How to Enable Blazing Fast LTE Data Speeds on Your Nexus 4

The advent of the Google Nexus 4 seemed too good to be true—high-end hardware, unlocked and contract-free at a low price. As time went on, however, we began to see the compromises. The camera was "meh" at best, and most egregiously, it shipped without LTE functionality.

Yup, no LTE. What a disappointment. However, that didn't stop me, and I'm sure it didn't stop any of you, from ordering it as soon as it came out. Petty grievances aside, it's a damn fine phone.

As it turns out, the Nexus 4 did have LTE capability, only getting it turned on required serious modding and was no easy task. Luckily for us, that's no longer the case! Now there's a way to get LTE data speeds on your Nexus 4 with no more work required than a quick download from Google Play.

Step 1: Root Your Nexus 4

In accordance with the grand Nexus tradition, rooting the Nexus 4 takes very little time or effort, and is very, very easy. Check out the Nexus 5 rooting guide to get started. The only thing you need to do differently is replace the file in Step 2 with one specific for your Nexus 4. Although the guide is for the Nexus 5, the process is, for all intents and purposes, the same on your N4.

Step 2: Install Nexus 4 LTE Modem Flasher

Brandon Pearse is to thank for this great tool, aptly called Nexus 4 LTE Modem Flasher, which is available for free from Google Play.

Step 3: Flip the Switch to Enable LTE

The sole purpose of this app is to flash different modems for the Nexus 4. You'll be asked to grant superuser permissions when you first open the app—grant them, then tap the Build.Prop tab on the far right.

Check the box for Enable LTE then hit Apply.

Step 4: Install a Custom Recovery

If don't already have a custom recovery installed, you're going to need one. Recoveries allow us to flash .zip files like the modems you see here, but in case you don't already have one, this app can install one for us.

Simply tap the menu overflow icon on the top right, then tap Install TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). TWRP will download and install automatically.

Step 5: Flash LTE Hybrid Modem

Now go into the section labeled LTE HYBRID MODEMS. The first modem on the list, 0.98 + 0.33 LTE Hybrid Modem worked for me, but I'm on AT&T's network in the U.S. If you're on T-Mobile or abroad, it's possible you may have to try another one, but start here. Make your selection, then hit the "Flash" button.

The modem will download, your phone will reboot into recovery, and TWRP will install, or flash, the modem.

When your phone comes to, if you're in an LTE area in the US, you should see a 4G icon next to your signal strength meter. If you're running a custom ROM, you may see an "LTE" icon instead of "4G".

Google wised up and made sure to give the Nexus 5 LTE out of the box, but there's no reason for your trusty N4 should be left out in the cold. Hop on board and start soaking up that sweet, sweet data!