Nexus 9 (LTE) Marshmallow update MMB29K from MRA58N: Good news for all Nexus 9 (LTE) (build MRA58N) users. The latest version of Google’s Android OS, Marshmallow 6.0, is available for Nexus 9 (LTE) MRA58N devices. The update brings security fixes and new items such as; emoji, fonts and other features. Here’s how to update nexus 9 (LTE) to marshmallow.
Downloads
- Nexus 9 (LTE) MMB29K from MRA58N
- ADB
- Fastboot
Install
Installing ADB and Fastboot
In order to send the OTA update to your Nexus 9 (LTE) MRA58N device, you must have ADB and Fastboot installed on your desktop computer. ADB stands for Android Debug Bridge and it allows you to send commands to your Android device over USB through a terminal/command-line interface such as Windows Command Prompt. Fastboot allows you to flash images to your Android device.
There are two methods to getting ADB and Fastboot on your computer. The first is to download and install the Android SDK tools from the Android developer site. This method will work for Windows, Mac, and Linux machines. Follow the instructions below for either installing the Android SDK tools:
Download and install the Android SDK tools
- Click here to download and install the Android SDK Tools from Google’s developer site. There are choices for Windows, Mac, and Linux. These instructions are for Windows machines.
- When asked what directory to install the software to, we recommend that you set it to C:android-sdk. If you choose a different location, just make sure you remember it.
- Once the Android SDK Tools are installed, launch it from the Start Menu.
- The SDK Manager will open. Just uncheck everything except Android SDK Platform-tools and Google USB Driver. Android SDK Platform-tools is at the top and Google USB Driver is toward the bottom.
- Click on Install 2 packages at the bottom right.
- Check Accept license and click Install.
ADB and Fastboot will now reside in the C:android-sdkplatform-tools folder if you followed step 2 as outlined. If you chose a different directory, than ADB and Fastboot will reside in the platform-tools folder under whatever location you chose to install the Android SDK Tools to in step 2.
Downloading the over-the-air (OTA) update zip file for the Nexus 9 (LTE) MRA58N
Now it’s time to download the Nexus 9 (LTE) MMB29K from MRA58N OTA zip file for your device and place it in the folder where ADB and Fastboot is. Important: You want to make sure that your device is currently on the “From” Build Number that’s listed for each device. To see that, just open Settings > About Phone and scroll down to About Phone. Now scroll down to the bottom and look at the Build Number. Make sure it matches the “From” listed below for the Nexus 9 (LTE). Your build number should read MRA58N and, you’re updating to MMB29K.
The zip file will have a rather large name, so feel free to rename it, so you don’t have to type out the entire file name in the CMD Window. Alternatively, you can paste it in the CMD prompt window by pressing ALT and the spacebar, then choose Edit before selecting Paste.
Enable USB debugging and connect your Nexus 9 (LTE) MRA58N via USB to your desktop
Now you need to make sure USB debugging is enabled on your Nexus 9 (LTE) MRA58N device. Open Settings on your Nexus device. If you do not see Developer Options toward the bottom of the Settings screen on your device, follow these steps to activate them.
- Tap on About Phone and find the Build Number.
- Tap on the Build Number seven times and the Developer Options will appear on the main page of the Settings.
- Tap on the Back key to see the Developer Options.
- Tap on Developer Options.
- Check to enable USB Debugging.
Now connect your device via a USB cable and you are ready to flash the zip file that you extracted earlier. If you’re connecting your Nexus device to your computer for the first time, you will get a popup box on your Nexus device stating what the computer’s RSA Key is. Just check Always Allow From This Computer and tap on OK. If you do not receive the pop up window, then follow the troubleshooting tips from the source article here.
Installing the Nexus 9 (LTE) MMB29K over-the-air (OTA) update
- Open the Command Prompt in Windows or Terminal on a Mac and navigate to the folder that ADB and Fastboot are installed in. Again, if you followed our instructions from the Installing ADB and Fastboot section, it will be in the C:android-sdkplatform-tools folder. Just type “cdandroid-sdkplatform-tools” at the prompt in Windows. If ADB and Fastboot are somewhere else, just navigate to that location instead. To make things easier, so you don’t have to type out long directories, you can also paste it by pressing ALT and the spacebar, then choose Edit before selecting Paste.
If you’re using a Mac, you need to add the platform tools directory to your $PATH. In terminal, type “sudo nano/etc/paths”. Now enter your password and go to the bottom of the file and enter the full path of the “platform tools” directory. Hit control-x to quit and enter Y to save.
The following ADB commands are for Windows machines. If you’re using a Mac, just add “./” before each command, for example: “./adb reboot bootloader”.
- Assuming you device is already connected to your computer via USB and USB Debugging is enabled, you need to re-start it in fastboot mode. Follow one of the two methods below. Option A may be preferable because it’s another confirmation that your computer recognizes your Nexus device.
- A) Type “adb reboot bootloader”
- B) Turn your device off, then turn it back on while holding down the relevant key combinations for your device. For many devices it’s Volume Up+ Volume Down+ Power. You can see what your device’s key combinations are here.
- The fastboot menu will appear and you should see Start in the top right. Press Volume Up till it changes to Recovery. Press the Power button to select it.
- You will see an Android with a red exclamation point icon, press and hold the Power key, then press the Volume up key to show the Recovery Menu.
- You will get a new menu. Navigate to apply update from adb and select it by pressing the Power button.
- In the command window — make sure you are in the directory where ADB and Fastboot reside — type: “adb sideload [the full name of the file].zip” without the brackets around the file name.
- The update will install and reach 100 percent.
- Reboot and enjoy the latest version of Android Marshmallow. You can also check out All Nexus Devices Marshmallow Updates.