Run Galaxy Nexus I9250 on Android 4.4.2 KitKat with Paranoid Android AOSPA 4.0 Beta 3

After upgrading the Galaxy Nexus to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, Google stopped the further support for Android KitKat, due to the 18 months update policy.

But Galaxy Nexus users can still experience the latest iteration of Android software. The Paranoid Android team has recently confirmed the release of Paranoid Android AOSPA 4.0 Beta 3 featuring Android 4.4.2 KitKat for a number of Nexus devices including the old Galaxy Nexus bearing model number GT-I9250.

The latest version of Paranoid Android is based on AOSP Android 4.4.2 and brings a number of customised features and bug fixes. This includes new UI elements, quick settings 3.0, the immersive mode can now toggle between full immersive, navigation bar only and status bar only.

Paranoid Android AOSPA 4.0 Beta 3 features

Quick settings 3.0

Maximise lockscreen widgets

Fix bug with rotation lock tile

Fix network tiles for CDMA devices

Fix graphical glitches on Galaxy Nexus

Update AOSP dialer icon to Google dialer icon

Separate device encryption password from lockscreen password

Contextual 'on-the-spot' preference dialog (first implementation: Quick settings pull down)

AOSP dialer check (removes features that rely on AOSP dialer if Google dialer is installed)

Other AOSP bug fixes

Click here to learn more about the features of Paranoid Android custom firmware.

Galaxy Nexus users, who wish to install Android 4.4.2 on their devices using Paranoid Android, may follow our step-by-step guide.

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held liable for any mishap. Users are also advised to ensure that their devices meet following requirements.

Pre-requisites

1) Install USB Drivers for Galaxy Nexus to transfer files between the Android device and the computer.

2) Enable USB Debugging Mode on the phone to connect it with the computer and use Android SDK with it. [Navigate to Settings>> About phone. Tap on Build Number several times until a message appears saying 'You are now a Developer.' Now enable USB Debugging Mode by navigating to Settings>> Developer Options.]

3) As the tutorial might wipe all data of the phone, create backup. If the device is having any custom recovery such as ClockworkMod or, TWRP then backup data using the same.

4) If the Android phone powers off due to lack of battery during the process, it could damage the device. Therefore, the Galaxy Nexus should have charge above 80% battery charge.

5) The phone should be rooted and have ClockworkMod recovery installed. Follow our guide here to root Galaxy Nexus and install CWM recovery. Ensure that the latest version of recovery installed on the phone.

6) The Paranoid Android AOSPA 4.0 beta 3 works only on Galaxy Nexus GT-I9250. As applying this to any incorrect variant might brick the device, verify the model number of Note 3 by navigating to Settings>> About device>> Model number.

7) After flashing the ROM if the device gets stuck on Booting animation or experience boot loop then perform wipe cache partition and wipe dalvik cache five more times before rebooting the device.

Download files

Paranoid Android AOSPA 4.0 Beta 3 [Alternative link]

Gapps file

How to install Android 4.4.2 KitKat on Galaxy Nexus with Paranoid Android

Step-1: Connect the Galaxy Nexus to the computer using USB cable. Then transfer the downloaded zip files to the internal storage of the phone. Do not extract any file

Step-2: Disconnect the phone from the computer and then turn it off

Step-3: Now boot the phone into recovery mode.

Note: Both CWM and TWRP recovery can be used to installed the ROM. This guide uses CWM recovery.

Press and hold Volume Up, Volume Down and Power buttons together until the device boots into bootloader or fastboot mode. Tap Volume Down until the Start option at the top changes to Recovery mode and press the Power button to reboot the phone into recovery mode.

Note: In recovery mode, use Volume buttons to scroll between options and Power button to select the desired option.

Step-6: Perform a Nandroid backup of the existing ROM which can be restored later if the new ROM does not work or users wish to go back to the previous ROM. Select backup and restore, name the file and complete the backup. Go back to main recovery menu after the backup is completed

Step-7: Now perform data wiping task to avoid clash between the new ROM and the previous ROM. Select wipe data/factory reset and confirm the action

Step-8: Select install zip from sdcard then select choose zip from sdcard. Now browse to the location where the Paranoid Android ROM zip is saved. Select it and confirm installation. The ROM installation should begin now

Step-9: Once the ROM is installed, follow the same procedure to install Gapps file

Step-10: When the installation process is done, go back to the main recovery menu and reboot the phone by selecting reboot system now. The phone will reboot now and boot up into the customised Paranoid Android ROM. The device will take about five minutes to boot up for the first time

Enter the Google Account info and take control over the device when all files are loaded

Galaxy Nexus should now be updated with Paranoid Android AOSPA 4.0 beta 3 featuring Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Head over to Setting>> About Phone to verify the new software version running on the device.

[Source: Android Geeks]