September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Update: 5 Things to Know

Google is rolling out a new Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 update build ahead of the device’s upcoming Android 6.0 Marshmallow release. With an OTA set to begin, we want to take a look at the most important things to know about this new September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update and its release.

In April, Google started rolling out Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, a small but important update that enhances and fixes the company’s Lollipop operating system. The update should serve as a bridge between Lollipop and Google’s upcoming Android 6.0 Marshmallow update.

Android 5.1.1 Lollipop has been available for several months and we expect it to serve as the last version of Lollipop before Android 6.0 Marshmallow arrives. The Android 6.0 release is confirmed for Q3 and Google is expected to announce more details at a September 29th event in San Francisco.

Before the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update arrives though, owners of Google’s Nexus devices will be treated to a new Android 5.1.1 Lollipop build.

Google recently promised monthly security updates for Nexus devices and today, a new September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 update has been confirmed for arrival.

With a September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 release pushing out, we want to take a look at the most important things we think Nexus 5 users need to know about the new build.

September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 OTA

Earlier today, T-Mobile announced the arrival of new Nexus Android 5.1.1 builds and it looks like the new updates will be a part of its new monthly security update policy.

As expected, the Nexus 5 is among the Nexus devices getting Google’s new Android 5.1.1 Lollipop build and we should start to see the update roll out in the near future as Google gets everything ready behind the scenes.

While we haven’t received an OTA prompt yet, one should be coming in the near future. T-Mobile says that the update should start rolling out today so it’s only a matter of time before Google starts pushing it to Nexus 5 users in the United States and around the world.

In August, Google confirmed a new Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 build and started rolling it out a short time later so the gap between today’s confirmation and the start of the OTA process shouldn’t be a wide one. That said, it could be a few days before its completed.

Google’s Nexus OTAs typically take one to two weeks but given that this isn’t a major update for the Nexus 5 or anyone else, it should finish up before the two week mark. The Nexus 5’s new Android 5.1.1 build (LMY48M) is around 16MB.

You can check for the update in your settings but most of you will probably see it via a prompt in your Nexus’ notifications.

You Will Be Able to Install Manually

T-Mobile’s confirmed the arrival of this new September Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 build but Google hasn’t. That should change in the near future.

Google will, at some point, issue factory images for all of its new Android 5.1.1 builds including the Nexus 5’s Android 5.1.1 update. Once that happens, you’ll be able to install the update ahead of the OTA provided you’re rocking an unlocked bootloader.

At some point, we’ll also probably see the official OTA files from Google emerge. When that happens, you’ll be able to sideload this update ahead of Google’s OTA deployment.

If you’re not familiar with flashing official software, you should just sit back and wait for the Nexus 5’s Android 5.1.1 OTA update to arrive.

Don’t Expect Much

This new Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 build isn’t feature-rich. Instead, it’s a small update that’s aimed at solving some issues with Android.

T-Mobile’s Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 change log notes that the update is coming with security updates and minor bug fixes for the aging former flagship. It doesn’t outline what those bug fixes or security updates are.

If you’re concerned with device security or if you’re dealing with Android 5.1.1/Lollipop problems, this new build might be worth it.

Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Problems

Of course, you might also want to hold off on the update.

The Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 build from last month was also extremely small but it presented some big problems to owners of the Nexus 5.

Nexus 5 users complained about many common Android problems including battery drain, connectivity issues, problems with apps, issues with installation, and more. These could all apply to this new Android 5.1.1 build as well so be careful.

If you’re dealing with Android 5.1.1 problems, or you’re nervous about this new build you’ll want to check out Google’s Nexus Help forums or our list of fixes for Android 5.1.1 problems.

Last Lollipop Update

Finally, it’s worth noting that this will more than likely be the final Lollipop build that rolls out to the Nexus 5 and Google’s other Nexus devices.

The company hasn’t confirmed a specific date just yet but it’s looking like the Android 6.0 Marshmallow release is close.

Earlier this month, we learned that Google is planning a Nexus event for September 29th in San Francisco and it’s there that we expect some new Android 6.0 Marshmallow release date details to emerge.

We’re still not sure when it will roll out exactly but given that the release is confirmed for Q3 and the Developer Preview 3 is said to be close to the real deal, we’re expecting to to arrive soon.

Nexus 5 Android Marshmallow Release Details

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Google still isn't talking about the Nexus 5 Android Marshmallow release though we expect it to shower Nexus 5 users with new details in the near future.  Nexus launch rumors point to an announcement in San Francisco on September 29th. This date isn't set in stone but it appears likely. This date will likely serve as the launch pad for the two rumored Nexus smartphones and the Android Marshmallow update. And it's here that you can expect Google to outline its public release plans for the first time.  We'd expect the company to talk up Android Marshmallow features and we'd expect it to confirm its roll out plans for older Nexus phones and tablets like the Nexus 5. This is standard Android release protocol and we don't expect anything outlandish from Google. We also wouldn't be surprised if we saw several Nexus 5 Android 6.0 release rumors emerge ahead of this launch date. We typically about Google's plans before it can reveal said plans. So, if you're interested in Android 6.0, you'll want to keep an eye out in September.

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