Install KitKat 4.4 Factory Image on Nexus 4 (KRT16S) & Root It

“Soon”, yet just a phrase but a deadline for those who owned nexus devices other than the Nexus 5 which came up with KitKat out-of-the-box. Yes! We’re talking about the worthy and powerful Nexus 4, Nexus 7 & the Nexus 10. The Nexus 5 & KitKat 4.4 release took place a while back and we already got it covered and explored and guess what just showed up! The factory images and binaries for the rest of the Nexus devices are now live for download and flashing, which also means that the official Android 4.4 OTA rollout for the rest of the device series will now take place.

Not all of us like the OTAs or dirty updates, some of us are really good to handle things manually. So, here we’re today to guide you to Install KitKat 4.4 Factory Image on Nexus 4 (KRT16S).

Before we hit the instructions, we would also like to remind you of the AOSP 4.4 build that was available by ParanoidAndroid, just in case you are a custom ROM fan.

Warning!

• Perform everything at your own risk, DroidViews or any of its community members shall not be held responsible for any damage to your device.
• Read and understand every instruction carefully before performing the same.
• This guide and its sole part is meant to be used only and only on the Nexus 4. Do not attempt it on any other device.

Prerequisites

• Android Studio/SDK: Download
• USB Data Cable
• Backup your device’s storage, SMS, Contacts and other stuff (This will erase everything on your device)

Install KitKat 4.4 Factory Image on Nexus 4 (KRT16S)

1. Download the factory image “occam” for the Nexus 4: Download
2. Extract the contents of the downloaded file to the desktop. So now you have a new folder viz occam-krt16s, holding all the files.
3. Power off the device. Press and hold on to the Volume down and power key altogether until you see the bootloader screen. This screen is what we know as bootloader mode or fastboot mode.
4. Connect the device to the PC via USB cable
5. Open the extracted folder where the files are present, press SHIFT key and right-click on any empty space inside the folder, now select Open Command Prompt Here.
6. Type the following commands and execute them one-after-another to complete the manual wiping process:

   fastboot erase boot

   fastboot erase cache

   fastboot erase recovery

   fastboot erase system

   fastboot erase userdata

7. Flash the bootloader, type:

   fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-mako-makoz20i.img

8. Reboot the bootloader (This is necessary), type:

   fastboot reboot-bootloader

9. Flash the radio, type:

   fastboot flash radio radio-mako-m9615a-cefwmazm-2.0.1700.84.img

10. Reboot the bootloader (This is necessary), type:

    fastboot reboot-bootloader

11. Flash the 4.4 Factory Image, type:

    fastboot -w update image-occam-krt16s.zip

The flashing process might take some time, so kindly be patient and let it complete. Once it does, the device will reboot itself. It will be safe to remove the USB cable once you see the boot animation.

Root Your Nexus 4

To Root your Nexus 4, you will need to unlock your bootloader and Install CWM recovery. To do so on the Nexus 4, follow this guide.

Well, most of us here would prefer this! Yes, to root your Nexus 4 running the latest, full-featured version of Android; KitKat 4.4. It’s because of talented developers like Chainfire, that we’re able to take the pleasure of Root access on our Android devices, just in a few countable steps. Once you have successfully flashed the factory image, you can perform the further steps to gain root.

1. Download the latest SuperSU flashable package: Download
2. Connect your device to the PC via USB cable and transfer the UPDATE-SuperSU-vXXX.zip (here XXX resembles the latest version) to an apt location on your device’s storage
3. Disconnect your device
4. Power off. Now press Volume down and power button altogether until you see the bootloader screen. Use the volume (+ or -) keys to highlight Recovery Mode and select it using the power button. The device will boot itself into CWM recovery.
5. Tap on Install zip from sdcard > choose zip from sdcard and select the UPDATE-SuperSU-vXXX.zip (here XXX resembles the latest version). Tap on Yes, when prompted to initiate the flashing process.
6. Once done, tap on Reboot System Now to reboot your device.

Enjoy the taste of KitKat on your Nexus 4! Keep visiting! Guides for the same on other Nexus series devices is coming along.