Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on the Version Galaxy Nexus

Google did a lot to make Android 4.1 Jelly Bean a desirable evolution of Ice Cream Sandwich. There is all the attention paid to responsiveness and colors that improve the visual experience. Then we have the more substantial improvements like Google Now predictive search and all those widget and notification enhancements. Jelly Bean is solid software, but you’re probably not going to get your paws on it officially for a good long time.

If that bums you out, there is alwaysrooting and custom ROM. You’re going to be taking a risk doing it, but you can probably get the newest Android 4.1.1 software on your phone right now. Stability and support have improved now that Google has added the new build to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), so let’s look at what you’ll get, and then see how to do it.

Rooting

The device I used to test this is the Verizon Galaxy Nexus . This is important for several reasons — principally that this is a Nexus without an official Jelly Bean update. Verizon is slow to update devices, and the GSM Nexus already has it update. By all rights, this phone should be updated, and you can make that happen. It is also an easily unlockable phone, so if you’re using a different device, this first bit might be tougher.

You need a phone with an unlocked bootloader and root access to install custom ROMs like the Android 4.1.1 builds. The way you go about this is going to vary from one phone to the next, so you will have to do some digging to figure out how to do that. Some phones have unlockable bootloaders, notably HTC and Sony devices. Samsung leaves most bootloaders unencrypted, so it’s easy. Most phones will require you to tether to a computer to unlock. For root, check out XDA-Developers forum to get the latest on your device and what root exploit to run.

The easiest way to unlock and root the Nexus is with the WugFresh toolkit. Just plug in your phone, and follow the instructions to get your drivers all set up. This is a handy step-by-step program that gets you an unlocked bootloader and root access. Be aware that unlocking the bootloader blanks all your data.

WugFresh also flashes a custom recovery ROM called ClockworkMod as a consequence of rooting. Other devices will need to be flashed with a custom recovery ROM after the fact, but this is easier than you might think once you have root.

Flashing

In the interests of simplicity, you should download ROM Manager from the Play Store. This handy app will let you download and flash ROMs very easily. At the top of the app is also an option to flash ClockworkMod, which you should do unless it’s already been installed as part of your root. Grant root to ROM Manager when it asks, and your recovery should be set up in moments.

At this point, your device is ready for a custom ROM. In the “Download ROM” section of the app, just find the ROM that best suits your phone. For the Galaxy Nexus, I think Vicious Jelly Bean 4.1.1 (AOSP) is your best bet. Other phones may have different ROM support, and if all else fails, you can get the ever-popular Cyanogen Mod here.

[If Vicious Jelly Bean isn't available from the Download ROM area, you may have to update to the paid version of ROM Manager; or alternatively, download the latest versions of Vicious Jelly Bean, copy it to your phone's SD card, and hit "Install ROM from SD Card."]

When you download the ROM file, ROM Manager will pop up a dialog box. Once you make your selection, the install will begin. Make sure you have everything you need backed up. Ideally, you won’t lose data from the SD card directory, but better safe than sorry. Consider using Titanium Backup (root required) to save your apps and associated data.

Now, back to ROM Manager and that pop-up. It will have a few options, including backing up the current ROM, clearing the data and cache, and clearing the Dalvik cache. If this is your first time flashing to Jelly Bean, you should check all of these to make sure no Ice Cream Sandwich bits are in the way. Hit OK, and the phone will reboot into ClockworkMod to install the ROM.

That’s it. You’re done. The install should go through and your device will boot up with Jelly Bean. If something goes wrong, read on for some advice.