Android 4.4.2 KOT49H Bug-Fix Update Rolls Out for Nexus 7 (2013) [How to Install and Root]

Google has just started rolling out the newest bug-fix and security update for KitKat via Android 4.4.2 KOT49H on its Nexus line of devices: Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2012 and 2013) and Nexus 10. This is reportedly a minor system enhancement update for the Nexus range of devices with the exception of Nexus 5, which also gets camera improvements (faster shooting, reduced shutter lag and motion blur, more accurate focusing and exposures and better white balancing for true colours) apart from the enhancements update.

The Nexus 7 (2012 and 2013) specifically receives performance and stability updates along with bug-fixes via newly released Android 4.4.2 KOT49H KitKat update, as reported by NDTV Gadgets.

New Bug-Fixes and Feature Enhancements

The update also ports a handful of bug-fixes which are listed below, courtesy of Sprint via Android Police:

• Fix for clearing the VM Indicator

• Fix for delivery of the VM Indicator

• Various additional software-fixes

• Security enhancements

• Android 4.4.2 update also fixes the SMS DoS bug

The new Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware is now available for download as an Over-The-Air (OTA) update as well as manually, using this guide. Those who missed the OTA update notification and those who cannot wait for its official release on their device can follow our step-by-step guide to install the same manually.

Those already running on Android 4.4 KRT16S or Android 4.4.1 KOT49E firmware can install this OTA update. This tutorial has three sections: the first is for non-rooted Nexus 7, the second for rooted Nexus 7 tablets and the third for rooting Nexus 7 on the newly installed Android 4.4.2 KOT49H KitKat update.

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held liable for any device damage during or after firmware installation. Users are advised to proceed at their own risk.

Pre-requisites

1. Install USB Drivers for Asus Nexus 7 2013 (Wi-Fi and LTE) on the computer.

2. Enable USB Debugging Mode on the tablet by navigating to Settings >> Developer Options.

3. Back up all your important data before proceeding with firmware installation.

4. Ensure the tablet is factory unlocked and not rooted. NOTE: For rooted procedure, just ensure the device is factory unlocked as well as its bootloader unlocked. Also verify that the device is pre-rooted with custom recovery (CWM or TWRP) installed.

5. Make Sure that the device has Android 4.4.1 KOT49E or Android 4.4 KRT16S installed before you proceed.

6. Verify the tablet has at least 80% battery charge to prevent unexpected device shutdown during firmware installation.

7. The Android 4.4.2 KOT49H KitKat firmware works only on the Nexus 7 2013 (Wi-Fi and LTE). Attempting to install this firmware on incompatible models may inadvertently brick the device. Verify the model number of the device by navigating to Settings >> About tablet.

8. If the device is stuck at booting or is experiencing boot loop issues, perform Wipe Cache Partition and Wipe Dalvik Cache a few more times before rebooting.

9. Allow newly installed ROM to stabilise for five minutes before you start working on it.

How to Install Official Android 4.4.2 KOT49H Bug-Fix Update on Nexus 7 2013 [Non-Rooted]

Step 1: Download Android 4.4.2 KOT49H official firmware for Nexus 7 Wi-Fi (2013) and Nexus 7 LTE (2013) on the computer and rename the file as update.zip.

Nexus 7 2013 (WiFi):

Those running Android 4.4 KRT16S: Download Android 4.4.2 KOT49H.
Those running Android 4.4.1 KOT49E: Download Android 4.4.2 KOT49H.

Nexus 7 2013 (LTE):

For Android 4.4 KRT16S users: Download Android 4.4.2 KOT49H.
For Android 4.4.1 KOT49E users: Download Android 4.4.2 KOT49H.

Step 2: Connect and mount the Nexus 7 USB mass storage on computer using USB cable.

Step 3: Copy the update.zip file to the root folder on your tablet.

Step 4: Power off the tablet and let it boot into Bootloader Mode. To do so, Press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons together until the Fastboot menu with START icon appears on screen.

Step 5: Follow the onscreen navigation instructions and then tap Volume Up button several times to enter Recovery mode. Then press Power button to confirm progress into recovery.

Step 6: An exclamation mark should now appear on the tablet screen. Once again press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons together to enter recovery.

Step 7: Choose update from SD card option and then select update.zip file using Power button. The firmware installation should now begin.

Step 8: Once the Android 4.4.2 KOT49H firmware is completely installed, the tablet will automatically reboot. It may take about 5 minutes for first boot to complete. So, do not interrupt the process.

Your Nexus 7 2013 is now updated to the latest Android 4.4.2 KOT49H KitKat official firmware. Go to Settings > About Tablet to verify the firmware version installed.

How to Install Official Android 4.4.2 KOT49H Bug-Fix Update on Nexus 7 2013 [For Rooted]

Step 1 - Download Android 4.4.2 KOT49H official firmware for Nexus 7 Wi-Fi (2013) and Nexus 7 LTE (2013) on the computer, if you haven't already.

Nexus 7 2013 (WiFi):

Those running Android 4.4 KRT16S: Download Android 4.4.2 KOT49H.
Those running Android 4.4.1 KOT49E: Download Android 4.4.2 KOT49H.

Nexus 7 2013 (LTE):

For Android 4.4 KRT16S users: Download Android 4.4.2 KOT49H.
For Android 4.4.1 KOT49E users: Download Android 4.4.2 KOT49H.

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

Step 3 - Copy the Android 4.4.2 zip file to root folder on your tablet's internal storage.

Step 4 - Switch off the device.

Step 5 - Boot the tablet into Bootloader Mode. To do so, press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons till the Fastboot menu and START icon appear on screen.

Step 6 - Follow the onscreen navigation instructions and then tap Volume Up button several times until the RECOVERY menu appears. Then hit Power button to select it.

Step 7 - In ClockworkMod recovery, browse and select "flash zip from SD card" option and tap Power button to select it.

Step 8 - Hit the Power button again and select "choose zip from sdcard".

NOTE (Optional): You can turn OFF signature verification from the "toggle signature verification" option to avoid conflicts during firmware installation.

Step 9 - Use volume keys to navigate to firmware zip file and select it using the Power button. Confirm the firmware installation on next screen and the installation process will begin.

Step 10 - Once the firmware is installed, go to "+++++Go Back" and reboot the tablet by selecting "reboot system now" from the Recovery Menu. The tablet will reboot now and it may take about 5 minutes for first boot to complete. So, please be patient.

Your Nexus 7 (2013) is now running on official Android 4.4.2 KOT49H Bug-Fix update. Go to Settings > About tablet to verify the firmware installed.

Now that you have installed the latest Android 4.4.2 KOT49H bug-fix update on your Nexus 7 2013, you can root the same using SuperSU tool with CWM or TWRP recovery.

How to Root Nexus 7 2013 on Android 4.4.2 KOT49H Bug-Fix Update

Step 1 - Download Android SDK from the Android Developers website and install with USB drivers.

Step 2 - Download Fastboot and extract it to android-sdk-windowsplatform-tools directory. Create a new directory if it does not exist.

NOTE: Skip Steps 1 and 2 if you already have them.

Step 4 - Download SuperSU v1.80.zip for Nexus 7 2013 on computer.

Step 5 - Connect and mount your Nexus 7 USB mass storage on computer with USB cable.

Step 6 - Now copy/paste the UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.80.zip file to the root folder on your device's internal storage.

Step 7 - Power off your tablet.

Step 8 - Download CWM 6.0.4.3 or TWRP 2.6.3.1 and save it to the android-sdk-windowsplatform-tools directory on computer.

NOTE: Use any of the two custom recoveries: CWM or TWRP, depending on your requirement.

Step 9 - Now boot the tablet into Bootloader or Fastboot Mode. To do so, press Volume Down and Power keys for a few seconds until some text appears on the screen, which confirms entry into Bootloader Mode.

Step 10 - Navigate to android-sdk-windowsplatform-tools directory and open Command Prompt (press Shift and then right-click on empty space to open Command Prompt).

Step 11 - Type in the following command and press Enter.

fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-touch-6.0.4.3-flo.img

Step 12 - Once the command is executed, choose RECOVERY option from the Fastboot menu and boot the phone into Recovery Mode.

Step 13 - In ClockworkMod recovery, navigate to "flash zip from SD card" option and hit power button to select it.

Step 14 - Tap the Power button again and select "choose zip from sdcard".

Step 15 - Now use volume keys to navigate to UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.80.zip and select it using Power button. Confirm the root installation on next screen and the installation process will begin.

Step 16 - Once the root installation is done, hit "+++++Go Back" and reboot the tablet by selecting "reboot system now" from the Recovery menu. The tablet will reboot now and it may take about five minutes for first boot. So, please be patient and do not interrupt the process.

Your Nexus 7 2013 is now rooted on Android 4.4.2 KOT49H official firmware. Check for the SuperSU app in your apps list to verify the root installation.

To ensure the root is installed correctly and working as expected, download and install Root Checker app from Google Play Store.

[Source: Team Android - Install / Root]