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5 Things to Know Now About the Android 5.1.1 Update

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Last week, Google’s Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update finally started to pick up steam. With Android 5.1.1 Lollipop updates finally on the move, we want to take a look at five things Nexus users need to know now about Google’s Android 5.1.1 update and its release.

In April, after a few weeks of rumor and speculation, Google confirmed a brand new Android 5.1.1 Lollipop release for Nexus smartphones and tablets. The company didn’t confirm the update through its blog or with a huge announcement on Twitter. Instead, it quietly confirmed the release with a roll out for the Nexus Player.

For a few days, the Android 5.1.1 update laid dormant as Google worked behind the scenes to get the software ready for its stable of Nexus smartphones and tablets. While the Android 5.1.1 release isn’t rolling out to a ton of different devices, it is starting to make some progress as we push into the month of May, deeper into its release.

Nexus7-5-1

While Nexus devices like the Nexus 5, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 have been a focal point during the initial Android 5.1.1 roll out phase, we’ve seen Android 5.1.1 details emerge for a number of different devices including the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and Google’s Android Wear for wearables. The update, it seems, won’t be limited to Google’s Nexus devices.

With Android 5.1.1 details swirling around, we want to touch on a few things Nexus users and owners of other devices need to know about Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. Google’s Android 5.1.1 update is a small one but it’s going to bring some important fixes and in some cases features to Google’s massive stable of Android devices.

Nexus 10 & Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 Update

We’ll start with what we know about the Nexus Android 5.1.1 update and its roll out.

Unsurprisingly, Google’s Android 5.1.1 update push has been extremely slow and confusing for Nexus users. We’ve seen sporadic details emerge and there are still a ton of blanks that the company needs to fill in before everything is said and done.

Right now, the Nexus Android 5.1.1 update is only available for a small group of devices including the Nexus Player, Nexus 10, Nexus 2012 Wi-Fi, and the Nexus 7 2013 Wi-Fi. The Nexus 10 OTA roll out started last week while the Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 OTAs continue to lag. That doesn’t mean that users can’t install the update right now.

Nexus-7-Lollipop

 

Nexus 7 users who know how to sideload software can go ahead and skip the OTA. Google’s released the factory images for these updates. We recently put together a guide that shows you how to install these updates manually. It’s a fairly easy process though most users will probably want to wait for the OTAs to arrive.

Unless Google catches something major during the OTA process, these updates will start picking up speed in a few days and finish up in a few weeks. Google’s OTA process can take two weeks or so to complete.

Google’s Android 5.1.1 update is also expected to hit the Nexus 5 and it will probably roll out to the companies cellular versions of the Nexus 7. Google is still quiet on the timing of its other Android 5.1.1 roll outs and users will need to keep an eye out.

Early Android 5.1.1 Reviews

Some Nexus users have taken it upon themselves to provide early feedback about the Android 5.1.1 update. These early reviews are scarce but they do help to paint a picture ahead of Google’s big OTA push.

Unsurprisingly, we’ve begun to hear about Android 5.1.1 problems. One Nexus 7 user claims that his tablet is exhibiting problems with sound and its speakers after making the move. He is using the 2012 version of the Nexus 7, a device that encountered numerous problems on the company’s Android 5.1 update including lag and random reboots. Some users believe that the problem isn’t associated with Android 5.1.1 but that remains to be seen.

Other Nexus 7 users aren’t seeing this issue and some say that the Android 5.1.1 update has delivered a solid performance. One user says that in his 12 hours or so with the update, everything has been working out just fine.

Installing Android updates, even smaller updates like Android 5.1.1, is risky, especially on older devices like the Nexus 7 2012. And that’s why we recommend preparing yourself and your device ahead of time.

Look for more feedback about Android 5.1.1 problems and performance to emerge as more Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 7 2013 users get the update on board. Again, the OTAs aren’t rolling out in full force and those who have provided early feedback flashed the update with the factory images.

Nexus 9 Android 5.1.1 Update Details

Google’s Nexus 9 is the company’s flagship Nexus tablet but it’s not being treated like one. While older devices like the Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 10 have been bumped to Android 5.1.1, the Nexus 9 is lingering on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. This has left a ton of Nexus 9 users frustrated with Google and its Android 5.1.1 roll out.

We don’t know when Google plans to roll out a Nexus 9 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update but from what we’ve seen, it does appear to be in development behind the scenes.

Nexus-9

Google’s Sascha Prüter says that the Nexus 9 Android 5.1.1 update shouldn’t be too far out. He claims that the team behind the software is battling some last minute issues with the software and that they will release the update when it’s ready for public consumption. It’s not clear when that might be though we’re not expecting Nexus 9 users to have to wait much longer

Once Google gets the Nexus 9 Android 5.1.1 update out, it will have finally updated all of its Nexus devices beyond the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update that rolled out several weeks ago.

Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1.1 Update

Google’s Android 5.1.1 roll out will expand beyond its Nexus smartphones and tablets and it appears that Samsung’s flagship smartphones will be among those that get the new version of Lollipop.

Samsung is reportedly developing Android 5.1 updates for the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy Grand Prime. The company hasn’t confirmed those updates but it does appear as though one lucky Galaxy S6 Edge user on T-Mobile got the Android 5.1.1 update well ahead of time.

Thanks to the video above and SamMobile, we know of at least one feature that Samsung will bring to the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge with Android 5.1. If their intel is correct, Samsung will bring Guest Mode to the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. Guest Mode, for those that don’t know, allows Android users to use separate profiles.

This Galaxy S6 Edge Android 5.1.1 update isn’t rolling out OTA but its existence proves that Samsung and its partners are working behind the scenes to deliver new software. It’s still not clear when these updates will start rolling out though it does look like the company is making progress.

Android Wear Android 5.1.1 Update

Finally, Google is expected to start delivering Android Wear updates based on Android 5.1.1. Google hasn’t detailed its roll out plans but thanks to Android Central, we’ve got a good look at what Android Wear users can expect from their next big update.

The video above shows Android 5.1.1 running on the LG Urbane. The LG Urbane is a premium Android Wear smartwatch that will serve as a competitor for devices like Moto 360 and Apple Watch.

Android 5.1.1 should feature a collection of bug fixes and more for owners of older Android Wear devices. Users will want to be on the lookout during the month of May for the roll out.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Andrew Telesco

    05/04/2015 at 10:56 pm

    My Nexus 7 2013 WiFi bricked the first time it ran out of battery after the 5.1.1 update it seems from the posts on Google’s form that lot of people had the same problem. Stuck on GOOGLE.

  2. Ron Espiritu

    05/05/2015 at 11:23 am

    Just updated my N7 2012 to 5.1.1. Big difference…for the better.. So far it hasn’t got stuck. Much snappier. Time will tell.

  3. Kim

    05/19/2015 at 2:27 pm

    How can I remove the new lollipop update? It’s awful

    • Cory Gunther

      05/20/2015 at 3:44 pm

      If you’re on a Nexus device just flash the factory image of Android 4.4 KitKat

  4. Abbey

    12/06/2015 at 12:51 pm

    wow. i just updated my samsung galaxy note 10.1 2014 version from kitkat to 5.1.1 lollipop and it is AWESOME. everything changed! the look completel changed, how i view open apps changes, apps themselves have changed, A LOT HAS CHANGED. and i am LOVING IT. the whole pen experienced changed and it is soooo much smoother and more accurate now! no lag whatsoever. i thought my pen was just getting ood on kitkat, but it was the program. now it is beautiful. LOVE THE CHANGES. the work dedinately paid off in my opinion for the samsung galaxy note 10.1 2014 version. THANK YOU SAMSUNG!

  5. Mak kk

    03/09/2016 at 7:40 pm

    You can enable or disable sound and silent or vibrate and flight mode option after lock the mobile in android 5.1.1, this is a friendly future for stealer and theft.

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