When Google announced Android 6.0 Marshmallow in October, the company also promised to release a monthly update as part of a new security program for Nexus smartphones and tablets. Today, just in time, the February Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update has arrived, and here’s what owners need to know.
Many partners like Samsung and HTC are planning to do the same, but when it comes to getting things going, Google has been the best. As of today, Google has shared all the details. Nexus security bulletin regarding what changes have been made and updating the factory images, it has now been updated instead of waiting for users who want it.
This time, however, the update isn’t just for Nexus devices, and Google is rolling out the same update to its latest Pixel C tablet, which isn’t a Nexus device. As of today, a new version of Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow or Lollipop is heading to Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9, Nexus 10 (Lollipop), Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P and Pixel C. Read on for more details.
In January, the update was pretty timely, but this month Google is just on February 1st. The company confirmed the details earlier today and then quickly updated its developer portal with new information. factory imagesmaking it currently available instead of pending users.
Which Devices Will See the Update
As we detailed above, with February security changes, Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow is headed to the Nexus 5, 5x, 6, 6P, Nexus 7 (2013) tablet, Nexus 9 and the new Pixel C. As well as Nexus Player. Next, a more secure version of Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is offered to the Nexus 10 tablet made by Samsung.
Submitted change log security bulletin blog it doesn’t have anything very exciting and mostly security patches for vulnerabilities for a wide variety of minor issues. None of them are show-stopping, but a few have been listed as “critical” by Google.
When will he come
As it usually does today, Google rolled out all the details, made stock footage available to developers or enthusiasts who want to flash it right now, and finally started the typical over-the-air software update process.
Now that the update is available starting today, OTA updates should start appearing via a notification on all the devices listed above within the next 24-48 hours. In fact, we already got it on the Pixel C, but more on that below.
This means users can expect a small and quick software update to arrive tomorrow or in the next few days. However, Google releases them in small batches and then adds more to the list. So it may arrive in 24-48 hours or some may wait until the end of the week.
In some cases it may take more than a week for the update to arrive, but in the past these minor security patches have been rolled out to all users quite quickly, painlessly and because Google wants to protect all devices as soon as possible. We’ll update and share more details when OTA updates start coming.
How to Buy Now
As always, users can get the latest February Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow software release right now. As Google always does, the company has released factory images for each device mentioned above. Developers can flash this with multiple different tools, and regular users can do it the same way they flash any other software update.
Like most updates, owners can go to: Factory Images website Find your devices and the latest software update from Google. Then just download and manually flash the update file. This usually cleans the device, but also provides a clean slate that delivers the best and smoothest Android experience.
Regular owners should wait and accept the over-the-air update and let the tablet and Google do everything. Advanced users can check out our quick tutorial above. Again, we recommend that most users wait for the update and do it automatically as it is the easiest method.
Google Pixel C Update
The Pixel C tablet is not a Nexus device. 100% made, developed and produced by Google. It launched during the holiday season and is a premium Android tablet with optional keyboard accessory made entirely of aluminum for $499. It’s Google’s best tablet ever, but it wasn’t a Nexus device.
However, it still gets the same monthly security update to the latest version of Android. Next, this is the first software update for Pixel C. This means owners will want to accept it or flash it manually using the instructions above.
Google’s Pixel C has a few bugs in the bluetooth keyboard and a few bugs in the touchscreen keyboard as well. Otherwise, it’s an excellent all-around Android tablet. Since the update is a software update to the tablet and optional keyboard accessory, it specifically mentions the bluetooth keyboard being stuck for more than 3 minutes.
We expect a few bug fixes, performance enhancements, keyboard tweaks and other changes in this update, but we won’t know until the full list of changes is detailed. However, this is the first update for the Pixel C, so all owners should accept it and enjoy all the changes.
Update Issues and Fixes
Like all updates, this can cause a few issues here and there for some owners. We usually haven’t seen too many issues with security updates, but you never know what a software update will do or how it will interact with certain apps. We’re sure to tell users to accept when it arrives, but some may want to wait and see if users are having issues.
This is a minor security update that should go smoothly, but we’ve also seen minor updates cause all sorts of issues on the older Nexus 5 in the past. So be careful and backup your device just to be safe.
We haven’t heard about any issues, but the update hasn’t started coming yet. You’ll want to keep an eye on Google Nexus Help Forum for feedback. For now, take a look at our list of common Android 6.0.1 issues and fixes.
final thoughts
It’s not Android 6.1 yet, but we assume it could precede Google I/O in early 2016 or later this year. At Google I/O, we will get a preview of the next major Android version, which could be 6.1, 6.2 or even Android 7.0. For now, this is nothing more than a minor security update rolled out for almost all Nexus smartphones and tablets currently used or sold.
In the meantime, stay tuned and wait for the update to arrive. We’ll update with more details if we find any other details, major changes, or potential issues. Your device hasn’t received the February Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update yet? So leave us a comment below.
