Download and Install LineageOS 18.1 for Nexus 5 (hammerhead)

In this tutorial, we will show you how to download and install LineageOS 18.1 onto your Google Nexus 5 (codenamed hammerhead) device. The Google-owned OS is...

Abd Razaaq

Last updated on January 19, 2023

Abd Razaaq

Author

I'm a Tech Content Writer and Full-Time blogger. Since I love Android and Google's device, I started my career in writing for Android OS and their features. This led me to start "GetDroidTips". I have completed Master of Business Administration at Mangalore University, Karnataka.

LineageOS 18.1 with Android 11 Features

Among all the custom ROMs available for our device, Lineage has been among the oldest player. In its early days, it was known as CyanogenMod and now this ‘lineage’ seems to have been rightly carried forward. Based on the Android Open Source Project, you will be able to welcome a few handy customization options to your device. The ROM isn’t known to offer a plethora of features, rather it maintains an equilibrium with the stability front.

As far as the latest LineageOS 18.1 is concerned, it is based on the latest Android 11 that has just been released. This in turn translates to the user getting blessed with some noteworthy features. These include a separate Conversation section, OneTime Permissions, and the new Notification History. Likewise, there has been the introduction of Chat Bubbles and a native Screen Recorder. The Media Player has now also been moved to the Quick Settings with some handy Media Controls options.

Refer to our detailed instructions on how to install LineageOS 18.1 onto Nexus 5.

converstation android 11

Warning

Before we begin with this procedure, I would strongly recommend you to create a backup of your Nexus 5 storage and all your files stored on your device. Moreover, it is advised to follow the steps mentioned in this post very carefully to avoid permanent damage or to brick your device. If anything goes wrong the author or GetDroidTips is not responsible for it.

How to Install LineageOS 18.1 on Google Nexus 5

Before we list the instructions, there are a few points worth discussing. We would like to state that the ROM is an unofficial build and in the alpha stage. So you could face a few stability issues as well as bugs. On that note, here are all the working features and the bugs present in this ROM:

What’s Working

All Core Features of Android 11 Works, Including Wireless Display, Hotspot, Screen recording.

What’s Not Working

You tell!

So if you are ready to install LineageOS 18.1 onto your Nexus 5 (hammerhead) device, then here is all the required information. Let’s start with the requirements set.

Prerequisites

First and foremost, create a complete device backup. This is because we will be wiping the data partition which will format your device.
Next up, you will need to unlock the bootloader on your device.
Once that is done, you also need to have the TWRP Recovery installed. You could refer to our guide on How to Install Official TWRP Recovery on Nexus 5.
Also, enable USB Debugging on your device so that it gets recognized by your PC in the ADB Mode. For that, head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.
Next, up, download, and install the Android SDK Platform Tool on your PC. This will provide you with the necessary binary files.
Also, download and install the Google USB drivers onto your PC.
Finally, download the LineageOS 18.1 for Nexus 5: Download Link.
If you want Google Apps as well, then download the Android 11 GApps file

That’s it. You may now proceed with the installation steps.

Instructions to Install LineageOS 18.1 on Nexus 5

Transfer the downloaded ROM and the GApps file to the Internal Storage of your device.
Now connect it to the PC via USB Cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
Head over to the platform-tools folder on your PC, type in CMD in the address, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt window.
Execute the below command in the CMD window to boot your device to TWRP Recovery
```
adb reboot recovery
```
TWRP Home
Now that your device is booted to TWRP, head over to the Wipe section and tap on Advanced Wipe.
Then, select the System, Vendor, Data, and the Cache partition and perform a right swipe to format the selected partitions.
After this, go to the Install section of TWRP. Navigate to the downloaded LineageOS 18.1 ZIP file, select it and perform a right swipe to install it.
The process might take a few minutes. When the flashing is complete, go back to the Install section and this time select the GApps package. Perform a right swipe to install this file as well.
Likewise, you should also wipe the cache partition. You could either use the Wipe Cache button that would be available after flashing GApps. If not, then head over to Wipe, select the Cache partition and perform a right swipe to wipe it.
You may now reboot your device to the newly installed OS. For that, head over to Reboot and select System.

With this, we conclude the guide on how to install LineageOS 18.1 onto your Nexus 5 (hammerhead) device. Do let us know your views about this ROM in the comments section below. Furthermore, you could also drop in your queries in the comments. Rounding off, here are some iPhone Tips and Tricks, PC tips and tricks, and Android Tips and Tricks that deserve your attention as well.