Install Android 4.4 KitKat Update on Verizon Galaxy Nexus; Custom Firmware ‘Shiny KRT16M ROM’ Released

Owners of Samsung Galaxy Nexus can now experience Android 4.4 KitKat, though not the official version.

On October 31, Android 4.4 KitKat was officially announced and it is expected to arrive on the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10. Unfortunately, there was no plan to release an official Android 4.4 KitKat update to the two-year old Nexus device, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

However, if you own a Galaxy Nexus and wishing to install Android 4.4 KitKat on your device, there is a method to do so, thanks to the help of genius Android developers out there.

As posted on Phandroid, a custom ROM based on Android 4.4 KitKat was released for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. According to the post, "Android developer baldwinguy77, known for his OTA-like builds for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, has released a brand new, "Shiny" Android 4.4 KRT16M ROM for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus (toro)."

 The firmware is built from AOSP and it has few modifications done to the ROM. Furthermore, the "Shiny" firmware also provides the standard sets of Verizon apps and Google apps, those what will most likely be available on an official update.

For those who are interested to install Android 4.4 KitKat update using the custom ROM created by baldwinguy77, you can check out this post. Also, even if the ROM states 'no bugs', users should expect issues on the firmware since the Android 4.4 KitKat is still new. The developer, who has a good track record when it comes to custom ROMs, plans to continually update the firmware.

Furthermore, since this is an unofficial firmware, users of Samsung Galaxy Nexus wishing to install the unofficial Android 4.4 KitKat update should be extra careful. Make sure to follow the necessary steps properly when you proceed with installing the 'Shiny' firmware on Samsung Verizon Galaxy Nexus to update the device to the latest Google OS, the Android 4.4. KitKat.