An Android 5.1.1 OTA update for Nexus Player, Wi-Fi 2012 and 2013 Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 devices is now available. This update, which will only bring stability improvements and bug fixes, is also going to arrive in other devices anytime soon. However, for those who want to install the Lollipop upgrade manually, Google Developers provided instructions for flashing Nexus factory images.
Some Nexus 10 users already started receiving the Android 5.1.1 OTA update on their devices, which only arrives at just 13.9 MB to download and a build number LMY47V. The latest Lollipop upgrade shall bring "little more than performance and stability improvements," as well as bug fixes, especially on the memory leak problem. In other words, there won't be new features in it.
The Android 5.1.1 OTA update would make the Nexus 10, besides the fact that it's already almost three years, as one of those devices first to receive it. Other than the Nexus 10, the Wi-Fi version of the 2012 and 2013 Nexus 7 editions and the Nexus Player also received the Android 5.1.1 update. Further, the update is expected to arrive in other Nexus devices anytime soon, possibly even to the Nexus 9
Factory images of the Lollipop upgrade are also available, and Nexus device owners can use the factory images as a way of performing a clean install, especially for Nexus 7 and Nexus 10. If a user wants to do this, all data must have backup to prevent any unintended result. However, it best to wait for the OTA update for a few more days if there is no proper knowledge on flashing the factory images manually.
For those who have sound knowledge about factory images for Nexus devices, the following are some of the flashing instructions:
- Fastboot tool. Users can get this either:
- From a compiled version of the Android Open Source Project
- From the platform tools/directory in the Android SDK. It is required to have the latest Android SDK Platform-tools version from the SDK Manager.
- Upon getting the fastboot tool, add it to the PATH environment variable (flash-all script below must be able to find it).
- Make sure that the USB has been set up to access the device.
Disclaimer: The procedure is very technical and should be performed by a person with sound knowledge of flashing (or manual software installation) factory images for Android devices. If the step-by-step installation process is not followed properly, there are chances of the device getting bricked or being permanently irreparable. VcPost cannot be held responsible for any damage or claims from readers if the procedure does not yield the required results or if the device is bricked. Hence, users are advised to proceed with caution.
To continue with the installation, Google Developers has provided more instructions in their site.
Recap, the devices that are currently eligible for factory images flashing are:
- Nexus Player (fugu)
- 2013 Wi-Fi Nexus 7 (razor)
- Nexus 10 (mantaray)
- Wi-Fi Nexus 7 (nakasi)
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