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 9.0 Beta. I’m not a great programmer, but I know how to achieve my goals.
The goal is to reproduce the Google Pixel 3 system. This ROM also contains some useful tools.
Features:
- One-click Upgrade Process
- Super Smooth Android 9.0
- A mixture of both CAF and AOSP
- Flash Friendly File System (F2FS)
- Google Pixel 3 Experience
- Unlimited Google Drive storage
- Google Lens and Adaptive Icons
- Magisk Manager 18.0 (ROOT)
- Rounded Screen Corner
- CloudFlare DNS
- Built-in AdAway ad blocker
- Google Ad services disabled
Latest Version:
First Ever Android 9.0 14-12-2018
for Google Nexus 5 Hammerhead
What works
- Almost everything
What doesn't work
- Gestures: Double-tap to check phone
Things to improve
- None
Change Log:
Changes to the previous version
Critical
- Android security patch level 5 december 2018
Updates
- Updating Magisk to version 18.0
- Updating Google GApps 9.0 to version 20181214
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 v3.2.3.0 installed on your Nexus 5, please download all files. Otherwise, you can download only First Ever Android 9.0 for N5 file and go to Step 5.
- Download WinRAR v5.61 – Link (2.1MB)
- Download 15 seconds ADB Installer v1.4.3 – Link / Mirror (9.18MB)
- Download TWRP for Hammerhead v3.2.3.0 – CAF / Non-CAF (13.1MB)
- Download First Ever Android 9.0 for Nexus 5 – 14-12-2018 – Download (1.45GB)
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-3.2.3.0-hammerheadcaf.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-3.2.3.0-hammerheadcaf.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 9.0 dla Nexus 5 (Hammerhead) – Version: 14-12-2018 – Size: 1.45 GB
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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 9.0?
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.
“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!