Nexus 7 Android 5.1 Update: 5 Things You Need to Know Now

It’s been more than a month since it was released and Google’s Android 5.1 Lollipop update is still on the minds of many Nexus 7 users. With Android 5.1 issues plaguing Nexus 7 users and apparently the Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 update is on its way, we want to take a look at what Nexus 7 users should know as we head into May.

Last month, 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 Nexus 7 2012 and the recently discontinued Nexus 7 2013.

Nexus 7 Android 5.1 Lollipop was made available to all Nexus 7 users recently, although it was made available in early March. The update should now be available on all Nexus 7 variants. Now, just because the presentation is complete doesn’t mean the Nexus 7 Android 5.1 update story is over. Not even close. We’re still seeing details, issues, and more emerging from Nexus 7 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 7 users should know as we head into the year.

Nexus 7 Android 5.1 Reviews: One Month Later

We have been using the Nexus 7 2012 Android 5.1 update for about a month. We’ve been using the Nexus 7 2013 Android 5.1 update for a few weeks now. And although we did see a number of issues with the Nexus 5 Android 5.1 update, we did not see the same issues on the Nexus 7 2012 or Nexus 7 2013.

The Nexus 7 2013 is still fast with Android 5.1 built in, and we saw a noticeable increase in the Nexus 7 2012. There are still occasional lags, but Android 5.1 is fine on a device that’s three years old.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth both work fine. We did not notice any abnormal battery drain. While we’ve seen a few app crashes here and there, they haven’t been on the same level as the Nexus 5.

But if you haven’t upgraded to Android 5.1 at this point, we recommend sticking with it. We don’t see any major issues with Android 5.1, but there are plenty of people complaining about the issues. There’s a lot of risk involved. If the Nexus 7 is your only tablet, you don’t want to suffer the problems of Android 5.1. Feature enhancements are nice, but performance is much more important.

Wait for Google to release another update before taking action. We should see Google release new software soon.

Nexus 7 Bricked After Update

We continue to receive feedback from Nexus 7 2012 users and Nexus 7 2013 users. While we received positive feedback from some people, we heard numerous complaints about the Nexus 7 Android 5.1 update on both devices.

One particular issue we would like to point out is, Nexus 7 brick problem this appeared after the arrival of Android 5.1. We first heard about this issue weeks ago and Nexus 7 users keep complaining. The issue doesn’t affect every Nexus 7 user, but it does affect more than a few. This is a much bigger problem than abnormal battery drain or problems with Facebook.

Unfortunately, Google hasn’t confirmed a fix for the issues, and it’s unclear whether Google’s next Nexus update, Android 5.1.1, will bring these lemons back to life.

Other Nexus 7 Android 5.1 Issues

Bricking isn’t the only Android 5.1 issue Nexus 7 users complain about. As complaints about the Nexus 7 Android 5.1 update move away from distributions, it continues to grow on various Android forums, including: Google’s own Nexus Help forums.

Nexus 7 users are complaining screen orientation issues, delay, various problems with connections, random reboots, touch screen problems, severe battery drain, and more. These are unfortunately just the tip of the iceberg.

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 7 2012 or Nexus 7 2013, check out our list of fixes for common Android 5.1 issues. They should help.

All Except Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 Update Confirmed

Fortunately, it looks like bug fixes from Google are on their 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 many other devices, including the Nexus 7.

As of now, there is no word on when this expansion will take place and it is clear that the company is not in a rush. 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 Android 5.1.1 wasn’t available for at least one Nexus 7 model before the end of May.

This Android 5.1.1 changelog It outlines bug fixes and seems to at least get over the random reboots and app crashes that plague Nexus 7 users.

Get Ready for Android 5.1.1 Now

Google’s Android 5.1 update has come with a ton of fixes and some nice feature tweaks. But it also brought tons of problems to Nexus 7 users. The point is, even the best and brightest updates can cause problems. 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.

For Nexus 7 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 7 users will find helpful as the company works to roll out the Android 5.1.1 update.

The more prepared you are, the better off you will be. There’s no way to guarantee a smooth, bug-free Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 update, but you can mitigate the risk if you’re smart about it.