Connect with us

Android

Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.3 Update: Everything Users Need to Know

Published

on

The Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update remains missing in action, months after Google first announced the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update on stage with the new Nexus 7. Since then, we haven’t seen much movement from Verizon’s end, leaving Verizon Galaxy Nexus users wondering about their upgrade to the last form of Jelly Bean. Here, we take a look at everything Verizon Galaxy Nexus users need to know about Android 4.3.

In July, Google took the stage at an intimate breakfast in San Francisco and announced a trio of new products. Chromecast, a Nexus 7 2013 that replaced the original Nexus 7 and an Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update. Android 4.3 Jelly Bean was and is the third Jelly Bean update and it, and its incremental features, have since been replaced by the Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade, an upgrade that started rolling out in November.

Shortly after the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean was announced, it started rolling out to Nexus devices including the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10 and yes, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. At the time, we believed that updates for carrier-locked Nexus models were close, given that the Verizon Galaxy Nexus update showed up on Google’s developer site. That unfortunately hasn’t been the case.

Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners are still without Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, even though the update still exists, in image form, on Google’s website. It has now been more than four months since Android 4.3 was announced and Verizon users are no closer to Android 4.3 then they were back in July. That said, we have seen some movement and from the looks of things, Verizon might still have an update up its sleeve yet.

Here, we take a look at every Verizon Galaxy Nexus users need to know about the missing Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update, an update that rolled out to the Sprint Galaxy Nexus on Halloween.

Android 4.2 Update Issues, Frustrations

Earlier this year, we pointed out a number of issues that Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners were seeing inside Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, the update that rolled out many months ago. That was in March. Since then, we haven’t seen any movement from Verizon’s end and there are still users that are complaining about bugs inside the software. There would likely be many more complaints though we imagine that many users have simply given up.

In addition to the issues, there is widespread frustration amongst Galaxy Nexus owners. As there should be. Sprint’s Galaxy Nexus was updated at the end of October there we now know there is no Android 4.4 KitKat update on the way thanks to Google’s 18 months of support. So in addition to the bugs that remain on board, we’re again seeing Verizon move ever so slowly towards a Galaxy Nexus update.

galaxy-nexus-review-13-414x57511

This was clearly not what buyers envisioned two years ago when they bought the first LTE-supported Galaxy Nexus smartphone. Throw in the trouble that Verizon is having with certifying the new Nexus 7, and it’s hard to imagine another Verizon Nexus device appearing in the days to come.

Point is, Verizon needs to smooth things over, if not the frustrations, certainly the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update bugs that have been lingering around for months now.

Android 4.3 Update Available Right Now, Sort Of

The Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update is available right now, sort of. While it’s not available in the stock, official form from Verizon, it is available to those that are alright with installing custom ROMs cooked up by developers. Those who can’t wait for the official version of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean or want Android 4.4 KitKat, an update that will never roll out officially, are going to have to lean on developers.

Two places that we recommend taking a look at are XDA-Developers forum and RootzWiki. Both of these places are great resources for unofficial software ROMs and the sites will provide instructions on how to get Android 4.3 Jelly Bean or even Android 4.4 KitKat on board the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. It’ll take some work but those who do follow through won’t ever have to rely on official upgrades again.

Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.3 Update Still Coming, It Seems

A couple of days ago, after receiving numerous complaints from Verizon Galaxy Nexus users, we reached out to Verizon’s Albert Aydin, the man who announces most Verizon Android updates. We asked him about the missing Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.3 update and surprisingly, he said that an Android 4.3 update is still planned.

He does not have any more details other than that, so stop bothering him on Twitter. But his word is as good as gold when it comes to updates so we take it to mean that Verizon hasn’t forgotten about the Verizon Galaxy Nexus and its Android 4.3 upgrade. To us, it’s now just a matter of when and unfortunately, that answer remains a complete and utter mystery.

Expectations

So, Galaxy Nexus users who are growing impatient or have issues on board, need to know that the update it still on the way. They also need to know that this is how the Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.3 update process will likely play out.

Verizon follows a very simple pattern when it comes to these updates. It doesn’t release release dates ahead of time, it typically rolls out updates during the working week, and it usually announces the roll out on the day of. In fact, it’s typically Aydin that relays the information.

When the update is announced, it will likely roll out over the course of a week or so. Not all Galaxy Nexus owners will receive the update on the same day. Rolls outs typically span across a few days.

Galaxy-Nexus-4.2-Update-575x3051

As for the timing, well, it’s hard to say. Neither the Verizon Galaxy S3 nor the Galaxy Note 2 have Android 4.3 and perhaps, Verizon has delayed both of those so that it can get the Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.3 out. Perhaps it’s hard at work right now. And considering those updates were supposed to be close, maybe the Verizon Galaxy Nexus update is closer than we think.

If either of those devices beats the Verizon Galaxy Nexus to Android 4.3, we wouldn’t be surprised, and neither would those who bought the Verizon Galaxy Nexus thinking it was a Nexus.

9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. Mike

    12/17/2013 at 4:47 pm

    What is the holdup????????????????????????

  2. Joe

    12/17/2013 at 5:13 pm

    Writing this from my Verizon galaxy nexus on shiny ROM 4.4.2 :P

    • Jimmy E.

      12/19/2013 at 9:41 am

      With spotty data reception at best. As a VZW GNexus owner I have zero interest in the actual 4.3 software, I just want the antenna driver. All 4.3+ ROMs have data reception issues because the drivers of the CDMA antenna are not available.

      • JP

        12/20/2013 at 7:35 pm

        I’m running cm 10.2. LTE and 3g work. It’s the switching between where I have seen a few issues.

  3. David Sapp

    12/18/2013 at 3:35 am

    I’ve long since given up on Verizon’s update process. They have more excuses than all of their competitors combined. The unreliability of their competitors’ service in my area is the only reason I remain with them and as soon as they have a true competitor in my area I have every plan to drop them and never look back. Personally, I think I understand why Google also said never again with Verizon. Their support for the GNex has been beyond stupid and is the only reason I learned to root and ROM my Android devices.

  4. Jesse

    12/18/2013 at 6:30 am

    The galaxy nexus runs stock android……what is the hold-up? Verizon’s updates(whatever they do to stock android) just bring bugs and shitty performance. Can not wait to get rid of this phone.

  5. greenlantern75

    12/18/2013 at 9:31 am

    Care to share? Assume you found a custom ROM?

  6. Vince

    12/20/2013 at 5:49 am

    If you buy a Nexus device, you should already be savvy enough to know how to root/ROM the device. That is where the “developer options” come from in current devices. Many excellent developers have kept toro and many other devices alive.

  7. NOLATechy

    01/21/2014 at 11:53 am

    I have LONG since given up on the Nexus devices on Verizon. They SUCK at releasing updates. I have since moved on to the Nokia Lumia 928 and LOVE IT! That said, however, even us Lumia 928 users are waiting on the firmware update for our device. Microsoft gave us a work around for the Windows Phone 8 Update 3, but firmware must come from Verizon. If Verizon holds up the WP8 line updates, I’m going back to AT&T!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.