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3 Reasons Not to Install the Android 5.1.1 Update Right Now

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Google’s Nexus Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update comes with a number of big time bug fixes for Lollipop problems. It’s an exciting update but it’s also one that you may not want to install on day one. Today, we take a look at a few reasons why you might want to skip your initial Nexus Android 5.1.1 Lollipop release date.

In March, Google pushed out an Android 5.1 Lollipop update to Nexus devices. Android 5.1 brought a long list of bug fixes for Android 5.0 Lollipop problems and it also brought some new features and feature enhancements. It also, however, brought a ton of problems to Nexus users.

Shortly after Android 5.1’s arrival, Nexus users started complaining about a number of frustrating issues including random reboots, battery drain, Bluetooth problems, app crashes, Wi-Fi problems, and more. Android 5.1 problems continue to pile up, even as Google prepares to push an Android 5.1.1 update to its Nexus smartphones.

Nexus 4 Android 5.0.1 Update Review Early -   4

In April, Google released Android 5.1.1, a smaller bug fix update aimed at solving some lingering Android 5.0 Lollipop problems including some of the problems with Android 5.1. Android 5.1.1 is currently available for the Nexus 7 2012 Wi-Fi, Nexus 7 2013 Wi-Fi, and the Wi-Fi version of the Nexus 9. It’s set to push out to more devices in the near future.

Sometime soon, Google will offer the Android 5.1.1 update to Nexus 5, Nexus 6, and Nexus 4 users. We’re not sure of the exact date but according to North American carriers, the updates will arrive in the near future.

When a new Android update arrives, there’s always a temptation to install it as soon as the download prompt appears. Many of you know of no other way. We’re here to remind you that there actually are some good reasons to skip the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop release date when it arrives for your device. We’re not saying that you shouldn’t install Android 5.1.1 Lollipop but what we are saying is that there is some benefit to waiting.

Here, we offer a few reasons why you might want to at least think about skipping the Android 5.1.1 installation process when it appears for your Nexus device.

Potential Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Problems

If you’ve owned a Nexus device for awhile, then you know how frustrating the update process, and Google’s updates, can be. If you’re new to the Nexus game, here’s what you need to know.

Google’s Nexus software updates almost always come with bug fixes on board. Android 5.1.1 fits the profile. They also typically come with their own collection of bugs and issues that drag down the performance. These problems, which surface after every single Nexus Android update, are rarely limited to specific devices. It’s also difficult to avoid them. Installing a new piece of software is like rolling a pair of dice.

Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is still extremely new and that means that we haven’t seen a lot of feedback yet. Lack of feedback in the Nexus world is a very bad thing, especially for those of you that don’t consider yourselves hardcore Android users. Feedback is absolutely critical after Android updates particularly an update that’s following a disaster like Android 5.1.

Nexus 7 2013 Android 5.1.1 Review Early - 2

If you wait a day or two for the smoke to settle, Google’s Nexus Help Forum should start filling up with tales of Android 5.1.1’s benefits and failures. And once it does, you’ll start to be able to piece together the pros and cons of the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop release. For many of you, the risk will be worth it. For others, it won’t be. It will be up to you to decide.

If your experience on Android 5.1 Lollipop, Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, Android 5.0.1 Lollipop, or even Android 4.4 KitKat is still good, take your time before moving to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. There’s always a potential for an update to wreck havoc on a Nexus device and you’ll want to absorb as much feedback as you possibly can before taking the plunge.

Our impressions of the Android 5.1.1 will help get you started. Feedback is indeed scarce but we have already heard grumblings about Android 5.1.1’s performance so take note.

You’re Not Prepared for Android 5.1.1

We can’t stress this enough. If you haven’t prepared yourself ahead of the Nexus Android 5.1.1 Lollipop release or if you haven’t prepared your device ahead of the update, do not install the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update when it arrives. You’ll be taking a huge risk if you do.

We’ve outlined a number of things to do before the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop release date and we also recently outlined some Android 5.1.1 Lollipop release date tips for Nexus users. Those are great starting points.

Here’s the deal. If any of these things apply, you should not install the Android 5.1.1 update the second that it comes out.

  1. If you haven’t backed up your Nexus.
  2. If you aren’t familiar with the changes coming with Android 5.0 or Android 5.1.1.
  3. If you have no business sideloading ahead of the OTA.
  4. If you’re on a custom ROM and you want to move back to stock but don’t know how. If you have critical applications for work or school that can’t break.

Seasoned Android users probably have taken care of these already but you’d be surprised how many people fail to prepare for Android updates.

In our experience, the more prepared you are, the better off you’re going to be after the installation process is complete. Preparation is going to take most of you more than a day. So if you’re not prepared on day one, skip the installation process, and do it another time when you’re ready.

You’re Traveling

We’ve said this a million times before and people still fail to listen. If you are traveling, for work or for pleasure, you might want to think about holding off on installing Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, at least until you get to home base.

Why do we recommend this? Well, as we’ve noted, there could be issues on board Google’s new software that impact the overall stability of the device. Some Nexus users are already complaining about the very thing.

Nexus6vsN5-2

If something were to go wrong during your trip, not having easy access to a personal computer could make things extremely difficult and potentially impact your trip. You do not want to encounter a problem while you’re out at a relatives place or preparing to take photos during a once-in-life time excursion.

Wait until you’re back at home, in front of your own computer, and then make your move. Android 5.1.1 Lollipop isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Again, to be clear, we’re not telling you to skip the Android 5.1.1 update. It’s bound to fix a slew of Android 5.1 problems and it should help to stabilize many devices.

Instead, what we are saying is that some of you might be better off waiting a few hours, maybe even a few days before installing Android 5.1.1. Don’t rush it and take your time.

12 Comments

12 Comments

  1. Sid Krishna

    05/15/2015 at 4:04 am

    Lollipop is a massive failure. Sundar Pichai should be fired immediately.

    • Jeremy

      05/15/2015 at 7:48 am

      You mean Lolliflop?

  2. v1nce

    05/15/2015 at 4:40 am

    While this caution is a great boon to anyone that pays attention and thank you for writing this article about how bad Lollipop is why oh why are you still missing the fact that lollipop is killing/bricking Nexus 7 & 5’s. Literally killing as in they do not work anymore and that Google and ASUS are doing nothing about it. In ever increasing numbers on the Google Help functions people are reporting their tablets DYING from Lollipop and Google & ASUS aren’t doing a thing about it but staying silent.

    • Kurt McDonald

      05/15/2015 at 9:49 am

      The fact that only some Nexus 7s & 5s are bricked, and not most of them, points to user error. Not a software problem. My N7 2013 is running beautifully on 5.1. I updated and immediately did a factory reset. A factory reset helps smooth out the bumps when there’s a major OS update. People are lazy and don’t want to do it, though. And they cry when things don’t work right

  3. Patrick Plante

    05/15/2015 at 5:39 am

    Actually, I have a Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2013) and a Nexus 10, all running Lollipop 5.1 and it’s running pretty smooth and fine. I did not encounter any problems at all and I’m a heavy user.

  4. duffb

    05/15/2015 at 7:35 am

    I have the Nexus 5, 7 (2013 LTE) and 10. The 5 & 10 are fine and dandy, the 7 was bricked about 2 weeks after lollipop. First time I have encountered a major problem with any update.

  5. D-Si

    05/15/2015 at 10:48 am

    Scaremongering nonsense. Your Nexus is backed up automatically via your google account. 5.1.1 is a tiny patch and loaded with no problem on my 7. The only prep needed is to give it a good charge. What do you gain from playing on peoples technofear ?

  6. wendy

    05/15/2015 at 10:53 am

    As soon as my contract is up, I will be going back to an Iphone (I can’t wait until November). Besides camera working for only a couple of months (I could live with that), the multiple failures where the phone just goes poof and starts optimizing with the Lollipop upgrade, and can’t get it up and running until I find a power source to recharge to get the phone to work again. I spend a lot of time in the wilderness, and the last four times out, my phone drained and died. Last time, I was to phone for a pick-up and my other half didn’t know what happened to me and was going to come looking for me [before I left, he gave me a can of bear spray].

  7. The_Soulless

    05/16/2015 at 6:07 am

    I have a nexus 4 with 5.1, never I have random reboot or camera problem, is 5.1.1 have any problem, I will flash a custom ROM xD

  8. nisbip

    05/29/2015 at 3:21 pm

    Hi I have a question,may be its a dumb one.. I have a nexus 5 with Android 5.0 ,Got upgrade notification for 5.1 .But after going through many reviews I decided not to upgrade(still getting notifications on top ) . Now I found that Android 5.1.1 is out. Will I be getting this 5.1.1 upgrade notification??Or should I first upgrade to 5.1 to get 5.1.1 ??

  9. Dzoni

    06/22/2015 at 5:25 am

    Just don’t update it on Lollipop since it’s full of bugs. After I updated on Lolliflop, sound volume is decrised a lot, and there is no option to set it back as it used to be before. Battery drain is bigger, and UI is less user friendly (colours, fonts etc…).

  10. Richard

    11/02/2015 at 12:45 pm

    Here’s a Nexus 7 (2012) saga which might be of interest to some. It was last Dec. that I got the 5.0 notification, and like a fool I went ahead and upgraded. I immediately began to experience all the troubles described by others all over the Internet. I won’t bore you with what you already know. I suffered through each additional Lollipop upgrade as it was offered hoping for improvement. At last, just yesterday, out of sheer frustration I downloaded Wug Fresh Development’s Nexus Root Toolkit to my desktop. The instructions are poor, but with a little trial and error I managed to rid myself of Lollipop and return to 4.4.4. I am now a very happy camper. If you are sufficiently frustrated and have reached the breaking point where you don’t really feel you have anything to lose if your N7 turns into a brick, you might try the toolkit. It worked for me. Cheers and good luck.

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