HTC One M8 Android 5.1 Update: What You Need to Know

As we delve deeper into 2015 and the Lollipop release for HTC smartphone owners, more details continued to emerge. Over the past month, we’ve seen multiple HTC One M8 devices receive Android 5.0 Lollipop updates, but Android 5.1 has arrived for some today. Here we go over a few things HTC One M8 owners can expect regarding the Android 5.1 Lollipop update.

In November, Google released the first Android 5.0 Lollipop update, and shortly after its arrival, the HTC One M8 and the original HTC One M7 Google Play Edition handsets received the new software. However, the regular version had to wait a few months, and HTC missed its initial goal of all owners getting it by February. We are now in April and almost all US carriers have delivered Android 5.0 and AT&T started rolling it out as of yesterday.

While Google and HTC are busy rolling out the original Lollipop update to HTC One M8 owners, those who own the Google Play Edition HTC One M8 can expect to see the latest Android 5.1 Lollipop starting today. Google’s latest version aimed to fix some of the many bugs that plagued the initial update.

The HTC One M8 Android 5.0 Lollipop update has finally arrived and it brings tons of new features and changes to HTC’s flagship smartphone, but the Android 5.0 Lollipop update is also causing problems for many. The update first started outside the US for unlocked or developer devices, and then in February the HTC One M8 in the US finally got Android 5.0 Lollipop for some.

The rollout has continued over the past few months, but we’re getting a lot of complaints from owners who have already received Android 5.0 Lollipop on the One M8. While Android 5.0 Lollipop brings tons of new features, improved interface and lock screen controls, and a fine-tuned notification bar, there are plenty of issues as well.

Owners have mentioned app crashes, freezes, device reboots, keyboard lag, and other minor issues. Not to mention the terrible battery life. That said, we’ve heard many success stories where the update has been nothing but positive for most.

HTC One M8 Android 5.1 Update

With that, we’re switching to Android 5.1 Lollipop. Google announced it in March and is slowly starting to roll it out to many Nexus smartphones and tablets. Motorola has updated several released devices and now HTC One M8 Google Play Edition from today get the same treatment. Android 5.1 Lollipop isn’t much different, but it has some great new features and fixes most of the bugs users are experiencing.

Google tweaked quick settings, improved screen pinning, changed notification and do not disturb features, and fixed many bugs. However, we hear that the memory leak causing apps to crash is still present and may not be fixed until Android 5.1.1 Lollipop arrives. This means we may see Android 5.1 for the One M8 or HTC may wait and deliver Android 5.1.1 Lollipop instead, but we’ll have to wait and see.

The Google Play Edition runs stock Android, so the update has already been made and is now available. An M7 owner can also expect it to arrive soon. For the remaining HTC One M8 owners with HTC Sense UI, the update may take a little longer.

Android 5.1 Lollipop Update Version

We don’t have any new details on when the regular variants will see the update, except for the Google Play Edition which gets Android 5.1 Lollipop starting today. However, as with previous updates, owners can wait for the developer version and unlocked international units to see it first, then some non-US regions and eventually state-side carriers start pushing.

The original Android 5.0 Lollipop update is not yet complete, AT&T started picking only owners as of yesterday. Most other carriers in the United States delivered it in February and March, but that still doesn’t bode well for the latest release. That means there’s still a month or more to Android 5.1 Lollipop for regular owners.

delays

Most likely HTC is already working on Android 5.1 Lollipop for the One M8, but we don’t have any additional details at this time. Carriers in the United States have a 4-6 week testing period, so even if it’s available today, it won’t be available until 4-6 weeks after testing ends. This means that most owners will be using the currently available Android 5.0.2 Lollipop for at least the next month or two.

At the same time, there are only a few minor changes to Android 5.1, and it shouldn’t be long before HTC implements the update unless they plan to merge the new Sense UI 7.0 from the HTC One M9. If that’s the case, the update will be delayed even more. It probably won’t arrive until June and we’re hoping for Android 5.1.1 Lollipop instead.

Android 5.1 Issues

Android 5.1 Lollipop has a few issues of its own and Google has quickly released several different versions of it for the Nexus 6 and we’re already getting reports that Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is coming soon. This means that while today the Google Play Edition sees 5.1 for the HTC One M8, sometime this summer the regular HTC One M8 may skip it and see Android 5.1.1 instead. Carriers have been keeping quiet when it comes to updates, but HTC folks will keep us updated on Twitter and we’ll be sure to follow up on all the news and updates as we learn more.

For now, those who own the Google Play Edition HTC One M8 can expect a minor 240MB update that brings their device to the latest Android 5.1 Lollipop update. We’ll be sure and update once HTC or carriers confirm it’s headed to regular units.