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How to turn your Nexus 5 into an HTC One (M8)

Published Apr 16th, 2014 1:35PM EDT
Nexus 5 HTC One M8 ROM
Image: Zach Epstein, BGR

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When it comes to hardware, there is nothing on Earth that will help Google’s Nexus 5 approach the HTC One (M8). The LG-built handset is sleek and comfortable, but it doesn’t hold a candle to HTC’s gorgeous flagship smartphone or its 90% metal case. While the Nexus 5’s biggest draw for most users is the near-stock Android software, some may have recently had their interest piqued by the M8’s Sense 6 software and its new design. If that’s the case, there is now a relatively easy way to transform your Nexus 5 into an HTC One (M8).

XDA Developers forum member “GalaxyUser” has managed to create a new Android build that allows people into install HTC’s M8 ROM on any Nexus 5 smartphone. As interesting as that sounds, there are some pretty huge caveats.

First off, this new Sense 6 ROM is a work in progress and there is still plenty of important functionality that is buggy or not working at all yet, such as audio, NFC, GPS and the camera. Anyone familiar with the work of the enthusiasts on the XDA forum, however, knows that these issues should be ironed out fairly quickly.

Also, installing this ROM is obviously a risk and you could end up bricking your phone.

Still interested? All of the files and instructions you need can be found in the XDA Developers forum post linked below in our source section.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.