Google has started rolling out the Android 4.2.2 update to a few Nexus devices, and the GSM Galaxy Nexus is among the selected few.

The Android 4.2.2 update is build JDQ39, and has started rolling out for the GSM Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4 and Nexus 10. For now, however, most users have not been able to get the over-the-air update (OTA) pulled by going through the Settings screen.

Those eager to grab the update as soon as possible can now choose to go through a manual installation process, as developer Daniel Koch has extracted the OTA URL for the Galaxy Nexus and sent it over to Android Police. Keep in mind, however, that the link is for the "takju" Galaxy Nexus version, meaning Galaxy Nexus handsets purchased from the Google Play Store. The "yakju" build is not yet available.

Google has not published any changelogs yet, nor has it pushed the 4.2.2 files to AOSP, which makes it difficult to determine exactly what is changed with the new update. The Bluetooth bug should be fixed now, but it remains unclear what else is improved. The OTA also brings a new radio.

Prerequisites

Before trying to install the Android 4.2.2 update manually, users ought to make sure their device is running build JOP0D. The build is available as a factory image from Google at this link. Once build JOP0D is in place, things can go smoothly.

Users with a custom recovery need to download the zip file, move it to their device and install. Those with the stock recovery should keep the zip file on their computers and follow these step-by-step instructions.

How To Install

1. Reboot the Galaxy Nexus — hold both the Volume Up and Volume Down Buttons while it boots up. When the "fastboot" menu pops up and the "Start" button appears, press Volume Up to navigate to "Recovery," then press the power button. An icon picturing Android with a red exclamation point will appear. Press both the Volume Up and the Power button to get to a new menu, then navigate to "apply update from adb."

2. Use a USB cable to connect the Galaxy Nexus to a computer. Note that the adb version should be recent so it supports the "sideload" command. To make sure the adb is up-to-date, download the latest Android SDK. Next, open up a command prompt — cmd in Windows, regular shell in Mac and Linux — in the same directory as the zip file, then type "adb sideload 472aafeb9fe3.signed-takju-JDQ39-from-JOP40D.472aafeb.zip" (without the quotation marks). A progress bar should appear, which means the device is installing the update.

3. Reboot.

Once you properly complete these three simple steps, you can enjoy the new Android 4.2.2 update on your GSM Galaxy Nexus.