Android L 5.0 Release Date & Download: When & Where to Update Plus Tips & Tricks
First announced at the Google I/O conference in June, the Android L / Android 5.0 Lollipop is slated to arrive with HTC's Nexus 9 and Motorola's Nexus 6.
Gotta Be Mobile reported that the Android L will also be available as an update for older Nexus handsets such as Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Nexus 10 and Nexus 4.
According to Expert Reviews, on Oct. 15, Google announced that the Android L will first come out on the Nexus 9 tablet, which has just been launched on Nov. 3. The report also noted that the Nexus 6 will be release-ready by mid-November. This means that the Android L will definitely be in the hands of expecting users before the calendar hits the holidays.
In addition, Google Play devices will also be getting Android L, wrote TechRadar. The outlet cited two software updates for Asus K008 / Nexus 7 (2013) and Asus ME370T / Nexus 7 (2012), both certified by Bluetooth -- which suggests that the update is coming closer.
And closer, it is: The update for Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2013 and 2012), Nexus 10 and Nexus 4 has just arrived, wrote iDigitalTimes.
Android's official blog revealed, "Design is a major focus for Lollipop -- the latest version of Android -- which begins to roll out today [Nov. 3]."
Now the biggest question among Nexus users is up: How to install the update?
Here are some tips to make sure your device gets the sweetest treat from Android yet:
Keep Checking
Check to see if your Nexus device is indeed compatible. The update rolls out OTA. iDT suggested manual checking from Settings > About > Phone Software updates > Check now. It is unknown which device gets the update first.
Sideloading
If your device has not received the update yet (but you're like, really dying to get it), Gotta Be Mobile suggested "sideloading the software." The process requires some study. The source believes updating should be the same just like in Android 4.4 KitKat.
First-Day Issues
These might be fairly common to updates, probably worse when one's apps aren't updated and files aren't backed up. Make sure all these things are up-to-date prior to updating -- it's an all-new OS we're talking about here.
Head up to Play Store and check if your apps are updated, following Play Store > My Apps > Installed. From there it will be known whether or not an app is updated.
There are many options to back up files and other relevant media -- thanks to cloud computing technology, storage space has just been bigger and sharing is much easier. Check out Google Drive and Dropbox for more information.
Where To Find Help
If your device is one of the first to get the update roll-out and something went wrong, visit Nexus Support here for initial assistance. Google Play edition devices may visit here for support. Android Developers are welcome here.
Install When You're Most Comfortable
The Android L will be coming, not going away. Make sure to know at least some features of Android 5.0 Lollipop. It may be weird to be alienated from your own device. After all, it's the same thing -- only sweeter this time.
Check out our iOS and Android L comparison here.
Visit the official Android 5.0 Lollipop site for more information.