How to download and install Android 4.2 for the Nexus 7

Android 4.2 is officially live for the Nexus 7 and is now available as an OTA update direct from Google. 

Updating the Nexus 7 is simple, all you do is select the update and watch it go – the entire process should take about two minutes depending on your web connection. 

If you’re new to Android, however, the whole thing might seem a little daunting. If that’s you, well, congratulations, you’ve come to the right place. Everything you need to know about updating your Nexus 7 is listed below, complete with screenshots. 

Here’s how it’s done:

You should be notified about the update via the notifications tab. 

Select the update and hit ‘restart and install’

Android 4.2 will now download and your device will restart. The entire process should take no longer than five minutes – our Nexus 7 updated in around 90 seconds. 

When your Nexus 7 restarts it’ll be running Android 4.2, and there should be a slightly different-looking lock screen. 

There’s also a new notifications setup. You now have two drop down menus: one for notifications and the other for settings. 

Google has also introduced gesture-based typing inside Android 4.2, which makes writing long emails even easier on the Nexus 7. Accuracy is great and we’ve yet to encounter any real foibles with this new means of typing. 

Your Nexus 7 now supports multiple log-ins, meaning you and a family member can have separate settings and log-ins on the device – an ideal feature for anyone with children. 

Google Now has been improved via the inclusion of more Cards – there’s ones for photo opportunities nearby and local amenities – and you can also check-in at places via Google+ from inside the application. 

Android 4.2 also features a photography feature known as Photosphere, but it’s not much use on the Nexus 7 as it doesn’t have a rear-facing camera. 

That’s about it, really. There’s a heap of software optimisations and bug fixes, but the majority of these are not visible. The UI is pretty much exactly the same as it was before, and performance is still great. 

Enjoy!