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How to Install Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus

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The Verizon Galaxy Nexus may be last in line for the official Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update, but users who can follow directions and spare an hour of time can upgrade today.

There are many Android 4.1 Jelly Bean updates for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus available as a custom ROM for the device. This path isn’t for everyone, but if you are willing to unlock and root the Galaxy Nexus it’s possible to install Jelly Bean on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus without waiting for Verizon to announce an official update.

Unlocking and rooting the Galaxy Nexus will wipe data from the device, and will void your warranty so keep this in mind. If you follow the directions you shouldn’t have trouble with this process or installing Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on your Verizon Galaxy Nexus, but we aren’t responsible if you mess things up. Be sure to return to stock with the tool below if you need to take your phone in for service at Verizon.

How to Install Andorid 4.1 Jelly Bean on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus

1. Download the Nexus Root Toolkit.

2. Install this program to the default location on your computer.

3. On your Galaxy Nexus.

  • Tap Settings.
  • About Phone
  • Note the build number.
Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.1 Update Guide

Turn on USB debugging.

4. While you are there turn on USB Debugging.

  • Tap Settings.
  • Tap Developer Options.
  • Tap the checkmark next to USB debugging.

5. Right Click on the Nexus Root Toolkit and Run as Administrator.

6. When Asked choose the model with your build number, something like MYSID-TORO Android 4.0.4 IMM76.

7. Click on Full Driver Installation Guide – Automatic + Manual

  • This will walk you through the process of installing the drivers you need to Root and Unlock the Galaxy Nexus.
  • You may need to go through steps a few times or bounce around until things work. This is the toughest part of the process, but the Nexus Root Toolkit will hold your hand through most of the process.
How to root Verizon Galaxy Nexus for Jelly Bean.

How to root Verizon Galaxy Nexus for Jelly Bean.

8. Make a Backup of your Nexus 7 following this guide.

9. Click Unlock on the Toolkit

  • Do not plug in the Galaxy Nexus until told to do so.
  • Follow the on-screen prompts and select yes when asking if you want to unlock the bootloader.

10. Click root on the Toolkit with Permanent CWM selected.

  • Do not unplug your phone until the toolkit tells you to do so. It will reboot at least once.

Install Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus

Now that you have an unlocked and rooted Galaxy Nexus, it’s time to install the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update to your phone so you can enjoy the faster version of Android with Google Now.

Here is where you have a choice of which version of Jelly Bean to install. I recommend BAMF Paradigm, CyanogenMod 10 or the Android Open Kang Project version.

I prefer to use the BAMF Paradigm as it includes enhancements I find useful like quick settings and the team delivers some of my favorite ROMs.

1. Download the BAMF Paradigm ROM.

2. Download BAMF Gapps.

3. Place them on your Galaxy Nexus.

4. Boot into recovery. Open Clockwork Mod and tap Reboot into Recovery.

Jelly-Bean-Galaxy-Nexus-Wipe-Data

Wipe the Data in multiple places before installing Jelly Bean.

5. Wipe data on the Galaxy Nexus using the volume buttons to highlight and power button to select.

6. Wipe Cache Partition.

7. Open the Advanced Menu -> Wipe Dalvik Cache.

format-system-jelly-Bean-Nexus

More data wiping is needed.

8. Open Mounts and Storage.

  • Format System, allow it to run.
  • Format Data, allow it to run.
  • Format Cache, allow it to run.

Now you’re ready to install Jelly Bean on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus.

Install Jelly Bean Android 4.1 on Verizon Galaxy Nexus

Install Jelly Bean Android 4.1 on Verizon Galaxy Nexus.

9. On the main screen, choose Install zip form SD card.

10. Find the BAMF Paradigm file and select it with the power button. Scroll down to install.

11. When the installation finishes repeat the steps with the Gapps file.

12. Enjoy Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus with no wait.

Verizon Galaxy nexus Jelly Bean

Verizon Galaxy Nexus running Jelly Bean.

The forums for your specific ROM are the best place to go for support, but I’ll do my best to check back for questions in the comments below.

20 Comments

20 Comments

  1. Justin

    08/02/2012 at 9:23 pm

    Worked like a charm! Thanx a million for the great tutorial! :-)

  2. Chaco

    08/03/2012 at 5:00 am

    I am running AOKP Aug 2 build version, that can be found on androtransfer. I can attest its pretty much daily driveable. No random reboots, no issues, runs fast, smooth and its fully AOSP. they sure they my two thumbs up.

  3. John

    08/03/2012 at 9:09 pm

    The toolkit worked amazingly well. Instructions were crystal clear. You probably could’ve taken from WugFresh and taken the time to explain it clearly. You glossed over your contribution.

    Where do we copy it, do we unzip the package, etc.

    • KevDop

      08/03/2012 at 9:13 pm

      Ditto, More explicit description of “boot into recovery” and “Open Clockwork Mod”

    • Jeff Schwartz

      08/03/2012 at 9:19 pm

      And perhaps a little about the “why” for each step. Since odds are your crowd are already technically inclined and would like to know that.

      Post is appreciated all the same.

  4. Juice

    08/04/2012 at 7:35 am

    This is a very well written straight forward tutorial. You saved me from digging around all over forums to figure out what was needed to be done. I am really enjoying BAMF. Love the name of this ROM too. Thanks!!!

  5. frank

    08/04/2012 at 10:12 pm

    Awesome instructions until the end…I had no clue about clockworkmod and ended up locking myself out of my phone (ending up with the google logo screen loading over and over again)..obviously this is user error but would have been nice to know that I needed a ROM manager as I am a technotard.

  6. Joe

    08/05/2012 at 3:10 pm

    I got as far as “Find the BAMF Paradigm…file and install”, my phone said it cannot open because it was a bad file. The problem is that now the phone is stuck in the google boot screen with an unlock at the bottom, and will not budge.

  7. James

    08/06/2012 at 5:41 pm

    Worked great. Very pleased. Got hung up for a minute on “Boot into recovery. Open Clockwork Mod and tap Reboot into Recovery.” Had to toggle with volume button to red Recovery instead of green Start in the arrow on the fastload screen.

  8. John Byrd

    08/06/2012 at 8:31 pm

    How do I save all of my photosand videos and such from my phone so when after I root it I can reload all of my pics and videos?

  9. Lance Dean

    08/10/2012 at 5:21 am

    Worked without a hitch, had absolutely no problems following the directions. Wouldn’t mind some explanations along the way just because I do like to know why I’m doing something in addition to how to do something.

    John Byrd – use the backup/restore section and click on the backup virtualSD (Backup Data/Media)

    • Lance Dean

      08/10/2012 at 5:26 am

      BAMF (Bad-A$$-Mo-Fo or Bitch-A$$-Mo-Fo)

  10. Aaron Zwas

    08/13/2012 at 6:43 am

    Josh- Your tutorial and WugFresh gave me the confidence to finally root my phone. BAMF’s Paradigm ROM is great. Thanks for the great instructions! Question: Once you are on a custom ROM, do I have to wipe my phone each time to get the incremental upgrades (like from V2.0 to 2.1)? Or is there a way to get the custom updates while keeping my data? Thanks!

    • Joseph Husby

      08/14/2012 at 2:22 pm

      I was just wondering that same thing… curious what the answer is.

  11. Steve

    08/14/2012 at 10:27 pm

    OK. Looks like I finished and JB is running….BUT now it has no telephone connection! Does this whole process mean that I am no longer affiliated with Verizon? I still have my contract and want to continue with their phone service. Everything JB seems to be working fine, I just have no phone service. Please Help!

    Steve

  12. Brian Staruk

    08/22/2012 at 8:59 am

    Excellent guide. I followed it exactly and am now enjoying my rooter GNex with the latest BAMF rom.

  13. AJay (@evilpenguin123)

    09/05/2012 at 10:28 pm

    Yeah this rooting process works, but I cant get anything to load up for a CWM Rocovery so i can flash a ROM. I even went and downloaded the .apk for CWM rom manager and still nothing,.. I have even manually gone into recovery mode from restarting> bootload and i get the dtandard bootloader. not CWM.. Needless to say im a little annoyed..Please post a fix or something.

  14. Tirru

    09/11/2012 at 8:06 pm

    I followed the same thing, now my device is not starting :-(

  15. Tirru

    09/11/2012 at 10:06 pm

    Only Google startup symbol with Lock icon, Now I am not able to restore back up file also :-(, please suggest.

  16. Tirru

    09/12/2012 at 11:27 pm

    Did factory Reset … then took the device back up … Installed the BAMF Paradigm file and Gapps .. rebooted the device … Now its working …

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