OTA

32 'OTA' stories August 2011 - April 2017

How to update your smartwatch to Android Wear 2.0 manually using OTA downloads

Stephen Hall Apr 17 2017 - 6:00 am PT

Google began the process of rolling out Android Wear 2.0 to a plethora of smartwatches all the way back in February. This latest update brings many enhancements and refinements, but most notable are its revamped UI, on-watch Play Store, and watch face complications. If you’re hoping try out the new features of Android Wear’s latest but haven’t received the OTA update yet, you can try to manually install it on some watches with ADB tools…

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Android N Developer Preview 4 is now available, download factory images & OTAs here

Abner Li Jun 15 2016 - 10:06 am PT

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The third Android N Developer Preview announced at Google I/O last month was the first beta stable enough for daily use. Developer Preview 4 continues on that path with final APIs and the official SDK for developers to begin publishing apps for Android N devices. We’re installing DP4 on our Nexus devices right now and updating a full list of all the new features.

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Google launches the Android Beta Program, gives you easy OTA access to Android N

Stephen Hall Mar 9 2016 - 1:04 pm PT

3 Comments

Update: While it wasn’t appearing at first, it seems that the Nexus Player is now being listed as a compatible device with the program. Additionally, the General Mobile 4G (Android One) device is now compatible as well.

Google has now — as promised — just launched the Android Beta Program. With this program (much like similar programs from Apple), you can enroll your device to receive the latest beta builds of Android and receive them over-the-air without the need to do any manual flashing. Head over to the Android Beta Program website to sign up…

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AT&T’s LG G4 begins receiving Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Abner Li Feb 9 2016 - 12:18 pm PT

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A lot more users are finally going to see the benefits of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. With T-Mobile LG G4s getting the update last week, it is now time for AT&T variants of the device to see the latest version of Android.

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HTC One A9 OTA update brings January security patch and other bug fixes

Abner Li Jan 22 2016 - 9:09 am PT

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HTC is keeping up its promise to update the One A9 within 15 days of Nexus devices getting updates. This OTA update for the struggling Taiwanese company‘s most recent handset includes January’s security update along with other bug fixes.

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January security update for Nexus devices rolling out now, download factory images here

Abner Li Jan 4 2016 - 11:08 am PT

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Google has been following through with its promise of providing monthly security patches for Nexus devices. Last month’s was bundled with Android 6.0.1 and the January security updates are arriving today. The updates are based on Android 6.0.1, so don’t expect any new user facing features or even other tweaks.

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Google pushing November’s security update to Nexus devices, download factory images here

Stephen Hall Nov 3 2015 - 7:30 am PT

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Earlier this year, Google promised that Nexus devices would begin receiving security updates on a monthly basis. The company has definitely followed through with this promise as of yet, pushing out a new factory image right around the beginning of the month for the last few months. Right on time, November’s security update is here, and you can find factory images below…
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How to update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow manually using OTA downloads

Stephen Hall Oct 5 2015 - 4:17 pm PT

1 Comment

Google today announced that Android Marshmallow is coming OTA to several Nexus devices in the coming days and weeks. If you like to get the latest from Google, you know that “coming weeks” could be a pretty long wait. Thankfully, you can head to the front of the line and install the over-the-air (OTA) update by following our quick guide…

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Android 6.0 Marshmallow OTA downloads start showing up for Nexus devices, here’s how to install them [Roundup]

Stephen Hall Oct 5 2015 - 4:17 pm PT

4 Comments

Google began the rollout of Android 6.0 Marshmallow earlier today, and while we already have full access to downloading the 6.0 factory images, OTA update download links are going to trickle in slowly as the update rolls out over the next several days. Factory images are typically for doing a fresh install of the OS, but these OTA updates are intended to let you keep your data intact and are typically smaller in total size…
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You can download Stagefright fix OTA updates for Nexus devices here

Stephen Hall Aug 11 2015 - 7:42 am PT

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Google recently released a slew of factory images for Nexus devices, following the company’s new commitment to release a security update for its Nexus line each and every month. This one in particular fixes a vulnerability in Stagefright, and updates have been slowly rolling out over-the-air following the announcement. Below we have listed every device that actually received a new LMY48I factory image, alongside a direct link to their OTA .zip downloads…
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Moto X (1st gen) Lollipop upgrade rolling out to carrier models in bevy of countries

Tom Maxwell Jul 1 2015 - 9:08 am PT

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Motorola has a way of saying software is ready when it isn’t, and publishing release notes for major upgrades long before they actually begin rolling out. It can often feel like deja vu to see the announcement of an update rollout multiple times, so we of all people know that it can be frustrating. That said, Motorola’s David Schuster has posted to his Google+ account this morning to announce that the 1st-generation Moto X is receiving Android 5.1 starting today in a whole host of countries…

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Verizon DROID Turbo 5.1 Lollipop update actually rolling out OTA tomorrow

Tom Maxwell Jun 30 2015 - 12:54 pm PT

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Well, things change fast. Earlier today we reported on comments from Motorola’s David Schuster that a soak test of 5.1 Lollipop was rolling out for the DROID Turbo, and only hours later Verizon has unexpectedly announced that the update will roll out over-the-air to device owners starting tomorrow.

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Lollipop upgrade for 1st & 2nd gen Moto X hits soak testing in many countries

Tom Maxwell Jun 17 2015 - 1:06 pm PT

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Another day, another expanded soak test of a Motorola software upgrade. This time, Android 5.1.1 Lollipop for the 1st and 2nd-generation Moto X in a bevy of countries.

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Verizon LG G Pad 7.0 LTE receiving its Android Lollipop update

Tom Maxwell Jun 10 2015 - 7:23 am PT

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The LG G Pad 7.0 was released back in July of 2014 alongside its bigger brother, the G Pad 10.1, and while it doesn’t rock the most high-end specifications, Verizon is giving it some love with an update to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop (yes, not 5.1.1). The software version number is VK41022A.

There isn’t much to be said about this update beyond what we wrote for the Verizon G Pad 10.1’s Lollipop update. LG’s custom UI additions have received a fresh coat of paint to fall in line with Google’s Material Design guidelines and all the features and improvements that are included in Android Lollipop are there – Smart Lock for authenticating the device when other trusted devices are nearby, the Interruptions menu which provides granular control over which app notifications light up your device, Floating Action Buttons, and more.

As always this is a carrier OTA update, so don’t be surprised if it’s a week or more before you see it in your system updates.

AT&T LG G4 owners reporting that an OTA update was just pushed without permission

Stephen Hall Jun 9 2015 - 11:25 am PT

4 Comments

Update: AT&T has confirmed that they are the source of the update, but hasn’t said why it was pushed or what it contains.

According to several angry reports swirling around on Reddit, Twitter, and elsewhere, either AT&T or LG (or both?) seemingly just pushed a mysterious update to the LG G4 without asking permission. Some users even had their calls dropped while talking and saw their LG G4 reboot in front of their eyes, without a notification that this would happen or any dialog box asking permission…
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Android Lollipop coming to a bevy of Sony Xperia smartphones

Tom Maxwell Jun 4 2015 - 9:31 am PT

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If there’s one smartphone manufacturer punching above the rest to provide the latest software from Google to the greatest amount of customers, it’s Sony. The company posted to its blog today that not only is Android 5.1 Lollipop rolling out to the whole series of Xperia Z-Z3 phones as well as the Xperia ZL, ZR, and Tablet Z right now, but July will be the beginning of a Lollipop rollout for even more devices.

First, in July the Xperia T2 Ultra and Xperia C3 will get the update. Then starting “a little after we’ve made the update available for the Xperia Z Series,” the M2 and M2 Aqua will go directly to Android 5.1.

The company says to hang tight for more updates on each of these rollouts (noting that timing may vary by market and/or carrier) and follow them @SonyMobileNews on Twitter for information as its released, or keeping checking the blog. We’ll continue to keep you posted on these rollouts as well.

Android 5.1.1 OTA image for Nexus 4 is now available, here’s how to install it (Update: Nexus 5, too)

Stephen Hall May 20 2015 - 10:01 am PT

1 Comment

Update: The OTA download link is now available for the Nexus 5 as well.

Android 5.1.1 been making its way to most Nexus devices over the last few weeks, and now it’s time for the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 to get a chance at the fun. The factory images still haven’t been uploaded to Google’s developers’ website, but some Nexus 4 and 5 owners are already receiving the update to 5.1.1 over-the-air and have kindly shared the download links—meaning you can get the update right now straight from Google’s servers and sideload it via ADB.
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The Nexus 9 is receiving its over-the-air update to Android… 5.0.2 (Update: Factory images!)

Stephen Hall May 5 2015 - 9:32 am PT

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Update: The 5.0.2 factory images are for the Nexus 9 are now available.

The Nexus 9 is now receiving an OTA update, not to the most recent Android 5.1.1 build, but to the older Android 5.0.2. While most Nexus devices received 5.0.2 months ago and have been more recently receiving Android 5.1.1, the poor flagship Nexus 9 tablet from Google was still stuck on 5.0.1 until today.

The update to 5.1.1 is expected to coming any day now, and one Googler recently said that the team is doing everything they can to push it as soon as possible. While we can’t be certain, it seems that this relatively small 23.3 MB OTA update might just be preparation for the bigger 5.1(.1) release.

We’ll keep our eyes on the factory image download page (5.0.2 isn’t available there quite yet for the Nexus 9), but until then, feel free to click the link below the download the OTA update file.

Android 5.0.2 (build LRX22L) for Nexus 9 OTA

Android 5.1 OTA download link for Nexus 4 now available, here’s how to install it

Stephen Hall Apr 13 2015 - 2:01 pm PT

1 Comment

Android 5.1 has been slowly but surely making its way to the slew of Nexus devices that still get updates, and the Nexus 4 was one—until just now—that still hadn’t gotten the latest version of Lollipop. The factory image still hasn’t been uploaded to Google’s developers’ website (we’ll update this post when that’s available), but some Nexus 4 owners are already receiving the update over-the-air and have kindly shared the download link—meaning you can get the update right now straight from Google’s servers.
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Android 5.1 Lollipop OTA files start showing up for Nexus devices, here’s how to install them

Stephen Hall Mar 12 2015 - 6:45 am PT

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Google recently started publishing Nexus factory images for Android 5.1, but now download links for the over-the-air update are hitting the Internet. It likely won’t be long before your Nexus device has the update up and running (5.1 for the Sprint Nexus 6 started rolling out yesterday, for example), but if you just can’t wait to get your hands on those performance improvements, we’ve got you covered…

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Nexus 7 (WiFi, 2012) OTA update download for 5.0.2 now available

Stephen Hall Dec 24 2014 - 10:54 am PT

2 Comments

A few days ago we noticed that Google had updated its factory image download page with a download link for Android Lollipop 5.0.2 (a build currently specific to the WiFi 2012 Nexus 7). Now, it appears that the you can now download the same software in the form of an OTA .zip straight from Google.

from 5.0 to 5.0.2: nakasi LRX22G from LRX21P

The update should be rolling out over-the-air currently (if you haven’t gotten it already), but if you need the OTA update to update your device manually, the above link is straight from Google’s servers. If you’ve never done a manual OTA update before, be sure to check out our guide.

Android Lollipop for LG G3 begins rolling out in Europe

9to5 Staff Dec 15 2014 - 8:47 am PT

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LG is continuing its rollout of Android Lollipop this week, after seeding the update in Poland and South Korea over the past few months. Android Lollipop should be rolling out for the flagship LG G3 as of this past December 12 in Austria, Baltics, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom.
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Nexus OTA download links for Android 5.0.1 Lollipop rolling out, here’s how to update

Stephen Hall Dec 3 2014 - 5:28 pm PT

3 Comments

Download links for the OTA update release of Android 5.0.1 are popping up on the internet following last night’s release of the AOSP download links for WiFi-only devices. Last night’s release was for the Nexus 9, 2013 WiFi-only Nexus 7, and Nexus 10, and the links that are popping up tonight are for much the same. But rest assured, if you’re waiting to update your cellular-enabled device, it’s most likely not going to be too long before you can grab the latest build. Below you’ll find the download links for the 5.0.1 OTA and a couple guides to get you started…

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How to update to Android Lollipop manually using OTA downloads

Casey Carroll Nov 16 2014 - 1:36 pm PT

19 Comments

Last week Google announced that Lollipop will come to most Nexus devices in the coming weeks. If you like to get the latest from Google, you know that “coming weeks” could be a pretty long wait. Cut the line and install the over-the-air (OTA) update by following our quick guide.

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