Is there a way to flash the OTA on my Nexus 7 without a computer?

lrrowley

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Oct 22, 2011
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My Nexus 7 is unrooted and the bootloader is still locked. The USB port is broken so I can't plug it into a computer.

I downloaded the OTA zip file from Android central and I was wondering if anyone knew of a way to flash it without a computer since the USB doesn't work. I was wondering if I changed the file name to update.zip if it would work. Or maybe there's another method. Does anyone know?
 

GSDer

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I suppose you could transfer the file to the N7 using Wi-Fi, then boot into Recovery mode and load it using the stock Recovery.
 

cab2

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I suppose you could transfer the file to the N7 using Wi-Fi, then boot into Recovery mode and load it using the stock Recovery.

Yeah it's probably doable, though factory restore wipes all partitions and recreates them. Would probably need a command line selective restore in order to preserve image-razor-*
 
Nov 20, 2014
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The USB port is broken so I can't plug it into a computer.
I know it is off-topic but I can't resist asking you, how did your device's USB get damaged? I always transfer files on my Nexus 7 (16GB wi-fi) through computer and now I'm quite concerned if anything like this ever happens to my device what would I do? I don't have any other modern device to transfer files to my Nexus 7 via Bluetooth and using cloud storage isn't an option for me as I do not have any wi-fi setup at my place as of yet. Is Nexus 7's USB port fragile? How are you charging your device? Please accept my apologies if I bothered you and I'd be glad if you kindly answer my question.
 
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lrrowley

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No, it's no bother at all! From what I have researched the USB on the Nexus 7 is pretty fragile. At least the 2013 model, although I believe the 2012 model is fragile as well. I guess that's what you get for such a low price tablet.

The USB just eventually broke from putting the USB cord in and taking it out. I have the 2013 model that has Qi wireless charging capability, so I just bought cheap Qi charger from Amazon for like $15. It's not a perfect solution but it mostly works. For those with the 2012 model where the USB port broke I've read that people have just bought a dock that can charge through the pogo pins.

I guess just try and be careful with how you use the USB port. I have kids and they probably pulled the cord out too roughly too many times. It started to get loose and flaky before it finally quit on me. Now it is incredibly loose and won't hold a USB inside the port, and won't recognize it when I plug one in either.

I know it is off-topic but I can't resist asking you, how did your device's USB get damaged? I always transfer files on my Nexus 7 (16GB wi-fi) through computer and now I'm quite concerned if anything like this ever happens to my device what would I do? I don't have any other modern device to transfer files to my Nexus 7 via Bluetooth and using cloud storage isn't an option for me as I do not have any wi-fi setup at my place as of yet. Is Nexus 7's USB port fragile? How are you charging your device? Please accept my apologies if I bothered you and I'd be glad if you kindly answer my question.
 
Nov 20, 2014
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Thanks for the reply. I use my Nexus 7's USB gently, but I have to be more cautious while using it. I didn't know about the Qi wireless charging feature, it seems interesting. As my Nexus 7 is a 2nd generation one so I think I will try wireless charging for my device also because will enable me to use the USB port of the Nexus less. I hope charging via wireless charging device is as safe as charging via adapter or a computer's USB port. What should I look for while purchasing a Qi wireless charger (I meant the feature of the device)?
 

sparksd

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Thanks for the reply. I use my Nexus 7's USB gently, but I have to be more cautious while using it. I didn't know about the Qi wireless charging feature, it seems interesting. As my Nexus 7 is a 2nd generation one so I think I will try wireless charging for my device also because will enable me to use the USB port of the Nexus less. I hope charging via wireless charging device is as safe as charging via adapter or a computer's USB port. What should I look for while purchasing a Qi wireless charger (I meant the feature of the device)?

Virtually any wireless charger works well. I have two. The TYLT is nice but pricey (I got it on sale):

http://www.amazon.com/TYLT-Wireless-Charger-all-Phones/dp/B00DG8NUC8/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1416957372&sr=8-12&keywords=qi

The Nokia was also popular for some time:

http://www.amazon.com/Nokia-DT-900-Wireless-Charging-Plate/dp/B00A3NCC5K/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1416957520&sr=8-25&keywords=qi

But just search on "Qi" on Amazon, look at the choices, and read the reviews. Look for something with a lot of positive reviews.
 

cab2

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Thanks for the reply. I use my Nexus 7's USB gently, but I have to be more cautious while using it. I didn't know about the Qi wireless charging feature, it seems interesting. As my Nexus 7 is a 2nd generation one so I think I will try wireless charging for my device also because will enable me to use the USB port of the Nexus less. I hope charging via wireless charging device is as safe as charging via adapter or a computer's USB port. What should I look for while purchasing a Qi wireless charger (I meant the feature of the device)?

I have the Google wireless charger, and do all file transfers via wi-fi, so I only use the USB port for flash drives. If you use GPS, the Google wireless charger works from the cigarette lighter socket.
 

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