N4 Troubleshooting
Some people have had big issues with the Nexus 4, and it's unknown how prevalent they are in the unknown sales volumes of the hot-selling device.
The good thing is that Google will immediately replace your Nexus 4 at no cost if there are any issues. So make sure to inspect your Nexus 4 when you first get it.
You can order a replacement easily from this link. It will send you a replacement phone immediately. You will get a $350 authorization hold, which will be refunded upon receipt of the defective phone.
Make sure to keep the UPS shipping label, the receipt, and the order number from Google Play emails.
LG and Google's warranty for the Nexus 4 lasts a year after purchase. Make sure to utilize it. And no worries about shipping times; Google maintains a special warehouse of replacement Nexus 4 phones.
Also, if you rooted your Nexus 4, don't panic. Just reflash the official ROM and you're good to go.
However, if you bought your Nexus 4 secondhand, you are risking the warranty, so stay in touch with the seller. There is no international warranty, either; you need to go back to the country of origin for support. This is the number one reason why you should avoid eBay scalpers.
These issues are not hardware defects and can be repaired with software, custom kernels, or custom ROMs.
One of the most interesting design flaws of the Nexus 4 is the lack of friction on the edges. This gives it a sort of "hovering" effect on flat surfaces, which can prove fatal for your phone if it's near a table edge. Try it yourself; it's been proven many times.
You absolutely must get some kind of impact case for your Nexus 4 if you hope for it to survive. Maybe the official bumper case, maybe a cheap TPU case.
- Problem: When I shake the Nexus 4, there is some subtle rattling noise.
- Solution: This is completely normal behavior. There is no issue.
The Nexus 4 uses a new accelerometer with moving parts, which gives off a rattling noise when shaken. It's not a problem at all.
If there is more than just a little subtle rattling, that is cause for concern, but it is very unlikely.
- Problem: The entire screen seems... off. Yellowed. In color, anyway.
- Solution: The issue is with the software, not the hardware. Use an app to raise the blue color by +5.
Nexus phones are known for their lack of color calibration. No one knows the reason why; but at the very least, you can be safe in the fact that there is no hardware error, and it can be easily fixed through an app.
Method 1: Without Root
Use this app to bump up the blue color by +5, or whatever feels comfortable.
Note that this is just a color overlay. For security purposes, Android prevents app installation when there is an overlay on, so you'll need to turn the overlay off to press Install.
Method 2: With Root Kernel Tweak
Use Faux123's kernel with Gamma Correction.
An issue inherent to all Nexus 4 phones is a lack of sensitivity compared to other smartphones. Nobody knows whether this is a software or hardware issue, or a part of the design. You might have a problem, others may not, so it's a matter of preference.
If it's not good enough for you, you'll need to to install a custom ROM with sensitivity editing features.
The iPhone 5 has a similar issue with lowered touch sensitivity.
However, you should check the "Defective Touchscreen" section to see if your screen actually has a hardware defect.
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Problem: While the Nexus 4 inherits excellent and clean audio drivers from the LG Optimus G, for some reason the maximum volume is extremely low.
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Solution: The only solution as of now is to get root and recovery. The flashable below greatly increases the volume of the sound on the Nexus 4, and also adds some extra audio engines.
See N4 Performance.
These are some (hopefully) uncommon hardware defects that require your phone to be sent back for repair.
Check if your digitizer is broken at a certain point with this app:
Run your fingers all over the screen. If there is a band of empty space, your digitizer is broken; call for replacement immediately.
- Test: Open up a purely white image on your screen, and look for any unexpected black spots.
- Solution: If there is more than one, call for a replacement.
Dead pixels are common defects on screens in general.
{{Note|A fully yellow-tinted screen is a software issue, see above}}
- Problem: Yellow spots appear on some areas of the screen.
- Solution: Wait a few weeks for the spots to go away. If they reappear or worsen, call for a replacement immediately.
Yellow spots are a common issue with smartphones in general, from the iPhone to the HTC One X. They seem to be a result of the glue failing to dry in time when it is out of the factory.
Note: All non-Android projects have moved to the BASLQC Wiki.
- Introduction - A quick intro to the rationale and ideals of this guide, and smartphone modding in general.
- General Setup - Learn how to install and run the tools you need to succeed.
- Device Guides - Customized, fully decked out guides for rooting each and every device we could find.
- General OS Customizations - General customizations that work on all devices of a specific OS.
- General Guidelines - The ideals that you should uphold while working with and editing this guide.
- Device Guide Templates - Templates and general guidelines for creating customized guides for a device.
- Linux - Run a full desktop OS on your little mobile device; research is being made to make it comfortable to use in the mobile space.
- Glossary - Contains all the crazy acronyms and word soup that you'll need to wade through when using this guide.
- Android Buying Guide for Modders - While modding can fix up an outdated device, it will make your life easier to buy the right device from the start.