Here’s how to restore LTE to your Nexus 4 following Android 5.0 Lollipop update
Those who upgraded to Android 5.0 Lollipop on their Nexus 4 ran into a bit of trouble with its LTE radios. If you don’t remember, the Nexus 4 shipped with LTE radios inside, but the device was not approved for LTE use by the FCC here in the United States. As such, Google ended up having to disable the radios via a software patch.
That didn’t hold the community back from bringing support in an unofficial capacity, of course, but those who upgraded to the official Android 5.0 Lollipop firmware recently have found themselves in the same pickle. And, well, today’s development proves history repeats itself quite a bit: you can now get an updated hybrid modem to enable LTE on your Lollipop-equipped Nexus 4. You’ll have to be rooted, though that should be no big task with Chainfire’s latest goods.
Once you’ve taken care of root then it’s as simple as this:
- Flash EnableNexus4LTE.zip to “enable” LTE in the build.prop
- Flash this hybrid modem (in fastboot or recovery)
- Perform a full data wipe, or use these instructions if you’re knowledgeable on ADB to get the settings to stick
- Reboot
And that’s it. Not the most elegant solution out there, but if you’re not ready to loosen the grip on your Nexus 4 in favor of one of the newer devices then this is what you’ll have to work with. Be sure to back everything up before attempting this, and remember that anything you do on your phone is at your own discretion.
[via XDA, thanks Carl!]