Google recently released Android 6.0 Marshmallow for recent Nexus phones, tablets, and TV boxes. How recent? If you’ve got a Nexus 5 smartphone you’re good to go. But if you’ve got a Nexus 4, not so much.

At least that’s true if you want to install an official version of Android 6.0 distributed by Google. Want to install a custom ROM on your Nexus 4? Now you can do that.

Developer Dmitry Grinberg has released the first unofficial port of Android 6.0 for the Nexus 4.

nexus 4 marshmallow

Grinberg says the operating system is based on Android Open Source Project code for the 2013 Google Nexus 7, since that tablet has a processor that’s similar to the one used in the Nexus 4 smartphone (which was released on 2012).

Despite the hardware similarities, Google decided to release a version of Android 6.0 for the tablet, but not for the phone… but Grinberg was able to use Google’s Nexus 7 code as a starting point and then make changes to SELinux policies and Init scripts to get the software working on the phone.

It probably doesn’t make sense to run out and buy a Nexus 4 just because it can now run the latest version of Android. The has a 4.7 inch, 1280 x 768 pixel display, Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, and up to 16GB of storage. That hardware’s not bad, but it may feel a bit dated in 2015.

But if you’ve been hanging onto one for a few years, it’s nice to know that you can keep the software up to date.

Just note that you’ll no longer receive security updates from Google if you install Android 6.0 since you’ll basically be replacing Google’s firmware with a custom ROM. That means you’ll need to manually flash any updates as they become available. I suspect you’ll be able to find download links and updates at the Nexus 4 pages the xda-developers forum as they become available.

via /r/Android

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10 replies on “Now you can install Android 6.0 on a Nexus 4 (unofficially)”

  1. Lack of updates = planned obsolescence. Non-user replaceable battery = planned obsolescence. Planned obsolescence = Greed. Google = Evil. Bye = Bye…

    1. Seriously dude. No more nexus #Lost #Trust. Would go for an iPhone now.

    2. The article said you won’t get (security) updates if you DON’T use the Google one.
      So I guess the guy porting 6 is evil?

  2. That would be super fantastic if folks could actually buy a new battery for the phone. I spent many hours trying to get a truly new battery for this phone. After months, I gave up. LG refused to sell me a new battery, no matter what. They are totally obstinate.

      1. If you can get a *truly new* battery for the nexus 4 that way, you let me know. Lots of scammers with “new” batteries on eBay.

        1. I did get a truly new battery for my N5 from eBay & it so far has worked a lot better than the original. My wife’s N4 hasn’t had any battery issues yet!

    1. That’s too bad, because just a few months ago I went to an LG store, ordered a new nexus 4 battery, waited for 3 weeks, and got the battery replaced for ~$25. Maybe you should live in Indonesia like me =)

      1. Thanks for all the suggestions, my good people. The nexus 4 was seriously flawed from the beginning, with overheating issues and then lg was totally horrible when I needed to replace the battery. I am done with LG.

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