Released Oct 2014, newest ROM build 2 months ago (2 ROMs still current). A phone that still gets updates keeps going long after its manufacturer stops.
Want to go back to stock? Google's official factory images let you reinstall stock Android on the Google Nexus 6. See restoring stock firmware before you need it.
Hardware
- SoC
- Qualcomm APQ8084 Snapdragon 805
- CPU
- Krait 450
- GPU
- Qualcomm Adreno 420
- Architecture
- arm
- RAM
- 3 GB
- Storage
- 32/64 GB
- Screen
- 5.96" · 2560x1440 · Pentile RGBG AMOLED
- Battery
- 3220 mAh
- Network
- 2G GSM · 2G CDMA · 3G UMTS · 4G LTE
- Released
- Oct 2014
Sensors & features
- 3.5mm jack
- Accelerometer
- Barometer
- Compass
- Gyroscope
- Hall effect sensor
- NFC
- Proximity sensor
- Qi wireless charging
- Stereo front speakers
Specs from the LineageOS wiki (CC BY-SA 3.0).
ROMs · 03
The Google Nexus 6 (codename shamu) has 3 tracked custom ROMs on CustomDroid — including LineageOS, Kali NetHunter, LineageOS for microG, running up to Android 11. Each listing links to the project's own download and install guide, and was last checked against the projects' catalogues on 21 Sept 2026.
Google's security updates for this model ended in Oct 2017, so a maintained custom ROM is how it still gets Android security patches. endoflife.date · what end-of-life means
Tick “compare” on two or three builds to see them side by side.
- LineageOSOfficial
installs with fastboot
per LineageOS's install guide for this device — follow it, not this summary
checked 21 Sept 2026 - Kali NetHunterOfficiallast build 27 Jun 2026 · checked 21 Sept 2026
- LineageOS for microGOfficialde-GoogledmicroGlast build 9 Apr 2026 · checked 21 Sept 2026
RSS feed — subscribe to get new Google Nexus 6 builds in your reader · JSON
Before you flash
Flashing generally means unlocking the bootloader, booting a custom recovery, wiping, then installing the ROM. Exact steps differ per device and ROM, so follow the Install guide for the one you pick, and back up first. Check what can break (banking apps, DRM, carrier features) and how to get back to stock before you start. Why flash a custom ROM · All guides
Custom recovery for this device: TWRP. Flash the one your chosen ROM's guide asks for — common recovery errors.
This is a Qualcomm device, so on Windows you'll want the Google USB Driver (and QDLoader 9008 to unbrick) before your computer will see it in fastboot. Which USB drivers you need.
LineageOS publishes a step-by-step install guide for this device: wiki.lineageos.org/devices/shamu
Timeline
- Jul 2026LineageOS first tracked
- Sept 2026LineageOS for microG, Kali NetHunter first tracked
Dates show when CustomDroid first indexed each ROM for this device, not when support originally launched.
ROM availability and links come from each project. CustomDroid indexes builds, it doesn't mirror them — always download from the official project, verify the file's hash/signature, confirm it matches your exact codename, and back up before flashing.