The latest Google’s Android OS (Android 7.0 Nougat) has started rolling out for the Nexus devices like Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, Mobile 4G and Pixel C devices. You can also see the new features and updates that comes to us with the brand new Android 7.0 Nougat OS from the Google’s official Android website. If you have a Nexus 6P device and have not yet received the official notification to update to Android 7.0 Nougat then here is a step-by-step guide to update Nexus 6P manually using OTA files. Nexus devices having Dev preview are getting the OTA almost immediately, but those devices that are running on Marshmallow might receive the update a little longer. According to Google; it could take a week or two for everyone to get the OTA, but you don’t need to wait that long.
Please note that Nougat is currently available for Nexus series only and it will be available soon to other devices. The Nougat build number has been confirmed as NRD90M from AOSP.
What’s New with the Android 7.0 Nougat NRD90M Firmware:
Changelog:
Expanded emoji: There are now over 1,500 different emoji built into Android, including 72 new ones.
Multi-locale support: Apps can tailor their content based on your locale settings. Meaning, search engines can show results in preffered language.
Quick Settings controls: Quick Settings gives you easy access to things like bluetooth, WiFi and the all-important flashlight.
Multi-window: Run two apps side-by-side. The windows are resizable, too, by simply dragging the divider.
Direct Reply: Reply directly to notifications without having to open any app.
Bundled notifications: See what’s new at a glance with bundled notifications from individual apps. Simply tap to view each alert.
Notification controls: When a notification pops up, just press and hold to toggle the settings. For instance, you can silence future alerts from an app in the notification itself.
Lockscreen wallpaper: You can now have different wallpapers on your device’s homescreen and lockscreen.
Improved Settings navigation: Find the right setting faster with an updated navigation menu in Settings.
Quick Switch: Switch between your two most recently used apps by simply double tapping the Overview button.
Vulkan: Games will now leap to life thanks to high-speed, next-generation graphics — all powered by your device’s multi-core processor.
Daydream: Android Nougat is ready to transport you to virtual worlds with Daydream-ready phones, headsets and controllers — all coming later this year.
Seamless updates: New Android devices with Nougat can install software updates in the background which means you won’t have to wait while your device installs the update and optimizes all your apps for the new version. And for current Nexus users, software updates now install much faster, so you won’t have to wait for minutes while your device reboots.
File-based encryption: Android Nougat can better isolate and protect files for individual users on your device.
Direct Boot: Direct Boot helps your device startup faster, and apps run securely even before you unlock your device when your device reboots.
Improved system backup coverage: More device settings are covered by Android Backup, including accessibility settings, run-time permissions for apps, Wi-Fi hotspot settings and Wi-Fi network restrictions.
Work mode: Work mode allows you to turn on and off your device’s work apps and notifications for a better work, life balance.
Display size: Not only can you change the size of the text on your device, but the size of all the display elements like icons and images.
Pre-Requirements:
- Make a proper backup of all your important existing data on Nexus 6P.
- ADB/Fastboot must be configured and properly installed on your PC.
- The stock Marshmallow OS version should be installed on Nexus 6P.
- Download and install USB drivers for Nexus in your computer.
- The Nexus bootloader should be unlocked.
How To Unlock Your Bootloader:
- Turn off your phone or tablet.
- Hold down the power button and the volume down button.
- On your computer, open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac). Navigate to folder with Platform tools.
- On your computer, type:
./fastboot flashing unlockin a terminal or command prompt. - Press volume up button and the power button on your device to confirm bootloader unlock.
- On your computer, type:
./fastboot reboot
- Enable USB debugging option by pressing Menu > Settings > Applications. Navigate and tap on Developer Options to ensure that USB Debugging is enabled.
How To Enable Developer Settings and USB Debugging:
- Tap OK on the dialog box asking you to Allow USB debugging while connected to the computer.
- Plug your Nexus device into your computer.
- Check Enable OEM unlock.
- Make sure that the developer options are turned on and that USB debugging is checked on.
- Click into the Developer options.
- Open Settings and you should find a new option called Developer options.
- Tap on the Build number seven times until the dialog box says you are now a developer.
- Scroll down to About Phone/Tablet.
- Go to your Nexus’ Settings.
- Finally, ensure that your Nexus device carries more than 70% of charge.
Required Files:
Download Android 7.0 Nougat OTA file for Nexus 6P
Steps to Update Nexus 6P to Android 7.0 Nougat Official Firmware:
1:- First, download Android 7.0 Nougat OTA file for your Nexus 6P on the desktop of your PC.
2:- Transfer the downloaded firmware .zip file to the ADB / Fastboot directory on your PC. (Should be in your Android SDK directory) and rename it to nougat.zip.
3:- Turn off your Nexus 6P in order to boot into Bootloader Mode.
4:- Turn on the phone while pressing and holding the Volume Up + Volume Down + Power buttons for a while until you see the Fastboot menu.
5:- Now, press the Volume Down button a few times till you see the Recovery mode on the screen. Select it using the Power key. Your Nexus will now reboot and enter in the recovery mode.
6:- While your Nexus 6P is now in Recovery mode. Hold the Power button and press Volume Up once to get the menu.
7:- Inside Recovery Menu, navigate and select the Apply update from ADB using Volume keys and you can use Power key for selection.
8:- Plug your Nexus 6P to the computer using its USB data cable.
9:- On your PC, go to android-sdk-windows\platform-tools directory. (Where you have saved the Android 7 Nougat zip file.)
10:- Within the folder, open Command Prompt, type in the following command and press Enter.
adb sideload nougat.zip – on Windows
./adb sideload nougat.zip – on Mac
10:- Once the installation is successfully completed, select Reboot system now.
Your Nexus 6P will now reboot, but it will take over 5 to 8 minutes to boot for the first time after installation.
