Amidst all the different ROMs available out there, a new and different Android 4.1 Jelly Bean ROM has been released, by a new development team called the Android Developer Alliance. Called Affinity, the ROM features Android 4.1 with a fast and responsive UI, and some first of its kind features designed from the ground up by the development team, with new custom-built apps to come soon.
Here are some of the features of Affinity ROM:
- Fast, Responsive, Intuitive & Professional UI
- GLaDOS Power Kernel Built In
- First of its kind Customized Toggle Icons
- Quiet Hours
- Custom Awesome Popup SMS Features
- Facebook Contacts Support
- Custom Power Widget
- Exclusive ADA Wallpapers
- Beautiful Weather Lock Screen
- Theme Chooser
Those are just a few of the many features that are present/will be coming in the future, making Affinity a custom ROM to reckon with. Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners can give it a try right now, by following the guide below for step-by-step instructions to install the ROM.
So, let’s take a look at how Affinity ROM can be installed on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus.
Compatibility
This ROM and the guide below are compatible only and only with the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. It’s not compatible with any other device. Check your device model in Settings » About phone.
Warning!
The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt anything if you don’t know completely what it is. If any damage occurs to your device, we won’t be held liable.
How to Install Affinity ROM on Verizon Galaxy Nexus
- This procedure will wipe all your apps, data and settings. Backup your Apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. This Android backup guide would help you.
NOTE: Don’t forget to at least note down your network’s APN settings, which are required to make mobile data work. Go into Settings » More » Mobile Networks, click on the APN that is in use, then note down the setting for each field. While APN settings should be automatically restored from network, you can enter them manually if needed to make mobile data work. You can also find your APN details → here. - Important! Make sure the bootloader on your phone is unlocked and ClockworkMod recovery is installed on your Verizon Galaxy Nexus. You can use the Galaxy Nexus Toolkit to unlock bootloader and install recovery. Unlocking bootloader will erase your SD card files and all data, so make sure to take a backup (see step 1).
- Download the latest version of the ROM from its source page.
- Download the Google Apps package. This will install apps like Play Store, Gmail, etc. which are not present in the ROM by default.
Download Gapps | Alternate Link | Filename: gapps-jb-20120726-signed.zip - Copy the two zip files downloaded in step 3 and 4 to the SD card on the phone (do not extract the files).
- Boot into ClockworkMod (CWM) recovery. To do this, turn off the phone. Then, press and hold the following keys together: Power + Volume Up + Volume Down to enter Fastboot mode where you will see “Start” written in big green letters. Then, using the volume buttons, navigate to the Recovery mode option, then select it using the Power button to reboot into recovery mode.
- Perform a Nandroid Backup of your existing ROM, so that you can always restore it from recovery if something does not work out with this ROM. To perform a backup, select Backup and Restore –> On the next screen, select Backup again. Go back to main recovery menu after backup is complete.
- Select wipe data/factory reset, then select Yes on next screen to confirm. Wait a while till the data wipe is complete.
- Then, select install zip from sdcard, then select choose zip from sdcard. Scroll to the ROM file on the SD card and select it. Confirm installation by selecting Yes on the next screen. The ROM will start installing.
- After ROM installation completes, select choose zip from sdcard again, then select the gapps-jb-20120726-signed.zip file to install the Google apps package.
- After the installation is complete, go back to the main recovery menu and select reboot system now to reboot the phone and boot up into AOKP ROM. The first boot will take some time, up to 5 minutes.
NOTE: If you want to go back to your previous ROM, boot into recovery, select backup and restore then restore your previous ROM by selecting it from the list.
Affinity ROM, based on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is now installed and running on your Verizon Galaxy Nexus. Visit the source page for more info and to get the latest updates on the ROM. Share your thoughts on the ROM in the comments.
Also try out other Jelly Bean ROMs for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus → here.
