Nexus 5 Receives Android 4.4.3 (KTU84M) Official OTA Update [Changelog and Manual Installation]

After a series of rumours, Google has finally started rolling out Android 4.4.3 KitKat over-the-air (OTA) update for its fifth generation Nexus smartphone.

Google developer site had recently posted Android 4.4.3 factory images and binaries for its Nexus devices such as Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 2013, Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 10.

Following this, Android 4.4.3 was released for Android Open Source Project (AOSP) with KTU84M build number for Nexus 5 and KTU84L for rest of the Nexus devices.

Furthermore, the Android 4.4.3 official OTA update with build number KTU84M has now started hitting the Nexus 5 devices with locked bootloaders. The OTA update weighs in at 92.2MB.

Changelog

The Android 4.4.3 update integrates bug fixes, tweaks and adjustments from Android 4.4.2 KOT49H with a total of 7, 454 changes. The changelog has been compiled from the list of codes submitted to the AOSP. Head over here if you wish to know read through the AOSP codes.

The latest KitKat update adds a new redesigned Dialer app along with performance improvements and fixes for Chromium built-in browser, ART, Dalvik, various apps and much more.

The update brings fixes for Bluetooth functionality when overexposed to BLE devices, other Bluetooth specific issues, flac audio files pooping and shuttering, background services and VPN issues with routing connection. Besides, the update contain a few device specific changes, such as low volume on wired headsets.

Manual Installation

Those who cannot wait for the OTA to reach their region and wish to install Android 4.4.3 KTU84M manually on their Nexus 5 may follow the step-by-step guide.

It should be noted that in order to install Android 4.4.3 KTU84M firmware the Nexus 5 should be on Android 4.4.2 KOT49H.

Pre-requisites

• Before following the installation guide, ensure that you have backed up all data of the phone.
• If the Android phone powers off due to lack of battery while the installation process, it could damage the device. Therefore, Nexus 5 should have charge above 80% battery charge.
• Android 4.4.3 KTU84M KitKat official firmware works only with Nexus 5 codenamed hammerhead. As flashing this on any other variant might brick the device, verify the model number of Nexus 5 by navigating to Settings>> About phone >> Model number.
• The device should be running Android 4.4.2 KOT49H.

How to install Android 4.4.3 KTU84M on Google Nexus 5

Step-1: Download Android 4.4.3 KTU84M OTA for Nexus 5 on the computer

Download link (MD5: 934dfe0f2660fa3208067c122cf7626c)

Step-2: If the Nexus 5 has a custom recovery already installed, copy the downloaded file to the device. The reboot the phone into recovery mode and flash the file directly. That's it.

But if the Nexus 5 has a stock recovery then do the following steps

Step-3: Reboot Nexus 5 and hold Volume Down while it is booting up. Whne the Fastboot menu and the word Start appears on the screen, press Volume Up a few times until tyou see Recovery. Now press the Power button to enter recovery mode

Step-4: An Android with a red exclamation should appear on the screen. Now press Volume Up and Power buttons together. A menu will appear now

Step-5: Select the second option in the list that says apply update from adb

Step-6: Connect the Nexus 5 to the computer using USB cable

Step-7: Ensure that you have the latest version of adb that supports sideload command. In case you don't have download the latest Android SDK

Step-8: On the computer open a command prompt (cmd windows in Windows, regular shell in Linux and Mac) in the same directory as the firmware zip file. Type in the following command

adb.exe sideload signed-hammerhead-KTU84M-from-KOT49H.d173d546.zip

Step-9: You should see the progress bar going up to 100%

Sending: sideload 100%

Now the phone will start installing the firmware update

Step-10: When the installation is completed, reboot the phone

When the Nexus 5 boots up successfully it should be running on Android 4.4.3 KTU84M stock firmware.

[Source: Android Police]