9 Things to Do Before the Nexus Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Update

Google’s Android 5.0.2 release date is at hand for select Nexus users and today, we want to take a look at some things we think Nexus users should do ahead of the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop release. These tips are geared towards non-power users and those that are thinking about installing the Android 5.0 Lollipop update for the first time.

In November, Google pushed out the Android 5.0 Lollipop update to Nexus users for the first time. The update, which delivers tons of new features and enhancements, is one of the biggest Android upgrades that Google’s ever rolled out. The Android 5.0 Lollipop update, despite an extensive developer preview period, also delivered numerous Android 5.0 Lollipop problems to Nexus users. It also failed to roll out to some owners of the Nexus 7.

The Android 5.0 Lollipop release has made substantial progress since its roll out in November. Earlier this month, in an attempt to squash Android 5.0 problems, Google pushed out Android 5.0.1 Lollipop, a small bug fix update that landed for the Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 2013, Nexus 10, and the Nexus 9. Google’s Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update is ongoing and it’s currently pushing out to several Nexus devices including the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6.

Despite Android 5.0.1’s presence, Google’s released another Android 5.0 Lollipop update, an update that it’s calling Android 5.0.2. Android 5.0.2 Lollipop is currently available in the form of factory images for the Nexus 7 2012 Wi-Fi in Google’s AOSP and the OTA is expected to touch down for that device, and perhaps other Nexus devices, in the near future.

For some Nexus 7 2012 users, Android 5.0.2 will be their second Android 5.0 Lollipop update. For others, it will be their first. We’ve spoken to several Nexus 7 2012 users who have yet to install Android 5.0 Lollipop on their device. Some simply chose to avoid the update, others claim to have never received the Android 5.0 Lollipop update from Google.

With a Nexus Android 5.0.2 Lollipop release date in sight, now is the perfect time to make your final preparations for the release. Here, we want to tell you about some things you should do ahead of Google’s next Android 5.0 Lollipop update. These pre-release tips will help Nexus 7 users and they will come in handy should Google decide to roll out more Android 5.0.2 updates in the future.

Research Android 5.0 Lollipop

If you haven’t yet made the move to Android 5.0 Lollipop, we recommend looking into the features and changes that the update will bring. Android 5.0 Lollipop delivers sweeping changes to the Android operating system and if you’re still on Android 4.4 KitKat, you’re going to notice some huge differences between the two operating systems.

We’ve reviewed the Android 5.0 Lollipop update numerous times already and that feedback will help you get started. We also recommend taking a look at the slideshow below. This slideshow compares the KitKat update to the Lollipop update and it will get you ready for the changes you will encounter if you’re moving straight from Android 4.4 KitKat to Android 5.0.

Android 5.0 vs Android 4.4 - Lockscreen

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With Android 5.0 Lollipop Google has slightly improved the lockscreen. There's now a shortcut to the dialer by swiping left to right, and notifications are more useful and interactive. Shown right on the lockscreen they can be swiped away, slide down to expand, or double tap to instantly unlock right into that app or notification. Everything is simple and smooth, and we still have full-screen album artwork on the lockscreen while playing music. The quick shortcuts and improved notifications will come in handy for all users.

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This might seem like overkill but we recommend this step to those of you that consider yourselves novice users. If you go into the Android 5.0.2 release date without any clue about Android 5.0, you’re going to be lost and perhaps frustrated. Do your homework ahead of its release and you should come out of the release date much better off.

Look Into Android 5.0.1 Lollipop

We also recommend taking a look at the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update as well. Android 5.0.2 could very well be a mix between the two, in terms of fixes and performance, so you’d be smart to catch up on Google’s elder bug fixer. To do that, have a look at our reviews for the Nexus 5 and the Nexus 7. These are starting points but they’ll get you heading in the right direction.

Research Lollipop Problems & Fixes

We recommend taking a deep dive into the Android 5.0 problems currently affecting Nexus users. Android 5.0 delivered a number of problems to Nexus smartphones and tablets. Android 5.0.2 should fix some of those issues but as we learned with the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop release, it probably won’t fix them all. Nexus 7 users are still complaining about a myriad of problems.

If you take a look at the current situation, you’re going to get acclimated to the common problems affecting Nexus 7 users on Android 5.0. What that means is that you’re going to be better prepared to handle the sting if issues do surface on your device. And there’s a good chance that they will. The Nexus 7 2012 is an older device and newer updates often have a negative affect on older devices.

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

We’ve outlined some potential fixes for a few of the more common Android 5.0 Lollipop problems but you’ll want to familiarize with as many issues and fixes as you can before installing the Android 5.0.2 update.

Research Sideloading

We recommend investigating the manual update process (also known as sideloading) ahead of the Nexus Android 5.0.2 Lollipop release. Once the Android 5.0.2 OTAs start, someone will find the proper files lurking on Google’s severs. And once that happens, you’ll be able to install the Android 5.0.2 update ahead of Google’s slow moving Over-the-Air roll out. It’s a nice perk for those of you that are impatient.

It can be a tricky process and it can foul up the performance on your device. Many of the initial Android 5.0.2 problems will likely come from Nexus 7 2012 users that tried to flash the files early. We do not recommend installing manually if you’re unfamiliar with the process so right now, ahead of the release, is a great time to get caught up on the process.

This guide on how to install the Nexus 4 Android 5.0 Lollipop update should get you up to speed though there are plenty of other resources out there that will help you learn about sideloading ahead of the OTA. If you’re not comfortable after taking a look, you should wait.

Clean Up Your Nexus

If you haven’t done so already, now is the perfect time to clean up your Nexus 7 2012. This is going to be especially important to those of you jumping to Android 5.0 for the first time. The update requires 500MB of storage to install and that’s going to pose problems for those of you that have collected a ton of apps and files over the years.

You’ve likely downloaded applications or music or other files that you simply don’t use any more. Now is a great time to get rid of those applications and files that you no longer need to house on your internal storage. It will get rid of any clutter and also free up some valuable storage space on your tablet ahead of the Android 5.0.2 release date.

Back Up Your Files

Thanks to the cloud and Google’s auto backup features, most of your files are probably secure. That said, you’re going to want to ensure that you’ve backed up all of your important photos, videos, app data, and more before installing the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update. There’s always a chance, albeit a small one, that something could get ruined during the transition from Android 4.4 to Android 5.0 or Android 5.0 to Android 5.0.2.

The first thing you’ll want to do is ensure that Auto Backup is turned on for your important files. To do this, head over to Google’s website. It offers in-depth Auto Backup tutorials that will ensure that your precious files will be stored safely ahead of Android 5.0’s release.We also have some tips that will help you backup your files properly.

It would also be wise to take a look at your third-party cloud services to ensure that your files are still backed up. Again, this might seem tedious but you simply never know how the installation process is going to work out. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Charge Your Device

You’re going to want to ensure that your device is fully charged or at least charged enough where it’s not going to power down on you during the installation process. The safest route to take is to ensure that your device is at least 50% charged before installing Android 5.0.2.

The download and installation process probably won’t ruin your battery life but you still don’t want to run the risk of having your device die during the installation process. Charge up your Nexus 7 before downloading and installing your new software. If you’re moving from Android 4.4 KitKat, this is going to be a large update.

Update Your Apps

In the weeks since the release of Android 5.0 and Android 5.0.1, we’ve seen a number of bug fixes and Android 5.0 compatibility updates roll out to third-party applications. While we can’t speak for every single application on the Google Play Store, we can tell you that by updating our applications on our Nexus devices, we’ve come out of the Android 5.0 update process unscathed.

Often times, major software updates wreck havoc on third party applications. Android developers do their best to alleviate these problems as quickly as humanly possible and the best way you can help your own cause is by installing the latest bug fixes. Most apps should work after you get Android 5.0.2 on board but if you do notice problems, contact the developer.

Check in With IT

If you’re using your Nexus 7 for work and you happen to have an IT department, you should go and chat with them before installing your Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update.

Nexus users that use their device for work often run into issues with their enterprise software, Wi-Fi connections, with Exchange, and with other features after installing Android updates. It literally happens every year after every Nexus Android release. There’s no cure all solution but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be smart about it.

There’s is a chance that your IT department might have a recommendation ahead of the Android 5.0 release. Often times, that advice is to avoid the update until they’re able to confirm that it’s working with key services.