Google Nexus 5 (lg-hammerhead)
WARNING: This device is not recommended for future use with postmarketOS due to its armhf architecture. Alpine Linux (the distribution that postmarketOS extends) pmaports#599 has been considering dropping it. The processor of the device may support the armv7 architecture. If so, you can modify the device package and change the architecture accordingly. |
![]() Nexus 5 running plasma mobile | |
Manufacturer | LG |
---|---|
Name | Nexus 5 |
Codename | lg-hammerhead |
Released | 2013 |
Hardware | |
Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 |
CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 |
GPU | Adreno 330 |
Display | 1080x1920 IPS |
Storage | 16/32 GB |
Memory | 2 GB |
Architecture | armhf |
Software | |
Original software | Android 4.4-6 on Linux 3.4 |
postmarketOS | |
Category | testing |
Pre-built images | no |
Mainline | yes |
Flashing |
Works |
---|---|
USB Networking |
Works |
Internal storage |
No data |
SD card |
No data |
Battery |
No data |
Screen |
Works |
Touchscreen |
Works |
Multimedia | |
3D Acceleration |
Works |
Audio |
No data |
Camera |
No data |
Camera Flash |
No data |
Connectivity | |
WiFi |
Works |
Bluetooth |
No data |
GPS |
No data |
NFC |
No data |
Modem | |
Calls |
Partial |
SMS |
Works |
Mobile data |
Partial |
Miscellaneous | |
FDE |
No data |
USB OTG |
No data |
HDMI/DP |
No data |
Sensors | |
Accelerometer |
No data |
Magnetometer |
No data |
Ambient Light |
No data |
Proximity |
No data |
Hall Effect |
No data |
Haptics |
No data |
Barometer |
No data |
Contributors
- MartijnBraam
- dzervas
- lawl
- bshah
- opendata
Fastboot Mode
First make sure to enable USB debugging in Android ([1]) Then with device powered off, hold down Volume-Down and Power buttons simultaneously for a few seconds, until Fastboot Mode screen appears.
OEM Unlock
Get device into Fastboot Mode, plug in USB cable, then:
$ fastboot oem unlock
When prompted on device, use Volume-Up/Down buttons to highlight choice, then Power button to select it. The Fastboot Mode screen will appear again, and a message regarding flashing will appear briefly.
Installation
There's a timing issue with the mainline kernel, hence we need the --split installation for now. |
$ pmbootstrap init # select lg-hammerhead
$ pmbootstrap install --split --no-fde
$ pmbootstrap -s export
$ pmbootstrap -s flasher flash_kernel
$ fastboot flash system /tmp/postmarketOS-export/lg-hammerhead-boot.img
$ fastboot flash userdata /tmp/postmarketOS-export/lg-hammerhead-root.img
NOTE: The above --split instructions didn't work on 2018-07-07, for a D821. It would either get a black screen during boot, or would show the postmarketOS logo with the message "system partition not found". If it does not work try:
$ ./pmbootstrap.py init
$ ./pmbootstrap.py install --no-fde
$ ./pmbootstrap.py flasher flash_rootfs
$ ./pmbootstrap.py flasher flash_kernel
Additional issues
WiFi workaround on boot
The wifi adapter works in NetworkManager but it seems it boots in airplane mode. To make it detect wifi networks you need to disable and re-enable the wifi adapter. This can be done in the graphic shell (Plasma Mobile has an airplane mode switch in the pull-down menu) or through the shell:
$ nmcli radio all off
$ nmcli radio all on
Race condition on boot
Due to a race condition, the device might not always boot properly. With non-split installation you often need to reboot the device several times before it boots. (linux-postmarketos#5)
Backlight issues
The backlight is not regular and is disproportionately dim in lower-left corner (uneven backlighting?). User:Neilvandyke reported that backlight is very dim in general although a in a test in 09/2018 by User:pparent overall brightness is pretty good when setting backlight to 100% in plasma-mobile, while remaining uneven.
Links
- obsolete downstream kernel packaging
- Device package
- dmesg from mainline linux with the missing block devices
- flto's hammerhead-upstream status page
Photos


