Are you in possession of the Google Nexus 6 and wish to try out the latest software update available for any Android smartphone or tablet? Well, you’re in luck because the Mountain View company has released a new factory image for Android 5.1. It’s out before the over the air signals hit devices. You should flash the factory image if you want to skip the waiting line.

REQUIREMENTS

Only follow the guide if you have the Nexus 6. Each device has a unique factory image available. Flashing the wrong image on the wrong device can result in bricking.

BEFORE WE BEGIN

• Install and setup Android SDK on your Windows computer. If you have it already you don’t need to do it again. Follow the SDK link through to see how that’s done.
• Be sure to open the SDK Manager exe file and run the latest USB drivers and other packages so the SDK is up to date.
• Backup your data on the phone before starting. Installing a factory image wipes the current ROM clean so you will lose all of the data that you do not backup beforehand.
• Head to the Developer Options menu and enable the USB Debugging mode.
• Download the Google USB Drivers for your phone.

HOW TO FLASH THE OFFICIAL NEXUS 6 ANDROID 5.1.0 LMY47I FACTORY IMAGE 

• Download the Android 5.1 LMY47I Factory Image here.
• Extract the file and place the contents in your /platform-tools folder from setting up Android SDK.
• Boot the Nexus 6 to bootloader mode.
• Connect the phone to the computer with the USB cable.
• Run CMD from the platform tools folder by right-clicking the mouse and holding down the Shift key on a blank white space inside the folder.
• Type ‘adb devices’ and press enter to see if the computer can detect your device. if not you must try installing the drivers again. Remember to reboot your computer for those drivers to start working.
• Now simply run the ‘flash-all.bat’ file and wait for the factory image to flash on your device.
• That’s it! You’re finished with the installation. Now just reboot your phone and check out the latest Lollipop update for your Nexus.