Nexus Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Update Breakdown (February)

Slowly but surely, Google’s Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update is starting to hit more Nexus devices. With several new Android 5.0.2 Lollipop updates in sight, we want to breakdown what Nexus users need to know, right now, about Google’s current version of its Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system.

In November, Google pushed out its new Android 5.0 Lollipop update to Nexus users. The company’s initial roll out hit the Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 2012 Wi-Fi, Nexus 7 2013 Wi-Fi, and Nexus 10. The update, as expected, brought new features and enhancements to owners of the company’s Nexus smartphones and tablets. In addition, the update brought Android 5.0 Lollipop problems, problems that Google’s been trying to tackle for months.

Several weeks ago, Google pushed out two new versions of Android 5.0 Lollipop dubbed Android 5.0.1 Lollipop and Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. Both updates are bug fix updates aimed at crushing Lollipop problems. The two updates are available for a number of Nexus devices though Google’s progression has been extremely slow.

At the very end of last week, Google finally made significant progress and it would appear that two brand new Android 5.0.2 Lollipop updates are imminent for Nexus users. The arrival of these updates comes just a few days after we talked about some of the bugs still plaguing Nexus 7 2013 and Nexus 7 2012 users on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop.

With these new developments in mind, we want to breakdown the Nexus Android 5.0.2 Lollipop at the start of the month and give Nexus users a look at where the update is right now and where it will be heading in the near future. This is everything Nexus users need to know, right now, about Google’s latest Lollipop bug fix update.

Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Updates Incoming

On Friday, Google finally posted the factory images for two big Android 5.0.2 Lollipop updates and the missing Android 5.0 Lollipop OS upgrades for the cellular versions of the Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 7 2013 are, from what we can tell, starting to roll out.

Google’s initial Android 5.0, Android 5.0.1 and Android 5.0.2 roll outs did not include these two devices. It’s not clear what lead to the delay but that doesn’t matter anymore. It’s clear now that these two devices are going to be a part of Google’s Android 5.0 plans and today those updates have started rolling out to users.

The Nexus 7 2013 LTE Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update is rolling out OTA and is now available to manually install through adb. Nexus 7 2013 users familiar with the process need to download this file from Google’s servers. Those who aren’t familiar with the process simply need to sit back and wait for the Android 5.0.2 update to arrive. This is only for Nexus 7 2013 users coming from KTU84P and heading to LRX22G.

The cellular Nexus 7 2012’s update is currently available through Google’s AOSP. Nexus 7 2012 users who have an unlocked bootloader and ADB set up can download the factory images and install the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update right now. Those who aren’t familiar with the manual installation process should wait for the OTA roll out to begin. It should arrive soon.

Google’s Android updates typically take a week or so to complete. In the meantime, Nexus 7 users should prepare their device.

Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Reviews

Ahead of these Android 5.0.2 Lollipop roll outs, we want to alert Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 7 2013 users to our Android 5.0.2 Lollipop reviews for both devices. These reviews will bring users up to speed on the benefits, and problems, that come with the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop updates, something that will help make the transition from Android 4.4 KitKat to Android 5.0 Lollipop a little easier.

So far, the experience on the Nexus 7 2013 has been top notch while the Nexus 7 2012 is dealing with lag and performance issues that weren’t there with Android 4.4 KitKat on board. We’ve heard from several other Nexus 7 2012 users who have noted the same thing so Nexus 7 2012 users will want to proceed with caution once the OTAs arrive.

For those not familiar with the big time changes that are on the way, we also suggest taking a look at our guide that points out the key differences between Android 4.4 KitKat and Android 5.0 Lollipop

Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Problems Mount

It’s also worth noting that Android 5.0.2 Lollipop problems continue to emerge for owners of the Nexus 7 2012, Nexus 7 2013 and owners of the Nexus 10. Many users have become frustrated with the update and several Nexus 7 2012 users claim that the update has wrecked performance on a device that’s now more than two years old.

Nexus 7 users are complaining about slow performance and abnormal lag, one user says that Android 5.0.2 destroyed the Nexus 7 2012, and another Nexus 7 user claims that Android 5.0.2 bricked the tablet. The complaints don’t stop there. There are complaints about core Google apps running poorly after the move to Android 5.0.2. Issues with ghosting and other problems with the screen. Various issues with Wi-Fi and problems with key apps like Kindle. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Google hasn’t announced any new Android 5.0 software so Nexus users must depend on third-party fixes, and each other, to solve these Android 5.0.2 Lollipop problems. Gotta Be Mobile recently put together a list of fixes for common Android 5.0.2 Lollipop problems though it’s clear that those fixes do not encompass all of the issues plaguing Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 users on Google’s latest update.

It’s impossible to say where the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update goes from here. It’s clear that the Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 7 2013 are next in line but Google still hasn’t announced Android 5.0.2 Lollipop updates for any other devices and those users will simply need to wait in silence to see if they are a part of Google’s Android 5.0.2 plans.

Rumors have pointed to the arrival of Android 5.1 sometime in the early part of the year though that rumor popped up several weeks ago and we’ve seen nothing emerge in the weeks since. It’s clear that Google has another update of some kind in the pipeline though it’s not clear if that update is Android 5.0.3 Lollipop, Android 5.1 or something else entirely.

With a whole month in front of us, it’s possible that we could see some more movement from Google as it attempts to track down and fix the remaining Android 5.0 Lollipop problems plaguing Nexus users. Nexus users just shouldn’t expect much out of Google. The company rarely confirms its plans in advance unless it’s talking about a major Android update.