Earlier today, Google started rolling out the Android 4.4.2 update for all the AOSP supported Nexus device. The update came as a surprise to many since it was only last week that Google rolled out the 4.4.1 update that greatly improved the Nexus 5’s camera performance.
Android 4.4.2 is mainly a bug-fixing release and does not really bring much to the table like Android 4.4.1 did. The official change-log of the update via Sprint is below -:
Enhancements/Fixes
– Fix for clearing the VM Indicator
– Fix for delivery of the VM Indicator
– Various additional software fixes
– Security enhancements
Other changes not mentioned in the change-log include a fix for the flash SMS bug, and removing the code that was necessary for third-party developers to call AppOps.
Anyways, if you are still waiting for the Android 4.4.2 update on your Nexus device, you can always manually sideload it as well. The process is pretty simple and does not require root access or an unlocked bootloader.
Step 1: Download the appropriate OTA file from below. Rename the file to ‘kk.zip’ and transfer it inside a new folder called ‘google’ on your desktop.
Nexus 5
Android 4.4 to 4.4.2 OTA update
Android 4.4.1 to Android 4.4.2 OTA update
Nexus 4
Android 4.4 to 4.4.2 OTA update
Android 4.4.1 to Android 4.4.2 OTA update
Nexus 7 (2013, Wi-Fi)
Android 4.4 to 4.4.2 OTA update
Android 4.4.1 to Android 4.4.2 OTA update
Nexus 7 (2013, LTE)
Android 4.4 to 4.4.2 OTA update
Android 4.4.1 to Android 4.4.2 OTA update
Nexus 7 (2012, Wi-Fi)
Android 4.4 to Android 4.4.2 OTA update
Nexus 10
Android 4.4 to Android 4.4.2 OTA update
Android 4.4.1 to Android 4.4.2 OTA update
Step 2: Download the ADB/Fastboot files, along with the USB drivers for Windows from below.
- ADB/Fastboot – Mac, Windows
- USB drivers for Windows
Make sure to install the drivers and extract the contents of the ADB/Fastboot ZIP file inside the ‘google’ folder that you created in step 1 on your desktop.
Step 3: You will now need to put your Nexus device into Recovery mode. Do so by switching it off, and then pressing the Volume down + Power button simultaneously. After the device boots into bootloader mode, use the Volume keys to navigate to the ‘Recovery’ option and select it by using by the Power button.
Nexus 4 owners will need to press the Volume down + Volume up + Power button, simultaneously, instead of the key combination mentioned above to get into bootloader mode.
If you get an Android logo with an exclamation mark, press the Volume down + Power button for 2 seconds. Also, try pressing the Volume up + Volume down + power buttons 4-5 times in a row. This is going to be a bit finicky, so chances are you won’t get into recovery mode right at the first try.
Step 4: Once your device has booted into recovery, use the Volume key to select the ‘apply update from ADB’ option using the Power key. Connect the device to your PC now, and open a new command prompt window on Windows or Terminal on Mac.
You will now need to navigate to the ‘google’ folder you created in Step 1. Windows users can do this by pressing the Ctrl + Shift button and then open the Google folder by right clicking on it and selecting Open. Mac owners will need to use the ‘cd’ command for to navigate to the appropriate folder.
After that, simply copy/paste the following command:
adb sideload kk.zip
Mac owners need to copy paste the following command:
./adb sideload kk.zip
The OTA file will then be transferred to your device, and the installation process will automatically begin. After the installation is completed, your device should automatically reboot. The first boot can take some time so please be patient.
Keep in mind that you will get an error while sideloading the OTA update if your device is rooted or if you have deleted any APK from the system partition of your Nexus device.
