The release of Android KitKat 4.4.3 has been rumored since a while, awaiting its release. And here Google has it on its server, the factory images are live on the page. The new update brings several bug fixes and minor enhancements to your Google Nexus devices, apart from that nothing else has yet been mentioned by Google.
Users usually prefer updating via the OTA update to preserve the data on their phone, while others can’t wait for it to happen. We’re here for such people and will guide you in detail on how to Install KitKat 4.4.3 update on Nexus devices, which are currently supported officially. The latest uploaded builds are labelled KTU84L & KTU84M
UPDATE: Google has recently pushed KitKat 4.4.4 to its servers which provides its users with a major SSL bug fix and several other minor fixes. Accordingly, the links have been updated and are now meant to Install Android 4.4.4 KitKat (Build KTU84P) Factory Images on your supported Nexus.
Warning!
DroidViews or any of its community member shall not be held responsible for any damage to your device during or post this procedure. Understand the risk and then only perform any action. The guide is meant only and only for the Nexus 4, 5, 7 and 10. Do not attempt to install this on any other device.
Prerequisites
- USB Drivers Installed: Link
- USB Cable
- Backup your device’s storage, SMS, Contacts, Calenders etc. (Installing factory image wipes everything off including Internal storage)
- Setup ADB: Link
- Download fastboot binary and place it inside <android-sdk-directory>/tools: Link
- WinRAR or similar program installed
- Unlocked Bootloader for Nexus 4: Link
Download Factory Image
Download the factory image corresponding to the device you own. These latest images are available for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2012 & 2013) and Nexus 10.
- Nexus 4: occum
- Nexus 5: hammerhead
- Nexus 10: mantaray
- Nexus 7 (2012): nakasi
- Nexus 7 WiFi (2012): nakasig
- Nexus 7 WiFi (2013): razor
Install KitKat 4.4.4 Factory Image on Nexus devices
- Extract the downloaded factory image (Eg. occam-ktu84l-factory-0d3fd624.tgz) and you will have a folder named on the device and build (Eg. occam-ktu84l), containing all the files.
- Hold on to your Nexus device and power it off completely.
- Press and hold the Volume down and power key until you see the bootloader screen also known as fastboot mode. This is where the fastboot commands will operate.
- Connect your Nexus to the PC using a USB data cable.
- Now open the folder that was finally extracted in step #1 (Eg. occum-ktu84l).
- Time to clear the device completely, type in the following commands one after the other.
fastboot erase boot
fastboot erase recovery
fastboot erase cache
fastboot erase system
fastboot erase userdata
- Execute the following command to flash the bootloader:
fastboot flash bootloader <file-name.img>
Example:
fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-mako-makoz30d.img
- Reboot the device bootloader mode (This is necessary), type:
fastboot reboot-bootloader
- Enter the following command to flash the radio:
fastboot flash radio <file-name.img>
Example:
fastboot flash radio radio-mako-m9615a-cefwmazm-2.0.1701.02.img
- Reboot the device bootloader again, type:
fastboot reboot-bootloader
- Finally, flash the factory image:
fastboot -w update <file-name.zip>
Example:
fastboot -w update image-occam-ktu84l.zip
This might take a bit of time, so hold back. The Nexus will boot back completely stock. Enjoy the latest KitKat 4.4.4 on your device.
thanks