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Android 5.0.2 Lollipop OTA links for Nexus 7 2012 and 2013 go live (and here’s how to flash them)

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New Nexus 7 wm

Late last week we saw Google upload a couple of Android 5.0.2 Lollipop factory images for the Nexus 7 2013 and the Nexus 10, and now it seems they’re readying the big rollout for at least one of those devices. OTA links to downloads for the Nexus 7 2012 and 2013 have been uncovered, which means Google is essentially ready to flip a switch, turn on the green light and sent it out to everyone’s devices.

The only issue is we’re still not exactly sure what’s going to be new, though the list of stuff we’ll see on the surface is sure to be very short. Small updates like these tend to do more under the hood in terms of bug fixes and performance improvements so we won’t be expecting anything very exciting.

That said, if you still want the upgrade just to be on the latest and greatest then you can find the files at the links below. You can use ADB to flash the files onto your device. Not familiar? This handy AndroidForums thread will do you some good, so be sure to take a look at it for a complete rundown on how to manually flash OTA update files on your Nexus device.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Quentyn Kennemer
The "Google Phone" sounded too awesome to pass up, so I bought a G1. The rest is history. And yes, I know my name isn't Wilson.

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23 Comments

  1. My 16 GB WiFi pulled the update this morning.

  2. When is the Nexus 6 update coming? I’m on T-Mobile. I got the first one.

    1. I’m on the AT&T variant. I have read multiple sources that we are skipping 5.0.2 and going to a specific build of 5.0.3 or straight to 5.1.

  3. Where is the LTE build of the Nexus7?? What gives?

  4. Other than flashing, any idea how to get 2013 WiFi to download lollipop at all?

    I am still running 4.4.4 or whatever, hot update, nada.

    1. Same here. I don’t want to flash it because it’ll wipe all the data. I read somewhere there’s a way to do it without wiping but it looked more laborous than i want to put into it.

  5. since i installed the OTA on my nexus 7 2012, my tablet is soo slow to the point it was almost unusable. what gives? I thought lollipop was suppose to wok for devices with lower specs…

  6. Just a warning, I got the OTA last week, first time it failed, had to wipe and factory reset to previous version and retry. It worked the second time. Hopefully just a one off but be for warned.

    1. Issues with Lollipop updates are not one-offs. On the bright side, you were able to do a reset.

      I got an OTA notification back in Dec. My poor N7 ended up getting bricked at the same exact time I was rebooting following the update install. Couldn’t factory reset from recovery (error mounting /cache). Would hang every time I tried to unlock the bootloader from Fastboot.

      Now that I have it back with a fresh new Mobo, I think I may flash the recovery image and avoid the OTA.

      1. Can you explain how you got your board replaced? My N7 died after Lollipop too.

        1. I went to the Asus support site and requested an RMA#.They email instruction on where to send it. A 32GB Wifi board will end up costing you $200 if you’re off warranty. That’s parts, labor, and shipping.

          Might be better off buying a refurbed unit, or finding one with a cracked screen and swapping it yourself if you’re technically inclined. Think there are tear downs of it available.

          1. Just curious – why did you go this route? A $200 charge to replace the mainboard of a 1-2 year old tablet. You can get a new N7 (2013, albeit 16GB) for $150. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Nexus 7 but wouldn’t basically pay full price to replace the mainboard.

          2. I was highly agitated and not thinking straight by the time I got the quote.

          3. I’ve been there, man.

  7. Quentyn Kennemer, I have a Nexus 7 2013 4G LTE version. When do we get the update? its at 4.4.4. Why is everyone silent on the Cellular versions???????

  8. cant wait to hear whats going on with my N6….5.0.3? 5.0.2? 5.1? where are we in this silly Google plan that has been devised?

  9. 5.0.2update to my Nexus 7 2012, slow and a bigger battery drain. Also it won’t clear blank home pages automatically as advertised. Not sure if the2012 can handle 5.0.

  10. Got the 5.0.2 OTA pushed to my 2012 N7 two weeks ago. Works perfectly, the thing rockets along now, probably 10-15% improvement in battery streaming video. Can’t understand what all the sooking is about…..

  11. My Nexus 7 (2013) died a week after the first Lollipop OTA. It stays stuck on the Google logo when booting. I can’t unlock the bootloader because doing so requires a restart and it just freezes. I can’t push a new factory ROM to it or reset it. Has anyone else had a N7 just die?

    1. I have the same issue :(

  12. Updated my 2012 NEXUS 7. Have no issues charging is better except the browser slows down but no issues

  13. I flashed my 16GB Nexus 7 to Lollipop 5.0.2. It worked great for a week. Then there were hangs and “not responding” messages intermittently, especially with browsers. It was awful. I reflashed KitKat 4.4.4 back onto the device and the performance went back to a very snappy normal. Don’t bother upgrading.

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