Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) HUB

[Chris_K]

Hello Android users,

With Marshmallow now officially out in the wild in the form of new hardware (see the Nexus 5X and soon-to-be-launched Nexus 6P), official software updates will start pushing out to existing handsets in the coming months. Not every Android handset will see an upgrade for Marshmallow (more on that later...) but we'll keep you posted on this along the way.

What's the process from O2's end?
We understand the wait for new updates can be frustrating and we'll do all we can to minimise this so you get it as soon as possible, once we're confident the update delivers a positive user experience. So you've got a bit more insight into what to expect, here's what will typically happen:

1. Manufacturers will analyse and decide on which devices will be updated to Marshmallow
2. We may be sent this list as a heads up - We do not typically get any ETA's until days/weeks prior to us being sent the update for testing & approval
3. We stay on standby and wait to receive updates from vendors (Microsoft, Sony, LG, Samsung etc)
4. Once received, our device team will test the update in-house. Testing typically lasts 1-2 weeks.
5. If there are any issues found that are not network/O2 related, we will notify the vendor of this who may recall the update and re-issue with a fix in place (which may need re-tested)
6. If there are no issues found, the team will approve this and send it back to the vendor who will schedule this for release
7. Once sent back, it typically takes 1-2+ weeks to be scheduled and released to the end-user
   
   NOTE: If you have an unlocked/SIM free handset not purchased via O2 directly, you will not be on the 'O2 update channel' and so your experience will be different. Due to your update coming direct from the vendor, due to various factors, you may see the update arrive sooner or later than O2 customers - this varies from handset to handset, update to update.

I have 'Phone X' - Will it be updated to Marshmallow?
As mentioned prior, not every handset will be updated to Marshmallow - this may depend on the device specifications, device popularity, vendor resources. Typically speaking, flagship devices are usually the first to be updated, followed by older flagship devices, followed by the rest.

We'll use this thread as a central HUB to keep everyone updated on Android Marshmallow in general. As and when we're notified from vendors around what handsets they intend to update, we'll add a section on it below - this way you can stay up to speed.

Google
With Nexus devices being close to Googles heart, these are usually the first to be updated. The following devices are already receiving updates to Android Marshmallow:
- Nexus 5
- Nexus 6
- Nexus 7
- Nexus 9

Sony
Sony have released a statement that they will update the following devices to Marshmallow
- Xperia Z5, Z5 Compact & Z5 Premium
- Xperia Z4 Tablet
- Xperia Z3+, Z3, Z3 Compact, Z3 Tablet Compact
- Xperia Z2, Z2 Tablet
- Xperia M5, C5 Ultra, M4 Aqua and C4

Sony released a statement via their blog here

SONY UPDATE @ 18th February
We're hoping to receive updates for the Z5, Z3+ and Z4 Tablet before end of the month to begin testing. If all goes well, we hope to see the update released in the coming weeks.

SONY UPDATE @ 4th March
We approved the Marshmallow update for the Z3+, Z5 Compact, Z5, Z5 Premium and Z4 Tablet on Friday 4th March and sent these to Sony for scheduling. We typically expect the updates to become live within a week or two at most, at this stage. Software version will be 32.1.A.1.163.

SONY UPDATE @ 4th May
We're currently testing the Marshmallow update for the Z2/Z3 device families and hope to have more info in the coming week or so

SONY UPDATE @ 24th May
Marshmallow is now live under the guise of software update version '23.5.A.0.575' for Z2 and Z3 family of devices. This includes: Z3, Z3 Compact, Z3 Tablet, Z2 and Z2 Tablet

HTC
HTC recently tweeted that they'd be updating the following devices to Marshmallow:
- HTC One M9 & M8 (beginning end of 2015)
- HTC One M9+, E9+, E9, ME, E8, M8 EYE
- Butterfly 3
- Desire 826, 820, 816

HTC UPDATE @ 20th January
- Marshmallow is now being rolled out to the HTC One M8 (see here)

HTC UPDATE @ 26th January
- Marshmallow now rolling out to HTC One M9's

HTC UPDATE @ 17th February
- Marshmallow 6.0.1 soon rolling out to HTC A9 (see here for more info)

HTC UPDATE @ 29th February
- Marshmallow is now rolling out to the HTC A5 (Desire 816) - The update for this is in two parts - the 1st one to prepare the device for the 6.0 update, the 2nd to actually do the update. Due to the size, this may take up to 60min or more.

HTC UPDATE @ 3rd May
- Marsmallow now available for the HTC Desire 820

HTC UPDATE @ 12th May
- Marshmallow has been approved for the HTC One M8s and we hope will be available to you in the coming week or so

Motorola
Motorola have announced that they will update the following devices to Marshmallow:
- 2015 Moto X Pure Edition (3rd gen)
- 2015 Moto X Style (3rd gen)
- 2015 Moto X Play
- 2015 Moto G (3rd gen)
- 2014 Moto X Pure Edition in the US (2nd gen)
- 2014 Moto X in Latin America, Europe and Asia2 (2nd gen)
- 2014 Moto G and Moto G with 4G LTE2 (2nd gen)
- DROID Turbo
- 2014 Moto MAXX
- 2014 Moto Turbo
- Nexus 6

Motorolas official announcement can be found here

Note: Many of the devices above were not sold by O2 or within the UK market. If you have such devices, you should receive your update directly from Motorola - O2 will not receive these for testing/approval/release (eg, devices like the Turbo, MAXX, X Pure etc)

LG
LG have confirmed that they are working on Marshmallow for the G4. We don't currently have any estimates for when this update will be released.

LG UPDATE @ 20th January
- We're awaiting the software from LG for the G4 and will begin testing once we have it - no ETA currently available.
- The G3 update should follow shortly after the G4 has been updated

LG UPDATE @ 12th February
- We approved the G4 update a few days ago and it should be in LG's systems now. Eyes peeled over the coming days as it's likely to become available to you any day now.

LG UPDATE @ 5th May
- We've tested & approved the LG G3 update and this will be released by LG imminently

Others
At present we don't currently have any confirmed roadmaps from other vendors but we will work with them and will update this as and when more confirmations arrive.

SAMSUNG UPDATE @ 10th February
- We're currently testing marshmallow on the S6. No further info or ETA yet but we'll let you know more over the coming days/weeks.

SAMSUNG UPDATE @ 3rd March
- Marshmallow has been approved for the Samsung S6 and S6 Edge on Thu 3rd March. S6 Edge+ not yet approved but team are hoping to approve within next week. No ETA for S6/Edge but we typically expect this within a week or two at most.

SAMSUNG UPDATE @ 10th March
- Marshmallow update approved for the S6 Edge+ and returned to Samsung for schedule/release. Typically we expect these to push out within a week or two, though is sometimes sooner than this.

SAMSUNG UPDATE @ 11th March
- Marshmallow 6.0.1 has been approved for the S5 and Note 4 - We hope to see it released to customers within the next week or two

[Chris_K]

---

@Cleoriff wrote:

Good news @Chris_K ... It does seem a bit complicated if honest. I mean the part where O2 test it...then release it back to LG ..who can then release it back to O2 for their devices?

---

When you look at it that way, you're right, it does seem a bit complicated.

For the testing part, we get that customers want their software ASAP but the time during O2's involvement typically only lasts a few days to a week or so at the absolute most so our involvement is probably the shortest part of the entire timeline of a software updates lifetime. And the testing part is absolutely necessary because without it, the customer experience could be very negative if there are bugs, performance issues or even worse - issues with crashes, freezes or bricks. Vendors do test software before sending them to carriers, but just like we can miss some issues, so too can they - so an extra layer of testing never hurts. It also lets us ensure the device plays well with our network and provides a consistent experience. An update is no good if texts don't send or you can't receive calls, right?

In the end, our testing is about only 1 thing - making sure it works when you guys get it.

For the actual release part, that's the way it is with the Android ecosystem - it ensures the ultimate power always remains with the vendor and means that if for any reason they need to delay the rollout due to a major unseen issue, then they can if they wish. It also means they can deliver those updates via their non-OTA offerings (eg, Samsung KIES for instance).

[Cleoriff]

Thanks for the explanation @Chris_K. I certainly understand it more now...:smileyhappy:

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I see the last update for Sony Xperia phones was on 4th March. Any news on Xperia Z3 - have you guys approved the Marshmallow update for Z3 considering it is almost same as Z3+ and now we are on 4th May?

Would really appreciate an update.

Many thanks

Pawan

[MI5]

@viridis started a thread here - I don't know if he knows anymore since?
http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Discussions-Feedback/6-0-marshmallow-rolling-out-for-Z2-Z3-Z3c/m-p/9633...

[viridis]

Its not the same as Z3+, Z3+is closer to Z5.
Z3 is close to Z2 which is why they rolling together.
They are rolling but lots of factors in play with 570

[MI5]

Geez, that was quick!!

[viridis]

Already writing it tbh lol

[MI5]

[viridis]

@Chris_K will be able to confirm if o2 have finished testing the 570 update. A few European networks have it now including Virgin UK so it's just a matter of time

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys. Really appreciate your quick response.

I will await Chris's response  and then await our Marshmallow update 😞