Android 5.0 Lollipop factory images now available for Nexus devices

Google has released Android 5.0 Lollipop factory images for the Google Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2012), Nexus 7 (2013) and Nexus 10. Google previously announced that they have started rolling out the newest version of Android for "most Nexus devices", so you should start receiving the update soon. Meanwhile you could also consider installing the update using the factory images.

Factory Images are meant for advanced Android users, as a means to restore your device to its factory state if you have installed any custom ROMs or software. It is recommended only if you are familiar with using ADB and Fastboot commands.

You can download the factory images for the following Nexus devices:

• Google Nexus 10
• Google Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi
• Google Nexus 7 (2013) Cellular (Coming Soon)
• Google Nexus 7 (2012) WiFi
• Google Nexus 7 (2012) Cellular (Coming Soon)
• Google Nexus 5
• Google Nexus 4

The Google Nexus 9 factory images for Android 5.0 Lollipop are are also available to anyone who needs them.

How to install a Factory Image on your Nexus device

If you have rooted or flashed a custom ROM on your Nexus device but now want to go back to complete stock, simply follow the steps below. Do note that the below steps will completely wipe your Nexus of any data, so make backups. Also, you will need to have an unlocked bootloader to flash the factory image.

1. Download the correct factory image for your Nexus device using the direct links above or from Google's website.
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2. Download and install the Android SDK on your computer. You can also download the required files only using the following links to save some time and space.
• Download for Mac
• Download for Windows
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3. Download USB Drivers for Windows if you are using a Windows computer.
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4. If you have the SDK installed head over to \adt-bundle\sdk\platform-tools to access ADB/Fastboot. If you downloaded the files create a folder under C:\android and extract the ADB/Fastboot files into it.
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5. Now extract the factory image you downloaded in Step 1 into the same folder of ADB and Fastboot.
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6. Make sure to install the ADB Driver you downloaded in Step 3.
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7. Now, reboot your Nexus device in bootloader mode. This is usually done by switching off the device, and pressing the Volume down + Volume Up + Power button simultaneously. If that does not work, try the Volume down + Power button combination. After the device has booted into bootloader mode, connect it to your PC.
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8. Open a new Terminal or Command Prompt window, and navigate to the ‘google’ folder that you created in Step 1. Before we start flashing the factory image, we need to make sure that your Nexus device is being detected by the PC.
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   fastboot devices
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   If you are using a Mac, then you need to prefix a “./” before every Fastboot command. So, the above command will look something like this on a Mac -:
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   ./fastboot devices
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   The above command should confirm if your device is indeed being detected by your PC or not. If it is, then proceed to the steps below. If not, repeat the steps above again. Make sure that you have properly installed the drivers and are inside the correct folder.
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9. If you are running Windows, copy-paste the following command in the command prompt window:
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   flash-all.bat
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   On a Mac, copy-paste the following command:
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   ./flash-all.sh
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   The script will then automatically flash the full factory image on your Nexus device. Once the factory image has been flashed, your device will automatically reboot. Keep in mind that the first boot might take some time so please be patient.

If you have issues using the flash-all command, including the "missing system.img" error, you may have to flash each of the files in the factory image manually. The command to manually flash a partition via fastboot is “fastboot flash partition filename.img”. In the factory image that you extracted in Step 1, you will notice there is another ZIP file. Extract the contents of that ZIP file inside the ‘google’ folder.

Now, its time to manually flash the partitions to your Nexus device. We first need to start with the bootloader.

fastboot flash bootloader filename.img

Then, we will flash all other partitions. They don’t necessarily need to be in the same order as I have listed them below. The names of the image files in the factory image will clearly indicate the partition they are intended for as well.

fastboot flash boot filename.img
fastboot flash radio filename.img
fastboot flash recovery filename.img
fastboot flash userdata filename.img
fastboot flash system filename.img

If you want to relock the bootloader of your device after flashing the device, put the device back in fastboot mode. Then type in the following command in the Terminal or Command Window you had opened earlier:

fastboot oem lock

This will re-lock the bootloader of your Nexus device, restoring your warranty and putting the device back to complete stock