#1.0 This guide is for use on un-rooted and rooted phones.



The following procedures from #1.3 onwards can also be used on non Lollipop firmwares.

Please take the time to read post #1 , #2 and #3 through, carefully and thoroughly, before posting.





Introduction



Android 5, Lollipop, is one of the biggest things to happen to Android since its launch. Make no mistake... this is a major firmware upgrade and it introduces a number of ART, (Android RunTime), that replaces Dalvik and which, from my own experience, improves battery life and performance considerably. In a nutshell, Dalvik is a JIT, (Just In Time), compiler that operates on each app as it is needed whilst ART does it all just the once, Ahead Of Time, (AOT). This is why, after the initial update, the first boot will take a lot longer than usual whilst ART optimizes each app for the first time. This saves both battery and improves performance. For more information on ART see,





#1.1 The 3 important things to do NOW , before any update are... BACKUP , BACKUP and BACKUP everything on your phone's internal and external, memory. You have been warned! For more information on backing up, see #2.1



(Don't come crying on here if you have failed to take this very, basic, sensible precaution with your valuable data... you've only got yourself to blame! )

Without a doubt, the upgrade to, is one of the biggest things to happen to Android since its launch. Make no mistake... this is a major firmware upgrade and it introduces a number of new features , not the least of which is, (ndroidunime), that replacesand which, from my own experience, improves battery life and performance considerably. In a nutshell,is a, (ustime), compiler that operates on each app as it is needed whilstdoes it all just the once,headime, (). This is why, after the initial update, the first boot will take a lot longer than usual whilstoptimizes each app for the first time. This saves both battery and improves performance. For more information onsee, Android Runtime Theimportant things to do, before any update are...andeverything on your phone's internal and external, memory. You have been warned! For more information on backing up, see(Don't come crying on here if you have failed to take this very, basic, sensible precaution with your valuable data... you've only got yourself to blame!

#1.2 Why you may be experiencing problems



ART does not come without a price and that price is space on your phone's internal memory. Since ART compiles in advance it requires, roughly, about 10% more memory than Dalvik . Therefore, if your phone's internal memory is already chock-a-block full you should make some space as I predict that lack of space will cause more than a few problems initially with this update!



Also, when you upgrade not only is the firmware changed but all your app's and settings have to be reconfigured and integrated into the new upgrade during the process. This is in an attempt by Samsung to retain everything on your phone so that you do not have to set it all up again after the change.



If you stop and think about the millions of app's and the myriad of settings that this has to take into account then maybe you can understand why there are sometimes problems with phones after new firmware is installed.



Some of these problems are caused by app's or settings that are not suitable for the new firmware. Remember, not all app's/games on the Play Store may be compatible with your new firmware ye t . This is down to the developers of those apps who have had 6+ months notice to update them. Most have, some have not. Other app's, that work on your existing firmware, have to be updated for the new one, if possible, during the change over. No mean feat... particularly if you've moved apps to your SD card as the system folders for these apps will usually remain on your internal storage and this can cause big problems with separated app and data.



These problems can manifest themselves in all sorts of ways, such as...



Boot loops

App's continually running

High battery usage

Over heating

Storage being eaten up

Forced Closes

Screen lags

High RAM usage

Screen freezes

Shut-downs



These can all occur because the user app's or data have not, or can not, be integrated successfully into the new framework automatically during the change over.



Also, the downloaded firmware update itself may have been corrupted. This can easily happen with OTA, (Over The Air), updates where an interruption has occurred with the download. This has also been reported by some who have used the Samsung PC suite, Kies.



Steps #1.3 -> #2.7 can be carried out by users, as they will resolve most update issues, prior to posting.





#1.3 Wiping the Cache Partition



Wiping the cache partition is a useful option, particularly after any firmware update, as it will clear out any rubbish left over from the previous firmware. It can also get you out of problems if you are experiencing a boot loop. This is very simple to do and does not affect any user data on your phone. See video...



Galaxy S5: How to Wipe Cache Partition



Step #1 Turn your phone OFF.



Step #2 Boot into Recovery Mode:- Press and hold, simultaneously, the Volume UP + Power + Home buttons until you see some small, blue , writing appear in the top left hand corner of the screen and release immediately.



Step #3 You will then see the small, stock, Recovery menu. Using the Volume UP and DOWN buttons, navigate to the menu item, "wipe cache", or, "wipe cache partition", depending on your model.



Step #4 Once the option is highlighted you can use the Power key to enact the wipe and reboot your phone. Wiping the cache partition is a useful option, particularly after any firmware update, as it will clear out any rubbish left over from the previous firmware. It can also get you out of problems if you are experiencing a boot loop. This is very simple to do and does not affect any user data on your phone. See video...Turn your phone OFF.Boot into Recovery Mode:- Press and hold, simultaneously, thebuttons until you see some small,, writing appear in the top left hand corner of the screen and release immediately.You will then see the small, stock, Recovery menu. Using theandbuttons, navigate to the menu item, "wipe cache", or, "wipe cache partition", depending on your model.Once the option is highlighted you can use the Power key to enact the wipe and reboot your phone.





#1.4 Safe Mode: Is it Firmware or User App problems?



This is very useful for determining whether the firmware is to blame for your problems or if it is down to your own apps and settings.



Safe Mode on your phone is roughly the same as on you PC. It will boot your phone up and load only the default apps that came with the firmware. It does not install your own downloaded apps. Can also be useful for getting out of a bootloop and allowing you to uninstall a problem app.



This is not a dangerous procedure and can be done very easily. See the following video...



SAMSUNG GALAXY S5 how to enter / exit safe mode safemode for troubleshooting your phone on / off



If you encounter the problems whilst in Safe Mode this would indicate that you probably have a bad update and should refer to #2.7 in post #2.



These can all occur because the user app's or data have not, or can not, be integrated successfully into the new framework automatically during the change over.Also, the downloaded firmware update itself may have been corrupted. This can easily happen with OTA, (Over The Air), updates where an interruption has occurred with the download. This has also been reported by some who have used the Samsung PC suite, Kies.Safe Mode on your phone is roughly the same as on you PC. It will boot your phone up and load only the default apps that came with the firmware. It does not install your own downloaded apps. Can also be useful for getting out of a bootloop and allowing you to uninstall a problem app.This is not a dangerous procedure and can be done very easily. See the following video...If you encounter the problems whilst in Safe Mode this would indicate that you probably have a bad update and should refer toin post

#1.5 User Apps: Wiping cache, data and uninstalling



Sometimes a particular app or apps that you have installed, are causing problems and are shown to be doing so, on the phone. In the first instance, you can go to...



Settings > More > Applications > All (The route may vary depending on your model of phone and firmware).



Step #1 Navigate to the user app, (see *** for System apps), that you believe is the problem and open it and select, "Clear cache". This will clear the apps temporary cache and you can see if that has helped. See video on cache clearing...



Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Clear Cache of an App



Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Clear App's Data and Restore Storage Memory



Step #2 If not, you can repeat the above steps and this time select, "Clear data". This will clear your user settings for this app and you will need to re-enter the settings again. Check to see if this has solved your problem.



Step #3 If not, repeat Step #1 but this time, "Clear cache", "Clear data", and, "Uninstall", the app. Reboot your phone and, if desired, re-install the app from the Google Play Store and re-configure the settings.



*** WARNING! Step #1 can also be used on System apps but be very careful about using Step #2 unless you know exactly what you are doing and Step #3 and/or, "Disabling", apps can be extremely dangerous and render your phone a brick on System apps.



Sometimes a particular app or apps that you have installed, are causing problems and are shown to be doing so, on the phone. In the first instance, you can go to...(The route may vary depending on your model of phone and firmware).Navigate to theapp, (seefor System apps), that you believe is the problem and open it and select, "". This will clear the apps temporary cache and you can see if that has helped. See video on cache clearing...If not, you can repeat the above steps and this time select, "". This will clear your user settings for this app and you will need to re-enter the settings again. Check to see if this has solved your problem.If not, repeatbut this time, "Clear cache", "Clear data", and, "Uninstall", the app. Reboot your phone and, if desired, re-install the app from the Google Play Store and re-configure the settings.Stepcan also be used on System apps but be very careful about using Stepand Stepand/or, "", apps can be extremelyand render your phone a brick on System apps.

#1.6 Battery re-calibration



Sometimes, after receiving an update, users complain that their battery is being eaten up. This is quite common as the update can affect the battery chip in the phone, causing it to give unreliable readings. These readings usually self correct over a number of charge cycles however, you can re-calibrate your battery by downloading, free from the Play Store,





#1.7 Uninstall any Task Killers



You do not need to run task killers on Android and they can cause more problems and a lag in performance... Sometimes, after receiving an update, users complain that their battery is being eaten up. This is quite common as the update can affect the battery chip in the phone, causing it to give unreliable readings. These readings usually self correct over a number of charge cycles however, you can re-calibrate your battery by downloading, free from the Play Store, Battery Calibration and following the simple instructions in the app. This should not be used on a regular basis as the battery should never be fully discharged normally.You do not need to run task killers on Android and they can cause more problems and a lag in performance...

Putting to rest the myths about Task Killers/RAM Optimizers and the like





Android Task Killers Explained: What They Do and Why You Shouldn't Use Them





#1.8 Speed up a laggy, slow, phone



Whilst I do not consider this a fix as such, much in the same way as an aspirin is not a fix for a broken leg, it does help to compensate for any phones that may experience an undue lag in performance, particularly some of the heavy carrier branded models. It requires that you unhide the hidden, "Developer options", menu and alter some of the settings and is very easy and safe to do. See, also, #1.9. De-Bloat your phone.



Step #1 Go to... Settings > System About device > Build number.



Step #2 Tap on Build number 7 times and, "Developer options", will be turned on. Use the, "Back", key to exit and you will now have, "Developer options", turned on and showing before, "About device".



Step #3 Go down the list in, "Developer options", until you see..



Window animation scale

Transition animation scale

Animator duration scale



By default, these are set to 1*. However, to speed things up, you can select 0.5* on all of the above. This will double the speed of your various animations and make the phone feel snappier.



See a video on this...



#1.9. De-Bloat your phone



More and more, there seems to be a growing tendency for some carriers to pile on their own extra apps into Samsung's stock firmware builds, see #1.5 & #1.6 of

40 Galaxy S5 models - Dummies Guide





You can check apps that are currently running by going to... Settings > Applications > Application manager > Running (swipe right to left).



If you see apps that you do not use in either Running or Show cached processes or if you just want them gone from your App drawer, you can disable them on unrooted phones by using either of the following 2 methods.



1. If you are using the stock Samsung TouchWiz launcher, just open the App drawer and touch on the 3 dot Menu, top right, and select, "Uninstall/disable apps". You will then see a red minus sign, " - "



How To Disable Apps On Your Samsung Galaxy S5 Phones



Should you wish to re-enable any of the apps in future just repeat the above and select, "Show disabled apps", and re-select them.



2. If you are using a launcher other than TouchWiz or your carrier has disabled the above feature just go to...

, against any apps that can be disabled. See this video...Should you wish to re-enable any of the apps in future just repeat the above and select, "Show disabled apps", and re-select them.If you are using a launcher other than TouchWiz or your carrier has disabled the above feature just go to...

Settings > Applications > Application manager > All (swipe right to left a few times)



Here you will see a list of all the applications, both downloaded and preloaded, on your phone. Go to the app that you saw in, "Running", and tap on the app that you wish to disable and select, "Disable" if it allows you to. You may need to uninstall any updates for the app before it allows you to, "Disable", it.



Warning Some apps are necessary system apps, (usually indicated by a green Android icon), and may not allow you to disable them. System apps sometimes interact with other features of your phone. If you do not know what a particular app does, then Google it first before attempting to disable it. Only a complete moron would disable one of these system apps without knowing what it does and is probably not qualified to own a smartphone! These extra apps are built into the actual firmware release and are often referred to as, "bloatware", and unless you are rooted, they cannot be removed completely. However, they can, in most cases, be stopped from running in the background and using your phone's resources that can cause your phone to use battery, data and lag in performance.You can check apps that are currently running by going to...(swipe right to left).If you see apps that you do not use in eitheroror if you just want them gone from your App drawer, you can disable them on unrooted phones by using either of the following 2 methods.If you are using the stock Samsung TouchWiz launcher, just open the App drawer and touch on the 3 dot Menu, top right, and select, "". You will then see a red minus sign, "(swipe right to left a few times)Here you will see a list ofthe applications, both downloaded and preloaded, on your phone. Go to the app that you saw in, "", and tap on the app that you wish to disable and select, "" if it allows you to. You may need to uninstall any updates for the app before it allows you to, "", it.Some apps are necessary system apps, (usually indicated by a green Android icon), and may not allow you to disable them. System apps sometimes interact with other features of your phone. If you do not know what a particular app does, then Google it first before attempting to disable it. Only a complete moron would disable one of these system apps without knowing what it does and is probably not qualified to own a smartphone!



