. Take a Nandroid backup from either recovery of your choice.
    – ClockworkMod users must select the “back and restore” option.
    – TWRP must tap the “Backup” key.
  9. Select the ‘wipe data/ factory reset’ or just the ‘wipe’ key depending on your recovery.
  10. Upload the M11 Lollipop ROM and confirm the installation.
    – select ‘install’ for team Win.
    – select ‘install zip from SD card’, followed by ‘choose zip from SD card’ for ClockworkMod.
  11. Follow the same uploading steps but this time flashing the Google Gapps pack.
  12. Select ‘reboot system now’ from the main menu.
  13. Watch as you have Lollipop running and it boots up in normal mode.

You can use the Nandroid to restore your device to the exact state it was in before installing the custom ROM. That means you are returning to the stock Android image. Stock Android is the version that your phone carrier or manufacturer supplied you with that comes with a bunch of other default applications and programs compared to true stock software.