Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Update: 5 Things to Know Now

mercredi 29 avril 2015

Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Update: 5 Things to Know Now is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

As April comes to a close, Google’s Android 5.1 Lollipop update is still on the minds of many Nexus 4 users. With Android 5.1 problems plaguing some owners and with a new Android 5.1.1 update seemingly on the way, we want to take a look at what Nexus 4 users need to know as we push into the month of May.

Back 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 its Android 5.1 Lollipop update to Nexus devices including the Nexus 4, the LG-made former flagship smartphone.

The Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Lollipop update started rolling out in force earlier this month and by now, it should be available for Nexus 4 users in the United States and all over the world.

Well, just because the roll out is complete doesn’t mean that the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 update story is over. Not even close. We’re still seeing details, problems, and more emerge from Nexus 4 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 4 users need to know as we push deeper into the year.

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Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Reviews

Its been about two weeks since the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Lollipop update started rolling out. And now that we have some distance, we’re starting to see Nexus 4 users speak their mind about the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Lollipop update’s performance. Unsurprisingly, it’s a mixed bag of feedback. While some Nexus 4 users are complaining about problems, others say that it has actually proven to be beneficial to the Nexus 4.

Before we get to the bad, let’s start with the good. Here are a few choice quotes from Nexus 4 users running Google’s latest version of the Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system:

I’ve noticed the device runs much smoother though. Was getting pretty darn laggy the last few weeks especially.

Another user says that:

The software feels like more crisp/a bit faster now compared to 5.0.

One user says that the update is nearly flawless on his Nexus 4:

I installed it’s been 4 days and it’s far more stable than 5.0. It’s faster, smoother, etc. No bugs found so far, except for a music lag I have since 5.0, which must be connected to something else.

Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Problems

We’ve also heard about a series of Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Lollipop problems in the weeks since the update’s initial arrival. And as pull away from the roll out date, complaints about the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 update continue to grow in size on various Android forums including Google’s own Nexus Help forums.

Nexus 4 users are complaining about overheating problems, cellular data issues, abnormal battery drain, random reboots that are caused by a well known memory leak, issues with touchscreen performance, Bluetooth and Android Wear problems, SIM card problems, problems with the home button, and a whole lot more.

If you haven’t updated to Android 5.1 yet, keep these problems in mind. If you’ve already made the move to Android 5.1 and you are experiencing Android 5.1 problems on your Nexus 4, take a look at our list of fixes for common Android 5.1 problems. They should help.

You Can Downgrade If You Need To

We continue to see Nexus 4 users asking for feedback about the Android 5.1 update. Some, including this guy, have asked about the differences between Android 4.4 KitKat and Android 5.0 Lollipop. In response, his fellow Nexus 4 users recommended that he/she stay on Android 4.4 KitKat. That’s certainly an option, at least until Google is able to roll out another update to correct some of these Android 5.1 Lollipop problems. But what if you’re already on Android 5.1?

As a reminder, you can drop back down to Android 5.0.1, Android 5.0 or Android 4.4 KitKat if you aren’t getting quality performance out of the Nexus 4 on Android 5.1. We’ve put together a guide that will take you through the process. It’s a last resort but it might be worth it if you are noticing big time issues on your Nexus 4 smartphone.

Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Update Confirmed

Help from Google might be 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.

There’s no word on when that expansion will take place or if it will include the Nexus 4. What is clear though is that Google is taking its time with this new bug fixer. 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 the Nexus 4, a device that’s clearly suffering from the memory leak problem amongst other issues, doesn’t get the upgrade to Android 5.1.1.

Start Preparing Now

There’s a very good chance that Android 5.1.1 will bring its own collection of problems. And that’s why we always tell people to start their preparation ahead of the release. While the Nexus 4 Android 5.1.1 update may not be confirmed, Nexus 4 users should still be proactive.