Google Nexus 4
Developers always take advantage of Android's open source policy and create custom ROMs LG

Google released the much awaited Android 7.0 Nougat this week for its latest Nexus devices but left out the once popular Nexus 4 manufactured by LG out of the update ambit. While owners of Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player and Pixel C have started receiving the official update, Nexus 4 users have been left disappointed.

Thankfully for them OS, developers always take advantage of Android's open source policy and create custom ROMs. This time, too, an XDA contributor zaclimon has revealed how to load a working build of Android 7.0 Nougat on to your 4-year old Nexus 4.

To do this you must first take a back up of all your data and remember that flashing the custom ROM may be risky to your device. So if your Nexus 4 software is already lagging, it is not recommended that you follow this procedure, instead get a new phone that is eligble for the update.

For those who want to download the ROM, below are the list of features working or not working as compared to the official build:

Working

  • Basic UI
  • Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth
  • RIL
  • H/W Acceleration
  • USB

Semi-Working

  • Brightness slider (Disable adaptative brightness in order to use it)
  • Audio (Earpiece/Microphone doesn't seem to work)

Not Working

  • Camera
  • NFC
  • Sensors (Accelerometer, GPS, etc)

These are the installations and files required to flash the ROM successfully:

Now follow the steps below to flash the ROM:

  • Download the Zip file given above and flash
  • The flash the GApps
  • Wipe Data and clear cache (make sure you have the back-up)
  • Now Flash SuperSU (This is optional)
  • If Google Play Services is crashing, grant it the location permission in the settings

Remember that this is just the first attempt at building the Nougat ROM, therefore those who want to wait a while can do so as typically a much stable ROM may arrive soon.