Android 6 Marshmallow update: when can I get it?

Google, Samsung, HTC, Sony and LG

Update: Samsung has begun pushing the Android 6 Marshmallow update to the Galaxy S5 – but it looks like it’s just for those in Korea right now.

Android Marshmallow is here (for some). There are battery life improvements, greater app permission controls, standardized support for fingerprint scanners, more granular volume controls, USB-C support and new Google Now features, all part of a mix that makes this an exciting upgrade for users. But is your phone actually going to get it?

The release process for Android updates is more complicated than Apple’s iOS updates, and just because an update has been launched that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have access to it.

In fact, you probably won’t. It’s down to device manufacturers, and in some countries the carriers too, who spend quite a bit of time with the new software before releasing it to their devices.

If you own a Nexus device you’re in luck, as not surprisingly Google’s new software has landed on those first – and manufacturers like Motorola are generally better at getting updates out quickly. But other manufacturers are a little less predictable.

While most phones are still waiting on Marshmallow, we are already seeing the gentle roll out of the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update, with new emojis and a few little bug fixes bundled in for good measure.

To make the latest Android update less of a mystery, here’s our constantly updated information on when it’s likely to land on your phone.

Disclaimer: This article includes information for the rollout of Android Marshmallow software, but depending on region, mobile operator and carrier it can take longer than expected.

Google and Nexus

Google has updated its Nexus range of products to Android Marshmallow. It includes the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9, Nexus Player, Pixel C and the whole range of Android One devices. The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P both launched with Android 6 on board.

The developers preview for Android 7 N is already out and you can download it on all the previously mentioned devices – apart from the Nexus 5.

Samsung

Samsung did a pretty good job of getting Android Lollipop on to its phones rapidly, but it has slowed things down considerably for the Marshmallow launch.

The Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy Note 4 are getting the update, while the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge launched with Marshmallow pre-installed. Some Galaxy S5 phones in Korea are starting to get the update as well, but it’ll likely take some time to rollout around the world.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ are the next phones expected to get the update. There’s still no word from Samsung whether the Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy Alpha and Galaxy Note 3 will get the update.

As for tablets, we expect the Galaxy Tab S2, Galaxy Tab S and Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 will get the Marshmallow software, but there’s no official word yet.

HTC

The update is in the process of rolling out for those who have the HTC One M9 and HTC One M8.

HTC has confirmed the One A9, Desire Eye and One E9 will also get the Android Marshmallow update but there’s no word on timing yet.

HTC also confirmed back in September 2015 that it will be updating the HTC One M9+, HTC One E9, HTC One ME, HTC One E8, HTC One M8 EYE, HTC Butterfly 3, HTC Desire 826, HTC Desire 820 and HTC Desire 816. It has taken a long time so far and HTC hasn’t commented on when it’ll be coming either.

Sony

Sony is faring much better, with the Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, Xperia Z5 Premium, Xperia Z4 Tablet and Xperia Z3+ all seeing the Android 6 Marshmallow update rolling out.

The full list of updated phones includes the Sony Xperia Z3, Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia M5, Xperia C5 Ultra, Xperia M4 Aqua and Xperia C4.

Both the Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z1 Compact will be missing out this time though.

LG

LG hasn’t shared any official details for the rollout yet, but the LG G4 is already getting the update and the LG G5 launched with Android 6 software already installed.

Other phones that may get the Android 6 Marshmallow upgrade included the LG G3, LG V10, LG G Flex 2 and LG G4c – but there’s no official word yet.

Motorola, OnePlus, Huawei, Asus and ZTE.

Motorola

Motorola is updating the Moto X Style, Moto X Play, Moto X Force, Moto G 2015, Moto G 2014, Moto E (2nd gen), Moto X 2014 and Moto X Pure Edition (2015).

It’ll also come to the 2014 version of the Moto X Pure Edition, the 2014 Moto G and Moto G with 4G LTE, the Moto MAXX, Moto Turbo, Droid Turbo and the Nexus 6.

Huawei

The company has confirmed that in China the Huawei P8, Huawei P8 Max, Mate S, Ascend Mate 7, P8 Youth Edition, G7, G7 Plus, X2, 4X and Play 4C will be getting Android 6.0 at some point, though it’s uncertain whether they’ll all get updated to it elsewhere in the world. Huawei also hasn’t stated exactly when the Android 6 Marshmallow updates will arrive.

OnePlus

The OnePlus 2, OnePlus One and OnePlus X will all be receiving the Android 6 update eventually. The OnePlus 2 and OnePlus One will both get it before the end of March 2016, while it’s not clear on the timing of the OnePlus X update just yet.

BlackBerry

The BlackBerry Priv was the first phone from the Canadian manufacturer to feature Android software. BlackBerry told techradar, “We are working on Marshmallow but have no dates to share yet. We are working hard to get there quickly”.

Asus

Asus is another company which often isn’t particularly speedy with its updates. Asus has confirmed to techradar the PadFone S, ZenFone 2, ZenFone 2 Deluxe, ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition, ZenFone 2 Laser, ZenFone Selfie, ZenFone Max and ZenFone Zoom are all set to get the update to Android 6.

As for timing, it won’t be until Q2 2016 so expect it somewhere in between April and the end of June this year.

Honor

Honor has revealed its update schedule for Marshmallow and it’s not going to be long now. We know the Honor 7 will be getting the latest Marshmallow update by the end of March, but the company did promise February before.

The Honor 6, Honor 6 Plus, Honor 4X and Honor 5X will get the update in April 2016.

ZTE

ZTE doesn’t always bother to update its phones, so if you have one you may have to make do without Android Marshmallow. The ZTE Axon Pro is getting the Marshmallow update, but that seems to be it.

Nvidia

The Nvidia Shield Tablet ATV is already receiving the Android 6 Marshmallow update. It will then come to the Shield Tablet K1 and the original Shield tablet, but so far it’s unclear when.

What do you get with Android 6.0 Marshmallow?

While you’re waiting to get Android 6.0 Marshmallow, you’d probably like to know more about the new features it incorporates. We’ve been playing around with the new OS, and here are some of our favorite features.

It’s not a big design-based update like Lollipop was. Material Design is still intact here, and most of the focus is on new features and bug fixes.

Android Pay

Technically you can use Android Pay without the Marshmallow software, but having the latest OS is certainly a big help.

The update to Marshmallow brings with it fingerprint sensor functionality for the first time, so you don’t even need to open up an app – you can just unlock your phone with your finger and place it on the contactless payment terminal.

Third-party apps are also supported within Marshmallow, making it much easier to buy stuff directly in your Android phone.

However, Android Pay is only available in the US right now, and there are no clear plans for when it’ll be rolling out around the world.

Android Marshmallow fingerprint support

We’ve seen some smartphone manufacturers already include fingerprint scanners in their devices, but with Android Marshmallow Google is standardizing support across the platform.

You can use a fingerprint scanner to unlock your device and pay for media from the Google Play Store, and the fingerprint scanning tech is also open to developers. That means devs can build it into their own applications, enabling you to sign into them without a password and pay for goods using Android Pay.

Android Marshmallow voice controls

Android 6.0 opens the way for improved voice control features thanks to the new Voice Interaction API, which will enable app developers to build voice control directly into their apps.

This means owners of Android Marshmallow devices will soon be able to speak to their apps – and the apps will even talk back.

One of the examples Google has detailed is the TuneIn app. A user can say “OK Google, listen to music on TuneIn”, and the TuneIn app will not only load, but will then ask “What genre of music would you like to listen to?”.

The user can then reply with their favourite genre. This natural way of speaking to our smartphone and the apps installed on it could revolutionise the way we interact with our devices.

Google has released a video to demonstrate the potential of Voice Interaction API, which you can view below.

Android Marshmallow battery life

Google has done a lot of work in the areas of battery life and power in Android Marshmallow, which will be music to many users’ ears.

First up Google has developed the Doze feature. Your device will use motion sensors to detect when it hasn’t been moved for an extended period of time, and will switch to a deeper sleep mode that consumes much less power.

Your device won’t be completely useless in this mode, however, as Doze still allows for alarms to go off and key notifications to come through.

Google says it took two Nexus 9 tablets, one running Lollipop and the other Android Marshmallow, loaded the same apps and settings on both, and then tested the standby power drain on the two.

Apparently, the Nexus 9 running Android Marshmallow lasted up to two times longer than its Lollipop counterpart. It sounds impressive, and we’re hoping it translates to noticeably better battery life for our devices.

Android Marshmallow Now on Tap

With Android Marshmallow comes an intelligent new assistant feature called Now on Tap. An enhancement to Google Now, Now on Tap enables users to access information anywhere on their Android Marshmallow device, no matter what they’re doing.

Users can simply tap and hold the home button to pull up a query without leaving the app or website they’re in. If a friend emails you about seeing a movie, for example, Now on Tap could pull up info such as ratings or the trailer, or even enable you to buy tickets.

You can also look at other apps on your phone, like Yelp or OpenTable, to book a dinner reservation or read reviews about a restaurant a friend has suggested.

And Now on Tap isn’t just for basic info – you can also use voice searches for more specific queries, such as finding out who sings a particular song.

Android Marshmallow permissions

App permissions are more intuitive in Marshmallow, giving users the option to allow or deny specific permissions within an app, rather than having to accept all permissions at once.

Currently you have to accept permissions when you download an app, but with Android Marshmallow you won’t be asked to grant access to features until you come to use them for the first time in the app.

That means, for example, that you can give WhatsApp access to your camera, but not to your microphone if you wish. You can even revoke access for a particular permission by diving into the settings if you’ve accidentally allowed it.

More new features on Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Google has simplified volume controls once again with the Android Marshmallow update, with more granular control over the various audio settings on your device, from ringtones and alarms to music playback and voice calls.

Word selection has been made easier too, with Android Marshmallow highlighting text more intuitively, and a floating menu offers controls such as cut, copy and paste at your fingertips, rather than in the toolbar at the top of the display.

Fire up the Chrome web browser on Android Marshmallow and you’ll benefit from Chrome Custom Tabs, which enables websites to customize the toolbar and menu of the Chrome tab to provide dedicated buttons and options.

An example shown on stage at Google IO was Pinterest, which was able to add a ‘Pin’ button to the toolbar on certain pages.

App linking has been vastly improved in Android Marshmallow, with Google’s software now more adept at working out whether a link should be opened in a browser or a compatible app. That means fewer ‘Open with’ pop up boxes flashing up on screen and generally getting in the way.

Now it’s just a case of sitting back and waiting for your device to get the Android Marshmallow update.

Source: techradar.com

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Comments (25)

Tyrique Cummerata says:

March 22, 2016 at 4:27 pm

You're funny. I've owned a wide variety of Apple products, and I've only ever damaged one. (I tried balancing it while opening a bag of Cheetos, and failed. The case didn't help at all. Poor iPad Mini gen 1 has a really messed up screen now.)

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Prof. Verlie Larson III says:

March 22, 2016 at 5:25 pm

I can confirm that ZTE's Axon Pro has just received Android Marshmallow 6.0.

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Orville Sipes says:

March 22, 2016 at 5:55 pm

This is why I have an iPhone. Guaranteed updates for at least six years, if not longer.

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Kaya Medhurst says:

March 22, 2016 at 6:09 pm

Can you change external SD card to internal storage with Android 6 marshmallow update?

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Giovanny Christiansen says:

March 22, 2016 at 6:32 pm

Good info. Paul C. Certainly MS understands GSM only is not going to win them marketshare in the US. Perhaps they are waiting until they have a Surface Phone brand to make another large marketing push in the US on all carriers. Or they don't feel they need to win the already saturated US market battle and are looking to the larger developing world market for future growth. Who knows. I just know my next phone will need to support timely updates (ala iPhone) for me to consider it.

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Thaddeus Rowe says:

March 22, 2016 at 8:55 pm

Kinda miffed my HTC M8 (last generation) has Android 6, while my Samsung Edge has 5.1.1 which is their flagship phone WTF.

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Miss Edythe Corwin says:

March 22, 2016 at 9:13 pm

Yes

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Name Brekke says:

March 22, 2016 at 11:00 pm

The opposite is true for me. The new Nexus 6P is superior to any other phone i've had including the iPhone 6 and the LG G4.

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Miss Karelle Kirlin says:

March 22, 2016 at 11:02 pm

Based on the discussions on Verizon Wireless's community boards, apparently it costs more to certify and license for CDMA as opposed to GSM.

VZW is slowly transitioning away from CDMA as BYOD ramps up. Phones designed for other providers…such as at&t…will need to be able to access VZW's LTE network. Otherwise they can't be brought over.

I agree that Microsoft will make a carrier push with the Surface Phone. I would have no qualms about purchasing a Surface Phone despite the knowledge that it won't garner large sales figures. My app needs are fairly small.

Microsoft has said that it wants to be able to deliver updates directly to devices and bypass the carriers. Verizon Wireless has a reputation for being slow to deliver updates.

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Maximillian Bogisich says:

March 22, 2016 at 11:03 pm

Nice!!

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Prof. Dolly Dooley says:

March 22, 2016 at 11:04 pm

I understand what you are saying however the nexus devices have always fell just short for me. Along with the Moto devices.
Just not quite up there.

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Franco Schimmel says:

March 23, 2016 at 12:12 am

I don't know if Google has released a version of MM for the S4 yet.

If it does happen, it would probably take place late this year. By the time Samsung and Verizon Wireless finish doing their respective things, it might not see the light of day until 2017.

By that time, I hope to have retired my VZW S4 and moved on to a phone from a different manufacturer running a different OS.

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Jeanie Lakin IV says:

March 23, 2016 at 12:23 am

Microsoft is taking a limited/restricted approach with the latest Windows Phones. The Lumia 550, 650s and the 950s are strictly GSM units. None are compatible with Verizon Wireless and Sprint on the radio and LTE fronts.

I'm not overly happy with how Lollipop runs on my Samsung Galaxy S4, so, if Microsoft releases a VZW compatible version of the expected Surface Phone, I'm switching.

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Linnie Jacobson I says:

March 23, 2016 at 3:17 am

Apple is not worried, they know you'll break your screen after 1, when you go to repair it the price is strangely the same price of a new device on a 2 year plan…

Sorry I had to, you know its true haha, but good on Apple for that commitment seriously.

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Jesse Schowalter says:

March 23, 2016 at 3:20 am

More of a reason to just get a Nexus device. I don't understand how people still get tied down to carriers and contracts with all the bloatware and insane prices. Seems so arcaic, not to mention the lack of speedy updates because of carrier restrictions. Screw all of that just get a NEXUS off of contract and pay for a prepaid plan for $55 4gb of data and be done with it.

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Elsa Gaylord says:

March 23, 2016 at 5:52 am

I wouldn't worry about not being on Marshmallow. My Nexus 6P has terrible Gmail syncing problems, patchy Android Wear connection and dodgy Bluetooth. I didn't have problems like this with Lollipop on my last phone.

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Dillan Schamberger says:

March 23, 2016 at 6:59 am

Nexus 6P, you won't regret it, its fabulous! frost white with a transparent clear case for the win.

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Selina Ullrich says:

March 23, 2016 at 7:48 am

I've had relatively good luck with my S4. One of the things that does chafe though is the "Trash" folder in the mail app.

The trash folder is only supposed to appear when there is something inside of it. Once the folder has been emptied, it should disappear.

Mine is forever getting stuck. The only way I know to unstick it is to wipe the app data and then re-add the mailboxes all over again.

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Kallie Kuvalis says:

March 23, 2016 at 9:47 am

Good to know all of this. I've actually really enjoyed my Motorola Turbo phone. Solid hardware, great voice interaction, active display is really useful, wireless charging, and of course the huge battery. I can have every battery hogging feature turned on and not worry about running out of juice. I've just have grown intolerant of the slow OS updates/patches. No way of knowing if its Verizon's or Motorola's fault. But I'll be getting an iPhone if Microsoft or the Android phone manufactures can't fix the updating issue under Verizon. My apps needs are pretty simple too so I'm not asking for much. I just want my OS patched in a timely manner when a vulnerability is found.

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Dr. Elian Trantow MD says:

March 23, 2016 at 10:03 am

Which is why it's obnoxious that Verizon won't put Marshmallow on the S4.

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Dr. Cara Hilll says:

March 23, 2016 at 11:12 am

Verizon,seems they dont like to upgrade phones.. took a month from 5.0 to 5.1 , only problem i had with that was couldnt use wifi, had to use data which barely works in the town where i live.

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Milton Gerlach III says:

March 23, 2016 at 11:18 am

Just got my Marshmallow update through, LG G4 in the UK on EE
Usability is much better from my point of view. Only have to Knock on now to use voice commands. I have yet to look at anything past that.
LG are among those running monthly upgrades as well.
Main reason I switched from Sammy was the poor update service.
LG have delivered as promised, considering the update had to go through EE first I am quite pleased with the time frame.

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Mr. Wilford Kemmer says:

March 23, 2016 at 11:36 am

Got marshmallow for the s6 today

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Pasquale Auer says:

March 23, 2016 at 12:20 pm

"The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014),
for example, only received the Android 5.0 Lollipop software in
November 2015 despite being relatively recent. We hope it'll still make
its way to Android 6 Marshmallow, but there's no hard evidence to
suggest it will."

Thanks Samsung for ignoring my tablet, but no worries since I've picked up an iPAD now. Keep them customers happy, like you know how…

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Dr. Ofelia Marks II says:

March 23, 2016 at 12:48 pm

You write: "Samsung did a pretty good job of getting Android Lollipop on to its phones rapidly" That really depends on which country you live in… In Denmark Lollipop was delayed for several months and even now, Marshmallow seems to be rolled out later than other countries. It's out there, but just not in Denmark – yeah, I know it's a small country but it's still frustrating!!

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