Nexus owners: How's the Android 5.1 update treating you?

[Miami1683]

I'm so sorry to hear that----both for you and for me, as my prospects of ever getting this phone seem less and less likely. This is a serious issue and it's been going on for some time. The fact that some people are exchanging their phone only to get another that has random reboots makes me shy away from the N6. A whole new batch of new phones will be out soon and, while none of them draw me in like the N6, I'd rather have a reliable working phone without all the features than one I can't depend on (I mean your Nexus 6, Google!).

Mine has not rebooted once since 5.1 was loaded. I wouldn't shy away from this device. I've actually docked my N4 in favor of pure Android. What you see online is always the worst scenario.

Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

 

[radicchio]

Mine has not rebooted once since 5.1 was loaded. I wouldn't shy away from this device. I've actually docked my N4 in favor of pure Android. What you see online is always the worst scenario.

Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

Are you saying that you did have problems with rebooting before 5.1? Did you do a factory reset when you installed 5.1?

 

[Miami1683]

Are you saying that you did have problems with rebooting before 5.1? Did you do a factory reset when you installed 5.1?

Before the update the nexus would reboot every 3 days. I actually boxed it and carried my Note 4. After the update and he's I did a full rest then the update. I took only my nexus to Atlanta and only my nexus. Not one reboot since the update and battery life is on point too

Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

 

[radicchio]

That's good to hear. Have you installed additional apps on the phone, beyond just the apps that came pre-installed? Were there any apps that you had on before upgrading to 5.1 that you haven't put back on the Nexus 6 yet?

 

[Miami1683]

That's good to hear. Have you installed additional apps on the phone, beyond just the apps that came pre-installed? Were there any apps that you had on before upgrading to 5.1 that you haven't put back on the Nexus 6 yet?

I've installed everything I usually have already. Including my VZW for Nexus and message plus (by vzw) without any issues. The device is just running along smooth as day.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[radicchio]

Miami, Thanks for answering all my questions. So it seems, in your case, that 5.1 has helped. So many have reported not being able to load some apps they generally use and/or not being able to use some of the features of the phone (i.e., Ambient Display) to avoid reboots. Your report is more encouraging.

 

[quietlybrilliant]

I'm not getting the OTA update unfortunately. There was a trick with past version of Android to force it by turning some setting on the phone on and off before restarting but I don't remember what it is. How long will it take until I get my update?

 

[sniffs]

I'm not getting the OTA update unfortunately. There was a trick with past version of Android to force it by turning some setting on the phone on and off before restarting but I don't remember what it is. How long will it take until I get my update?

If you're on Sprint, it should be rolling out now.. for those of us on other carriers, we all had to manually sideload it using ADB. It's pretty simple and the site you get the OTA from generally has the instructions on sideloading it.

 

[VW Maverick]

Went ahead and got the drivers and sideloaded 5.1 on mine.
Then re-rooted, installed TWRP, Franco's kernal and then got the LED hack working.
Doing great.

Mav.

 

[Jon Tessler]

If you're on Sprint, it should be rolling out now.. for those of us on other carriers, we all had to manually sideload it using ADB. It's pretty simple and the site you get the OTA from generally has the instructions on sideloading it.

On sprints own forum it says it may take up to 3 weeks for the update to show on phones. Still don't have it in VA

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[quietlybrilliant]

If you're on Sprint, it should be rolling out now.. for those of us on other carriers, we all had to manually sideload it using ADB. It's pretty simple and the site you get the OTA from generally has the instructions on sideloading it.

I still don't have experience with rooting. I know, shame on me. When might it come on AT&T?

 

[DC Wuff]

I still don't have experience with rooting. I know, shame on me. When might it come on AT&T?

You don't have to root. You don't even have to unlock the bootloader. It's very, very simple. The instructions here on Android Central are great.

As for the original question: Even though I was happy with 5.0.1, I am loving 5.1. More responsive, significant improvement in battery life, better signal, better Ambient Display, and -- thank goodness for this -- proximity sensor is now working properly when I am doing voice calls with the phone up to my face. It was pretty glitchy before.

 

[Dubbayoo]

No issues whatsoever; very happy so far.

 

[quietlybrilliant]

You don't have to root. You don't even have to unlock the bootloader. It's very, very simple. The instructions here on Android Central are great.

I'm looking at the directions here How to manually update your Nexus | Android Central, and a bit unclear on how to do it without erasing everything on my phone. I suppose I should make a backup either way and I'm trying to understand how to best to that. Any advice would be much appreciated.

EDIT: I think I figured it out, but once I enter recovery mode and try the OTA to the device using "adb sideload" I find that the device has disconnected and get the error message "device not found". ./adb devices returns no devices at that point. Suggestions?

EDIT 2: I can get beyond that point by plugging the cable back in. Maybe I have a bad cable/connector. But then it aborts the installation with
installing update…
verifying current system…
system partition has unexpected contents
E:Error in /sideload/package.zip
(Status 7)

(btw package.zip is not the name I gave the file, so not sure where it gets that name from. I got the update from http://www.androidcentral.com/here-are-android-51-ota-update-links-and-how-use-them and renamed it to "update51.zip")

 

[CarbonOak]

I'm looking at the directions here How to manually update your Nexus | Android Central, and a bit unclear on how to do it without erasing everything on my phone. I suppose I should make a backup either way and I'm trying to understand how to best to that. Any advice would be much appreciated.

It took me awhile to figure out how to sideload as well because it wasn't clear to me how to actually use the SDK Manager. In AC's article, you don't actually need to do steps 2 & 3 if you don't plan on wiping your device.

A much simpler and clearer guide is on Droid Life here.

Setting up SDK and ADB
1. You will need Google's USB drivers to recognize your device if it hasn't already. That would be here.
2. Download and install SDK Manager (you don't need Android Studio).
3. Run SDK Manager. You'll see a list of packages/files, some of which are already checked off. Make sure "Android SDK Platform-tools" is selected as well and then select "Install packages..." You may need to run the SDK Manager as Administrator if you're getting an error installing them.

Using ADB/Command Line and Installing Update
1. Download the OTA zip and copy it directly into the install folder "C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools" (or wherever you installed it). It is recommended to rename the zip to something simpler because you'll need to type in the name in the command line.
2. Once you're in this folder, shift-right click and select "Open command window here"
3. Follow the rest of the directions in the article, inputting the adb commands into the command line window.

If you're having issues with ADB not recognizing your device while you're in Recovery mode, you may need to manually input your device ID into the USB driver file and reinstall the USB driver. See here. I had this issue and doing that fixed it.

You're all set!

Since I just sideloaded the update, I'll update later on how 5.1 feels, but so far it feels great.

 

[PhoenixMike]

I have been running 5.1 for less than a day and haven't really noticed much as far as improvements.
I did notice that the quality of Contact pictures have been slightly decreased and while that isn't a huge deal, it does upset me.
Gonna give it a couple more days to see how battery holds up.

 

[quietlybrilliant]

It's not working, I guess I bricked my phone. See above the "EDIT 2". Now when I restart it it just is stuck at the "Google" screen infinitely.

Did any of you do this successfully under OS X Yosemite?

 

[planoman]

It's not working, I guess I bricked my phone. See above the "EDIT 2". Now when I restart it it just is stuck at the "Google" screen infinitely.

Did any of you do this successfully under OS X Yosemite?

Use wugsfresh to restore your phone to stock. Lots of you tube video. Your phone is not bricked and wugs can take care of it. Have you tried hold down the power button until the phone restarts do this while the phone is on. Can take like 20 or 30 seconds. It is not easy to brick a Nexus.

Just saw you have Mac. I keep a windows 8 desktop for all stuff phone related. All else in our house is Mac. Not sure if wugs I'd Mac compatible. Still running all of our three macs on Mavericks.

Posted via my Nexus 6!

 

[Explicit]

It's not working, I guess I bricked my phone. See above the "EDIT 2". Now when I restart it it just is stuck at the "Google" screen infinitely.

Did any of you do this successfully under OS X Yosemite?

Use wugsfresh to restore your phone to stock. Lots of you tube video. Your phone is not bricked and wugs can take care of it. Have you tried hold down the power button until the phone restarts do this while the phone is on. Can take like 20 or 30 seconds. It is not easy to brick a Nexus.

Just saw you have Mac. I keep a windows 8 desktop for all stuff phone related. All else in our house is Mac. Not sure if wugs I'd Mac compatible. Still running all of our three macs on Mavericks.

Posted via my Nexus 6!

You can use this toolkit from XDA that is made for Macs

Nexus 6 One-Click Mac Toolkit! Root & Unroot ~ AndroidRootz.com | Source for Android Rooting, ROMS, Tricks and More!

Here is the XDA link if you want to learn more about it: [Toolkit] Nexus 6 One-Click Mac Toolkit [Roo… | Nexus 6 | XDA Forums

 

[CarbonOak]

I've only had 5.1 for a day but I can say certainly it is snappier. I notice it most when switching between apps. Previously there was a slight lag on switching and opening apps, but now it's just fast and smooth. Battery life is still great at it always had been. Otherwise I am pleased. I'll update to the newer mini 5.1 update that came out when I get a chance.