Nexus 7
Update Nexus 7 to Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean with AOKP Build 1 ROM .

Nexus 7 users can now enjoy the latest Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean firmware with due release of Android Open Kang Project (AOKP) Build 1 ROM. While the AOKP developers have already unleashed the final release of their custom ROM for Nexus devices, the CyanogenMod team still seems to be stuck with its nightly builds of CyanogenMod 10.1 release.

The latest AOKP Build 1 ROM is reportedly based on Android 4.2.1 (Jelly Bean) Android Open Source Project (AOSP) release, and brings a host of new Jelly Bean features onboard.

Android 4.2.1 AOKP Build 1 Jelly Bean ROM Features

AOKP Build 1 ROM brings loads of new features and feature enhancements, apart from the stock Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean features. Here is the complete list of new features:

  • General UI
    • Custom boot animation
    • Custom carrier label
    • Notificationbackground
    • Statusbar brightness slider
    • Recents RAM Bar & Kill All button
    • Power menu options
  • Lockscreen
    • Customisable text color
    • Volume wake & music controls
    • Allow any kind & unlimited number of widgets (new)
  • Navigation Bar
    • Fully customisable NavBar (buttons, color, transparency, widgets, etc.)
    • Menu arrow keys while typing (new)
    • Customisable NavBarRing
  • Statusbar
    • Battery indicator styles
    • Clock styles
    • Signal styles
    • Statusbar transparency (new)
    • Customisable Statusbar Toggles (new, based on Google's tiles)
  • LED Control
  • Custom Vibrations
  • Sound Settings
    • Less frequentnotificationsounds
    • Headphone action
    • BT connect action
    • Flip action
    • Quiet Hours (CM)
    • Disable safeheadsetvolume warning (new)
  • Themes support (multi-user support still buggy, use at your own risk)
  • NFC Polling modes

Key Points to Note

  • AOKP Build 1 ROM and the instructions given in this guide are applicable to the Google Nexus 7 model only and will not work on any other device. Verify the device's model number by navigating to Settings > About Tablet.
  • Back up important data and settings on the tablet and ensure that the device has at least 85 percent battery charge. It is recommended to backup data using one of the custom recovery tools such as ClockworkMod (CWM) or TWRP, as it creates full image of the tablet setup.
  • Verify that correct USB drivers are installed for Nexus 7 tablet on the computer (download USB drivers)
  • Make sure that USB Debugging mode is enabled on the tablet by navigating to Settings > Developer Options (if device is running Android 4.0 or later). Otherwise go to Settings > Applications > Development (if device is running Android 2.3 or earlier). Finally, if device is already running the latest Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, then do the following steps:
    • Go to Settings > About tablet
    • Scroll down to the bottom and select Build Number option.
    • Then repeatedly tap on Build Number for seven times (right after the third tap, you will see a dialogue box that says you are only four taps away from being a developer. Continue tapping four more times).
    • The Developer Options is back under Settings and USB Debugging mode can now be enabled.
  • Verify that the tablet's bootloader is factory unlocked and the device is rooted with CWM recovery installed.
  • The instructions provided in this guide are meant for reference purpose only and do not cover any warranty claims involving device damage or issues arising out of installing the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean based AOKP Build 1 ROM. Users are advised to proceed at their own risk.

How to Install Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean on Nexus 7 with AOKP Build 1 ROM

Step 1 - Download Android 4.2.1 AOKP Build 1 ROM and Google Apps for Nexus 7 on the computer.

Step 2 - Connect and mount Nexus 7 USB mass storage on computer with the USB cable.

Step 3 - Without extracting, copy the Android 4.2.1 AOKP Build 1 ROM and Google Apps zip files to the root folder on your phone's SD card.

Step 4 - Switch off the tablet. Press and hold Volume Up, Volume Down and Power buttons together until the device enters Bootloader mode.

Step 5 - Follow the onscreen navigational instructions. Then choose Bootloader option and enter Recovery mode.

Step 6 - In CWM recovery, perform full-data-wipe first. Then navigate to Flash zip from SD card option and hit Power button to select it.

Step 7 - Tap the Power button again and click Choose zip from SD card.

Step 8 - Use volume keys to navigate to AOKP Build1 ROM zip file and select it by tapping Power button. Confirm ROM installation on next screen and the installation will begin.

NOTE: Repeat step 8 toinstall Google Apps as well.

Step 9 - Once Google Apps is installed, hit Go Back and reboot the tablet by tapping Reboot System Now in recovery menu. The tablet will reboot and the first boot might take about 5 minutes to complete. So, do not interrupt the process.

Android 4.2.1 based AOKP Build 1 custom ROM is now installed and running on the Nexus 7. Go to Settings > About Tablet to verify the firmware version installed.

[Source: Team Android]