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7 Reasons to Skip the Android 5.0.1 Update on Release Day

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Google’s pushed the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update into the Android Open Source Project but the company has yet to confirm an Android 5.0.1 Lollipop release date for Nexus users. With an Android 5.0.1 Lollipop release date seemingly imminent, we want to take a look at some reasons why Nexus owners might want to think about skipping Google’s brand new Android update on the day it arrives.

Nearly two months ago, Google announced several Android 5.0 Lollipop updates including roll outs for the Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and its stable of Google Play Edition devices. The company did not offer specific release dates for these updates though owners of Nexus smartphones and tablets did not have to wait too long to replace Android 4.4 KitKat.

In November, Google started pushing out several of its confirmed Android 5.0 Lollipop updates including upgrades for the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and Nexus 5. These updates delivered new features and enhancements but as we learned, they also delivered a series of Android 5.0 Lollipop problems that hampered a great number of Nexus users.

With Android 5.0 Lollipop issues swirling, it was only a matter of time before Google released one of its early bug fixes for Nexus devices. The company has a history of releasing bug fix updates just weeks after the initial release and that’s exactly what the company has planned for Nexus users on its new Android 5.0 Lollipop update.

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Yesterday, the company confirmed an Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update for Nexus users. The update was pushed into the AOSP and we’ve seen select factory images emerge in the hours since its arrival. The emergence of those factory images is a sign that OTAs are just around the corner for some Nexus users and that means that it’s now time to start preparing for the update’s arrival.

There is reason to be excited about the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update but there are also some reasons to hold off on updating when the software first arrives. Here, we take a look at some reasons why you Nexus 7, Nexus 10, Nexus 9, and other Nexus users might want to think about holding out when Google does finally decide to push out its next Android 5.0 Lollipop update.

If You’re Still Unfamiliar with Lollipop

If you’re a Nexus user that’s still running Android 4.4 KitKat and you’re still not familiar with the changes coming with Android 5.0 Lollipop, you’re probably going to want to pass on the update on day one. You’ll want to take a few days to get caught up with all of the major feature changes and bugs that are on board the software. This basic research might seem like overkill to some of you but it’s going to help make the transition a whole lot easier.

Android 5.0 Lollipop (and Android 5.0.1 if you still don’t have Android 4.4) brings about some major changes to the look and feel of Android. Material Design is a massive change and one that many people won’t want to jump into. Several Nexus users have asked us why we didn’t warn them about the major design changes on board. We did, and we’re doing it again here.

Do not install this update blindly. Take a few days if you haven’t already and get situated. This way, you won’t be shell-shocked when you make the  transition from KitKat to Android 5.0 Lollipop.

If You Don’t Want to Deal with Bugs

If you’ve been through the Nexus update process before, you know that Google likes to eradicate some of the bigger issues with an immediate bug fixer. In this case, that bug fixer is Android 5.0.1. If you’ve been through the Nexus Android update process before, you’d also know that smaller updates like Android 5.0.1 will often tackle bugs while bringing some issues of their own. Even the smallest updates have been known to cause problems.

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We can’t tell you what the Android 5.0.1 update will bring exactly but we can tell you that there’s a good chance the update will deliver some temporary and perhaps permanent issues to Nexus users. Android updates always do. If you can wait, you might want to think about holding out for a few days or perhaps a few weeks for the smoke to settle. Typically we, and other Nexus users, are able to weed out some of the biggest issues plaguing a software update and relay potential fixes for those issues.

There’s no rush to upgrade so if you’re having a good experience on Android 5.0 or below, think about skipping the release date. You don’t want to rush in and ruin a good thing.

If You Own an Older Device

Older devices typically bear the brunt of Android’s problems. Last year’s Android 4.4 KitKat update caused a number of problems for Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 4 users, so many problems in fact, that we were skeptical about whether or not they had another Android update left in the tank. Android 5.0 is also causing a ton of problems for Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 2012 users, Nexus 7 2012 users in particular.

As we’ve pointed out, this isn’t Google’s fault. It’s a problem that other manufacturers including Apple face every time they update a device with aging hardware. Often times, that hardware has a difficult time dealing with the new software. We don’t anticipate massive changes to performance after the Android 5.0.1 update, it should be fairly small after all, but there’s a chance that it could ruin performance on older devices.

You don’t want to deal with performance issues on top of any bugs that might rear their ugly head after Android 5.0.1 arrives. So if you own an older device, proceed with extreme caution. If it were us, we definitely would avoid Android 5.0.1 Lollipop on day one and gather as much feedback on performance as humanly possible.

If You Have Critical Apps

App performance post-Android 5.0 release has been solid for many users though we have heard some complaints about stability and performance. This isn’t surprising given that apps almost always act up after major software upgrades.

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We anticipate a fairly smooth transition from Android 5.0 to Android 5.0.1 from an app standpoint but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be cautious. Many of you use applications to get through the school day or workday. And while we expect a smooth release, there’s always a chance that an important app will start acting up.

If you are going to be reliant on apps throughout the release day for work flow or something else, it’s going to be best to hold off on installing Android 5.0.1 Lollipop until reviews indicate that the coast is clear. Most third-party applications should be fine but it’s not worth the risk if you’re doing something extremely important for your job or your education.

If You’re Traveling

Those of you who are traveling might want to think about holding off on installing Android 5.0.1 Lollipop on day one. That’s because there could be issues on board Google’s new software that impact the overall stability of the device. This is particularly troublesome for travelers who haven’t backed up their data. If something were to go wrong, not having easy access to a personal computer could make things extremely difficult. It’s also a general headache that you would not want while on a pleasure trip.

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If you are not at home when the Nexus Android 5.0.1 Lollipop release arrives, we highly recommend waiting until you’re back. Android 5.0.1 Lollipop isn’t going anywhere and it will be waiting for you when you get back. In fact, depending on how long you’re gone for, you might actually encounter another Android 5.0 bug fix update instead of Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update itself.

If You’re Unprepared

If you aren’t prepared for the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update and its release, do not install the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update when it arrives for your Nexus device. If you haven’t had time to back up your data, clean up your device, install app updates, or check in with your ROM developer, you will want to think about holding off until all of that is done.

For you seasoned Nexus veterans out there, this might seem like overkill. That said, in our experience, the more prepared you are, the better off you’re going to be post-update. Most of the people that we encounter dealing with issues are people that installed the update blindly without ensuring all of their bases were covered. Don’t be that person.

If You’re Using the Device for Work

If you’re using your phone, at all, for work, then you might want to hang back and survey the scene for a couple of days. We’ve seen Exchange issues occur after the arrival of new Android software updates and we’ve seen folks run into battery life issues on their work phone or tablet on days when battery life problems are unacceptable due to a work project or important meeting.

Those who are using a Nexus smartphone or tablet as a work-related device may want to hold off until the major Android 5.0 Lollipop bugs can be established and until your company’s IT department gives the go-ahead to install the software. And that’s something that may not happen on the update’s first day of availability.

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Greg D. Lind

    12/04/2014 at 11:11 am

    got an OTA update to Android 5.0.1 last nite for my Nexus 7 (2013). Looks great, works great, no issues that I can see. Not sure why you would be so tentative about getting an OTA update, after all, that is why we have Nexus devices in the first place…so we are not the last to get the updates, a year from now for those Samsung devices…haha!

  2. Sean Dent

    12/04/2014 at 10:39 pm

    Pardon me, but this is a stupid article. It’s just a copy of why you might not want to upgrade to Lollipop. If you have already upgraded to Lollipop, this is a bug fix and I can’t think of a single reason not to upgrade. Yet another click bait trash article.

  3. Rafal

    12/05/2014 at 5:26 am

    It seems like the article is implying that Android in particular has been known for bugs in their release updates. I would call that biased. All software will have bugs and will have updates to fix bugs. IOS isn’t any different. But at least Androind Lollipop didn’t make user’s phones stop working completely like the recent fiasco with Apple’s iOS.

  4. Laura

    12/16/2014 at 8:55 am

    The lollipop update left my device pretty much unusable :-( (nexus 7 2012) Not in such a hurry to load updates now.

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