Please donate to keep this project alive!
If you find this project useful, please consider donating a small amount to help me cover the costs.
List of Donors
- Jacques Coetzee $50.00
- Florian Çadri $30.00
- Eduardo Alarcón $11.00
- Yannick Langer $10.00
- David Cigan $10.00
- Yannick Langer $10.00
- Arlis Nutter $10.00
- Nicole Schimandl $5.00
- Armand Gueit $5.00
- Paul Carter $5.00
- Sherif Shalaby $5.00
- Bruno A. Brunori $5.00
- Chenchu Murugulla $5.00
- Christopher Lu $5.00
- Laurent Bonfils $2.22
About Project:
This is my new project dedicated to all Nexus 5 users!
It is based on unofficial Unlegacy Android Project 8.1 Beta. I’m not a great programmer, but I know how to achieve my goals.
The goal is to reproduce the Google Pixel 2 system. This ROM also contains some useful tools.
Features:
- One-click Upgrade Process (UBR)
- Super Smooth Android 8.1
- Based on AOSP 8.1
- Flash Friendly File System (F2FS)
- Google Pixel 2 Experience
- Unlimited Google Drive storage
- Google Lens and Adaptive Icons
- Magisk Manager 16.7 (ROOT)
True Stereo Sound Mod- Rounded Screen Corner
Latest Version:
First Ever Android 8.1 18-08-2018
for Google Nexus 5 Hammerhead
What works
- Almost everything
What doesn't work
- Trusted face (inside Smart Lock)
- Fast (Quick) Charging
Things to improve
- None
Change Log:
Changes to the previous version
Critical
- None
Updates
- August 2018 Security Patch
- Apps Update
- Google Setup Wizard
- Magisk Manager 16.7 Update
Other
- None
Disclaimer
This Guide is only for Google Nexus 5 (Hammerhead) D820/D821 16/32GB devices!
I am not responsible for any damage caused to your phone.
You are installing a custom ROM at your own risk.
Make sure to take a complete backup of your data before starting up the processes.
Make sure you follow all the instructions carefully, without skipping any steps!
Step-by-step Installation Guide: PDF File
Step 1 - Before you start
Step 2 - Downloads
If you do not have a TWRP Recovery v3.2.1-1 installed on your Nexus 5, please download all files. Otherwise, you can download only First Ever Android 8.1 for N5 file and go to Step 5.
Step 3 - Enable USB debugging
To enable USB debugging on your device, go to: ‘Settings‘ > ‘Developer Options‘ > ‘USB debugging’
If you can’t see the ‘Developer Options‘ in the ‘Settings‘ menu, please follow this steps:
- Launch the ‘Settings‘ app from the app drawer or the notifications shade.
- Swipe all the way down and tap on ‘About phone.’
- Scroll down in this menu as well and you should see an option called ‘Build number.’
- Constantly tap on this option till you see a message: ‘You are now a developer.’
- Go back to ‘Settings‘ and try to enable ‘USB debugging‘ again.
Step 4 - Install TWRP Recovery via ADB
- Install 15 seconds ADB Installer v1.4.3 on your PC – Instructions
- Copy your TWRP Recovery twrp-3.2.1-1-hammerhead.img file to C:\TWRP folder.
- Open a CMD window and type: cd c:\TWRP\
- Connect your Nexus 5 device to the PC.
- Type the following into CMD window: adb reboot bootloader
- If your asks for permission to “Allow USB debugging”, tap OK.
- Your device will boot into bootloader mode.
- Type this into the CMD: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.2.1-1-hammerhead.img
- Now the TWRP Recovery will be installing on your Nexus 5 device.
- Type this final command into the CMD to reboot your device: fastboot reboot
Step 5 - Current ROM Backup
I will prepare a guide in English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
Step 6 - Installation
I will prepare a guide in English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
Download First Ever Android 8.1 dla Nexus 5 (Hammerhead) – Version: 18-08-2018 – Size: 1.15 GB
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Using the Direct link may cause website down due to overload, try not to use it. Please report all broken links here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is UBR and why did you use a RAR archive, not ZIP?
I will soon translate this page into English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
Where can I copy the unpacked UBR folder?
I will soon translate this page into English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
Why does the TWRP Recovery not see UBR?
I will soon translate this page into English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
Why do I get an error when installing UBR in TWRP Recovery?
I will soon translate this page into English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
Will I lose all my files after upgrading to Android 8.1?
I will soon translate this page into English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
Can I restore my previous system?
I will soon translate this page into English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
Instead of Stereo sound I prefer Mono, how can I change it?
I will soon translate this page into English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
It seems that the phone is too quiet, how can I increase the volume?
I will soon translate this page into English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
The battery discharges very quickly, is it normal?
I will soon translate this page into English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
Why does my phone display an incorrect time?
I will soon translate this page into English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
Why does my phone not pass the SafetyNet check?
I will soon translate this page into English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
Can I change the Bootloader Logo?
I will soon translate this page into English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
Is it possible to update UBR and keep apps and settings?
I will soon translate this page into English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
Can I upgrade the official Android 6.0.1 OTA?
I will soon translate this page into English, but now you can use Google Translate: https://goo.gl/F3EJgM
Summary
The project was created to prolong the life of the Nexus 5 smartphone. Over 4-year-old flagship from Google is still a very efficient device and allows you to launch the latest games from 2018 years. After upgrading to Android 8.1, Nexus 5 is one of the more interesting phone on the aftermarket, and in the price range from £90 for a 16GB model is unmatched among other devices.
Completing this project and building a site absorbed a lot of my time. I plan to share updates on a regular basis until August 2019, then Google will end support for ARM apps and force the transition to ARM64, which Nexus 5 doesn’t support. In this way, after almost 6 years on the market, the Nexus 5 will go into well-deserved retirement.
Support
Support this project by sending a donation to the PayPal account below – thank you!
“The First Ever Android ROM gets the crown for the best custom ROM for the Nexus 5 so far in 2018.” – KDCloudy
Please read the FAQ section before you ask a question in the comments below.
Repeated questions will be deleted!
i have downloaded the TWRP 3.2.3.0 and installed the folder. in sd card. However, i am unable to find a file to install. can you please help
1. Create a backup in TWRP (it will create Phone ID folder).
2. Download THIS RAR file.
3. Unpack it and copy to: Phone memory \ TWRP \ BACKUPS \ {Phone ID} \
4. Use TWRP and use Restore to find it.
This is the last version (18-08-2018) of First Ever Android 8.1 for Nexus 5!
Are you ready for First Ever Android 9.0 for Nexus 5? 😀
yes we are ready plz upload the links
plz upload the links
First and foremost a big applause for your great effort. We all are very grateful to you. You made our old phones new. All this proves the potential of Nexus 5. Thanks once again. The update process is the same?
Hi can you tell me when you upload the update of android 9.0 pie for nexus 5 users.
And thanks for giving efforts to make android 9.0 pie for nexus 5 users as we use stock android 9.0 on nexus 5 without purchasing new mobile like pixel devices
Thanks for your wonderful support..😊
The official First Ever Android 9.0 for Nexus 5 project site is ready!
All questions regarding version 9.0 should be posted on the new project site!
Download the First Ever Android 9.0 for Nexus 5 here.
[PT] essa rom ja vem com os gapps embutidos?
[EN] Is this rom already delivered with built-in gaps?
[PT] Sim, parece o mesmo que o Pixel 2/3.
[EN] Yes, it looks like Pixel 2/3.
Thank you so much. I change your image config; DNS w/ dnscrypt2 module via magisk, and set all animation speed to 0.75 via ADB shell, and everything is good and fast, Thank youuuu.
please help ,,, i cant connect to any wifi network !!! its always says no internet access !!…. please help
Hello sir,
First, I wanna say thank you for the great job you did for our beloved Nexus 5, ROM is amazing. It works like a charm.
I have a request for you instead: unfortunately, the Google Assistant doesn’t work at all. Don’t know if it’s because Google app is installed as a user app and not as a system app. I hope this little thing will be fixed 🙂
Keep up the great work! 👍
download links aren’t present, fix the links please! want to test oreo project before pie, dropbox link isn’t working!
Any updates on the download links? All links are dead.
The links have been fixed, thanks for the info! 🙂
I have a problem while restoring backup , it shows me error 255 while restoring.
extracttarfork() process ended with error 255
I’m moving to a new place – no Internet access until November 24!
Hi,
I’m Michael from India.
I have updated 8.1 successfully. But internet not working when i turned on. And i have restart, airplane mode and reset network settings. But it won’t work. Can you please help me that?
Awaiting your reply?
me too internet not working , when i connect to wifi , it tell me no internet acsess , please help
I have found issue myself, i have just changed apn portals. It’s solved.
Hi,
This looks great, but I’m having trouble with Step – 6 Install. Basically, the translation link isn’t showing any instructions, just a heading. Are there any English instructions anywhere?
Thanks
manage to download the rar. file but it was corrupted when i’m trying to extract it. Are there any solution for this?
Instagram is not working any solution??
Hi, glad to find this website !
Two questions:
– How do I backup the full phone ( the OS-Android 6. 01 AND all data) ? most of apps @google store are pretty much for contact-lists, photos and video…
-My Nexus 5 Hammerhead now experiencing some Wifi error, trying to turn it ON, sometimes it works, sometimes it does not, (not sure if it is antenna/ hardware issue) All others are working flawlessly ….Should I go ahead and try yr FirstEver 8?
Million thanks !!
After restore , can i delete that OS?
Yes, you can wipe it with TWRP recovery and flash a stock system or other custom ROM.
No no i’m asking, After restoring firstever OS, can i delete through file manager? and please tell me which ROM is stable 8.1 or 9.0?
Yes, you can delete all backup files.
I suggest to keep the EFS Partition, because it contains your IMEI number.