Though officially considered a tablet, the Google Nexus 7 lacks the essence of a tablet because it doesn't support landscape orientation on the homescreen. Unless you install an app or flash a mod, you cannot enjoy landscape view on the homescreen and in the app drawer. Fortunately, the latest Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean build JZO54K has already been pushed out to various regions and it brings along the most-awaited support for landscape orientation.
The update also allows you to expand or collapse the notification with just one finger, solves some issues in the previous build, and improves the overall performance of the tablet. Google released a factory image of the latest update, so users can manually flash it if they haven't receive the update on their tablets. You can also use flash this firmware if you want to revert your tablet to stock Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.
This guide shows you how to flash stock Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean build JZO54K for the Nexus 7 manually. Official Google-provided factory images are used.
Warning
- The instructions in this guide are intended for use with the Asus Nexus 7. Applying these instructions on another device or model may produce undesired outcomes.
- The information in this guide is provided for instructional and educational purposes only. There is no guarantee that these instructions will work under your specific and unique circumstances.
- Use these instructions at your own risk. We shall not hold any responsibility or liability for whatever happens to you or your device arising from your use of the info in this guide.
- Read and understand the whole guide first before actually performing the instructions.
Requirements
- Google Nexus 7
- A GNU/Linux machine
- Android Debug Bridge (ADB) installed on your computer. You can get it by installing Android Software Development Kit (SDK) on your computer.
- Download the Android 4.1.2 JZO54K factory image for the Nexus 7 (nakasi-jzo54k-factory-973f190e.tgz, md5sum: d906b505ccae0d439839d3c5fafb137a)
- Enable USB debugging on your tablet.
- Backup all personal data on your tablet to make sure you have a copy of your personal data (e.g., contacts, SMS, MMS, Internet settings, Wi-Fi passwords, and the like) in case the procedure in this guide erases such data.
Instructions
- Extract nakasi-jzo54k-factory-973f190e.tgz into a folder on your computer.
- Connect your tablet to the computer via USB cable.
- Open a command terminal and type the command
adb devices
- Type the command
adb reboot bootloader to reboot your tablet into Fastboot Mode.
- Type the command
fastboot devices. Your tablet's serial number will appear on the screen.
- If you haven't unlocked your bootloader, type this command to unlock your tablet's bootloader. A warning message will appear on the tablet's screen. Use the Volume Keys to highlight a choice and tap the Power button to select an option.
- Enter the command
fastboot reboot-bootloader to reboot back to Fastboot Mode.
- At the terminal, change directory to where the JZO54K factory image folder is located.
- The JZO54K factory image folder contains the file flash-all.sh. This is a script that will flash the necessary bootloader, firmware, Android operating system, and others. Type the command
./flash-all.sh to activate the script. Your tablet will automatically reboot after the flashing process.
- NOTE: If the script fails to work, you can open the script and find the list of commands. Perform those commands manually at the terminal.
- For security reasons, Google suggests locking the bootloader after flashing the firmware. Reboot back to Bootloader Mode and type the command
fastboot oem lock at the terminal to relock the bootloader.
- Reboot your tablet.
Congratulations! You have successfully updated your Asus Nexus 7 to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean build JZO54K.
