LG G4 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Update: What to Expect

When the brand new LG G4 was announced back in April it came as no surprise that the company was releasing its new flagship phone running Google’s latest Android 5.1 Lollipop software, but since then Google released Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with new features and plenty of fixes. Here we want to talk about the LG G4 Android 5.1.1 update, and what to expect from it.

Those with the LG G4 have been enjoying the company’s new smartphone with a stunning camera, genuine leather around back and more, but with a few problems plaguing the device an update to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is likely in the works.

Read: 80 Best LG G4 Apps

Recently we’ve been hearing some odd reports and rumors from various sources that LG has no intentions of updating the LG G3 or even the new LG G4 to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, and instead will wait and jump straight to Android M later this fall. However, a few signs are pointing to a different outcome, and below we’ll go over what users should expect.

Shortly after the release of the LG G4 back in June LG pushed out a quick software update aiming to squash a few bugs as the device arrived on all carriers, which was a mandatory update for most owners. Mandatory as in Verizon, AT&T and others had the device update on its own, without users accepting or downloading the software at all.

Then, at the end of June another quick software update arrived that reportedly fixed one of the biggest LG G4 problems, which is an issue with the touchscreen. Users have reported erratic behavior, the device not recognizing some taps, and more. After it arrived users found out this was mainly just an update to fix the keyboard, and many of the other issues still remain a problem.

Read: 30 LG G4 Tips & Tricks

Owners of the LG G4 are still reporting keyboard problems, touchscreen issues and taps not being recognized, Bluetooth problems and incompatibilities, app crashes, and other small bugs that aren’t as widespread. With all of that lingering, an update should be in the works to fix many of these problems.

LG G4 Android 5.1.1 Update

As it stands right now the LG G4 is running Google’s Android 5.1 Lollipop software that was released in March, and there’s been no comments or confirmation that Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is headed to the LG G4. At the same time, HTC, Motorola, and multiple Samsung devices have all recently received updates to the absolute latest Android 5.1.1 Lollipop release.

Most likely we can expect an update to Android 5.1.1 for the LG G4, but we have no release date to report. The LG G4 hit carriers in the United States during the first week of June, so it has only been available for a little over a month. Typically we don’t see big software updates arrive that soon after a device launch, so if an update is coming, it likely won’t be for another few weeks, or in early August.

With so many small problems being an issue with the LG G4, the company’s latest and greatest flagship phone aimed at taking on the iPhone and Galaxy S6, we’re expecting the company to push out updates for it as fast as possible. Samsung’s already delivered Android 5.1.1 to the Galaxy S6, and if LG wants to compete, they’ll do the same in the near future.

LG Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Updates

While LG has yet to formally announce an update to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop for the LG G4, there are multiple reasons to believe the update is coming soon. And that is because LG has recently released the latest Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update for multiple smartphones.

First, Android 5.1.1 Lollipop arrived for the LG G Flex 2 in June, four months after it was released back in February. Which is a sign that LG is working on 5.1.1 updates, and delivering it to newer devices first. The next device in line should technically be the LG G4.

Read: Android 5.1 vs Android 5.0 Lollipop: What’s New

In June T-Mobile and LG released two budget smartphones, the LG G Stylo and the LG Leon. Both of these cheap and affordable smartphone were treated to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop on July 5th, less than a month after being released.

And last but certainly not least, today LG announced a brand new smartphone, the LG G4 Beat. This is essentially a smaller and more affordable LG G4. It comes with a 5.2-inch 1080p HD display, an 8-core Snapdragon 615 processor (more cores than the 6-core LG G4) and a decent little 8 megapixel camera.

The LG G4 Beat is a cheaper and less powerful version of the LG G4, and it was announced and released today running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. It has the exact same all-new software interface as the LG G4, but is on Google’s newest software release.

All these signs point to the fact that LG is in fact working hard on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. They’ve pushed software updates out to multiple devices, and even announced one with Android 5.1.1 already. This means that we’re almost 100% sure the LG G4 will see Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, the only question is when.

With small budget devices and older smartphones like the G Flex 2 getting it already, millions of buyers who have the impressive LG G4 will expect the same, and LG will likely deliver.

US Carriers

The LG G4 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update is most likely in the final preparation stages and will be released soon in Korea, and for international LG G4 smarpthones, and then it will trickle down to carriers in the United States. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and others all have a strict testing phase, which is likely why we’ve yet to see the G4 receive Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.

These testing phases typically take 4-6 weeks to complete, which is then followed by an actual over the air software upgrade from all carriers. We’re expecting the T-Mobile LG G4 to get it first, as they’ve been the quickest carrier to software updates as of late, and others will quickly follow.

Again, LG has yet to announce the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update for the LG G4, but will all the devices above getting it, the update is surely coming soon. This also means we can expect the same software upgrade to arrive for the G3 later this summer as well, possibly in August.

What to Expect

The update to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is a small update over Android 5.1, but an extremely important one. Google fixes some crucial memory leak problems that cause apps to slow, lag, and eventually crash. Something that’s been reported by many LG G4 owners. This will also effect and improve battery life. The update also adds a few small new features, tweaks the notification pulldown bar and Do-Not-Disturb volume controls, and patches some security vulnerabilities.

Google’s Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update is a very small update, but one that is sorely needed on the LG G4. We don’t know when it’s coming, but expect more details to start surfacing over the next few weeks, if not sooner. We’ll report back the moment we have more details. Are you experiencing problems on the LG G4? Let us know in the comment section below.