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8 Things to Do Before Installing the Nexus Lollipop Update

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The Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop update is rumored for tomorrow, November 12th, just ahead of the Nexus 6 release date in the United States. With the Android 5.0 Lollipop release date at hand for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 users, we want to take a look at some of the things Nexus owners should do before installing Google’s brand new Android update.

Google’s Android L update was first announced as Android 4.4 KitKat’s successor back in June. At Google I/O, Google did not confirm an Android L release date or name though it did outline many of its features. It also offered a pre-release beta to select Nexus users. In the weeks after the early beta release, we saw features teased and release dates rumored and last month, Google finally spilled the beans on Android L.

The Android L update is called Android 5.0 Lollipop. The update will be accompanied by two new Nexus devices including a Nexus 9 from HTC and a Nexus 6 from Motorola. Both devices will help usher in a new era for Google and its Android operating system. Problem is, Google still hasn’t confirmed a specific Android 5.0 Lollipop release date for owners of its older Nexus smartphones and tablets.

Nexus6-4

The company recently confirmed Android 5.0 Lollipop updates for arrival including Android 5.0 updates for the Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 7 2012, and Nexus 10. And while those updates are confirmed, the Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop release date is not. We’ve heard Nexus OTAs could begin on November 12th though that’s still a rumor.

With a Nexus Lollipop release date in sight, now is the perfect time to make your final preparations for the Android 5.0 release. Here, we want to tell you about some things you should do ahead of the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 10, and Nexus 7 Android 5.0 Lollipop release. These tips will help to ensure a smooth transition from Android 4.4 KitKat.

Android 5.0 Lollipop Review

If you’re a Nexus user and you haven’t taken a look at Android 5.0 Lollipop yet, now is the perfect time to get acquainted with the update that’s set to replace Android 4.4 KitKat as Google’s primary Android operating system. That means investigating the big changes like Material Design and the tweaks to notifications. It also means looking into some of the smaller changes including bug fixes. Do not, I repeat, do not install this update blindly. It’s a massive update and arguably the largest Android update that Google’s ever released.

Every single year we get complaints from Nexus users moaning about all of the changes these updates deliver, even the smaller ones like Android 4.4 KitKat. If you do your homework, you’re going to be better prepared. And the more prepared you are, the better off you’re going to be post updated with all of the massive changes on board your device.

There are a few ways to get caught up. You can watch our Nexus 6 hands-on video above. You can have a look at our detailed Nexus 5 Android 5.0 Lollipop update impressions. And you can head on over to Google’s website to hear about the changes and features from the horse’s mouth. Educate yourself, get acclimated to the changes, and then install Android 5.0 Lollipop. Just remember, no one is forcing you to install it right when it comes out.

Charge Your Device

This is pretty basic but you’re going to want to ensure that your device is fully charged or at least charged enough where it’s not going to power down on you during the installation process. The safest route, especially for those of you with older devices, is to ensure that your device is at least 50% charged before installing.

The download and installation process probably won’t wreck havoc on your battery life but you don’t want to run the risk of having your device die during the installation process. Charge up that Nexus 5 or Nexus 7 before downloading and installing your new software. Android 5.0 Lollipop is a massive update and it could take awhile to complete.

Clean Up Your Device

Now, just ahead of the Android 5.0 Lollipop update, is a perfect time to clean up your Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, or Nexus 10.

Over the past few months, or even in the past few weeks, you’ve likely downloaded applications or music or other files that you simply don’t use any more. Now is a great time to get rid of those applications and files that you no longer need. It will get rid of any clutter and also free up some valuable storage space on your Nexus smartphone or tablet.

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We recommend keeping your Nexus device clean and tidy year round but some general clean up right before a major Android update like Google’s Android 5.0 Lollipop release is a good idea.

Make Sure Important Files Are Backed Up

Thanks to the cloud and Google’s auto backup features, most of your files are probably secure. That said, you’re going to want to ensure that you’ve backed up all of your important photos, videos, app data, and more before installing the Android 5.0 Lollipop update. There’s always a chance, albeit a small one, that something could get ruined during the transition from Android 4.4 to Android 5.0.

The first thing you’ll want to do is ensure that Auto Backup is turned on for your important files. To do this, head over to Google’s website. It offers in-depth Auto Backup tutorials that will ensure that your precious files will be stored safely ahead of Android 5.0’s release.We also have some tips that will help you backup your files properly.

Nexus5-Android5

We also recommend checking in with your cloud service, say Dropbox or Box, to make sure that everything is locked up tight. Finally, if you’re not sure and you’re worried about losing work or favorite family moments, move your files to an external hard drive or onto a computer.

Update Your Apps

Android app developers will likely be issuing updates to their apps in the days, weeks and months after the Android 5.0 Lollipop release. Some of these will be bug fixes, other updates will be a combination of fixes and compatibility with Google’s new Material Design. If you’re smart, you’d be wise to update your apps to the latest version.

Often times, major software updates wreck havoc on third party applications. Android developers do their best to alleviate these problems as quickly as humanly possible and the best way you can help your own cause is by installing the latest bug fixes and by passing along any issues you to see to the developer of the app.

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App issues will often dissipate after a bug fix is installed so if your apps are out of date right now, you’d be wise to install bug fixes right now, and after the arrival of Android 5.0. There’s no telling what will happen after Android 5.0 arrives and you’ll want to make sure that your apps for work and your entertainment apps, are updated with the latest fixes.

Have Your Essential Information Ready

Now is also a good time to track down your essential Google and app logins. Those of you that own a Nexus device have a user name attached to your Google account. When you get Android 5.0 fired up, you will need to have the ID information handy, including your user name and password. A Google ID is necessary when linking your device up to essential services.

It would also be wise to gather your logins for essential applications. There’s a chance that you’re going to have to login in again after the Android 5.0 Lollipop process completes so it would be smart to have logins for your important applications ready just in case. You’ll waste untold amounts of time trying to track down passwords if you don’t.

Check in With IT

If you’re using your Nexus smartphone or tablet for work and you happen to have an IT department, you should go and chat with them before installing Android 5.0 Lollipop when it arrives.

In the past, we’ve heard from tons of enterprise users that run into problems with their enterprise software, with Exchange, and with other features after installing Android updates. It literally happens every year after every Nexus Android release. There’s no cure all solution but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be smart about it.

Android-4.4.4-Nexus-7-Review

There’s is a chance that they might have a recommendation ahead of the Android 5.0 release. Often times, that advice is to avoid the update until they’re able to confirm that it’s working with third-party software.

It’s very possible that your IT department is using the Android 5.0 beta to test apps and services that users need. This probably won’t be the case everywhere but it’s certainly worth it to check in before the update arrives.

Look Into the Manual Installation Process

Finally, we recommend investigating the manual update process, also known as adb sideloading, ahead of the Nexus Lollipop release. Once the OTAs start, Google will post binaries and factory images on its AOSP website. One of the biggest questions we always get about the Nexus updates is about manually installing them ahead of the OTA roll out. OTA roll outs can often take a week or so to complete.

We do not recommend installing manually if you’re unfamiliar with the process so right now, ahead of the release, is a great time to get caught up on the process. This guide from Android 4.4 KitKat will explain the overall process and it will help guide you once Android 5.0 Lollipop arrives. Just substitute your device and the appropriate Android 5.0 files.

11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. Billy Bob Thornton

    11/12/2014 at 10:31 pm

    It’s coming! One of these days I’ll get it on my Samsung!

    https://techsmash.net/android-5-0-lollipop-finally/

  2. JonnyV

    11/20/2014 at 8:54 am

    Nexus 4 running 4.4.4 upgraded to 5.0 with ZERO issues on Monday (17NOV)
    7.5gb free
    phone encrypted

  3. blossome

    11/21/2014 at 9:49 am

    Has the OTA update of android lollipop reached India?

  4. krishnaji

    11/24/2014 at 8:26 pm

    Even though I have 5 GB memory…I am getting a message saying insufficient memory

  5. Dheeraj Mehta

    11/28/2014 at 8:39 pm

    Its the worst and more than worst android version of google. My nexus 5 is not working properly, ringer volume is not working, phone becomes very very slow, battery is going quickly. Hard to find apps. Removed outlook and managing in single gmail account, No gallery folder. Quick Office is also not showing, i dont know what all are the other things which are not there in my mobile.

  6. kalyani patel

    11/28/2014 at 10:13 pm

    I’m getting 5.0 lollipop in my nexus 4 , and phone phone is very very slow after instoling 5.0 lollipop camera and crom aren’t open play service arnt supporting …… Its like too much slow

  7. fredd

    12/02/2014 at 8:47 am

    don’t do it, has a bug that causes it to reboot until battery dead, also not wifi or bluetooth

  8. lesley

    12/03/2014 at 7:22 am

    Terrible update. Everything slow, chrome frequently not responding as with other apps and all are up to date. Don’t do it!

  9. jim

    12/04/2014 at 10:26 pm

    Absolutely the greatest on my Nexus 4. However the phone was quite erratic, slow, buggy. So I made sure everything was backed up and did a factory reset. Lollipop pretended to restore my phone from the cloud but did a lousy job. Lost all my passwords. But the phones battery life has doubled(when not heavally used). Otherwise this is the bomb..

  10. Nan

    12/13/2014 at 6:04 am

    Works ok on my nexus 4 phone but has ruined my nexus 7 tablet! Hugely slow, crashes, takes minutes to respond. I have done the cleat cache procedure twice, which helps a little. But overall, it’s terrible on the tablet!

  11. billy

    06/23/2015 at 9:13 pm

    Why am I unable to install the 5.1 version. I always receive update downloading and yet unable to install

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