This morning Google has officially released Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with over 200 new emojis, software changes, security patches and more for all new Nexus smartphones and tablets. Over-the-air updates are starting today, but as we all know, they never come as fast as some would like. Instead, here are a few instructions to install it right now instead of waiting for the slow update process to complete.
Google released a new update last week, claiming that more than 200 emoji characters from Unicode 8 are coming to Android. Things like tacos, unicorns, hands, smileys, poop emojis and much more. These are just a small part of the update, and factory images were released this morning for those who want to manually update.
As we all know, not all over-the-air software updates come at once like iOS. In fact, Google rolls it out in slow waves, starting at 20% of users, then 30-50%, then 80%, and finally over a few weeks. Below we’ll explain how to get it right away. The Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow System Image is a download that contains all the files required to install the stock version of Marshmallow on the devices mentioned below. This is essentially everything you would download as an OTA update for regular Android updates. Read on for all the details.
owned by Google just released This update for Nexus 5, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 6P, Nexus 7 (2013 and mobile version), Nexus 9 and Nexus Player. Factory images are live for all devices, and the over-the-air update should start today and continue over the next few weeks.
This guide will show you how to install the new Nexus Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. This is something you can do from Windows, Mac, Linux or ChromeOS. There are multiple ways to do this and a lot of things that can go wrong, but below are the easiest steps to do without spending hours setting up all of Google’s developer software.
How to Install ADB on Windows, Mac, Ubuntu and ChromeOS
Before installing Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on Nexus 5x, Nexus 6, Nexus 9 or others, you need to install ADB and Fastboot on your computer. This is a program that runs on your PC/Mac to connect to your Android device via a USB cable and install Android software on your device.
Installing ADB and Fastboot is one of the hardest parts of installing Android factory images, but a few simple tools make it incredibly easy. Our tools below bypass all the hassle and simplify the process.
How to Install ADB on Windows
If you are using a Windows machine up to Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, you can use the 15 second adb installer to make the process easier.
Download ADB installer for Windows. Locate the file, right-click on it and choose Run as Administrator. When prompted, you must grant access to the application to run as administrator. Once the application is started type a Y and enter to Install ADB & Fastboot, select yes to install system-wide ADB/Fastboot intsll and Drivers. When a new window opens, follow the steps to install the drivers.
Once this is installed you should be ready to install Android 6.0.1 on a supported Nexus device.
How to Install ADB on Mac, Linux, and ChromeOS
Nexus Tools makes it easy to install ADB on a Mac, Linux, or even ChromeOS. All you have to do is open Terminal on your computer and code from xda. Open terminal by going to search and typing Terminal and opening the program.
This will install ADB and Fastboot on Mac, Linux and Chrome OS without you needing to do anything else. It’s extremely easy and avoids all the ADB package mess that usually takes hours to complete.
After the script is complete, you can type ADB or Fastboot to start running any program. This is where you need to be to install the new Android 6.0.1 system images provided by Google on your device. Don’t forget to go into settings > developer options and enable USB Debugging first.
How to Install Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow?
The first thing you need to do is download the newly released Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. System Image (factory image) for your device. You can find them at the links below. You will need to accept the terms and then continue. Make sure you download the right one, especially for mobile tablets.
You will need to unzip these files to a folder you can access, we just extracted them to our Mac desktop. After unzipping the Android 6.0.1 system image, you will need to find this folder and type cmd in the address bar on Windows or open terminal and change the folder to this folder on Mac, Linux or Chrome OS. Reminder, if you are using a MAC, you need to make sure the terminal is running inside the folder you zipped.
If your Nexus is not bootloader unlocked, you should do this first. We were unable to upload any Android M images and update while the device was locked. This will save your device and your settings, pictures, etc. will delete it. Repeat, this will delete everything!
Open a Terminal in the adb folder and type the following command and hit enter.
adb reboot bootloader
In fastboot type:
fastboot oem unlock
Then press enter. Follow the onscreen instructions and choose to wipe the device. Wait a minute or so to unlock. This removes everything from your device.
Flash Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow Images
Now open the folder containing the uncompressed Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow System Image file you downloaded. Type cmd in the address bar. Type the following commands posted below and hit enter. On Mac, you can open Terminal in folder by enabling terminal shortcuts in settings. . Go to System Preferences and select Keyboard > Shortcuts > Services. Find “New Terminal in Folder” in settings and click the box. Now while in Finder, right-click on a folder and it will show Terminal open for you to open. Or do this from the desktop where you opened the Factory image as shown below.
Once in the terminal, simply copy and paste the commands below to install Android 6.0.1 on your Nexus 5, Nexus 6P, Nexus 7, Nexus 9 or even Nexus Player.
flash-all.bat
This will flash all the necessary files. If you are on one or another computer, you need to type;
sudo ./flash-all.sh
This will force all files and update your device to the newly released Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Files will start pushing and uploading and your Nexus may reboot and you will see an Android figure followed by an animated Android logo. The logo screen may stay for a long time. . You may run into an issue that we did and will explain below.
Many users may encounter an error and the installation is aborted. This is because of the way you are trying to flash the update. Instructions on how to get around this, found right here. Essentially, users need to unzip the update.zip folder and move all the images to the original folder we mentioned above, then manually flash them one by one, starting with the bootloader, then the radio, and the flash-all command mentioned above. Only do this if you run into problems.
When you’re done, you’ll be on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow running the latest December security patches, you’ll notice some changes to do not disturb and volume controls, over 200 new emoji options, and possibly some other minor changes here and there. As soon as we know what’s new, we’ll make sure and confirm it.
For those who don’t want to deal with all the scary code and software flashing above, the update is available today as a typical (over-the-air) software update. This is acceptable when it arrives, doesn’t delete anything, and is the easiest way to move forward. Only do the above steps if you’re having trouble wiping your device and want the latest software right away. Otherwise, stay put and the update will arrive on your device in the coming days or weeks at the latest.
Stay tuned for more details from Samsung, Motorola, LG and other manufacturers as they’ll soon announce or at least launch the first Android 6.0 update for those without Nexus devices.
