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Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Update: 5 Things to Know Right Now

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Google’s Android 5.1 Lollipop update is currently pushing out to several devices not including the aging Nexus 4. With Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Lollipop questions swirling, we want to take a look at what we think Nexus 4 users need to know right now about the Android 5.1 Lollipop update that should roll out to the device sometime in the future.

A little over two weeks ago, Google finally confirmed the elephant in the room. The elephant? Android 5.1 Lollipop, an update that had been rumored for arrival at the end of last year and one that Google quietly confirmed for Android One devices several months back. Android 5.1 Lollipop is much bigger than your standard Android update because it delivers feature enhancements on top of crucial bug fixes for Android problems.

In typical Google fashion, the Nexus Android 5.1 Lollipop update is rolling out to select Nexus devices in an extremely slow manner. The update, which surfaced in the Android Open Source Project two weeks ago, is finally starting to reach some devices Over-the-Air though many Nexus users are still without their upgrade to Android 5.1 Lollipop. One of the device’s that isn’t receiving an Android 5.1 Lollipop update, at least not yet, is the Nexus 4.

Nexus 4 Android 5.0.1 Update Review Early -   4

Nexus 4 users, who received the Android 5.0 update and Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update, have been complaining about a number of Lollipop problems in recent months and many are excited about the prospects of Android 5.1 Lollipop. With an Android 5.1 Lollipop update missing in action, we’ve been getting a ton of questions about its whereabouts and about what to expect from Google’s Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Lollipop update.

Today, we want to take a look at what we know so far about the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 release and offer some guidance to Nexus 4 users who are currently on Android 5.0.1 Lollipop and below. If you haven’t been following Google’s Android 5.1 deployment, this will catch you up to speed.

Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Update All but Confirmed

Google didn’t confirm a Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Lollipop update outright when it announced its Android 5.1 Lollipop roll out earlier this month but all signs point to a release in the future.

Android Police, a site with a solid track record when it comes to Nexus Android releases, believes that Google will roll out the Android 5.1 Lollipop update to all Nexus devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop. We also have some solid evidence that points to a Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Lollipop release in the future.

Nexus 4 Android L System Image MIA

Earlier this month, Myce spotted an Android 5.1 Lollipop build running on the Nexus 4. What this means is that Google has the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Lollipop update in testing. If the update is in testing behind the scenes, there’s a very good chance that it will roll out to the public in the near future. So, at this point, there’s no reason to fret.

Sure, it might be a few days or even a few weeks before Google pushes this update out but it would be surprising to see Android 5.1 Lollipop skip the Nexus 4 altogether. It’s an old device but it should get the bump to Google’s latest and greatest firmware.

Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Release Date MIA

The Nexus 4 Android 5.1 release date remains missing in action and given what we’ve seen from the rest of Google’s Android 5.1 Lollipop updates, we probably won’t find out about the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 release date until just beforehand.

Google rarely announces specific release dates. When it does, the announcement typically comes in the form of a blog post. Google’s Android 5.1 blog post did not outline a specific date for any Nexus devices and we’ve seen Android 5.1 Lollipop updates and OTAs roll out pretty much at random over the past two weeks.

The only clue that Nexus 4 users will probably get is an arrival in the AOSP. Once an update is pushed into the AOSP, an OTA typically isn’t too far behind. In the case of Android 5.1, we’ve seen a gap of about a week between AOSP and OTA.

If you are getting anxious about the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 update, you’ll want to keep an eye on AOSP. Google probably won’t announce anything so you’ll need to check once or twice a day as we push deeper into March and into April. The start of the OTA will be impossible to predict so you’ll need to remain patient.

Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Features

Google’s Android 5.1 Lollipop updates are all very similar in that they come with a number of new features and enhancements for Nexus smartphones and tablets. There are a few differences (HD Voice for the Nexus 6 being one of them) but the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 update will probably closely mirror what we’ve seen already.

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

Quick Settings

Quick Settings

Our favorite new change has to do with Quick Settings. For those that don't even know, pulling down the notification bar twice (or once with two fingers) brings up a Quick Settings menu. From here you have access to screen brightness, and toggles for WiFi, Bluetooth, a flashlight, airplane mode, auto rotate settings, location, screen casting, and more quick toggles appear as you use them. Like hotspot control, and more.

In all of our slides Android 5.1 is on the left, with the older Android 5.0 screenshot on the right.

With Android 5.1 Lollipop Google made quick settings even better. Once you swipe down twice or once with two fingers, you'll have easier access to controlling WiFi or Bluetooth and connections. Rather than fumble through settings, simply tap the little drop down arrow, and you can connect to WiFi or Bluetooth devices all from here. This is a small but very convenient change, and one of our favorites.

We recently put together a look at some of the bigger changes coming with Android 5.1. Our Android 5.0 vs. Android 5.1 comparison will get you prepared for some of the visual changes coming to the Nexus 4 with Android 5.1 Lollipop. Most of the changes are small but depending on how you use your device, they could have a big impact.

Prepare Your Nexus 4 Now

The Nexus 4 Android 5.1 release date is missing in action but it’s clear that it will likely roll out in the future, perhaps in the imminent future. What this means is that now is a perfectly good time to start preparing your Nexus 4 (and yourself) for Android 5.1 Lollipop’s arrival.

Nexus-4-575x465

We’ve outlined a number of steps to take ahead of the Android 5.1 Lollipop release date and we’ve also put together some useful Android 5.1 Lollipop release date tips that will help you once Google does start pushing this highly anticipated update. These tips are designed mainly for novice Nexus users though you veteran Nexus users might find some of the tips useful as well.

Android 5.1 Lollipop Problems

Finally, consider this a warning. Nexus users who have received the Android 5.1 Lollipop update from Google are relaying feedback about the new software. And while some of the feedback is positive (we’re having an excellent experience on the Nexus 5), we’re also starting to hear about Nexus Android 5.1 Lollipop problems.

We’ve rounded up some of these initial problems so that Nexus users like you can dig around for feedback and get acquainted with some of the more pressing issues. Battery drain, connectivity issues and random reboots are some of the more common problems and it’s clear that Android 5.1 Lollipop has a memory leak problem that you, as Nexus 4 users, should be aware of.

So, know that you should approach the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Lollipop release date with caution. Those of you dealing with Android 5.0.1 or Android 5.0 problems might want to pull the trigger on release date but many of you might want to hold off on day one and wait for the smoke to settle.

We’ve also put together a list of common Android 5.1 problems and fixes that you should consult ahead of the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 release. That way, you’ll be familiar with some of the more popular fixes for problems that could potentially strike your Nexus 4.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. shahbaaz

    03/24/2015 at 8:31 pm

    I am waiting for system update of nexus 4, now am using 5.0.1 already moto g (2gen) received android version 5.0.2 we nexus users not update yet

  2. potato12

    04/13/2015 at 1:11 pm

    I just got the 5.1 update… Has it been released?

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