Nexus died when Google released the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, essentially dashing the hopes of a Nexus 7 2016 release that supposedly is in partnership with Huawei. But hardcore Android fans can now get a refresh treatment of the existing Nexus 7 tablets by installing the new CyanogenMod 14.1 nightlies on the devices. The result: Android 7.1 Nougat running on the Nexus 7 2013.
As the possibility of Huawei and Google will unbox an upgraded Nexus 7 is next to zero, the next best thing is being offered by the team responsible for the CM 14.1. According to Android Police, the CM 14.1 nightlies can now be installed on the Nexus 7 2013 in Wi-Fi and 4G versions. Once the custom ROM gets running, it will be the latest build of Android Nougat that will run the old Nexus tablet show.
This will be the closest that the Asus-made slate will get to Nougat as Google is unlikely to bump up the device to its latest mobile operating system. More so, the Nexus 7 2016 is practically a history that never even happened so Nougat on the 2013 Nexus 7 is the best alternative there is.
Sure, the hardware is definitely aging but CM 14.1 will at least afford a touch of freshness including the basic environment that will make the old Nexus 7 good as new. But getting a taste of Nougat on the existing Nexus requires a bit of work.
First thing to do is to get both the GApps package and the Nightly Nougat ROM - the latter will replace the Android version currently on the Nexus 7 2013 and the former will install all the Google applications that will make or restore the device as Pure Android.
It is important too, according to WCCFTech, that USB drivers for the Nexus 7 2013 are installed on a users' PC prior to hooking and triggering the whole process of flashing. The same report also reminded that:
- USB Debugging option under the Developers Menu is activated prior to flashing
- The Nexus 7 2016 is rooted
- TWRP recovery is installed on the device
- And the Nexus 7 has power juice no less than 70 percent, 100 percent is preferred
For the complete guide, head over to the same WCCFTech report. Of note is the report's reminder that as a Nightly build, CyanogenMod 14.1 is missing a number of Android 7.1 Nougat, which the maker clarified are not bugs. It is expected that in the coming updates, CM 14.1 will be gradually completed plus the necessary bugs fixes.