As April draws to a close, Google’s Android 5.1 Lollipop update is still on the minds of many Nexus 4 users. With Android 5.1 issues plaguing some owners and a new Android 5.1.1 update appearing on the way, we want to take a look at what Nexus 4 users should know as we head into May.
In March, Google announced an all-new Android 5.0 Lollipop update for Nexus devices. The Android 5.1 Lollipop update 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 has provided tons of bug fixes and feature enhancements to Nexus 6, Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 owners.
Over the course of April, we saw Google roll out the Android 5.1 Lollipop update to Nexus devices, including the former LG-made flagship smartphone Nexus 4.
The Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Lollipop update started rolling out earlier this month and should be available to Nexus 4 users in the United States and around the world by now.
Just because the presentation is complete doesn’t mean the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 update story is over. Not even close. We’re still seeing details, issues, and more emerging from Nexus 4 users and Google itself.
With May approaching and another Android 5.1 release for Nexus smartphone and tablet owners, we want to take a look at some of the key things we think Nexus 4 users should know as we head into the year.
Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Reviews
It’s been nearly two weeks since the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Lollipop update rolled out. And now that we’ve made some headway, we’re starting to see Nexus 4 users give their opinions on the performance of the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Lollipop update. Not surprisingly, it’s a mixed bag of feedback. While some Nexus 4 users are complaining about issues, others say it has actually proven to be beneficial to the Nexus 4.
Let’s start with the good before we get to the bad. Here are a few quotes from Nexus 4 users running the latest version of Google’s Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system:
i noticed the device works much more smoothly Again. Especially in the last few weeks it has started to be quite lagging.
Another user says this:
The software feels clearer/slightly faster now compared to 5.0.
A user says there is an update almost perfect On your Nexus 4:
It’s been 4 days since I installed it and it’s much more stable than 5.0. Faster, smoother, etc. No bugs found so far, except for a music lag that I have had since 5.0 and must be due to something else.
Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Problems
We’ve also heard of a number of Nexus 4 Android 5.1 Lollipop issues in the weeks since the update first arrived. Also, as we move away from the rollout date, complaints about the Nexus 4 Android 5.1 update keep increasing these days: various Android forums to contain Google’s own Nexus Help forums.
Nexus 4 users are complaining overheating problems, cellular data issues, abnormal battery consumption, random reboots caused by a well-known memory leak, issues with touchscreen performance, Bluetooth and Android Wear issues, SIM card problems, problems with home buttonand much more.
Keep these issues in mind if you haven’t yet updated to Android 5.1. If you’ve already upgraded to Android 5.1 and are experiencing Android 5.1 issues on your Nexus 4, check out our list of fixes for common Android 5.1 issues. They should help.
You Can Downgrade If Needed
We continue to see Nexus 4 users asking for feedback on the Android 5.1 update. Some have asked about the differences between Android 4.4 KitKat and Android 5.0 Lollipop, including this guy. In response, other Nexus 4 users advised to stay on Android 4.4 KitKat. That’s definitely an option, at least until Google releases another update to fix some of these Android 5.1 Lollipop issues. But what if you’re already using Android 5.1?
We would like to remind you that if you cannot get quality performance from Nexus 4 on Android 5.1, you can revert to Android 5.0.1, Android 5.0 or Android 4.4 KitKat. We have prepared a guide that will guide you through the process. This is a last resort but it might be worth it if you notice big time issues on your Nexus 4 smartphone.
Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Update Confirmed
Help from Google may be on the way. Google is rolling out an Android 5.1.1 update for the Nexus Player and the company is expected to expand this Android 5.1.1 version to several other devices.
There’s no word on when this expansion will happen or whether it will include the Nexus 4. What is clear is that Google is wasting time with this new bug fixer. A Google employee had this to say about the Android 5.1.1 update and rollout process:
I totally understand the frustration of N9 owners who are having issues, but that’s why it’s even more important that the 5.1.1 update for the Nexus 9 fixes these issues. So I think it’s the right step to come up with an update that really improves quality and fixes reported issues rather than rushing something that doesn’t help most customers. And I don’t think it’s in anyone’s interest for us to artificially keep updates on other Nexus devices out-of-the-box in the meantime.
Android 5.1.1 is a bug fix update, not a feature update, so it’s important that Google gets it right. It’s impossible to say how long the behind-the-scenes testing process will take, but we’d be shocked if the Nexus 4, a device that’s clearly suffering from memory leaks among other issues, doesn’t receive the Android 5.1.1 upgrade. .
Get Ready Now
Android 5.1.1 is very likely to bring its own collection of problems. That’s why we always tell people to start preparing before they go live. Although the Nexus 4 Android 5.1.1 update has not been confirmed, Nexus 4 users should still be proactive.
For Nexus users, we have prepared a game plan with steps to take before Android 5.1.1 Lollipop release. It also includes some release day tips that we think Nexus 4 users will find helpful as the company tries to roll out the Android 5.1.1 update.
The more prepared you are, the better off you will be. So get started while you have time.
