You don't have to root to sideload the updates, but you will have to apply them incrementally. Take it from 6.01 to 7.0 and then from 7.0 to 7.1.1, which is the last release for the N6.
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Help Android 7.x OTA for the N6
- Thread starter TexasBadger
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- nexus 6
You don't have to root to sideload the updates, but you will have to apply them incrementally. Take it from 6.01 to 7.0 and then from 7.0 to 7.1.1, which is the last release for the N6.
shalemail
Android Expert
I am apparently going to need to sideload my updates too. Still on 7.0 NBD91P build with Nov.5 security patch level. 
Not happy I have to do this either. I have been very busy lately (as is evidenced by my limited time here
) and I haven't had time to sit down and mess with it.
I actually love the performance on this build but the security has me spooked. I would like it to be up to date.
End rant.
Not happy I have to do this either. I have been very busy lately (as is evidenced by my limited time here
) and I haven't had time to sit down and mess with it.I actually love the performance on this build but the security has me spooked. I would like it to be up to date.
End rant.
@lunatic59 do you know my proper incremental path to update to current 7.1.1 from NBD91P?
I'm on N6F26Q if that helps. I'm pretty sure we were on the same builds.
shalemail
Android Expert
I'll try it out. As always thank you sir. Is that the Feb or March security? And ... do you have the Google Assistant? (Not that I want the Assistant, just checking)
shalemail
Android Expert
It's been released by Google that all phones on marshmallow and nougut will get it as an update "soon". I'd link it but I'm on my N6 now and it's a pain in muh butt.
Edit ... Here's a link.http://www.theverge.com/2017/2/26/1...ant-android-phones-marshmallow-nougat-rollout
Download a file, plug in a cord, type in a couple of commands ... it's not that hard. Sure, it's more work than simply accepting an OTA, but were talking minutes here, not hours.
I'm not sure what you mean by 'beta'd'. Did you install a pre-release of Android? A custom ROM? In any case, Nexus phones are next to impossible to truly brick. I'm curious to what happened.
I understand the hesitance to trust again after a bad experience with the 5X. I doubt there's much I could say that will change that and that type of experience is a real problem for Google and how they choose to handle (or not handle) it.
When you're talking about the N6 lagging behind Samsung for updates, I assume you're referring to the S7 getting Nougat. That's not quite a fair comparison. The N6 was released in October 2014 with Lollipop (5.0). The current phone from Samsung then was the S5 which was released with KitKat (4.4). In 2015 Samsung released the S6 which came with Lollipop, too. The S5 and S6 both stopped at Marshmallow (6.0) officially so with Samsung you get one *maybe* two updates before they stop. The S7 is a current flagship so they are going to develop for that until the S8 is released.
Now the N6 has received 3 version upgrades over 2.5 years and is still current with the newest phones. If you can find another phone that's officially on 7.1.1 AND 2.5 years old, I'd be happy to eat a whole flock of crows. (Tastes like chicken, if fried correctly
). That's a little more than they promised. That's been my experience with the Nexus line ... they always give you just a little more then they promise.As to the price ... well sure the Nexus/Pixels have become pricey but that's because they've become true top of the line flagships. The original Nexus principle was to deliver an affordable unlocked phone that was pure Android. The key was 'affordable' meaning they had to reduce the spec's to be able to do that. I think they found that the Nexus customers wanted a flagship, not just one of the fleet. So the N6 was the first true top-spec'ed device with the Nexus name and a price to match.
As far as Apple and iPhone are concerned ... *sigh*. Let me just quote The Who when I say "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss." (Ironically the song is titled Won't get fooled again.)
iPhones are okay, but if your looking for a phone that can keep up after 2 years, keep looking. Take a trip through the Apple boards and read through the posts about updating iPhone 5's and 6's to OS10. It's not pretty. It's more a question of philosophy than technology. Would you be happier if Google made subsequent updates available to older phones even if it broke features or services and was an incomplete version of the latest version .... just to say you had the latest version?
Sorry, I try not to be too much of a fanboi
but when it comes to this phone, it's hard. I've had a wonderful experience with it and it's never failed me, whatever I asked of it.End of 2015, My Nexus6 on Tmo didnt get M either. I had to manually flash the factory image myself. It is all stock., never rooted. You should have at least 7.0 by now.
If you're going to sell it, then I'd just flash the latest 7.1.1 (N6F27C, May 2017) stock image from here. There is no difference in hardware for any of the carrier's versions so you'll have a generic stock Nexus 6 to sell. The only difference in the TMo updates was, i believe, access to their WiFi calling features.
what's the issue? Phones eventually get discontinued EOL. I dont see why this is any different?
I love the Nexus 6. Still have mine (although its just sitting on a desk collection dust) and I feel its the best Nexus in the lot, but it old and its time to retire. MoveOn.org.
I love the Nexus 6. Still have mine (although its just sitting on a desk collection dust) and I feel its the best Nexus in the lot, but it old and its time to retire. MoveOn.org.
aye just another guy,
a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
my name is marc. dont let titles confuse you.
You also don't have to get defensive in your post. Did i slander you at all? Nope. Clearly I can read and you know I can since that is the first prerequisite of being a moderator, or quite simply , just being able to contribute on a webforum.
Nevertheless you had to attempt to cause drama (why do people over the internet do this? Wait, I withdraw the question Your Honor.
) in response to a post that was drama-less (my word).
did you see the smiley face on the end of my post? its meant to be taken lighthearted.
--
in some future the pixel will have an EOL. it happens. yes the nexus line (in my opinion) has gone in a different direction and its sad because I really loved the nexus 6 and the "first to get updates" vanilla-ness of the platform.
but i researched the pixel and made a decision to end my love affair with nexus since that line of phones was going in quite a different direction.
In essence, I "MoveOn.org" 'ed ;-) to a flagship ASUS which has been a super device. I miss vanilla google but i was not going to settle for the lackluster design of the pixel.
J.A.G. (your name in acronym ), I understand your frustration with your device, especially since you have family members you have to keep updated as well, and I do hope you come to a solution that will benefit you and your family.
peace, love and hair grease...
-marc (just another marc with a C)
a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
my name is marc. dont let titles confuse you.
You also don't have to get defensive in your post. Did i slander you at all? Nope. Clearly I can read and you know I can since that is the first prerequisite of being a moderator, or quite simply , just being able to contribute on a webforum.
Nevertheless you had to attempt to cause drama (why do people over the internet do this? Wait, I withdraw the question Your Honor.
) in response to a post that was drama-less (my word).did you see the smiley face on the end of my post? its meant to be taken lighthearted.
--
in some future the pixel will have an EOL. it happens. yes the nexus line (in my opinion) has gone in a different direction and its sad because I really loved the nexus 6 and the "first to get updates" vanilla-ness of the platform.
but i researched the pixel and made a decision to end my love affair with nexus since that line of phones was going in quite a different direction.
In essence, I "MoveOn.org" 'ed ;-) to a flagship ASUS which has been a super device. I miss vanilla google but i was not going to settle for the lackluster design of the pixel.
J.A.G. (your name in acronym
), I understand your frustration with your device, especially since you have family members you have to keep updated as well, and I do hope you come to a solution that will benefit you and your family. peace, love and hair grease...
-marc (just another marc with a C)
T-Mobile did the same thing with Marshmallow during the end of 2015. I got tired of waiting and flashed the Nexus factory rom myself. But that was the point of the Nexus line, first updates. I still love a large 6inch AMOLED screen with the old Motorola moto-x on steroids design. Nougat was just extra sprinkles on top. Battery still holds. Great small tablet for videos. Going to be tuff finding the right mix of great screen and not 800 to replace it.
CharlieD
Well-Known Member
Just so I understand. My N6 is currently on 7.0 Build NBD92G (7.0 with April 2017 security patches). Looking at https://developers.google.com/android/ota the latest 7.1.1 is N6F27E, Jun 2017. So, can I download that and follow the instructions on that page for sideloading it or do I have to sideload some intermediary version first before jumping to the latest?
I'm going to go against my usual guidance and suggest that if you're still on 7.0, you just wait patiently for a 7.1.1 update. My understanding is that some carriers are taking longer than others to push out the 7.1.1 updates to their customers. You can get instantly up to date by sideloading the latest, but there's a very real chance that you won't automatically receive subsequent updates from your carrier.
If you want to be on the latest release and don't mind manually sideloading an update each month, sure, go ahead and sideload away. If, on the other hand, you want your phone to just work, it will likely be better to hold off.
If you want to be on the latest release and don't mind manually sideloading an update each month, sure, go ahead and sideload away. If, on the other hand, you want your phone to just work, it will likely be better to hold off.
The N6 was actually only guaranteed OS updates through October 2016 (which would have it stop at 7.0), but some have been updated to 7.1.1 since then so it makes sense that the rest of them would (eventually?) get the same update. And while Google has more control over Nexus updates than any other devices (well, except for Pixels), there are still other entities (namely the hardware manufacturer and carriers) that have their own part to play in getting the updates pushed out.
At any rate, the N6 should continue to receive security updates through October 2017, though based on the recent releases it looks like they're only issuing updates for the 7.1.1 builds (which matches what they're doing for the other phones they currently support).
TexasBadger
Android Enthusiast
My stock N6 on Sprint was updated to 7.1.1 via OTA this afternoon. Now I need to figure out what the new features are.
So this is the "good" Google approved fixed 7.1.1 version right? Im not removing it. Has June 5th security updates included
Some menu items that look new to me are -
Settings / All + Support tab ... Google 24/7 phone - chat
System Tuner / Other / Power Notification Controls
Google / Instant tethering
TexasBadger
Android Enthusiast
Right!