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Android 5.0.1 Lollipop Update Breakdown

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At the tail end of 2014, Google released an Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update for Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9 and Nexus 10. The update delivers a number of fixes for Android 5.0 Lollipop problems. With problems still a problem and some updates still missing, we breakdown what we know about the situation and take a look at what Nexus users need to know about Android 5.0.1 Lollipop.

In November, Google finally rolled out its brand new Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system. The Lollipop update landed for most Nexus users including owners of the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 2013 Wi-Fi, Nexus 2012 Wi-Fi, Nexus 9, and Nexus 10. The update brought new features and changes to Nexus users but it also delivered Android problems.

Nexus users have been complaining about Android 5.0 Lollipop problems for a number of weeks now. Android 5.0 problems range from random crashes to battery life struggles to Wi-Fi problems. Fortunately, Google took notice and the company has since rolled out two new Lollipop updates including Android 5.0.1 Lollipop.

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In early December, the company pushed out its Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update, a huge bug fix update available to owners of the Nexus 7 2013, Nexus 9, Nexus 10, Nexus 5, Nexus 4, and Nexus 6. The update did not land for the Nexus 7 2012 or the cellular versions of the Nexus 7. The Nexus 7 2012 Wi-Fi has since received Android 5.0.2 Lollipop.

As we push away from Google’s Android 5.0.1 Lollipop release date, the situation is still evolving for owners of Nexus smartphones and tablets. Android 5.0.1 Lollipop problems continue to emerge and some users remain stuck on older versions of Android. With that in mind, we want to take an updated look at everything we know about the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 2013, Nexus 10, and the Nexus 9.

Android 5.0.1 Lollipop OTA

The Android 5.0 Lollipop roll out has been exciting, and excruciating, for Nexus users. Exciting, because the update brings so many fantastic changes to the table. Excruciating because the roll outs have been extremely unpredictable. It doesn’t help that throughout it all, Google’s remained silent about its Android 5.0, Android 5.0.1 and Android 5.0.2 OTAs.

What’s interesting, at least to us, is that there are still a bunch of people stuck on Android 5.0 Lollipop or worse, Android 4.4 KitKat. What makes it even worse is that there doesn’t seem to be any reasonable explanation. We have a stock Nexus 6 that’s still sitting on Android 5.0 Lollipop. We also have a stock Nexus 9 Wi-Fi that’s still sitting on Android 5.0. It’s not clear why.

For most users, the Nexus 7 Lollipop update is worth installing.

Owners of other Nexus devices continue to chime in about their issues getting updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop and Android 5.0.1 Lollipop. Many of those users have begun asking questions of Google on the Nexus Help Forum. It’s an extremely strange situation especially when you consider the fact that most Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, and Nexus 10 users have been upgraded to Android 5.0 and Android 5.0.1 Lollipop.

We’ve already updated a number of our devices to the latest version of Android 5.0 and we know of plenty of other people who have done the same. It’s not clear what the hold up is for some of these other devices and there are only a few routes to take if you have yet to see the update arrive.

First, you can sideload the software. Sideloading means manually installing the software. It’s a tall task for many users but for those stuck on Android 4.4 or Android 5.0, it’s one way of getting Android 5.0.1 Lollipop on board right now. We only recommend this method to those that are schooled on the process. Don’t sideload the software without doing some homework.

Nexus 7 Android 5.0 Lollipop Review Early - 3

Nexus users without Android 5.0.1 Lollipop might also want to try performing a factory reset. This sometimes can dislodge installation issues though its a tedious process and one that should not be performed without backing up proper files. The other option is to wait. Maybe Google is holding these updates back for a reason. Maybe Android 5.0.2 Lollipop is on the way.

Android 5.0.2 does not fix a nasty memory leak that causes apps to crash so it’s possible that we’ll see Google push out another Android 5.0 update to all of its Nexus smartphones and tablets, not just the Nexus 7 2012. Problem is, Google doesn’t typically announce this stuff so Nexus users will, for the moment, have to wait in the dark.

Android 5.0.1 Lollipop Problems

Android 5.0.1 Lollipop problems continue to be a problem for many Nexus users. We saw Android 5.0.1 Lollipop problems pop up in the immediate aftermath of Google’s bug fix update but now that we’re a month removed from the roll out, we’ve got a better idea about what’s affecting owners of various Nexus smartphones and tablets.

Nexus 5 users are complaining about Wi-Fi issues and random reboots. Random reboots were a problem for Nexus 5 users in Android 4.4 and it appears that those problems have extended to the device’s latest update. Some users are saying that random reboots (memory leaks) remain after performing a factory reset on the device.

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Nexus users are also reporting the usual array of battery life issues, cellular network issues, auto rotate and sleep issues, random reboots on the Nexus 4, an issue with the camera flash, more camera issues, and more. Many of these are common Nexus problems and it’s worth noting that only the reboots and battery drain problems appear to be fairly widespread.

Some of these threads have potential fixes but those who can’t find fixes for Android 5.0.1 Lollipop problems are advised to check out our list of fixes for Lollipop problems. There’s a good chance that they will work.

Android 5.0.1 Lollipop Reviews: Weeks Later

It’s worth noting that while some Nexus users are reporting a number of problems, many others are reporting that Android 5.0.1 Lollipop stabilized their software.

We’ve been using the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update on the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 2013 for a number of weeks now and we’re getting solid performance across both devices. Battery life and connectivity both remain good after the move from Android 4.4 KitKat and Android 5.0 to Android 5.0.1 and we’re getting smooth overall performance from the OS. It’s also worth noting that we haven’t run into any major bugs besides one random reboot on the Nexus 5.

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If and when you do get the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update prompt or get the sudden urge to install the update manually on board your Nexus smartphone or tablet, we advise you to gather as much feedback as humanly possible before installing Google’s latest update.

We’re still not sure if Android 5.0.2 Lollipop will be heading anywhere else so owners of the Nexus 9, Nexus 10, Nexus 7, Nexus 5, Nexus 4, and Nexus 6 will need to be proactive.

5 Comments

5 Comments

  1. Andrew Scott

    01/05/2015 at 11:32 am

    Kitkat 4.4.4. “worse”? Subjective at best, at worst, simply wrong.

  2. Andrew Scott

    01/05/2015 at 11:34 am

    I can’t categorically state that 5.0.1 didn’t solve my N5’s battery problems. I’m in two minds: stick it out hoping something better comes along or go back to kitkat. All i do is seem to chace a power socket.

  3. Andrew Scott

    01/05/2015 at 11:34 am

    I CAN categorically is what i meant

  4. Pov

    01/06/2015 at 12:09 pm

    still on 4.4.4 on my n5 </3

    • stevvh

      01/08/2015 at 4:00 am

      Me too. And I don’t really have the time to flash 5.0.2. Google dissapoints me!!

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