If you’ve got a Google Nexus device, you’re in for a sweet treat: The next version of Android, dubbed Lollipop , on Wednesday began its rollout to most of the newer devices in the Nexus line. As a tweet from the official Android Twitter account put it: “Dessert is served” .
Patience is a virtue, though, because this will be a slow roll.
As a post on Google’s Nexus forums indicates, the new Nexus 6 smartphone and Nexus 9 tablet will get bug-fix updates to 5.0. But recent devices that currently have Android 4.4.4 KitKat will be upgraded over-the-air:
- Nexus 6: Minor update to address bugs
- Nexus 9: Minor update to address bugs
- Nexus 5: Update from KitKat to Lollipop
- Nexus 7 WiFi (2012 & 2013): Update from KitKat to Lollipop
- Nexus 10: Update from KitKat to Lollipop
An earlier post in the same forum thread indicated that it may take a while once the roll-out has started to see Android 5.0 show up on your device:
Will I get the update right away?
As with most Android updates it will be rolled out in waves to users. This can take up to 3 weeks after availability for some devices has been announced.
Please remember by pressing the ‘Check Now’ button multiple times a day in the System Updates section will not increase your chances of getting the update.
Conspicuously absent from the list: The Nexus 4, which earlier had been promised a Lollipop update, and Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus, which will not be getting an official update at all. It’s possible the former will still get an update, but that’s not clear at this point.
What about your particular, non-Nexus Android device? Whether it gets Lollipop will be up to its maker. Keep an eye on Android news sites and forums for glimmers of hope.
If you’re really impatient, possess the necessary technical skills and are brave, you can always download Lollipop from the Android developer’s site , where it’s currently available for the listed Nexus devices, and manually update your phone or tablet .
If you’re looking for details about Android 5.0’s sweeping changes, check this excellent Ars Technica review .
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