Are you having issues with Android 4.4? You’re not alone. Via Google’s product forum, a litany of issues have come up, ranging from poor battery life to download issues. While we don’t expect a flawless Android, we don’t expect to see so many nagging issues, either.


When Google rolled out yet another Android 4.4 update, we were a bit dismayed. Considering some of our Nexus devices would, at the time 4.4.2 was released, be two full updates behind, we were a touch annoyed. First, the entire concept of the Nexus program was called into question by it. As if that weren’t cause for concern, many quietly wondered if Google had screwed up more than we know, as two updates went out in quick succession.

Many issues haven’t been solved with the transition to Android 4.4.2, either. In fact, one thread in particular notes that the 4.4.2 update doesn’t even take to some devices. Many users — and the Nexus 4 seems to be a culprit, here — can’t get the update at all, and receive error messages when trying to load the update. As is often the case, Google is offering no remedy or explanation via their forums as users feel the distress.

Google product forum message

The newest update(s) centered around the camera on the Nexus 5, but it seems as though there are still problems there as well. While users note still images snapped with the Nexus 5 have improved, they lament the video quality, especially at night. This all comes after the 4.4.2 update, too, with many feeling that 4.4 was better for shooting video. Again, no response or help from Google.

Battery drains, media storage crashes, and even the inability to accept incoming calls. These are all Android 4.4.2 issues, and all noted in the Google product forums. We have found no instances of Google forum managers offering a response, either. As we noted with Motorola, humility goes a long way, and maybe Google should take a page from their book.

16 COMMENTS

  1. I had several problems with 4.4.1 on my Nexus 4, but successfully received and installed the 4.4.2 OTA update yesterday afternoon. I have been lazy, and have not checked my list of perceived problems against any of the forums, but one big problem I had been having has resolved itself. I had not been able to install or update any apps — even small ones. I would consistently get the “insufficient storage available” message, even after clearing a lot (several hundred MB) of app data, and even uninstalling handfuls of larger apps. (Even after uninstalling every version of Angry Birds, I was not able to update the Yahoo Mail app or install a 1.4 MB fake doorbell to torment my dog.) Since installing 4.4.2, everything has updated, and I have reinstalled a number of the apps I took off. Not Angry Birds, though. I just don’t play any of them anymore.

  2. “@samrat kulkarni” us indians try to be obnoxious for no reason… for us the more noice we make the more attention we get and thats a win for us.
    Honestly i have the Nexus 5 running on 4.4.2… since 2 days and dropped one incoming call out of 60+ calls received…On 4.4 there were a lot of incoming call drops… so Google’s update did improve the situation dramatically…although not quite there yet..

  3. I don’t get why people are having so many issues. I ran the image on both my nexus 7 2012 and nexus 4, and sideloaded then both to 4.4.2. As far as performance and stability, it’s actually a little quicker on the old n7, exactly the same on the already a rocket in speed nexus 4.

  4. ah, this is exactly what the Android purist schmucks don’t want you to write about! No edition of Android is perfect, and that certainly doesn’t exclude Google’s!

    • Strange comment as I thought Google owned Android and noone is claiming the OS to be perfect – this is why we have the OHA. The thing to remember is that each day 1,500,000 android devices are activated….the train is moving and it is moving fast!

      • Actually the only strange thing about this comment is the response it’s garnered. I’m OG Android & always have been. I just find Android purists tedious & self defeating in an important sense.. android is all about customization.

    • explains why the 4.3 update they were giving to s3 users wasnt stable at all even though it was long overdue… you would atleast expect good quality for an update that took months to make!

  5. I am still very happy with the Nexus program but I have been having issues with the home buttons not working and apps crashing. Amazon Cloud Player seems to stop itself a lot while Google Play Music does not. Now I wonder if these issues are with all the update issues. I am still happy that I have access to the latest updates even when certain things don’t behave quite right. Go Google, Go Nexus!

  6. I’ve not yet updated my One with any of the updates available but, my Nexus 7 has had all KitKat updates and though the last one wanted to screw up, it got passed it and is doing great! I don’t see why people are having problems, except that they were stupid to hack their devices most of the time prior to their problems!

  7. Love Android but have some unexpected issues sense 4.4.2. Both my devices, Samsung Galaxy S4 and 2012 Nexus 7 are experiencing the same 2 things. One is battery life which all of a sudden is problematic. However, the biggest issue to date just came to light – when trying to connect to a Wi-Fi hot spot that requires sign in – the sign in link never appears. Both of the devices say I am connected but there is no connection and no way to force the system to the internet authorization/sign in screen to finalize the connection. For those of us that travel and live off of internet connections – this is a problem. No email or app updates for the Nexus and all updates for apps and email with my S4 run though my data plan instead of Wi-Fi connections.

  8. As far as I can see the problem with 4.4.2 on the Nexus 7 is the cpu governor is set to interactive rather than on demand. Once it is changed to on demand which was the default setting with previous versions the battery drain problems go away

  9. I’m using a Motorola Maxx, which means Google made the phone and the operating system and they still can’t get it right. I have tried to convert it back to the previous system and I can’t. I Really don’t want to go to apple, but I’m so tired of google caring more about money than customers.

  10. I have just updated my HTC One device to 4.4.2 and i have been having so many issues, from power button not working, to touch screen not working to music player misbehaving, what is going on? and can i go back to my earlier release, this is just stupid.

  11. I’m Samsung Galaxy Note 3 users I having a very trouble issue about this Android 4.4.2,after I update this suck version every time I use data from my service provider (Malaysia Celcom berhad ) it automatically disconnects me or shuts down my phone, I reboot, ans also the battery after I unplug for 100%…1min later will become 85% I not even play any game for my phone…. did anyone have this solution? It’s very very inconvenience for me cause network problem….

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