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Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Update: 5 Things You Need to Know

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At the tail end of last week, Google pushed a brand new Android 5.0 Lollipop update into the Android Open Source Project. That update is Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, the third version of Android 5.0 and an update that arrived just days after Google started pushing out Android 5.0.1 Lollipop to various Nexus devices. With a Nexus Android 5.0.2 Lollipop release on tap, we take a look at the five things you need to know, right now, about the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update.

In November, Google finally started rolling out the Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop update that it promised to Nexus users back in June. The company started pushing its Android 5.0 Lollipop update to select devices and by the end of November, the update had landed for the Nexus 7 2013, Nexus 7 2012, Nexus 5, Nexus 4, and Nexus 10.

While the Android 5.0 Lollipop update delivered new features to Nexus users, including Google’s Material Design, it also brought numerous Android 5.0 problems to Nexus smartphones and tablets. Nexus users were extremely vocal about the issues plaguing their devices and fortunately, Google was listening to the pleas.

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Earlier this month, Google pushed out Android 5.0.1 Lollipop, a bug fix update aimed directly at Android 5.0 Lollipop problems. In the days since its arrival, the update has landed for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 10, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and the Nexus 7 2013. It’s not a big update in terms of size but it’s an important update given what’s on board.

Android 5.0.1 Lollipop did not come to the Nexus 7 2012 nor did it come to the cellular versions of the Nexus 7, both of which are still stuck on Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Last week, we may have found out why.

On Friday, Google surprised a lot of people with an Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update release into the AOSP. At the time, the update was a bit mysterious though over time, we’ve started to learn a bit more about the company’s new upgrade. Today, we take a look at the five things Nexus users need to know, right now, about Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, Google’s new version of Android 5.0.

Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Update

The arrival of Android 5.0.2 Lollipop surprised a lot of people. Google just recently started pushing out Android 5.0.1 Lollipop and many times in the past, the company’s stuck to one widespread bug fix roll out. The company has, however, pushed out device-specific updates and it appears that that is what is going on here.

So far, the Nexus 7 2012 Android 5.0.2 update is the only Android 5.0.2 update that’s popped up. And while there was a bit of mystery about the update when it first arrived, we now know what to expect from Google’s new Lollipop update.

Thanks to the developer change log, we know that the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update comes with several bug fixes. This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise given that smaller updates tend to be focused on fixes rather than features. There are some fixes for storage and alarm problems but not much more than that. This, like Android 5.0.1, will be a smaller update.

The Nexus 7 2012 never got Android 5.0.1 so it’s possible that these fixes and this update will be limited. Google still hasn’t announced anything yet which means that the door is wide open for the future. Remember, the Nexus 7 2013 and Nexus 7 2012 cellular models are still on Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Google still hasn’t pushed Android 5.0 to either device.

Android 5.0.2 Lollipop OTA

While the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update is available in the AOSP, the OTA for the public has yet to begin. At least, as far as we know. Typically, the OTA process comes shortly after the factory images arrive in AOSP so we should be looking at a roll out in the near future. Perhaps, as soon as today. Google rarely announces incremental update release dates so Nexus 7 2012 users could be flying, mostly in the dark.

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Usually, the OTA process is marked by the release of the file from Google’s servers. We still haven’t seen the Nexus 7 2012 Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update OTA file show up yet. When it does show up, Nexus 2012 users will start to see more and more of their brethren get the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update. There’s just no telling when the OTA might start.

You Can Install Now…

If you’re familiar with the sideloading process, and you want to skip the OTA process, you can download and flash the update right now. We do not recommend sideloading if you have never done it before. Only those of you with some knowledge of the manual installation process should think about installing the update ahead of the OTA.

Android 5.0.2 OTA

Most of you will want to wait for the OTA to arrive. You can check the settings to see if the update is there but most of you are simply going to want to wait for a notification to show up in the device’s settings. Google’s Android update roll outs typically take a few days, if not a week or more, to deploy completely. So while some Nexus 7 2012 users will get the OTA on day one, others may not get it for five, six, seven days.

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One thing that you should avoid is the Google Framework Services “trick.” Nexus users used to do this to try and force updates before Google, and the development community, shunned the practice. If you want to know more about this “trick” we suggest heading on over to Google’s website where it outlines some reasons to avoid the trick.

Nexus 7 2012 users, you have two options. One, sideload the software. Or two, wait for the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop OTA to arrive.

Android 5.0.1 Lollipop Still Pushing Out

As for those of you with other Nexus devices, note that Android 5.0.1 Lollipop is still pushing out despite the presence of Android 5.0.2. The Nexus 5 Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update is still pushing and the Nexus 6 Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update is still pushing. Both updates should be completed before the end of the year and there’s no guarantee that either device, or any of the other Android 5.0.1 powered Nexus devices, will jump to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop.

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If you haven’t seen Android 5.0.1 Lollipop arrive just yet and you own a Nexus 7 2013, Nexus 10, Nexus 9, Nexus 6, Nexus 5, or Nexus 4, take a look at our latest roundup. It will get you caught up to speed. For now, assume that you won’t get Android 5.0.2 Lollipop but know that the door is always open for Google to roll out an updated piece of software.

9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. dstin2014

    12/30/2014 at 3:58 am

    So many words, so little info

  2. Justin

    12/30/2014 at 4:05 pm

    My wife is still waiting to get lollipop 5.0 ota update on her Nexus 5. Currently her phone is running 4.4.4. Does anyone else have the same problem?

  3. Martin

    01/20/2015 at 1:56 am

    Yes, me!
    -5.0.x still not here…

  4. Juan diego Hernández

    04/11/2015 at 8:03 am

    Muy poca útil tanta repetición de lo mismo, de todo y de nada

  5. Bob

    05/07/2015 at 1:13 am

    So what’s actually in the update

  6. Jim

    05/16/2015 at 5:24 pm

    U.S.A. Samsung Galaxy S6 I got the 5.0.2 update last week ( Sprint )

  7. Jamie Nez

    09/03/2015 at 3:16 pm

    What were the 5 things we NEED to know?

  8. bipu

    03/21/2016 at 5:20 am

    It’s really good .. I already update to 5.0.2..

  9. hneves

    01/09/2017 at 3:12 am

    Much ado about NOTHING — this article is sheer manipulative starting with its tittle. A shameful stain to gottabemobile.com image!

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