Nexus 4 owners have issued various queries after upgrading their handsets to Android 4.4 KitKat. These issues include random reboots, Bluetooth connection drops and more. Users who are having trouble with KitKat on their Nexus 4 phones can downgrade it back to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean while waiting for a more stable upgrade.

Here's a quick guide on how to downgrade a Nexus 4 from Android 4.4 to Android 4.3:

Before doing the steps below, ensure that the bootloader of your device is unlocked. It is also advised to create a backup of all the data in your handset since it will be wiped out completely during the process. Please note of the risks. We are not responsible if you brick or damage your device.

Step 1: Make sure you have all the necessary drivers installed in the computer. While Linux and Mac users do not need to install any kind of driver, Windows users need to download and install universal ADB drivers from Koush.

Step 2: Download the required ADB/Fastboot files on your computer. You can get it from the download links below:

Windows Download link Mac Download link

  • Linux Download link

Step 3: Extract the files from the ZIP file inside a new folder named "Android" on the desktop. If you use Windows, use the Command Prompt to navigate to the folder. Go to Run. Type cmd and enter. From the Command Prompt window that will open up, enter this command: cd desktop/android

Enter the same command on Linux or Mac in a new Terminal window. This command will take you to the Android folder on the desktop you created in Step 2. If an error appears saying the folder or directory doesn't exist, navigate to the user folder first. Do this by entering this command: cd username [ENTER YOUR USERNAME] If it works, enter the cd desktop/android command again to navigate the Android folder.

Step 4: Download Android 4.3 factory image for the Nexus 4 from here. Extract all files inside the ZIP file "android" folder you created in Step 3. The ADB/Fastboot files and all files from the Factory image should be in one folder only.

Step 5: Put the Nexus 4 into Bootloader mode. Turn the device off and press the volume up, volume down and power keys simultaneously. Once it is in Bootloader mode, connect it to your computer.

Step 6: In the Terminal window or Command Prompt (from Step 3), copy paste the command below:

For Mac and Linux users:

./flash-all.sh

For Windows users:

flash-all.bat

If an error "fastboot command not found" appears on Mac, open the 'flash-all.sh' script and add a "./" before every fast boot command and save the file. Re-run the script and the factory image will flash just fine.

Step 7: After the factory image is flashed, the device will automatically reboot into Android. Be patient and wait it out. After the first boot, check the reported storage space from under Settings > Storage. The right capacity should be reported. If not, do a Factory data reset from Settings > Backup and Reset.

If you want to lock the Bootloader down after flashing the factory image, put your Nexus 4 into Bootloader mode and enter the command below In the Terminal window or Command Prompt you opened earlier:

For Windows users:

fastboot oem lock

For Mac/Linux users:

./fastboot oem lock

Disconnect your Nexus 4 and reboot it to enjoy Jelly Bean back on your device.