Nexus 6 Android 5.0.1 Update Released

Early last week Google announced and released an incremental update to the new Android 5.0 Lollipop software that arrived back in October, being Android 5.0.1, and that update is now available starting today for the Nexus 6. After only a week of waiting and a few rumors suggesting it wouldn’t arrive until December 15th, it’s now available for some.

Last week Android 5.0.1 arrived for the Nexus 7, Nexus 9 and Nexus 10 tablet, but it was only WiFi devices seeing updates as Google prepared the latest version of Android for smartphones and LTE tablets. To be more specific, today Google released the factory images of Android 5.0.1 for the Nexus 6, and for the Nexus 4.

Read: Nexus 6 Android 5.0.1 Update: 3 New Details

Just like the Android 4.4 KitKat update last year, a quick software bug fixing update has been sent out by Google for select devices, and over the next few weeks we can expect it to arrive for more and more smartphones and tablets. Again, this is not the over the air update for all users, and only the factory images direct from Google.

The Android 5.0.1 System Image is a download that contains all the files needed to install a stock version of Android 5.0.1 on the Nexus 6. This is essentially everything that you would download as an OTA update for regular Android updates. However, this makes the phone stock like it was out of the box (aka factory image) and it will wipe out all user data and settings.

This means that those patiently waiting for an update on the Nexus 6 to fix a few of the bugs users have been experiencing, this release isn’t for you. This is a a stock image which erases all user data and makes the device new like it came out of the box. However, this is a step many can take if the issues on the Nexus 6 are big enough that you’d rather not wait.

That said, when Google released factory images like they’ve done today it usually means that regular OTA (over the air) updates are coming extremely soon. The over the air update should arrive on the Nexus 6 from all sources, including US carriers, and won’t require users to erase and wipe out the phone. It will install over the current software, not replace it. This means the factory image is only a last resort, or for those who’d rather not wait.

Read: How to Install Android 5.0 Lollipop on the Nexus 4

Above is a how to guide for installing Android 5.0 Lollipop on the Nexus 4, but the exact same system, tools, and steps can be followed to download and install Android 5.0.1 Lollipop on the Nexus 4, or the Nexus 6 we’re talking about here today. Simply do everything in the link above, only make sure to download, flash, and install the latest Android 5.0.1 factory image for the Nexus 6.

As of right now Android 5.0.1 Lollipop has now been released for the Nexus 4, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, 9 and 10 tablets, as well as select Google Play edition phones and that’s it. Meaning there’s no images for those with the Nexus 5, at least not yet, but that could change any minute now. Most likely it will arrive before days end.

The Nexus 6 Android 5.0.1 Lollipop incremental update detailed today should fix a few issues users have been experiencing. From app freezing and restarts, issues with app installs, assure all Google applications can be installed properly, it is supposed to fix a modem issue affecting Nexus 6 users on LTE, and a few other thing that we’ve yet to uncover.

The release of Android 5.0.1 Nexus 6 factory images means the update is ready for the public, and Google is likely only waiting on carrier approval (if needed) for the Nexus 6, otherwise expect an over the air software update to arrive any day now. We’ve heard it will start December 15th, but with the images already here, be on the lookout for an update any day now.