Nexus devices will now receive monthly security updates

Nexus devices will now receive monthly security updates from Google, in addition to their usual platform updates. Starting now with the release of the Stagefright exploit fix, Google will be pushing out security updates, and notifying its partners on a monthly basis. Samsung has also already committed to fast tracking security updates with monthly fixes.
With Google's existing security measures, less than 0.15 percent of devices that installed apps from Google Play installed any type of harmful app. Security is extremely important, and the monthly updates is yet another way that Google will help keep its users safe.
Nexus devices have always been among the first Android devices to receive platform and security updates. From this week on, Nexus devices will receive regular OTA updates each month focused on security, in addition to the usual platform updates.
Google is also still committed to supporting Nexus devices with platform updates for two years, and security patches for three years, or 18 months from the last date of sale in the Google Store.
Source: Official Android Blog
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How about fixing the memory leaks and battery problems of Lollipop on my N5? How about adding true backup and recovery without root? Android is far from it's infancy, and my Palm Treo was still a much more sorted and business capable phone. Getting tired of Android/Google's "always in beta" approach to everything. Posted via Android Central App
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The first year is always like this. Same with apple, Microsoft, etc. Then year two they button it up. Then about the time everything is perfect, they release a completely new version. Rinse and repeat. Posted via the Android Central App
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back up and recovery is added on Android M which will soon come to N5. memory leak has been fixed in 5.1.1
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Android problems a side this is only positive,
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"my Palm Treo was still a much more sorted and business capable phone." Then why don't you use it and save us all of your whining?
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Sir, you made me laugh. I wonder if illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup
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Yeah, the Treo maybe your answer to all your problems! Lol, I've had all nexus devices 4,5,7,9 and now a G4, can't wait to get back to the 2015 nexus. Everything with an OS has its problems, live with the small problems (always a work around) and enjoy what makes Android really great. Posted via a LG G4
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Amen to much of what you said, although it will come across as whining to many. Personally, I'm furious about the memory leaks that kept my beautifully tricked-out Nexus 9 on the shelf for so many months -- but I see a great opportunity here for Google to turn Nexus into the "greatest possible user experience" platform.
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The memory leak issues were fixed with 5.1.1 over 3 months ago
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Same here. I'll wait until the M and if it's not done right I'm done with Android. I'm tired of tweaking and fixing things that should work straight out of box. I just had to sell my Moto X 2014 that turned from the best performing phone (on KK) into useless piece of tech (after my accidental click on system update) and I did everything to try make it work better - clearing cache and doing factory reset and waiting for 2 weeks to settle. Went back to BB and bought another Moto (still on KK) and this time made sure to block the updates. I mean it's not that L was released yesterday - been 9 months already! Regular people would just go to Apple store and buy a phone that works, but I hate iPhones and if I have to switch I'll probably take Windows. I really want Android to get better but I'm losing patience. via AC App
on VZW Moto X 2014/2013 DE/N7 -
Why was your moto useless? You offered no details. Posted via the Android Central App
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Battery was impacted and since this phone was already weak in that area 20% makes a huge difference, it made it that much harder to deal with recharging.
Lag was very noticeable and the most annoying one was waiting for the dialer to open.
And finally (I blame Verizon for this) the radios got messed up, so in poor signal areas (where I spend most of the time) it was harder to stay connected and also switching back to LTE took longer. via AC App
on VZW Moto X 2014/2013 DE/N7 -
That was fixed on 5.1.1 months ago. Posted via the Android Central App on my Nexus 5 or Nexus 7 2013
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I love people that say "that was fixed months ago." if it requires a FULL WIPE for it to work, its not a fix for most of us. I use this for work and personal and lovely nexus has a terrible restore function, so if i have to wipe to make an update fully work, i may as well get a new phone instead. Every android update has been like this since my 1st android and the update to froyo. Phones are only made to wok on the OS they were designed for and updates usually result in lost performance. I have rebooting issues, memory issues, lag and horrid battery and my phone is bone stock unrooted and no skins/loads of homescreens (2) or widgets. (clock and calendar only) I'm not saying apple is better (updating our ipad 2 caused all kinds of performance issues, but at least backup and restore works a bit better) but these mobile devices usually can't get a single significant update without major problems and the apologists need to quit giving Google a pass when their own off contract phone works so poorly. Posted via Android Central App
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My Verizon 2014 X I have had sense day 1 and has never been factory reset and I running great. 5.0 was a little sketchy, but 5.1 has been flawless. That being said, if you don't like updates screwing things up, then you should never take them on any device. Whether it be phones, computers, routers, whatever, updates mess things up sometimes. It happens. There is no avoiding it and it will never change. Posted via the Android Central App
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agreed. switching to ios will not fix that.ask some one with a ip4/4s
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So in other words the fix is there but it's too much effort for you to apply it. Got it. Yeah, keep your whining up, that's a much better user of your time. SMH.
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+1 Posted via my Moto X (2014)
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Yeah I can backup all my contacts on my Nexus 4, then do a full wipe/reset and lose half of them somehow. Great work Google!
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Google? Security? Hahahahahahahahaha Posted via the Android Central App
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Real question. What the hell on your doing on this website anyways?
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Exactly. He and hmmm are resident concern trolls. They get their rocks off somehow by bashing Google.
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No, I am a realist. It's sickening reading all the "Google can do no wrong" fanboy comments sometimes.
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Like I said, you get your rocks off bashing Google.
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I'm a realist too, and you're right, google can do no wrong is a false statement. But they innovate faster than Apple and Microsoft. And that is what intrigues people to buy android tech. Posted via the Android Central App
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+100
If you own Android or use Google services in other ways, doesn't make it automatically the best or most secure. I still use Android for one reason - customizations and file management that suit my needs the best and for that I've been willing to overlook many inconveniences and issues. As my needs change and other platforms evolve or new arise, I'll be more open to switch. People simply tend to develop weird emotional relationships with material matter, sport teams, etc. and develop full blown commitments "for life" and in many cases to a point of worship. It's very understandable nature, but has to be overcome in maturation process. via AC App
on VZW Moto X 2014/2013 DE/N7 -
Samsung already pushing... Good job Posted via the Android Central App
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Not so surprised that Samsung has already provided the fix. I am absolutely shocked that Sprint and AT&T have already pushed it. I do not expect similar speed from LG and T-Mo, sadly.
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Sprint I am not so surprised at, att I am shocked Posted via the Android Central App
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0.15% is still over a million phones affected if you consider 700,000,000 (just a quick google search gave me ta number higher than that) as the number of android phones active in the wild.... Using a small percent doesn't mean it was a small number of phones.
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What fanboy asshat is downvoting you?
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So I guess this means I'll have to un-root and re-root my phones every month.
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I'll probably just skip all of them and update the way I do now. We haven't been getting monthly updates currently and we're all just fine.
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This is exactly what I read into this headline. It really sounds like it's going to be a PITA to keep our phones rooted, right? I can't imagine that "security updates" will forego the fact that a rooted phone is more vulnerable, so I fully expect them to unroot my phone for me with every update. On the flipside, I guess just keeping the SuperSU zip on the device with a custom recovery installed, we'll hopefully be able to just OTA, reboot into recovery, flash the zip, and then reboot and be done with it. But that always makes me cross my fingers...
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Root is so 2011. It really isn't necessary these days. Posted via the Android Central App
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Necessary is relative. You can take Titanium Backup, AdAway, and Xposed Framework from my cold dead hands.
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Or the ROM you are using will just update the ROM itself. No need to unroot. Posted via the Android Central App on my Nexus 5 or Nexus 7 2013
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If you install a custom stock rom from a good dev, you will be fine.
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Nexus 4 Rooted LTE 5.1.1---These small security updates have applied with only a reboot necessary so far.
The only problem is that I have Unlimited Data and have no need for WiFi. They will only apply on WiFi.
Google on so very issues can be so asleep at the switch. -
I really want to leave the nexus line (after many years) and go for the (future) Z5 Compact. But this kind of news really force me to stay with Nexus My best scenario is Sony releasing a "Z Nexus compact" phone.
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I an just loving my Nexus 6. I just am not experiencing memory leaks, lag, or whatever other problems some of you reporting. Posted via the Android Central App
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Great first step in a genuinely experience-focused Nexus program. Up until now, Nexus has remained an enthusiast-only program, because really, it has always been all about Google. But it won't become a hit until it becomes all about presenting the very best *user experience* that Android can achieve. This means taking the user's safety ultra-seriously -- not to avoid embarrassment, but because it makes the user feel more secure. I hope Google will follow up with regular patches and bug-fixes *before* they ruin so many experiences that users like me give up on Nexus. I bought a gorgeous piece of Nexus 9 hardware last fall, tried hard to like it, but eventually shelved it because the memory leaks were so dreadful that I had to reboot twice a day. Only recently has it showed signs of become the lightning-quick device that HTC and nVidia engineers envisioned -- but it still slows down if I burden it with more than a hundred apps, because the update process is managed so poorly. I devoutly wish Google to follow up on the bug-fixing purpose of "M" by fixing some of Android's most annoying remaining problems. I know it can be done, because producers like LG and HTC seem to handle updates more gracefully with their own skins. _Please_ Google. You've made a terrific start with this promise. Keep it coming and finally make "Nexus" the hit -- and the great user experience -- it should be.
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It warms my heart seeing that Nexus phones are only worthy of monthly security updates. Forget the rest of us Samsung and LG owners.
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Google can only directly update Nexus devices. For others, all it can do is provide the fix info to the OEM. You can lead a horse to water . . . As for Samsung security updates, did you happen to see the article two posts down from this one? Posted via the Android Central App
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Not sure you understand the update process... Posted via the Android Central App
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I guess this is all you read today, Samsung announced it before the Nexus. Try again Posted via the Android Central App
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Oh and they already sent patches out Posted via the Android Central App
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Hopefully not root killing tomfoolery. Posted via the Android Central App
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Root is a security issue. Of course it will break it. Posted via the Android Central App
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Guess this doesnt apply to KitKat. Shame, since my Nexus won't be updated to Lollipop, perhaps M but we'll see.
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I haven't updated to Lollipop yet on my N5 either. 5.0 sounded like it had a lot of problems although 5.1 seems better. The whole rerooting thing is one of the reasons. I use a firewall application AFWall+ that requires root also it hasn't been updated for Lollipop is the other reason. Don't feel I'm missing a lot by not having Lollipop but when M comes out, I don't want to be so far behind. This new news is definitely an encouragement to keep the OS up to date.
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Don't update, you're missing nothing worthwhile. I'm jealous of my wifes phone on 4.4.4 and her battery life. Posted via Android Central App
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That Nexus 5 is looking pretty hot in that picture. Posted via the Android Central App
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Hey Google! Have your attention? Ok, AAAALLLL devices need this. Go bust some OEM balls and make it so. I don't care as much about OS upgrades, but security updates MUST happen. Must!!!
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Right, and since I'm on Verizon, I will need to do a factory reset for each update. VZW calls mine "non-VZW" Nexus 6. I had to do three factory resets last month to get 5.1.1.
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This is great news. I hope they focus on quicker updates fixing bugs....lollipop active radio bug anyone? Even the memory leak, which has been fixed, took several months to fix.
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Ok Google, can you make OTA work on a rooted device? The only reason to root for me is to control the mess of background process. Android does bad in this area. Posted via the Android Central App
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Hope other manufacturers follow suit. Your move, LG. Posted from the LG G4 "Spigen + Anime" Edition. Wait, what?
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I miss my nexus galaxy Posted via the Android Central App
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The title should be "Google will now threaten you once a month with dire consequences unless you update to their latest version to get bug fixes". It is a sneaky scheme to get everyone on the latest version of Android. I do not want to be forced to use lollipop when kitkat and XPosed/XPrivacy let me manage my privacy.
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Nexus 4---Xposed now works properly on 5.1.1. That's how I got Silent Mode restored when some Idiots at Google decided to eliminate it.
Plus the useless slide lock that has be employed even if you have pattern/pin. Some real dolts at Google. -
That is hopeful. I've a Nexus 5, and a Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 (When my Nexus 7 smashed itself on the ground and Google decided we should have a 9 incher that was horribly expensive for what it provided).
THere is a big thread about it clashing with Sygic so I will leave it for now.
My concern is mostly for XPrivacy, and that seems to be a significant issue still. -
I'll just say big step in the right direction for security and leave it at that.
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Have to say after three years I'm getting a bit tired with the Google Android update lottery. As in what part of the hardware wont function properly after the update. I really wish they tested their software more thoroughly. I and many others have had broken mobile data since 5.x. Yes I have a Nexus. A security update is the least of my worries. A malicious MMS? I can't even receive them thanks to Google. It's enough to drive you to an iPhone.