Google launched Android 5.0 for Nexus 5 on Google Developers site. So it’s easy to grab the factory image and flash on your Nexus device if you don’t want to wait for the OTA (Over-The-Air) process. In July Google added to test new version of Android M Preview 2 for Nexus devices.
As earlier stated that Google will release Android M Preview 3 build in August but no announcement so far about the factory images. So if you want to test Android M Preview 2 on your Nexus devices then check out the steps below to flash your Nexus 5 and test out the new features which you will gonna see in new android version.
As we know Google released the Android Developer Preview earlier and the process of flashing is same if you done before then you pretty aware of the steps.
Android M Preview 2 comes with many new improvement and features, like App Permissions, Do not Disturb, Screenshot now with share & delete option, app drawer new look, external storage.
Let’s check out the installation process:
Warning: Before you start this process you should be aware that install a factory image will wipe out all of the data on your Nexus 5. As such, make sure that you have backed up everything you do not want to lose so you can restore it when the installation completes.
{Things You Need}
You need a few things to start with:
- ADB tools and driver (download from AndroidPIT)
Factory image for Nexus 5:
Then extract the downloaded files on your computer.
{Unlock Bootloader}
If you have already unlocked the bootloader of your Nexus 5 then you can skip this step, but if not, here’s how to do it:
- Turn off your Nexus 5.
- Press and hold Volume Down and Power to enter the Fastboot menu.
- Connect the Nexus 5 to your computer via USB cable.
- Go into adb-treiber folder and install UniversalAdbDriverSetup if you haven’t done before.
- Go into the adb-tools folder and hold the Shift key on your keyboard then click the right mouse button on any free area of white space in the Windows Explorer window. Select ”Open Command Window Here” with your left mouse button.
- Once the command window is open, enter the following command to unlock the bootloader:-> (fastboot oem unlock)
- Press the Volume Up button on the Nexus 5 to accept the command and press the Power button to confirm. The bootloader will now be unlocked, and all data will be lost.
{Install Factory Image}
- Get your Nexus 5 into Fastboot by turning it off and pressing Volume Down and Power until Fastboot appears.
- Connect the Nexus 5 to your computer with a USB cable.
- On your computer, navigate to the unpacked directory that contains the factory image of Android M Preview 2 for your device.
- Copy all Android M Preview 2 and unpacked files to adb-tools folder.
- Double click the flash-all.bat file and wait until the installation is finished. Your Nexus will reboot itself after completion.
- Press and hold Volume Down and Power to enter the Fastboot menu.
- Go into the adb-tools folder and hold the Shift key on your keyboard then click the right mouse button on any free area of white space in the Windows Explorer window. Select ”Open Command Window Here” with your left mouse button.
- Once the command window is open, enter the following command to lock the bootloader:-> (fastboot oem lock)
{Troubleshooting}
If your Nexus 5 gets stuck in a bootloop at the Google logo on startup, do the following:
- Disconnect your Nexus from your computer and turn it off.
- Press and hold the Volume Down and Power button to enter Fastboot.
- Use the volume buttons to highlight Recovery Mode and press Power to confirm
- If you have a custom recovery like CWM you’ll enter it immediately. If you see the Android laying on its back just press the Power button and Volume Up button briefly to enter stock Recovery.
- In the recovery menu, use the volume buttons to highlight wipe cache partition and press Power to confirm.
- Scroll down to wipe data/factory reset and press Power to confirm. Reconfirm your seelction and let your Nexus reset.
- If your Nexus doesn’t reboot automatically you can select reboot system now from the menu and hit Power to confirm.
That’s it, you’re done. Nexus should now boot successfully. The very first boot process takes several minutes by the way, so do not be surprised if it takes longer than what seems usual. Do let us know about your experience if you installed on your device via comment below.