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How to Get the Nexus 7 Android 4.3 Update Right Now

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Yesterday morning, Google announced the new Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update and revealed that it would be rolling out to Nexus devices, including the older Nexus 7, starting that day. Like all Nexus Android roll outs, Google is slowly pushing the software out Over-the-Air but for those Nexus 7 owners that don’t want to wait for Android 4.3 to arrive OTA, there is a way to get the Nexus 7 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update right now.

As expected, Google debuted its new Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update at its Android and Chrome event yesterday. The software remains Jelly Bean but it does bring some enhancements over the previous version of Android, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Android 4.3 brings several likeable features to the table, including one that will be useful for owners of the Nexus 7.

Read: Android 4.3 Features and Update Details Revealed.

The Nexus 7 Android 4.3 update is available for Wi-Fi only owners.

The Nexus 7 Android 4.3 update is available for Wi-Fi only owners.

While Bluetooth Low Energy and OpenGL 3.0 support are great, the Android 4.3 update brings something called restricted user profiles for multi-user accounts which gives parents more access to the accounts of their children. It’s perfect for a tablet like the Nexus 7 that may be used as family device.

That said, Google typically rolls out Android updates extremely slowly. And while many are likely content on waiting for the Android 4.3 Over-the-Air update to arrive. many others likely want to get the update on their Nexus 7 right now. And fortunately, there are several ways of doing that.

The first is a simple trick that works with these types of updates though more and more, it has proven to be useless. The second is to download the software straight from Google and manually install the update.

Unfortunately, the first option is the easiest. This method isn’t going to work for every Nexus 7 owner and will likely not work for most people. Some owners use different variants of these steps to force the update so Nexus 7 users should try different combinations of these steps.

1. Go to Settings -> Apps -> All

2. Find Google Services Framework.

3. Tap on Force Stop.

4. Select Clear Data.

5. Head back to the Nexus 7’s Settings, go to About, and check for a System Update.

It’s possible that Nexus 7 owners will see a prompt though again, this method often yields less-than-stellar results so it will likely be that manual installation is the only way to get the update ahead of the OTA. Unfortunately, manually updating isn’t an easy process.

First, this update is only for the Wi-Fi only version of the Nexus 7, not the HSPA+ version. The HSPA+ file hasn’t been found yet. Second, process with the risks in mind. It’s possible that something could happen to the Nexus 7 when installing the update. Third, novices should not be manually installing this update. Those that are not familiar with this process should simply wait for the OTA.

How to Manually Install the Nexus 7 Android 4.3 Update

First, for those who are rooted and on stock software. The first thing to do is get the Android SDK set up and running, something that is absolutely necessary. Second, owners will will also need to be running the current version of Android 4.2 Jelly Bean which is Android 4.2.2. The current version of Android 4.2.2 is build JDQ39.

At this point, owners will want to download the Nexus 7 Wi-Fi Only Android 4.3 update from Google.

After downloading this file, Nexus 7 owners running stock software will want to boot the device into recovery, attach the device to a USB cable plugged into a PC, and choose the “Apply update from adb” option. From there, type in ‘adb sideload [Insert Full File Name Here]‘ and it should work its magic. Again, this is how to install the software without custom recovery or root.

For those that need clarification, XDA-Developers has a great guide that will talk Nexus 7 owners step-by-step through this process.

The Nexus 7 Android 4.3 update can be manually installed.

The Nexus 7 Android 4.3 update can be manually installed.

Those who are rooted and running stock can flash through custom recovery. To do this, download that same file to the internal storage, reboot into custom recovery, choose “Install zip from SD card” and then select the update file that was downloaded to the storage space. It will flash and Android 4.3 will then be on board.

Again, for those that seek more clairity, head to XDA-Developers as it will go more in-depth.

Google’s Android 4.3 OTA update should be hitting devices over the next week or so so those who don’t feel comfortable with this process can simply wait for the update to roll out Over-the-Air.

To check for the update, head into the device’s Settings, the About section and check for the update.

28 Comments

28 Comments

  1. Deya Amouri

    07/25/2013 at 12:30 pm

    NOT WORK ON MY NEXUS 4

  2. Frankie

    07/25/2013 at 12:50 pm

    Worst cut and paste ever.

  3. Davin

    07/25/2013 at 1:12 pm

    I seriously doubt that the first method works at all. My hunch is that for those that is has “worked” just happened to have coincidental timing with it actually being pushed out to their device. I’ve read so many posts of people saying it didn’t work, but they just kept trying and it finally worked. These are computers people. It will either work or it won’t. The fact that it doesn’t work all the time says to me that it doesn’t really work at all.

    • Christian

      07/26/2013 at 1:05 pm

      It has worked in the past for me on my N7s, going to 4.2 and 4.2.1, and it was coincidental in both cases, as it took a couple tries, and in the case of 4.2.1, on one of my devices about 10 times, but I think they have locked this loophole out now as it didn’t work for me with 4.2.2 and I’ve already tried this several times today with no success.

    • Beau Danner

      07/27/2013 at 3:58 am

      I agree Davin, however i was pleasantly surprised that the 1st method actually worked for me! I have been trying since the release to update to no avail. i tried just a minute before the clearing the Google Services Framework as described and poof. 1st try :)

    • Steve Kline (@sp12kline)

      07/28/2013 at 9:40 pm

      I tried to get the update by waiting for it. Tried 3 times today with no good results. Tried this method and got the update on the first try. Pretty coincidental.

  4. Stuart Brown

    07/25/2013 at 3:22 pm

    Didn’t work this time, but I have had success with the technique before, you have to repeat procedure several times usually, will try later, thank for reminding me of the old trick. Tried to get 4.2.2 for my Galaxy Nexus, recently, bricked it, so reluctant to try it on my precious N7, some day, I’ll take the GNex to a phone shop for recovery.

  5. Maz

    07/26/2013 at 1:03 pm

    First method worked first time on my Nexus 7 (one month owned, now “old”).
    Thanks for the trick.

  6. Shakavibes Tenacious Black

    07/26/2013 at 3:09 pm

    I followed the first instructions and I have it now.

  7. Cynthia Fidler

    07/26/2013 at 4:02 pm

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  8. Jasmine

    07/26/2013 at 4:34 pm

    Method 1 worked perfectly for me, Nexus 4 Phoenix AZ (T-Mobile). I have been maniacally updating for two days now. Thanks!!

  9. Kenneth Davis (@daviskens)

    07/26/2013 at 9:08 pm

    Android 4.3 System Update downloading now on my Stock Nexus 7, using the “First Method”….. Thanks!

  10. kyle

    07/26/2013 at 9:53 pm

    Does not work, don’t bother

  11. Adrian

    07/27/2013 at 12:38 am

    It worked from the second try!

  12. Deni

    07/27/2013 at 1:55 am

    Worked for me on 3rd attempt

  13. Brad

    07/27/2013 at 3:24 am

    After days of checking it worked thanks! OTA coming down now.. not coincidental. I’m in Australia.

  14. John

    07/27/2013 at 10:37 am

    First method worked you me on the 2nd try. So sorry to say Davin, your completely wrong.

  15. don

    07/27/2013 at 10:56 am

    worked for me when I cleared data BEFORE Force Stop

  16. Scott

    07/27/2013 at 11:03 am

    Worked on the 4th try for me from Canada!

  17. It work

    07/27/2013 at 2:22 pm

    Work for me on the first try. Canada

  18. Lev

    07/27/2013 at 4:05 pm

    Its working from my 3th time. Thank you so much.

  19. Joe Smith

    07/27/2013 at 4:53 pm

    It actually worked, took me quite a bit of tries, but it finally did it. It is upgrading as I type, I hope I am not disappointed.

  20. Jim

    07/27/2013 at 5:09 pm

    It worked on my second try ! Thanks !

  21. boggystylez

    07/27/2013 at 11:46 pm

    worked for me after clearing the cache first too

  22. noble

    07/28/2013 at 7:35 am

    Yes it perfectly worked for me, cleared cashe then data and force stop, then check for I update it will work.

  23. Mario Awad

    07/29/2013 at 12:49 am

    Works for me. However, tried this same procedure 2 days ago and it didn’t work. Today I made sure to execute the steps very quickly and it worked. Maybe speed is the key, or maybe Google just was more lenient now that the update is rolling to everyone. Thanks for the tip!

  24. Randy

    07/29/2013 at 7:52 am

    Worked for me on my nexus 7 on the first try.

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