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Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop Release Date Breakdown

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With Google’s Android 5.0 Lollipop release underway for Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 10, and Nexus 7, we want to take a look at the most important things Nexus users need to know, right now, about Google’s Android 5.0 Lollipop release date for these four devices.

Last month, Google announced a number of new products including a Nexus 6 smartphone from Motorola, a Nexus 9 tablet from HTC, and an Android 5.0 Lollipop update for the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and Nexus 5. It also confirmed Android 5.0 Lollipop for its stable of Google Play Edition devices. At the time, the company said that the updates would begin rolling out in the “coming weeks.”

This week, Google’s Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop release date arrived for owners of several Nexus variants including the Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 10 and Nexus 7. The update, one of the biggest in the history of the Android operating system, takes Nexus users from Android 4.4.4 KitKat to Android 5.0 Lollipop and it delivers a number of new features including the update’s new Material Design.

Nexus6-lollipop

Obviously, this release is a huge deal to owners of Google’s stable of Nexus devices. And while some users have already made the transition from Android 4.4 KitKat to Android 5.0 Lollipop, Google’s OTAs are still pushing out all over the world. There are also several devices that have yet to receive their Android 5.0 Lollipop upgrade.

With details swirling, we want to breakdown the Android 5.0 Lollipop release situation for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 users. This will get those of you who haven’t been paying attention caught up with all of the latest details and it will get those of you who have been paying attention some extra information to prepare you for your inevitable Android 5.0 Lollipop update release.

8 Things to Do Before Installing Android 5.0 Lollipop

As a reminder, there are a few things that we think you Nexus smartphone and tablet users need to be doing ahead of your Android 5.0 Lollipop OTA. These Nexus release tips will help you to make a smoother transition from Android 4.4 KitKat, or whatever you’re on, to Android 5.0 Lollipop. Keep those tips in mind as Google’s OTAs continue to push.

Nexus 6 & Nexus 9

Both the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 come loaded with Android 5.0 Lollipop on board. However, both devices are in the midst of a little Android 5.0 Lollipop roll out of their own. The two devices are currently getting an Android 5.0 OTA that delivers some improvements. It does look like the Nexus 9 Android 5.0 update is causing some problems for some users but we haven’t heard anything about problems with the Nexus 6’s software.

Nexus6vsN5-2

These two OTAs should continue to roll out over the next couple of days as Google works to deliver improvements to both of its new flagship Nexus devices. Don’t expect the world from the update but it should help stabilize the software that came stock on board the Nexus 9 and Nexus 6. Keep an eye out in your notifications.

Nexus 5

The Nexus 5 Android 5.0 Lollipop roll out is underway. It’s also available to sideload for those that know how to manually install Android software. Google’s Nexus 5 update takes the device from KTU84P to LRX21O and the file is absolutely massive at 479MB large. Those of you who do wish to sideload will need to set aside some time for the download and installation process.

Google’s update is rolling out extremely slowly, we haven’t seen the update pop up on our Nexus 5 just yet, but that shouldn’t put you into any kind of a panic. In fact, most of you are going to want to avoid sideloading the software and stick to waiting for the OTA. Most of the Nexus 5 problems that we’ve heard about come from people who are attempting to skip the OTA and install early.

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If you don’t know what you’re doing, avoid sideloading the software. There is the potential for problems and if you do run into issues, you may ultimately have to perform a factory reset to return things to normal.

The Nexus 5 Android 5.0 Lollipop update should continue to roll out over the next week or so provided Google doesn’t discover some massive bug lurking inside of it.

Nexus 4

As far as we know, the Nexus 4 Android 5.0 Lollipop OTA has yet to begin. We’re expecting it to arrive soon though given that its factory image and binaries have been posted to AOSP. Those of you who are adept at sideloading these files can find the Nexus 4’s Android 5.0 Lollipop factory image here and the Nexus 4 Android 5.0 binaries here. The Nexus 4 will be brought up to LRX21T.

Now, a few things to keep in mind. First, you should not sideload if you don’t know what you’re doing. Wait for the OTA, it should just be around the corner given the presence of these files. And two, expect the Nexus 4 Lollipop OTA to last about a week or so once it does start landing for Nexus 4 devices around the world.

Nexus 4 Android 4.4.3 Review Early - 1

The Nexus 4 is an old phone and therefore, there’s a chance that Lollipop could cause some issues. Again, take a look at some of those tips so that you can better prepare yourself when the time comes. Most of the Android 4.4 KitKat update complaints we got came from Nexus 4 users and we would not be surprised if a majority of Android 5.0 complaints came from Nexus 4 users as well. Prepare for its arrival and you’ll be better off.

If you are looking to install the files ahead of the OTA, have a look at our guide.

Nexus 7

The Nexus 7 Android 5.0 Lollipop OTA is pushing out to the Wi-Fi versions of the Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 7 2013. Like the Nexus 5 OTA upgrade, we expect the upgrades to push out over the course of a week or so. We still haven’t seen either update hit our Nexus 7’s though we suspect that a majority of Google’s updates have yet to roll out.

The Nexus 7 Android 5.0 Lollipop updates are available to sideload. Those with the skills can find the Nexus 7 2012 Wi-Fi update right here and the Nexus 7 2013 Wi-Fi update right here. Again, we suggest you avoid this method if you’re not familiar with the process. There’s potential for it to really screw things up on your tablet.

Android-4.4.4-Nexus-7-Review

Google still hasn’t said when it will roll out the update to the Nexus 7 LTE or the Nexus 7 HSPA+. As we’ve noted, we don’t expect the two updates to be too far behind though Google is pretty unpredictable. That said, expect these roll outs to mirror the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 Wi-Fi. We’ll see factory images and binaries emerge and then we’ll see an OTA update push out over the course of a week or so.

Nexus 10

The Nexus 10 Android 5.0 Lollipop is rolling out OTA. It’s also available to sideload. Nexus 10 users that wish to get the upgrade ahead of the OTA can find the Nexus 10 Android 5.0 Lollipop update here. Again, a word of a advice. Wait for the OTA if you’re confused about the term sideloading. You do not want to bring unnecessary problems to your tablet.

Android 5.0 Lollipop Problems

Nexus Android update bugs aren’t anything new. Android software bugs have plagued Nexus smartphones and tablets for years. Last year’s Android 4.4 KitKat update, for instance, delivered a number of issues, many of which persisted into this week’s Android 5.0 Lollipop release. Android 5.0 Lollipop’s change log is extensive and it fixes some lingering Android 4.4 KitKat issues but Nexus users are saying that it has brought some problems of its own.

Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 users are detailing a number of potential problems with the update and they range from issues with cellular data to Wi-Fi to noticeable lag and sluggishness after the update. Nexus users are complaining about broken Wi-Fi connections, users are experiencing abnormal crashes when plugged into a charger, lag after installing apps that require a log in, various issues with cellular data, corrupted data after installing the software, a number of issues with Exchange service, and Nexus 9 users are complaining about an odd error message after trying to install the bug fix update.

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Fortunately, many of these issues come with possible fixes. Nexus users experiencing odd sluggishness and lag have shut off the Google Now Launcher and it seems to have improved overall speed. Moderators have also relayed a possible fix from Google telling Nexus users to clear their recovery cache partition to see if it helps performance. Those dealing with Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop problems right off the bat would be wise to monitor Google’s Nexus Product Forums because they are typically full of potential fixes for early issues.

We should note that many Nexus users experiencing Android 5.0 Lollipop issues are flashing manually instead of waiting for the OTA to roll out. Those who aren’t familiar with the sideloading process are encouraged to wait for the OTA update. Manually flashing can have untold effects on the stability of Google’s Android operating system and often, users experiencing issues will need to perform a factory reset to get back to peak performance.

Why You Should (And Shouldn’t) Update Right Now

Finally, we want to remind you that there are some reasons why you might want to install Android 5.0 Lollipop right now but there are also some reasons why you might want to hold off when the update arrives for your smartphone or tablet. Make an educated decision about the upgrade. If you do, you’ll minimize any potential headaches.

5 Comments

5 Comments

  1. Android 5.0 Lollipop OTA Update Rollout Begins for Google Nexus 4 https://wp.me/p3jSdQ-5g

  2. Yajiba

    11/17/2014 at 11:31 am

    Hi there,
    Today, around 11:26 PST, gogle has rolledout the OTA Android 5.0 system update. As I am writing this, My Nexus 5 is doing the system update

  3. Elizabeth

    11/18/2014 at 8:34 pm

    I got my update yesterday (11/17) for my nexus 4. My boyfriend hasn’t gotten his update for his nexus 4 yet though, hopefully soon!

  4. JonnyV

    11/20/2014 at 8:51 am

    Nexus 4 – upgraded from 4.4.4 to 5.0 with ZERO issues Monday when the package was advertised
    – phone is/was encrypted and had 7.5gb free

  5. KatWoman

    11/21/2014 at 7:51 pm

    Installed Android 5 on my Nexus 5 and HATE it! Have connectivity problems with service in locations that previously had strong signals. Phone is lagging and some apps I used frequently are not compatible with this update and are just gone. I want to go back to Kit Kat. Disappointing.

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