8 Things to Do Before the Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop Release

With the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Android 5.0 Lollipop update set to finally hit the United States, we want to take a look at some things we think U.S. Galaxy Note 3 users should do ahead of the highly anticipated Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop release.

In December, Samsung started rolling out its first Android 5.0 Lollipop update, an update for the former flagship Galaxy S5. Since then, the company’s pushed out four more Android 5.0 Lollipop updates including an upgrade for the Galaxy Note 3. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop update delivers tons of new features and fixes making it the Galaxy Note 3’s biggest update ever. Problem is, the update still hasn’t started pushing to a majority of Galaxy Note 3 owners.

In true Samsung fashion, the company has kept the update very limited. The Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop update has rolled out to a number of users with the international version of the device though it’s still not widespread in the U.S. In fact, today marks the first time that a Galaxy Note 3 Android 5.0 Lollipop update has reached the United States.

Earlier today, the Galaxy Note 3 Android 5.0 Lollipop release was confirmed for the T-Mobile Galaxy Note 3. T-Mobile isn’t known for its speed but the carrier should be the first U.S. carrier to issue the Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop update. The T-Mobile Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop update is scheduled to roll out today and it should start hitting devices soon.

Now that the Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop update is heading out in the United States, it’s time that we offered Galaxy Note 3 users on all U.S. carriers some tips ahead the major push. Right now is a great time to prepare the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, and yourself, for the arrival of the Galaxy Note 3’s next major Android update from Samsung and Google.

Here, we want to tell you about some things you should do ahead of your upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Android 5.0 Lollipop update. These pre-release tips will help novice Galaxy Note 3 users and they will come in handy if Samsung and its carrier partners decide to roll out bug fixers to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 in the weeks after the initial release.

Get Familiar with Android 5.0 Lollipop

This is the Samsung Galaxy Note 3’s first big update since Android 4.4 KitKat and Android 4.4 KitKat was small time. Android 5.0 Lollipop is going to be a massive change for the Galaxy Note 3 for T-Mobile users and users on other U.S. carriers.

Android 5.0 Lollipop is arguably the biggest Android update of all time and Samsung’s version of the software is going to bring about some huge changes. You need to be aware of these changes before installing the update. Otherwise, you’re going to be caught off guard when you decide to make the switch up from KitKat.

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 when you get Android 5.0 Lollipop on board.

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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We also recommend taking a look at the videos below. This is Samsung’s version of Android 5.0 Lollipop which means that there will be some changes and features that differ from what’s on board Google’s Nexus smartphones and tablets.

Here’s another video that touches on many of the changes found in Samsung’s Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop update. T-Mobile users can also take a look at their own change log on Samsung’s website. The other changelogs will emerge once the other U.S. carriers start pushing their own updates. We expect all of these Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop updates to sport the same overall structure with some minor differences.

Here is another more recent video showing off the update’s looks and features.

This might seem like overkill, especially for those of you that have been following along, but we recommend this step to those that aren’t veteran Android users or smartphone enthusiasts.

If you go into the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Android 5.0 release date without any clue about Android 5.0, you’re going to be lost and frustrated. Do your homework ahead of its release and you should come out of the release date feeling confident.

Research Lollipop Problems & Fixes

Android software updates always bring their own set of problems so we suggest poking around for feedback from your fellow Galaxy Note 3 users before you install Android 5.0 Lollipop. This will allow you to gauge the bigger problems on board before installing and it will allow you to track down potential fixes in case something goes wrong. Here’s a good starting point.

We haven’t heard about a ton of Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop problems but that’s because the update is still very limited. We recently put together a list of common Samsung Galaxy S5 problems and fixes for those problems and these are probably worth noting ahead of your Galaxy Note 3 release. Why? Because we typically see these problems affect all Galaxy smartphones and tablets, not just the Galaxy S5. It’s another good starting point for Galaxy Note 3 users.

Carrier forums and Android-centric forums are the first places to go for feedback. Don’t be shy about asking questions. Do your homework and you should come out of your Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop release prepared to face any obstacles that pop up.

Have Your Login Information Handy

Make sure you have your logins handy just in case. After a recent Samsung Galaxy S5 Android update, we were forced to login to our main accounts including Google. Fortunately, we had the correct login information handy. If we hadn’t, the installation process could have taken a whole lot longer. Samsung says that the update could take upwards of 30 minutes to complete so you’ll want to be efficient.

Make sure you track down your Google account information and any other login information before you install the Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop update. There’s a chance that you’ll need it.

Clean Up Your Galaxy Note 3

Samsung’s Android 5.0 Lollipop updates require 3GB of free space. The company notes that this pertains to “memory that is on the internal storage of the device, not on the SD card.” Many of you have probably filled up your internal storage over the last year or so which means right now is a great time to clean up your Galaxy Note 3.

Many of you have probably accumulated tons of files, apps, and more on your Galaxy Note 3. Cleaning this clutter up will free up important storage space that could be valuable both before and after the Android 5.0 Lollipop installation process.

We always recommend keeping your Android smartphone clean and tidy year round but some general clean up right before the Galaxy Note 3’s second major Android update should work wonders for the device itself and for your sanity.

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 Lollipop update on the Galaxy Note 3. 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.

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 your installation process. We also have some tips that will help you backup your files properly. The key area for you Galaxy Note 3 users to explore will be the Backup and Reset section found in the device’s settings.

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, especially prior to a massive Android upgrade like Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Charge Your Galaxy Note 3

You’ll want to ensure that your Galaxy Note 3 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 make sure that your Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is at least 50% charged before installing Android 5.0 Lollipop. This is a massive upgrade and it’s going to take some time to download and install.

This is a massive update for T-Mobile users and it’s going to be a massive update for everyone else. 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 Galaxy Note 3 before downloading and installing your new software.

Update Your Apps

In the weeks since the release of Android 5.0 Lollipop, 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 devices, we’ve come out of the Android 5.0 Lollipop update process without major app problems. There’s a reason why Samsung itself recommends updating apps. Here are the steps to take, courtesy of Samsung:

Go to the Play Store or Galaxy Apps to see if an update is available for applications that are not working.

1. Touch Play Store or Galaxy Apps
2. Touch More options
3. Touch My apps > Installed or Purchased for Galaxy Apps
4. Touch Update All

If that doesn’t work:

1. Touch More options
2. Touch My apps > All
3. Touch the application with the issues
4. Scroll down to Developer
5. Touch Send email to report the issue with the application developers

Major software updates can 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 Lollipop on board but if they don’t, update them, reinstall them or contact the developer.

Check in With IT

If you’re using your Samsung Galaxy Note 3 for work or school and you happen to have an IT department, you should go and chat with them before installing your Android 5.0 Lollipop update.

Galaxy users that primarily use their device for work often run into issues with their enterprise software, with Wi-Fi connections, with Exchange, and with other features after installing Android updates. It literally happens every year after every major Galaxy 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. Be smart and take your time.