New Nexus 5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat Update Rolling Out

A new Nexus 5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update is rolling out to tackle Android 4.4.4 KitKat problems though the update appears to be limited to certain devices in certain parts of the world.

Last month, Google pushed out a trio of updates including Android 4.4.3 KitKat, Android L beta, and Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Android 4.4.3 KitKat arrived early in the month with a number of bug fixes aimed at Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems. In the days after the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update release, Google pushed out Android 4.4.4 KitKat, a small update with a crucial OpenSSL patch on board. The update quickly moved out to Google’s Nexus devices and weeks later, only the Nexus 7 LTE remains on Android 4.4.3 KitKat.

In the weeks since the Android 4.4.4 KitKat push, we’ve seen Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and Nexus 4 users complain about a number of Android 4.4.4 KitKat problems. Many users have been hoping for a new Android 4.4.4 KitKat update or an Android 4.4.5 bug fixer before the arrival of Android L and it appears that some Nexus users got their wish today.

Google has released a brand new Nexus 5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update into the AOSP. The update is dubbed Android 4.4.4_r2 (or kitkat-mr2.2-release) and KTU84Q and its binaries and factory images are now available to Nexus 5 users. The update is a maintenance release that is aimed at tackling a few Android 4.4.4 KitKat problems. Problem is, the update is only available for a select number of Nexus 5 variants.

This new Nexus 5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update is available only to Nexus 5 owners on  2Degrees in New Zealand, Telsrta in Australia and India. It’s not rolling out for the United States or any other regions. It appears that the update has a new radio image which means that it’s likely tackling connectivity issues on Nexus 5 variants in those regions.

An OTA doesn’t appear to have landed just yet so those that are looking to get this new Android 4.4.4 KitKat update and its fixes will need to flash using the appropriate files from Google’s AOSP. Only those that are adept at sideloading will want to install. Those who aren’t familiar will simply want to wait for the OTA roll out to arrive in the days, hours or weeks ahead.

Unfortunately, it’s not clear if Google has plans for other devices. These issues are very specific and with the fall fast approaching, it’s possible that Google will simply rely on the Android L update to fix the company’s Android 4.4.4 KitKat problems. An Android L release is rumored for the fall alongside a brand new Nexus 8 tablet from Google and HTC.

Android 4.4.4 KitKat problems have emerged in the days since the update’s release and while they don’t appear to be as widespread or as devastating as Android 4.4.2 KitKat issues, users are running into some kinks in Google’s latest update.

Google’s product forums are littered with complaints about Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Nexus 5 owners are complaining about bad battery life. Nexus 7 owners are running into Wi-Fi issues inside Android 4.4.4. Nexus 5 owners are encountering keyboard lag, Nexus 4 owners are bringing up issues with the dialer, and Nexus 7 users say that they’ve run into random reboots after replacing Android 4.4.3 KitKat with Android 4.4.4. This is just a small sample of the issues, the forums are littered with plenty of other complaints.

With no Android 4.4.5 KitKat update in sight, Android 4.4.4 users that are having problems should keep an eye on the product forums. Google employees and moderators will often issue temporary fixes. One of those fixes is to be boot the device into safe mode in order to isolate issues with third-party apps. Third-party apps have a tendency to cause problems after an update.