It has been some time since Android 4.1 Jelly Bean was announced at the Google I/O 2012. It introduced a boatload of features like vastly smoother user interface with Project Butter, more powerful notifications system, Google Now, offline voice typing and more.
Since then, Google has released the 4.1.1 update for Jelly Bean for the GSM/HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus. Users now have the option to either wait for it to come to them automatically in the coming weeks in the form of an OTA update or install it themselves without much risk. If you want it now, here’s a guide to the steps you will need to follow, courtesy Redmond Pie.
Important: Before we begin, remember that you will void your warranty after rooting your device. Neither iTechPost nor Redmond Pie will be held responsible for any damage incurred to your device as a result of following this guide. Follow at your own risk.
Also know that there are many variants of the Galaxy Nexus and each has a slightly different way of rooting and a different update path to Jelly Bean depending on which version and build of Android 4.0.x you’re on. This guide has been made as generic as possible, accordingly.
Here are the steps to root the device –
Step 1: Unlock bootloader of and root your Galaxy Nexus. Additionally, flash ClockworkMod Recovery.
Step 2: Go to Settings – About on your Galaxy Nexus and note the Android version and build number.
Now, with that information in hand and knowing whether your GSM Galaxy Nexus is a yakju or takju variant, head over to the following thread over on [XDA-Developers] forum and download the appropriate .zip file to update to Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean (Build: JRO03C).
Step 3: Transfer the .zip file to the root of the /sdcard directory on your Galaxy Nexus.
Step 4: Now reboot into ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery.
Step 5: Take a nandroid backup.
Step 6: Choose install zip from sdcard – choose zip from sdcard – [file you downloaded in Step 2]. This will flash the Jelly Bean update on your Galaxy Nexus.
Step 7: Once flashing process is complete, select reboot system now from CWM’s main menu.
