Manually Update Nexus 10 And Nexus 7 To Official Android 4.4 KitKat (Guide)

Google just started rolling out the Android 4.4 KitKat update to the Nexus 7 (2012 or 2013 Wi-Fi edition) and Nexus 10 tablets around the world. If you don’t want to wait for the official OTA update for your Nexus and would prefer to manually update it, here is how it is.

Manually updating your Nexus into latest Android 4.4 KitKat is a simple and easy to follow process. Just grab the update files from Google’s servers and flash them to your device directly. That’s all!

Disclaimer: Please follow this guide at your own risk. We can’t take responsibility for anything that goes wrong. This guide is intended for technically talented users only.

Requirements:

– Nexus 7 (2012/ 2013) Wi-Fi edition or Nexus 10 running latest stock Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (it will not work with 3G variants and other OS).
– Latest Android SDK installed.
– USB debugging enabled.
– The OTA Android 4.4 KitKat Update Package for:

Nexus 7 (2012) Wi-Fi edition (Download)
Nexus 7 (2013) Wi-Fi edition (Download)
Nexus 10 (Download)

FIRST METHOD:

1. Copy the downloaded Android 4.4 update zip file to the root of your Nexus’s internal storage.

2. Boot the device into Bootloader mode (turn off device and press and hold Volume Down, Volume Up and Power buttons) and then boot into recovery.

3. Now, tap on “Install”, select the official Android 4.4 update zip file and perform “Swipe to Confirm Flash”.

4. After the installation is complete, reboot your device. Your device has been successfully updated to Android 4.4 KitKat. Enjoy!

SECOND METHOD (via ADB):

1. Place the update .zip package in the Android SDK/platform-tools folder on your computer.

2. On your Nexus, go to Settings > Development options and switch toggle on. Then enable USB debugging mode.

3. Restart your device and while booting, hold down volume up, volume down and power on your tablet to boot into bootloader mode.

4. Now, connect your Nexus into your computer. Use the volume up/down keys to navigate to “Recovery mode”, then press the power button.

5. When the Android with the red exclamation point appears, hold down power first, followed quickly by volume up. You should now see the recovery menu.

6. Use the volume up/down keys to select “apply update from ADB,” then press power to select it.

7. On your computer, open a Command Prompt (Terminal on Linux or Mac) window and navigate to the location where you have the OTA update file (Android SDK/platform-tools folder)

8. Then, enter this command:

adb sideload filename.zip

Note: Replace filename with the full name of the update file.

The update should begin installing. When it’s done, select “reboot system now.” That’s it. Enjoy all new KitKat on your Nexus.