Last Updated on April 6, 2017 by Mathew Diekhake
The Nvidia Shield is joining the list of Android smartphones and tablets for the latest Droid software update. Now you can upgrade the operating system so it’s running Android 5.0.1 Lollipop just like several flagships are today. Users are finding the over the air signals arriving as a system notification. However, if you want to skip the waiting line because it hasn’t arrived for your device yet, you can install the same file manually after the steps below.
Lollipop is our favorite software version that comes with continuity similar to iOS 8 where users can pick tasks up where they left off, tap and go NFC payments, new material design user interface, material design in the app drawer, multiple device compatibility, important camera updates, security improvements, smart notifications, new battery saver mode and more. Some other features worth noting are Android Beam, Android RunTime (ART), new Easter Egg that plays like Flappy Bird, new Quick Settings menu and a smoother ROM compared with KitKat.
Apart from the usual 5.0.1 features that come with bug fixes and minor tweaks, the Shield comes with some features of its own. Inside users will find a SHIELD power control menu, OpenGL 4.5 support, localization improvements, memory optimizations and more.
We are running through some essentials before starting the steps so you know everything you need.
- You can download the Reboot manager app from Google Play to help you enter recovery mode via the app if you can’t get the keys working. We use the button sequence during the guide. However, come back to this point if you get stuck.
- You don’t automatically lose data by installing official software or firmware by carrier or Google. However, we still prefer people backup the data for when you are applying a factory reset down the track. The reset back to the default factory settings is often the way out of trouble if the file gets stuck in a boot loop or a number of other problems.
- You can back up by using the built-in backup tool which helps you store media, picture, photos, settings, music and other data such as the phone contacts. Alternatively, you can install third-party apps from the Google Play Store. There are several great apps that come with premium features so you can set timers on when the device will automatically back itself up. They usually come at a cost.
- The most popular backup app this year is Helium. Other free options include G Cloud backup if you don’t mind storing data in the cloud and Easy backup.
- Google Driver offer a limited amount of free storage space in the cloud if you are running low of internal storage on the SD card. You must have enough space otherwise you cannot make copies of the data.
- Check the battery levels from the status bar on the tablet. You must make sure it doesn’t turn off during the guide. The USB charging feature only helps you if you stay connected to the computer during the full guide.
- You must have the up to data USB drivers for the tablet. Many of you already have the drivers. You know if they are working by accessing the tablet data from the computer. Examples of data include the pictures.
- You must enable USB Debugging mode from the Developer Options menu. You’ll find that directly from the settings menu.
How to update the Nvidia Shield US LTE tablet with Android 5.0.1 Lollipop
- Download the official OTA zip file here.
- Download a file manager if you don’t have one already.
- Use the desktop of the computer.
- Connect the tablet to the computer with the USB cable.
- Transfer the file over to the internal storage.
- Reboot the tablet in recovery mode.
– press the power and volume down keys together.
– you are in bootloader mode.
– choose the recovery option from the menu. - Choose the “install” option from the recovery menu.
- Pick the OTA file (unzipped) from the file manager.
- Wait for the flashing to finish before touching any keys.
- The first boot process can take extra minutes. It boots up at the usual speed the following time.
If you are experiencing a shaky ROM after installing the official software update manually, it’s best to apply a hard reset and restore the tablet back to the factory settings.
- Long-press the power button for 8 seconds until it fully shuts down.
- Hold the volume down button.
- Release the power button.
- Watch as the tablet enters the fastboot mode.
- Pick the Recovery option from the menu list.
- Press Volume Up and Power and release them together.
- Select wipe data/factory reset.