How to Install Android 11 on Nexus 5X – A Step-by-Step Guide


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The latest Android 11 for Nexus 5X, is now available to download and install from Android 11 custom ROM build(s). This is a step-by-step guide that explains how to install Android 11 on Nexus 5X.

This build is brought to you by developer svlog.

Donation to Developer(s)

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[su_note note_color=”#FBF4DD” text_color=”#A38C68″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]WARNING:
The Nexus 5X will not be updated to Android 11 officially. So, we have brought you several Android 11 custom ROMs that you can install on your Nexus 5X.

But, you need to understand that, Installing a custom ROM requires little bit of advanced knowledge to modify the underlying firmware on your phone, such as bootloader unlock, custom recovery installation etc.
If not done properly it may leave you phone unusable temporarily or permanently![/su_note] [su_note note_color=”#F9D9D9″ text_color=”#AA4343″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]DISCLAIMER:
This is an initial build of Android 11 and may not boot at all! Make sure to have a backup of some working firmware to boot if this does not work![/su_note]

Download Android 11 for Nexus 5X

[su_note note_color=”#D8F1C6″ text_color=”#769958″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]

Download Android 11 build for Nexus 5X

This is a stable AOSP Android 11 build for the phone.
Below is a direct download link to the Nexus 5X AOSP Android 11 build:
[CMDM-download id=121887] [/su_note]

Other Resources Required to Install Android 11 on Nexus 5X

To install this Android 11 build on your Nexus 5X, you need to have the ROM file which is added in the previous section, plus few more things given below:

[su_note note_color=”#D7E3F4″ text_color=”#728095″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]Required links of the above will be added where it is relevant in the below guide.[/su_note] [su_note note_color=”#F9D9D9″ text_color=”#AA4343″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]

Known Issues

– Wifi does not work
[/su_note]

How to Update Nexus 5X to Android 11?

Installing Android 11 requires an unlocked bootloader and a custom recovery installed on the phone. This is the reason the entire installation guide is divided into three parts as below:

  • Unlocking bootloader on the phone
  • Installing Custom Recovery on the phone
  • Installing the Android 11 ROM on the phone

Unlock Bootloader on Nexus 5X

Nexus 5X bootloader unlock guide. A step-by step guide that explains how to unlock bootloader of Nexus 5X.

[su_note note_color=”#FBF4DD” text_color=”#A38C68″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]The bootloader must be unlocked on the phone before you can flash the Android 11 custom ROM build![/su_note]

Install custom recovery on Nexus 5X

TWRP is not mandatory to flash this build but you build the image files using TWRP as well. For this you need to have TWRP or any other custom recovery installed on your Nexus 5X.
Below are the custom recoveries available for the phone:

How To Install Android 11 on Nexus 5X?

[su_note note_color=”#F9D9D9″ text_color=”#AA4343″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]If you don’t know what you are doing, STOP right here!. If you still proceed, don’t blame me for any consequences.

If you understand and agree to the consequences it may create, proceed to install Android 11 on Nexus 5X.[/su_note]

Flash Android 11 on Nexus 5X using Fastboot

  1. Download and extract the Nexus 5X Android 11 zip file where you will get three .img files: boot.img, system.img and vendor.img
  2. Boot into bootloader mode. [su_note note_color=”#D7E3F4″ text_color=”#728095″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]Power off the phone and press Power button + Volume Down button to boot into bootloader mode.[/su_note]
  3. Open a terminal or a command prompt and execute the below commands:
    fastboot flash boot boot.img
    fastboot flash system system.img
    fastboot flash vendor vendor.img
  4. Once done, reboot the phone and you are done with the installation process.

Flash Android 11 on Nexus 5X using TWRP

If you are not comfortable with command line then you can copy the .img files extracted (from the zip file downloaded) to your phone and follow the below instructions:

  1. Copy the .img files into your phone and boot into TWRP
  2. Go to Wipe > Advanced Wipe > select all except Internal Storage and MicroSD and then Swipe to Wipe

    wipe twrp

  3. Now select the Install and Install Image

    install image using twrp

  4. Now, browse and select the file with the filename vendor.img file and then select Vendor Image then Swipe to confirm Flash

    install vendor image on twrp

  5. Now, browse and select the file with the filename system.img file and then select System Image then Swipe to confirm Flash

    install system image on twrp

  6. Now, browse and select the file with the filename boot.img file and then select Boot Image then Swipe to confirm Flash

    install boot image on twrp

  7. Once done flashing, tap on Reboot System and then Swipe to Reboot to restart the phone

    reboot to system using twrp

Add-on Downloads

Well, after installing the Android 11 zip file you are done with the Android 11 installation for your phone. But, there are few add-on packages that you can install to unleash the real capabilities of your phone.

Below are some of the extra little things which you can install on top of the Android 11 ROM on your Nexus 5X.

GApps

GApps are not part of this Android 11 build. So, you need to install Android 11 GApps to be able to use Google Play Store and other basic Google services.

Rooting

Currently, Magisk is the only thing that is actively developed and supports Android 11 rooting.
You can either follow this Android 11 Rooting guide or the Magisk rooting guide to enable root.

Google Camera

Google Camera or shortened as GCam, usually brings better images on your existing camera setup.
Search a compatible Google Camera for your phonje that may run on this Android 11 ROM.

That’s all! If you face any issue, then you can comment below.
Also, visit the Nexus 5X (bullhead) page to get other Android 11 ROMs, LineageOS 18, or other device specific topics.

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