Google releases Android 4.4.4 for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10

Starting Thursday, Google has released the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update to devices which run the stock version of Android, starting with the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Nexus 7 2013 and Nexus 10. The update is still only available as a factory image and not yet available OTA. The Factory images are best suited for owners who have been hacking or modifying their phone or tablet, and need a way to return to the stock version of Android.

Android 4.4.4 is a minor update for Android, which only brings security and bug fixes along with the KTU84P build number. Since it doesn't have any new features, its best that users wait for the official OTA to arrive. However those who want to try out the latest version of Android, are free to download and install it using the following link.

• Factory Images "hammerhead" for Google Nexus 5 (GSM/LTE) [DOWNLOAD]
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• Factory Images "razor" for Google Nexus 7 [2013] Wi-Fi [DOWNLOAD]
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• Factory Images "mantaray" for Google Nexus 10 [DOWNLOAD]
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• Factory Images "occam" for Google Nexus 4 [DOWNLOAD]
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• Factory Images "nakasi" for Nexus 7 Wi-Fi [DOWNLOAD]
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• Factory Images "nakasig" for Nexus 7 Cellular [DOWNLOAD]

As you know Nexus devices are the first to receive the newest versions of Android, followed by the Google Play Edition devices. As this update is landing so close to Google I/O we reckon other manufacturers may skip Android 4.4.4  in favor of Android 4.5/Android 5.0

You can use the following guide if you need help installing the Android 4.4.4 Factory image on your Google Nexus device.

How to install Android 4.4.4 Factory image on Nexus device

• Download your device's factory image
• Download and install the Android SDK
• Download and install the Java SE SDK

[NOTE] If your device is rooted, the following guide will remove the root. You will have to re-root your device after installing the Android 4.4.4 update.

[NOTE] You can use this  guide to update your Nexus device without loosing data (assuming that your bootloader is unlocked)

1. Extract the factory image and put all the files inside the ..\android-sdk\platform-tools folder
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2. Connect your device to your computer and make sure that USB Debugging is enabled.
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3. Open a command prompt inside the Android SDK platform tools folder.
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4. Type the following in command prompt
   > cd \Users\<user name>\AppData\Local\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools
   > adb devices
   # the following output should be returned
   List of devices attached
   <device serial number>       device
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5. Use adb to boot the device to the bootloader
   > adb reboot-bootloader
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6. The device should now be in fastboot mode and Windows will attempt to install the fastboot driver (if it isnt already installed). You can verify that the fastboot driver is installed by typing
   > fastboot devices
   # the following output should be returned
   <device serial number>      fastboot
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7. Unlock your bootloader if you haven't already by typing (this step may wipe your device)
   > fastboot oem unlock
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8. The following steps will flash the new Android 4.4.4 system files to your device. I am using the Nexus 4 as an example. Please change the names according to the file names for your device.
   adb reboot bootloader
   fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-mako-makoz20i.img
   fastboot reboot-bootloader
   fastboot flash radio radio-mako-m9615a-cefwmazm-2.0.1700.84.img
   fastboot reboot-bootloader
   fastboot flash system system.img
   fastboot flash boot boot.img
   fastboot format cache
   fastboot reboot
   [NOTE] If you want to to wipe your device (including /sdcard) run the following command after flashing system.img. This step is not necessary if you want to retain your data.
   fastboot flash userdata userdata.img
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9. Once you type the reboot command, the device will reboot upgrade Android and return you to where you left off.

Related Devices

	Google Nexus 5				Google Nexus 7 (2013)
	Specifications				Specifications
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	Google Nexus 7				Google Nexus 4
	Specifications				Specifications
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	Google Nexus 10
	Specifications