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maximus83 · 03-03-2019, 02:47 AM

Thought I would just share my experience in case it's of interest to anyone. Today, after a few trials and tribulations, I managed to take my old Google Nexus 7 2013 (wifi) and flash a custom ROM to update to Android 8.1 Oreo. After getting it done, it was like having a brand new tablet except that now, I could skip all the Google apps and just install the readers, browser, and apps that I want. Installing the custom ROM also yields better battery life, and more control over the UI.

Basic specs:
* Nexus 7: 7" screen, 1920x1200 (323 ppi); wifi model; 2 GB RAM; 32GB storage; 7.87 x 4.49 x 0.34 inches; 10.25oz.
* AICP (Android Ice Custom Project) 8.1 Oreo ROM

Basic process:
* Installed USB drivers and Nexus rootkit on PC
* Unlock Nexus bootloader; and root it.
* Install the TWRP recovery utility
* Download and install the AICP 8.1 custom ROM image
* Download and install the Gapps 8.1 "pico" version (a custom, very minimalist set of basic tablet apps and utilities to replace the stock Google apps).
* The only thing I did not bother to do was that I did not re-root the new 8.1 installation as suggested in the last step of the guide linked below. I didn't need to do that to install the apps I want, it has no impact on how I want to use the tablet going forward. And it ultimately just increases security risk and maintenance hassle in the future.

The best guide I found for doing this:
https://www.androidblog.gs/update-ne...eo-custom-rom/

*Caveat emptor: Flashing a custom ROM comes with the usual warning. Try this at your own risk, always make a backup of your current ROM first, and doing this definitely voids the warranty.

For anyone who has, or can get their hands on a good condition used Nexus tablet, these make a lightweight, high-quality hardware 7" Android reader that is now very cost-effective due to their age on the market. This is a worthy alternative to consider to the e-ink tablets that cost more. It's real Android and has no trouble running all common Android apps, versus many e-ink tablets that have inferior screens, and outdated versions of Android on e-ink platforms that struggle to run many standard Android apps. In terms of availability, I still see Nexus 7 wifi's on sale on Amazon for $189 new, or $150 refurbed, or for about $110 on Ebay. If you can get one and upgrade to Android 8.1, you'll get an optimal user experience and maybe a couple more years of life out of it. For me, running say the Google Play Books reader app, or Kindle app, or FB reader, on this beautiful high-res 7" screen, just makes reading a pleasure. It gives a bit more screen real estate but the tablet is still fairly light and controllable. 7" really makes a nice reader size.

03-03-2019, 02:47 AM	#1
maximus83 Nameless Being	Updated my old Nexus 7 to Android 8.1 Thought I would just share my experience in case it's of interest to anyone. Today, after a few trials and tribulations, I managed to take my old Google Nexus 7 2013 (wifi) and flash a custom ROM to update to Android 8.1 Oreo. After getting it done, it was like having a brand new tablet except that now, I could skip all the Google apps and just install the readers, browser, and apps that I want. Installing the custom ROM also yields better battery life, and more control over the UI. Basic specs: * Nexus 7: 7" screen, 1920x1200 (323 ppi); wifi model; 2 GB RAM; 32GB storage; 7.87 x 4.49 x 0.34 inches; 10.25oz. * AICP (Android Ice Custom Project) 8.1 Oreo ROM Basic process: * Installed USB drivers and Nexus rootkit on PC * Unlock Nexus bootloader; and root it. * Install the TWRP recovery utility * Download and install the AICP 8.1 custom ROM image * Download and install the Gapps 8.1 "pico" version (a custom, very minimalist set of basic tablet apps and utilities to replace the stock Google apps). * The only thing I did not bother to do was that I did not re-root the new 8.1 installation as suggested in the last step of the guide linked below. I didn't need to do that to install the apps I want, it has no impact on how I want to use the tablet going forward. And it ultimately just increases security risk and maintenance hassle in the future. The best guide I found for doing this: https://www.androidblog.gs/update-ne...eo-custom-rom/ Caveat emptor: Flashing a custom ROM comes with the usual warning. Try this at your own risk, always make a backup of your current ROM first, and doing this definitely voids the warranty. For anyone who has, or can get their hands on a good condition used Nexus tablet, these make a lightweight, high-quality hardware 7" Android reader that is now very cost-effective due to their age on the market. This is a worthy alternative to consider to the e-ink tablets that cost more. It's real Android and has no trouble running all common Android apps, versus many e-ink tablets that have inferior screens, and outdated versions of Android on e-ink platforms that struggle to run many standard Android apps. In terms of availability, I still see Nexus 7 wifi's on sale on Amazon for $189 new, or $150 refurbed, or for about $110 on Ebay. If you can get one and upgrade to Android 8.1, you'll get an optimal user experience and maybe a couple more years of life out of it. For me, running say the Google Play Books reader app, or Kindle app, or FB reader, on this beautiful high-res 7" screen, just makes reading a pleasure. It gives a bit more screen real estate but the tablet is still fairly light and controllable. 7" really makes a nice reader size. Last edited by maximus83; 03-03-2019 at 02:55 AM.*