Recently, Google rolled out the Android 4.3 update and the first device to carry it is the successor device of Nexus 7. The Nexus 7 2 is the first of the latest Nexus device to receive the Android 4.3 update. Google also announced that the Android 4.3 update will also be made available for the older Nexus 7. Google will be slowly offering the most recent Android update to older Nexus devices through OTA (Over-the-Air). However, if you wish to update your Nexus 7 now, there is a way to do it successfully.
During the recent Android and Chrome event, the Android 4.3 was unveiled by Google. It is an upgraded version of Jelly Bean and brings in better performance enhancements and features. Some of the new features include OpenGL 3.0 and Bluetooth Smart technology. The restricted profiles allow parents to protect the content on their phone from getting accessed by children. This will make any Android 4.3 powered device, a perfect family device.
Google has been quite slow in releasing the updates. Even though Android 4.3 update has been announced, it will take some time to get it through OTA. However, you do not need to wait as there are simple tricks that you can trick to get the update now. Here we are going to suggest you two options on performing Android 4.3 update on your older Nexus 7. The first process is easy but may not work on all Nexus 7 devices. The second option is to receive the update from Google by downloading and then manually installing it.
First Method
1. Navigate to Settings > Apps > All
2. Look for Google Services Framework.
3. Select Force Stop.
4. Tap on Clear Data.
5. Again, navigate to Settings > About > System Update.
If the update is available for your Nexus 7, you will get a prompt to download the software via OTA. This method is best suitable for Wi-Fi enabled Nexus 7 owners. The HSPA+ file is not available. So, it won’t work on HSPA+ enabled Nexus 7. Another problem with this step is that while installing the update something can go wrong such as internet disconnection. This method of installation will only work if the OTA update is made available for your device.
Second Method
The very first thing you need to do to get the Android 4.3 installed on your Nexus 7 manually is to get the Android SDK installed on your device. The next thing you need to make sure is that you running the most recent available version of Android on your device which probably is Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and the latest build JDQ39. The method which are discussing here is about installing the Android 4.3 update without custom recovery or rooting.
You need to download Android 4.3 update available for Wi-Fi enabled Nexus 7 from this link. After the downloading is complete, you need to turn off your device and go into the recovery mode. Then, you need to connect your Nexus 7 by means of a USB cable to your PC. Then you need to select ‘Apply update from adb’ option. From here, you need to type ‘adb sideload (you need to type complete file name here). If you are unable to perform the update, you can refer the informational guide available on XDA-Developers that will provide with step-by-step guidance on performing the update.
If you have done rooting on your device and are running on the stock edition of Android, you can perform a flash through custom recovery. In order to perform this step, you need to download the same file on your phone’s internal storage space and then restart your device and go into the recovery mode.
You need to select the option ‘install zip from SD card’ and then navigate to the file that you downloaded on your phone’s storage space. This step will allow you to flash your Nexus 7 and get the Android 4.3 update on it. If you need guidance on how to perform this step, you can go to the XDA Developers site for more details.
If you feel that performing the above mentioned methods are not easy, you can simply wait for Google to make the Android 4.3 OTA update available. It will become available for installation over the next weeks.