Android 5.0 Memory Leak Persists in 5.1, Fix Said to Be Coming
Archive note. This story reflects what was known when it was first covered. Prices, availability and carrier offers are historical. For the current picture, start with the topic guides.
Background
Android 5.0 Lollipop was the largest overhaul since Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It brought a new design language, and on the Nexus 5 it also brought a noticeable memory leak. Earlier rumours said the fix would arrive in the next maintenance release. That did not happen with 5.1.
What users reported
Many people used the AOSP issue tracker to share what they saw on the new version. The discussion focused on the leak. A few people said the Settings app alone grew past 100MB of memory.
The fix
- A project member on the tracker acknowledged the bug.
- The fix was already applied in internal Android builds.
- It was expected in a later public release, not in 5.1.
Frequently asked questions
What is a memory leak?
A bug where a program keeps claiming memory and does not release it, so the device slows down over time.
Which phone was affected?
This article refers to the Nexus 5 running the Lollipop builds.
Is this still an issue?
No. These versions are long outdated and the page is kept as a record.