Sprint Galaxy Nexus Jelly Bean 4.2.1 update almost here

posted by Michael H. / Jan 17, 2013, 12:38 PM

Sprint Galaxy Nexus Jelly Bean 4.2.1 update almost here

Sorry Verizon Galaxy Nexus users, but once again you get left behind. Obviously, the unlocked Galaxy Nexus has had Jelly Bean 4.2.1 for a while now, and now the Sprint variant of the Galaxy Nexus looks like it's going to get the update very soon.

There hasn't been any official announcement, but as with most Nexus updates, the news comes via a leak. The update for the Sprint Galaxy Nexus has appeared on the Google servers, and is available for download and install. No word yet on when Sprint intends to push the update over-the-air.

So, if you want to get in on the lockscreen widgets, gesture keyboard, photosphere, and other Jelly Bean 4.2 goodies, you can manually install the update if you want, or you can wait for the official release, which shouldn't be too long.

And, if you're a Verizon Galaxy Nexus owner, once again, we're sorry that Verizon doesn't like giving you software updates.

source: Sprint Galaxy Nexus 4.2.1 update via XDA

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23 Comments

1. Kreft

Posts: 84; Member since: Dec 27, 2012

Ha. And this is why I can only ever have an unlocked Nexus phone. Love my Nexus 4. :)

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 1:08 PM 5

2. ayephoner

Posts: 858; Member since: Jun 09, 2009

im so jealous of nexus 4 owners. or even any gnex owners that arent on vzw. what a joke this experience has been. i cannot wait to leave verizon. at one time i was also mad at samsung and android, but the more i think about it, the more i solely put the blame on big red.

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 1:14 PM 6

3. ChrisG

Posts: 38; Member since: Aug 22, 2012

I've had 4.2.1 on my Verizon Galaxy Nexus for a while now. Then again, that's because I unlocked and rooted my phone, then installed CyanogenMod 10.1. :-) Loving it so far!

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 1:20 PM 4

4. MorePhonesThanNeeded

Posts: 645; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

My mom has that phone and it is currently on JB 4.1.2 I think, yes she's on VZW. Don't see what the big deal is, since the Sprint version hasn't gotten 4.2 yet, it's still sitting in the same boat. Well I hope it won't be too long before the Google Initiative takes hold and we get dual configurations to boot on our phones, Vanilla Android and whatever crap OEM's toss over it.

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 1:25 PM 0

6. ayephoner

Posts: 858; Member since: Jun 09, 2009

this article doesnt state it, but the sprint gnex has 4.2 available for download. the big deal is that i bought a nexus device on launch day with promises of the fastest update schedule of nearly any device out. i wanted ICS and JB and other updates as soon as possible, WITHOUT rooting or flashing roms. 4.2 was announced in september and has been out for the gsm gnexs for a while.

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 1:51 PM 1

5. Numz

Posts: 34; Member since: Oct 31, 2009

Hate Verizon for this reason, oh and the fact they block Google wallet. I'm on the verge of rooting but I know some apps can't be installed if the phone is rooted so I guess you pick your battles.

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 1:27 PM 1

7. MorePhonesThanNeeded

Posts: 645; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

Actually all apps should work just fine even if you root it, rooting is just reverting the phone to stock software minus useless carrier added junk. I mean if you root and you can't get the adp app that connects to 4G then that is a problem that would require some legal action since it's supposedly against the law to limit access to application that way. VZW apps must work on the phone regardless of the phones OS state. So I am guessing that the stock ROM for your phone should work, but I am not sure as these 4G phones require this APN process within core android.

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 2:05 PM 0

9. ChrisG

Posts: 38; Member since: Aug 22, 2012

You can sideload Google Wallet for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, even without rooting it if I remember correctly. You can definitely install it if you're rooted. So far, the *only* thing that won't work on my phone is the ability to play my UltraViolet movie collection via the Flixster app. My other 99 apps have all worked just fine.

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 2:12 PM 0

10. ChrisG

Posts: 38; Member since: Aug 22, 2012

There's a thread about sideloading Google Wallet by installing it as an APK, without rooting, on XDA Developers. You may want to double-check that you're getting the latest version of Wallet, or the version appropriate for your version of Android. Look for: Samsung Galaxy Nexus > Galaxy Nexus Themes and Apps > [APP] Google Wallet (APK: 1.1-R57v5, Play Store: 1.1-R57v5)

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 2:20 PM 0

19. Numz

Posts: 34; Member since: Oct 31, 2009

Actually ChrisG, I've side loaded google wallet before and it worked for about 2 weeks then stopped working with a message saying "This device is not supported". Every time I post something about google wallet not working with my phone people always give me the same response..."Side Load it". I have, it doesn't work, sorry.

posted on Jan 18, 2013, 1:29 PM 0

8. imkyle

Posts: 1115; Member since: Nov 18, 2010

Still a good phone.

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 2:05 PM 2

11. SoopaManLuv

Posts: 24; Member since: Aug 11, 2011

And as someone else stated, this is the reason I to am leaving Verizon at the end of the year. They have made my Nexus experience horrid. Although I love my phone Verizon fumbled on the experience. Not happy

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 2:43 PM 1

12. mike2959

Posts: 694; Member since: Oct 08, 2011

Look I love Android, but timely updates doesn't even happen on the Nexus Phone's. I know, I know let's blame all the carrier's. The carrier's with their 3rd world LTE technology that's faster and more reliable than the rest of the world. It's not the carrier's, not the manufacturer's, I'm starting to think it's.... Android.

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 2:48 PM 0

16. parkwaydr

Posts: 572; Member since: Sep 07, 2011

It has nothing to do with android. Its a carrier issue. The unlocked gsm version of the gnex got the update right away. Its a totally different ball game when the phone is locked on a network. This isn't googles fault. And it is exactly why a CDMA nexus 4 was not released for sprint and Verizon because they tainted what a nexus device is intended for.

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 5:21 PM 2

20. Numz

Posts: 34; Member since: Oct 31, 2009

You think Apple gets timely updates? Windows Phone? My coworker is still waiting for his 7.7 (or whatever) version to his WP. Apple updates their phones like what, once a year?

posted on Jan 18, 2013, 1:47 PM 0

22. ayephoner

Posts: 858; Member since: Jun 09, 2009

i dont know anything about WP. but, with apple, they dont tell you about the update, or make the update available to some, until its ready for all. you hear about it, then its available for all supported devices within a short time. and while i realize android's vast offerings don't allow for such a practice, in buying a nexus device, i did not expect to wait. it is clearly vzw that is slowing down the process.

posted on Jan 18, 2013, 4:58 PM 0

13. nexusalltheway

Posts: 69; Member since: Nov 28, 2012

I just treid but phone wont show any update being available.

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 4:04 PM 0

14. mike2959

Posts: 694; Member since: Oct 08, 2011

2 thumbs down!? Guy's the update has been out for 2 month's!

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 4:30 PM 0

15. techloverNYC

Posts: 601; Member since: Nov 20, 2012

nexus is the only andriod phone that is future proof

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 4:34 PM 1

17. parkwaydr

Posts: 572; Member since: Sep 07, 2011

Bout time sprint. I know its quicker than Verizon but there is really no excuse that it has taken this long. The gsm gnex has been on 4.2 for 3+ months now. I can't wait till I get my hands on a nexus 4 I'm done with locked phones

posted on Jan 17, 2013, 5:25 PM 1

18. -SEUL8TR-

Posts: 113; Member since: Jan 13, 2013

There's a will there's away, there must be some how you can exchange and use a UK or European IMIE, and install it on a Verizon's handset, just spoof it, there is Rooting and Roms vaiable..... Good luck.