Why You Shouldn’t Install the Nexus 5 Android 5.1 Update Now

If you’ve been thinking about installing the Nexus 5 Android 5.1 Lollipop update on your device, you would be wise to hold off.

In March, Google started rolling out a brand new version of Android 5.0 Lollipop dubbed Android 5.1 Lollipop. The update, which followed the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop and Android 5.0.1 Lollipop updates, delivered a number of big time bug fixes to the company’s various Nexus-branded smartphones and tablets. It also delivered some nice tweaks to features on board Google’s current operating system.

While the Android 5.1 Lollipop release moved out slow, it has picked up the pace in April and it’s now available for a number of big name devices including the Nexus 5, Google’s former flagship from 2013.

The Nexus 5 Android 5.1 update was one of the first to roll out though it didn’t hit everybody until April. And that’s why many Nexus 5 users, including us, were quick to download the new software when it arrived. The bug fixes and new features were a huge draw. That said, the Android 5.1 update has been problematic for many Nexus 5 users, us included.

Android 5.1 problems have been swirling around since its initial release. And as more and more people have downloaded the new software, complaints about Android 5.1 problems have only grown louder. Nexus 5 users have cited a number of different issues with Google’s new firmware, enough that the company is now starting to roll out a brand new Android 5.1 update.

Nexus 5 Android 5.1 Problems

We’ve been using the Nexus 5 Android 5.1 update since late March. For the most part, the update is excellent on the aging former flagship. Connectivity on our models is holding up, battery life remains solid, and the device is as fast as it was when it first came out back in November of 2013. There are, however, some problems that continue to plague the Android 5.0 experience.

Nexus 5 users are complaining about tons of isolated issues, small bugs that are only impacting a few devices. However, there are several bugs that appear to be impacting a great number of people.

One of those issues the dreaded memory leak issue that popped up for many Nexus 5 users back in March. We, like many other Nexus 5 users, have experienced the problem first hand. Apps continually crash due to a lack of available memory and the device will occasionally turn itself off without warning. We call those random reboots. The issues continue to hamper our device a month after getting Android 5.1 Lollipop on board.

Owners of the Nexus 5 are also complaining about problems with the camera application. The problem, outlined above by Android Police, affects the stock camera app. It appears that the camera crashes when another piece of software like Facebook tries to open the camera. We haven’t seen the problem ourselves, at least not yet.

There is, of course, always some risk involved when you download and install a brand new Android update. There are always problems. Most of the time though, the problems are isolated to a few Nexus users. These problems aren’t isolated. They seem to be affecting more than just a few unlucky Nexus 5 owners. Fortunately, it appears that help is on the way.

Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Update

Yesterday, Google started rolling out Android 5.1.1 Lollipop to the Nexus Player. And while the company hasn’t confirmed anything specific for its other devices, it’s clear that it will hit at least a few other devices in the future including the Nexus 5.

Google hasn’t outlined any specifics but the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop change log has emerged thanks to Android Police. Android 5.1.1 is expected to fix the memory leak problems plaguing Nexus users which, in and of itself, is huge. What’s more is that it comes with a fix for the Nexus 5’s camera crash bug. That’s how we know that this update is probably coming to the Nexus 5 at some point and that’s precisely why you shouldn’t install Android 5.1 yet.

Instead you should wait for the updated version of Android 5.1, Android 5.1.1, to roll out to the Nexus 5. There’s a very good chance that it will squash camera problems, app crashes, random reboots, and various other Android 5.0 Lollipop problems once and for all.

We don’t know when Google plans to roll out Android 5.1.1 Lollipop for the Nexus 5. Google is well known for taking its sweet time to get new software out to its Nexus smartphones and tablets. So, it could be a few weeks before it pushes to the Nexus 5.

Unless you want to subject yourself to the Android 5.1 problems that we and many other Nexus 5 users have been seeing on Android 5.1, our advice is to remain patient and stay on Android 5.0.2 or below for the time being. Android 5.1.1 looks very promising. Obviously, you’re going to need to remain patient as Google works behind the scenes but there’s a very good chance that Android 5.1.1 will be worth the wait.

While you wait for Google to prepare its latest version of Android 5.1, you should start preparing your Nexus 5. We’d put together a series of steps to take ahead of the Android 5.1.1 release that will help stabilize you, and your phone, ahead of the update’s arrival.