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October 15, 2015

Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates roundup – October 14, 2015

by John_A

android 6.0 marshmallow

Android 6.0 Marshmallow is here, and now the waiting game is on. “When will my phone get the Marshmallow update?” ask countless Android fans, and for good reason: while phone makers are doing a better job at keeping their devices up to date, the process is still lengthy and opaque. Worse, many models will inevitably be left behind. We’re here to shed some light on the issue.

In this post, which will be updated weekly, we are rounding up all the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update news, so you can get a good picture of what to expect.

×First release – October 14. Includes links to OTA files and factory images for Nexus and Android One devices; official info on updates for HTC, Sony, and Motorola; rumored and potential devices for Samsung, LG, Huawei, ZTE, OnePlus, and Asus.

Before we start

The release of Android updates for most devices is a complex operation, involving Google, chipmakers, device makers, and carriers. With so many players, and so many things that could go wrong, you should expect delays, slow rollouts, botched releases, and generally a lot of variation based on your specific model, your region, and your carrier.

Just because your device is listed here as officially announced to receive Marshmallow (or worse, just rumored to get the update), it doesn’t mean your particular model will receive it in a timely manner or even at all.

Conversely, just because your phone or tablet isn’t listed here, it doesn’t mean that it won’t be updated it. OEMs occasionally change their minds. In other cases, the lists that they put out are non-final.

Patience is advised.


android 6.0 marshmallowSee also: Android 6.0 Marshmallow – New features explained34

Nexus Marshmallow updates

As in most cases, Nexus devices are first in line for updates. Google has released Android 6.0 factory images for Nexus devices on October 5. These images can be flashed manually, allowing you to bypass a potentially lengthy wait for the OTA update. Factory images are available for:

The Nexus 4, Nexus 7 2012 (both variants), and Nexus 10 will not make the jump to Marshmallow.

If you don’t want to wait, it’s relatively easy to flash a factory image, following our guide:

You can also manually flash the OTA zip files, which is the update file that would normally be pushed to your device from Google’s server. Note that in order to correctly install the update, your device must be running the firmware version mentioned in the link. OTA links via Android Police.

Android One Marshmallow updates

Like Nexus phones, all Android One devices are supposed to receive fast Android updates straight from Google. Factory images for various Android One phones sold in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines, and Nepal are available below.

To flash these images, you can follow our manual installation guide.

Samsung Marshmallow updates

Like with previous versions, Samsung has not made any official announcements concerning the Android 6.0 updates for its smartphones and tablets. We do have however, some off the record information via SamMobile and T-Mobile.

The following devices are rumored to receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

  • Galaxy S5
  • Galaxy S5 LTE-A
  • Galaxy S5 neo
  • Galaxy S6
  • Galaxy S6 Edge
  • Galaxy S6 Edge+
  • Galaxy Note 4
  • Galaxy Note Edge
  • Galaxy Note 5
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S2

These are all obvious candidates for an upgrade, so we’re pretty confident that Marshmallow will be available for most versions of these devices, sooner or later. As for what to expect from the update, Samsung has an infographic listing some of the features.

LG Marshmallow updates

LG has not made any announcements regarding the devices it will update to Marshmallow. T-Mobile’s update list mentions the LG G3, LG G4, and G4 Stylo, which are all obvious choices. Besides this, we can speculate that the recently announced V10 and the G Flex 2 will also be making the jump. We’re less optimistic about LG’s mid-rangers, including the Bello, Magna, Leon, and Spirit, though at least some of them can probably handle Marshmallow.

Motorola Marshmallow updates

Motorola has made a good name for itself in the Android community, thanks to its fast updates and focus on a smooth stock-like user experience. The Marshmallow rollout may change that positive perception though. It’s not that Motorola hasn’t been forthcoming about its plans; it’s the fact that those plans seemingly don’t include either version of the Moto E, the Moto X (2013), or some carrier versions of the Moto X (2014).

  • 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 Asia (2nd gen)
  • 2014 Moto G and Moto G with 4G LTE (2nd gen)
  • DROID Turbo
  • 2014 Moto MAXX
  • 2014 Moto Turbo
  • Nexus 6

HTC Marshmallow updates

HTC has revealed a tentative list of devices that will be updated to Android 6.0, and even a timeline. The One M8 and One M9 will see Marshmallow by the end of the year, while the other phones listed below will get the same treatment from early next year. Plus, HTC may launch one of the first non-Nexus phones running Marshmallow out of the box, the One A9.

  • HTC One M9
  • HTC One M8
  • HTC One M9+
  • HTC One E9+
  • HTC One E9
  • HTC One ME
  • HTC One E8
  • HTC One M8 EYE
  • HTC Butterfly 3
  • HTC Desire 826
  • HTC Desire 820
  • HTC Desire 816

Sony Marshmallow updates

Sony has published an exhaustive list of devices it plans to update to Marshmallow, including all the likely candidates, including the latest Xperia Z5 series. Unfortunately, Sony won’t bring Marshmallow to the 2013 Xperia Z1 and Z1 Compact, as well as the older Xperia Z. On the flip side, at least there are a few mid-rangers on the list. Sony has also released AOSP resources and binaries for some of its devices, allowing the community to easily create custom ROMs. As for the update itself, Sony is running a beta program with 10,000 users that we hope to learn more about soon.

  • T Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, and Xperia Z5 Premium
  • Xperia Z4 Tablet
  • Xperia Z3+, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
  • Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet
  • Xperia M5, Xperia C5 Ultra, Xperia M4 Aqua and Xperia C4

Huawei Marshmallow updates

Huawei has a lousy record when it comes to releasing Android updates for its devices, but perhaps its involvement with the Nexus program will help nudge things along. Considering that the Mate 7, Huawei’s 2014 flagship, is yet to receive Lollipop, we wouldn’t hold our breath. That said, a rumor out of China suggests the Mate 7, P8, Honor 6 Plus and more devices will eventually see Android 6.0. We’ll update if any official info comes our way.

ZTE Marshmallow updates

Like Huawei, ZTE is known for not caring about Android updates. It remains to be seen if this year will be any different. ZTE is looking for a breakthrough in the Western markets with the Axon line, so perhaps the Chinese giant will deem it necessary to bring Marshmallow to it, at the least.

OnePlus Marshmallow updates

OnePlus is in a tricky place: its first phone, the One, still runs Cyanogen OS, and theoretically, Steve Kondik’s outfit should deliver the Marshmallow update in the following months. The OnePlus 2, meanwhile, runs OnePlus’s own OS, Oxygen, and its development is led by former members of the Paranoid Android team. Considering that the Oxygen OS team is still busy working on the current, Android 5-based release, the prospect of a Marshmallow release seems very remote.

Asus Marshmallow updates

All we have here is one sketchy rumor claiming Asus will bring Marshmallow to the Zenfone 2 series, including the Zenfone Laser, Deluxe, and Selfie. However, we wouldn’t put too much stock in it, as Asus is not known for fast updates.

Custom Marshmallow ROMs

When Android OEMs let us down, we all look up the developer community to pick up the slack, at least when it comes to Android updates. Unfortunately, the custom ROM scene is not as vibrant as it used to be, with only CyanogenMod left to carry the torch.

For now, we know that the CyanogenMod team has started working on the Marshmallow-based CM13, though we don’t have an official announcement yet.

Also keep an eye on independent developers – for instance, Dmitry Grinberg has come up with a working Marshmallow ROM for the Nexus 4.

More info and discussion

For a discussion on all the Android Marshmallow updates, check out the dedicated thread on the Android Authority forums.

Missed something? Let us know and we will update this post. Tell us your thoughts!

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