10 Things to Do Before the Samsung Android 5.1.1 Release

The Samsung Android 5.1.1 release for Galaxy devices is finally here. And while it’s only available for select Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge models in the United States, it expected to expand to more carriers and the Galaxy Note 4 soon. With that in mind, we take a look at some things you’ll want to do ahead of your Samsung Android 5.1.1 release.

For several months, Samsung was content with rolling out Android 5.0, Android 5.0.1, and Android 5.0.2 Lollipop updates to Galaxy smartphone and tablet users all over the world. The company continues to push out older versions of Android 5.0 though we’ve finally seen it shift to the latest version of Lollipop.

Earlier this week, Samsung finally started rolling out Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, the most up-to-date version of Android 5.0 and a version that delivers big time bug fixes to Android users.

The update is currently rolling out to the T-Mobile Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge though it’s expected to hit more Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge models later this month. It’s also expected to roll out to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 before the end of July.

Samsung’s Android update release dates can be extremely unpredictable and that’s why we want to offer this advice right now. There’s no telling when the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy Note 4 Android 5.1.1 updates for carriers like AT&T and Verizon will emerge.

Today, we want to tell you about some things you should do ahead of your upcoming Samsung Android 5.1.1 update. These pre-release tips will help novice Galaxy users prepare for the update’s arrival. Remember, even bug fix updates have a tendency to wreck havoc on Galaxy devices so you’ll want to be as prepared as humanly possible before Android 5.1.1’s release.

Get Familiar with the Android 5.1.1 Update

The first thing we recommend doing is getting familiar with the Android 5.1.1 update and it’s changes. T-Mobile’s Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge Android 5.1.1 updates probably won’t be identical to the other updates that roll out but we expect them to be fairly close.

We haven’t been able to go hands-on with the update yet but the video above will give you a rundown of all of the key features that T-Mobile’s baked into the update. If you have no idea what you’re getting into, it’s worth a look ahead of your Galaxy Android 5.1.1 release date.

Gather Feedback from Other Users

Before your Android 5.1.1 release date arrives, we suggest poking around for feedback from other users. Videos on YouTube are a great place to start though you’ll want to expand your horizons.

Android-centric forums like Android Central Forums and even XDA-Developers are great places to start hunting for Android 5.1.1 feedback. This feedback will help you make an educated decision about whether you want to install the software on the day that it arrives.

In many cases, it’s better to wait a few days before installing the new software. Dig around in the days and weeks ahead for Android 5.1.1 feedback. It will help.

Research Android 5.1.1 Problems & Fixes

Android 5.1.1 comes with a bunch of enhancements and fixes but it will also bring problems to Galaxy devices. Android updates always do.

We highly suggest digging into the current set of Android 5.1.1 problems plaguing Nexus owners so that you get a lay of the land ahead of your release. Many of the same problems will probably plague the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy Note 4.

T-Mobile Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge users aren’t saying much yet but the roll out is only a day old and many people have yet to install the software. We put together a list of common Android 5.1.1 problems and fixes for those problems and these are probably worth noting ahead of your Android 5.1.1 release.

Check in With Developers

If you’ve rooted your device or if you’ve installed custom software, you’ll want to check in with developers ahead of your Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1.1 release date. This is especially the case if you’re extremely new to the customization scene.

Android updates can sometimes have bad reactions on devices that aren’t running stock and you’ll want to make sure your device is in the clear before installing. Do that now ahead of your release date.

Gather Your Logins

Sometimes, a device will ask you to input a passcode or login information after an update. We recently had to input information after making the move to Lollipop on an older device.

Thankfully, we had the correct login information handy because if we hadn’t, the Android update installation process could have taken a whole lot longer. Android 5.1.1 is a huge update for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge and you’ll want to be prepared so you can cut down on the install time.

So, track down your Google login information, your cloud storage login information, app login information, and anything else you think you might need to log into after the update is done installing.

Do Some Cleanup

Now is a great time to clean up your Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge or Galaxy Note 4. Android 5.1.1 is a big file and it’s going to eat up some space on your internal hard drive. So, it’s a good idea to use the time ahead of your release date to get rid of unnecessary clutter on your phone. Think of it as spring cleaning.

Backup Your Important Files

While you shouldn’t anticipate any issues with your files, there’s always a chance that Android 5.1.1 could destroy precious cargo on your phone. That’s why you’ll want to make sure that you have auto backup turned on and that your important files are stored properly on your device or in the cloud.

The first thing you’ll want to do is ensure that Lollipop’s Auto Backup feature is turned on. Google’s website offers in-depth Auto Backup tutorials and these tutorials will ensure that your precious files will be stored safely ahead of your installation process. Double check everything before you install. 

Charge Your Device

T-Mobile requires 50% battery for the Android 5.1.1 update to install. So, if you catch wind of a release date or you simply want to be ready, make sure your device is charged to at least 50% otherwise you may not be able to install the Android 5.1.1 update when it first arrives.

Update Your Apps

Android 5.1.1 may not get along with some of your applications. And while it’s impossible to predict which applications might start behaving badly on your phone, you can take some steps to minimize the risk.

We can’t speak for every single application on Google’s Play Store but we can tell you that by updating applications on our Galaxy devices has helped us come out of many Android updates unscathed. There’s a reason why Samsung itself recommends updating apps. You should do it before the Android 5.1.1 update arrives.

Check in With IT

If you’re using your device for work or school and you happen to have an IT department, you should go and chat with them before installing the Android 5.1.1 update.

More often than not, we heard about problems with work-related apps, Exchange and other enterprise software immediately after an update’s release. This has happened many many times and we don’t expect anything different from Android 5.1.1. It will misbehave on someone’s work phone, we’re sure of it.

Every department is different but there’s is a chance that your IT guys might have a recommendation ahead of the Android 5.1.1 release. Often times, they’ll recommend avoiding it until they can sign off on the performance of core enterprise software.

If you don’t have an IT department, you’ll want to poke around for feedback from fellow enterprise users ahead of your Android 5.1.1 release date.