Google Android 5.1 OS update now active for T-Mobile Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2013) and Sprint Nexus 6 in US

Google's Android 5.1 (Lollipop) OS update which was made official very recently, has now begun seeding to important Nexus smartphones across the US.

T-Mobile-driven Nexus 4 smartphones:

Users of the older Google Nexus 4 smartphones who have subscribed to T-Mobile's wireless network service in the US can check their devices for the Android 5.1 OTA notifications. According to the carrier's official support page, the current software version within Nexus 4 is Android 5.1 bearing version number LMY47D.

T-Mobile-driven Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013) smartphones:

T-Mobile's Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013) users should also check their devices for the Android 5.1 firmware update seeding via OTA.

However, T-Mobile states that users can install the latest update via Wi-Fi as of now, and the software will be available to download via cellular network at a later date.

Carrier-specific enhancements:

As per T-Mobile, users of its Nexus 4, Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 can look forward to stability/performance enhancements and bug fixes, in addition to the conventional feature set of the OS.

Manually searching and installing update within T-Mobile-driven Nexus 4, Nexus 5 and Nexus 7:

1. From the Home screen, tap All Apps
2. Tap Settings
3. Tap About device
4. Tap Software update

• If you are not connected to Wi-Fi, you may receive a prompt to connect
• If Wi-Fi is not available, tap OK
• If the update is not available, you will receive the message "Device is up-to-date". If you receive this message, please wait for your device to receive the update via OTA

Sprint-driven Nexus 6 smartphones

Apart from T-Mobile, Google's Android 5.1 is also rolling out to Nexus 6 users in the US, who have subscribed to Sprint's wireless network service.

Carrier-specific enhancements:

Sprint Nexus 6 users should observe the following carrier-specific enhancements apart from the conventional list of features brought along by the Android 5.1 OS update:

• Factory reset protection
• Duplicate SMS message issue fixed
• Improvements in sending SMS messages in the UK

Manually searching for Android 5.1 within Sprint-driven Nexus 6:

• Connect to an available Wi-Fi network
• From the home screen, select the All Apps icon
• Scroll to and select Settings
• Navigate to and tap About phone
• Select System updates
• Tap Check Now, if an update is available, follow the on-screen prompts to download and install. Otherwise, tap the Home icon
• Android 5.1 is now installed

General list of features (apart from carrier-specific ones) brought along by Android 5.1 OS update:

• Support for using more than one SIM card, in a device having multiple SIM-card slots
• Device Protection: Lost or stolen device will remain locked until users sign in with their Google account even if someone resets the device to factory settings. This feature will be available on most Android phones and tablets shipped with Android 5.1 in addition to Nexus 6 and Nexus 9
• HD Voice Calling
• Users can join Wi-Fi networks and control Bluetooth-paired devices directly from Quick Settings