Nexus 5 Android 5.1 Update: 5 Things to Know Now

As April comes to a close, Google’s Android 5.1 Lollipop update is still on the minds of many Nexus 5 users. With Android 5.1 problems continuing to plague many Nexus 5 users and with an Android 5.1.1 update seemingly on the way, we want to take a look at what Nexus 5 users need to know as we push into the month of May.

In March, Google announced an all new Android 5.0 Lollipop update for Nexus devices. The update, Android 5.1 Lollipop, was (and still is) a major incremental update for Nexus smartphones and tablets. Instead of a short list of bug fixes, Android 5.1 Lollipop delivered tons of bug fixes and feature enhancements to owners of the Nexus 6, Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10.

Throughout the month of April, we’ve seen Google push out its Android 5.1 Lollipop update to Nexus devices including the aging former flagship smartphone, the LG-made Nexus 5.

The Nexus 5 Android 5.1 Lollipop update started rolling out in force in early April and by now, it should be available for Nexus 5 users in the United States and all over the world. Just because the roll out is complete doesn’t mean that the Nexus 5 Android 5.1 update story is over. Not even close. We’re still seeing details, problems, and more emerge from Nexus 5 users and from Google itself.

With the month of May approaching and another Android 5.1 release looming for owners of Nexus smartphones and tablets, we want to take a look at some important things we think Nexus 5 users need to know as we push deeper into the year.

Nexus 5 Android 5.1 Review: One Month Later

For about a month, we’ve been using the Nexus 5 Android 5.1 update. Up until the release of Android 5.1, we hadn’t experienced any major problems with the Nexus 5. After the Android 5.1 update though, we’ve run into several different issues that have essentially forced us to abandon the device until Google releases its next Android 5.1 update.

The Nexus 5 is fast with Android 5.1.1 on board. Wi-Fi, LTE, and Bluetooth are all working. And we haven’t seen a decline in battery life. What we have encountered though are random reboots and app crashes. The crashes and reboots are frequent enough that the device has really taken a backseat in our daily routine.

At this point, if you haven’t moved to Android 5.1, don’t. While it does come with some useful bug fixes and feature tweaks, there’s too much risk involved. If the Nexus 5 is your one and only phone, you don’t want to expose yourself to potential problems. Minor bugs are one thing but these aren’t minor problems. They make the phone unusable on some days.

Our advice is to wait for Google to push out another Android 5.1 update. As we’ll point out in a second, one should be coming soon.

Nexus 5 Android 5.1 Problems Mount

We’re not the only ones experiencing problems with the Android 5.1 Lollipop update. Complaints about the Nexus 5 Android 5.1 update continue to grow in size on various Android forums including Google’s own Nexus Help forums.

In addition to the random reboots and app crashes, Nexus 5 users are complaining about problems with their connectivity, problems with the Gallery application, problems with hotspot, issues with battery drain, problems with Bluetooth and more.

If you haven’t updated to Android 5.1 yet, keep these problems in mind. If you have already upgraded to Android 5.1 and you are experiencing problems, take a look at our list of fixes for common Android 5.1 problems. They should help.

Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 Update All but Confirmed

Fortunately, it looks like official help from Google is on the way. Google is rolling out an Android 5.1.1 update to the Nexus Player and the company is expected to expand that Android 5.1.1 release to several other devices including the Nexus 5.

There’s no word on when that expansion will take place and it’s clear that the company is taking its time. One Google employee had this to say about the Android 5.1.1 update and its roll out process:

I totally understand the frustration of N9 owners who are hitting issues but because of that its even more important the 5.1.1 update for Nexus 9 actually fixes these problems. So I think it’s the right step to prepare an update that actually improves quality and fixes the issues that have been reported instead of rushing out something that doesn’t help the majority of customers. And I don’t think it’s in the interest of anyone if we’d artificially hold updates to other Nexus devices that are ready to go in the meantime.

Android 5.1.1 is a bug fix update, not a feature update, so it’s important for Google to get it right. It’s impossible to say how long the testing process behind the scenes will take but we’d be shocked if Android 5.1.1 wasn’t available before the end of May.

Two Big Fixes for Nexus 5 Problems

Thanks to Android Police, we know what’s coming with the Android 5.1.1 update. While the update won’t bring any new features to devices like the Nexus 5, it’s going to bring crucial bug fixes that will hopefully restore stability to a phone that desperately needs it.

First, the Android 5.1.1 update should fix the memory problems that are causing the random reboots and crashes that we and so many other Nexus 5 users are seeing. Second, it should also fix a camera crashing problem on the Nexus 5 that appears to be unrelated to the memory leak issues. Both of these fixes are huge.

Start Preparing Now

Android 5.1 came with a ton of fixes and some nice feature tweaks. It also brought tons of Nexus 5 problems along with it. Point is, even the best and brightest updates can cause issues and there’s a very good chance that Android 5.1.1 will bring its own collection of problems. That’s why we always tell people to start preparing.

We’ve put together a game plan for Nexus 5 users that includes steps to take ahead of the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop release. It also includes some release day tips that we think Nexus 5 users will find helpful as the company works to get its Android 5.1.1 update out.

The more prepared you are, the better off you’ll be. There’s no way to guarantee a smooth, bug-free Nexus 5 Android 5.1.1 update but if you’re smart about it, you’ll probably limit the potential for problems.