What's new in Android Lollipop?

Once you've upgraded your phone, you'll see the following improvements to the Android operating system and other apps on your phone.

Look and feel

You will quickly notice a whole new material design - an updated colorful look and feel on your phone that includes more fluid, meaningful motions, new application and system themes, colors and widgets.

Notifications and priorities

  • Lock screen notifications. View and respond to notifications directly from your lock screen, while still hiding sensitive content behind it.
  • Notification rules. For fewer disruptions, press the Volume button to turn on Priority mode so that only certain people and notifications get through. Or, schedule recurring downtime when only Priority notifications get through.
  • Dismissing notifications. You can still touch a notification to open it, or swipe left or right to dismiss it. To dismiss all notifications, touch below the notification list. (In Kit Kat, is at the top of the list.)
  • High-priority notifications. When a high-priority notification (such as an incoming call or an alarm) arrives while you are using the phone, the notification pops up briefly over the current application so that you can take action and then retreats to the notification shade.
  • Cloud-synced notifications. When you dismiss a notification on one device, it will be dismissed on your other Android devices if they are connected to the internet.

Quick settings

Get to the most frequently used settings by swiping down twice from the top of the screen.

  • New controls include flashlight, active hotspot, screen rotation, and screen casting.
  • Easier on/off toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and location. Touch Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth labels to quickly access settings.
  • Manually adjust screen brightness for certain conditions.

Interruptions and Downtime settings

You can manage which notifications you see when your device is locked: all, none, or only priority interruptions. You can set certain apps to have priority notifications, sensitive notifications or blocked notifications.

Also, you can define your downtime, regular intervals when you don't want interruptions. Your phone will screen incoming calls and messages, allowing only certain types of notifications from specific contacts during that time. For example, you can allow only priority interruptions during weekends.

Moto Assist uses the Android Downtime setting to control when you don't want to be disturbed. Moto Assist now also uses the Android Interruptions settings so that you can customize exceptions, such as letting only people on your starred contacts list get through.

Navigation buttons

The navigation buttons at the bottom of the home screen have a different look and some expanded funtionality.

Button Lollipop Kit Kat
Home
Back
Overview (was Recents)

The button still opens a list of apps that you've recently used, but now includes activities within those apps for a consistent way to switch between tasks. For example, tabs that are open in Chrome, your Gmail Inbox and a draft email message are listed as separate cards. You can exclude Chrome tabs if you don't want them in your recent list.

Moto Display and Ambient Display

While your phone's display is off, Moto Display will continue to surface relevant notifications to you using the low-power Contextual Computing Processor. It will also intelligently react when you use the Approach gesture under Moto Actions.

Android Lollipop now includes a similar setting, called Ambient Display, that displays notifications like those shown on the lockscreen. If you prefer to try the new Ambient Display feature, you can uncheck the Moto Display setting in the Moto app.

NoteAmbient Display does not use Motorola's low-power core and will turn on more of the display, so battery life may be impacted. Also, the Approach for Moto Display gesture will not wake Ambient Display.

Flashlight

Quick settings now includes a flashlight control. Just swipe down and touch .

Phone sharing

Now you can share your phone but protect your stuff by setting up multiple user accounts or lending your phone in guest mode. Guest mode is enabled by default. The owner can choose to allow phone calls and SMS for other users. Easily switch between accounts from quick settings.

Only the owner can use the personalized Moto experiences (Moto Assist, Moto Voice, Moto Display, Moto Actions) and Motorola Connect. The Motorola Camera and Gallery applications support multiple user accounts.

Screen pinning

You can pin your screen to keep a specific app or screen in view. For example, you can “pin” a game to prevent a child from navigating to anywhere else on your phone.

Battery

Battery Saver extends phone use by up to 90 minutes by automatically turning on when the battery is low to reduce performance and limit background data operations.

The estimated time left to fully charge is displayed while your phone is charging.

The estimated time left before you need to charge your phone is displayed.

Smarter internet connections

With Android Lollipop, your phone will not connect to a Wi-Fi access point unless there is a verified internet connection. This feature improves hand-offs between Wi-Fi and cellular connections, helping to maintain your video chat or voice-over-IP (VoIP) call as you switch.

Peformance

ART, an entirely new Android runtime, improves application performance and responsiveness. After upgrading to Android Lollipop, your applications will undergo a one-time optimization process. Note that the optimization for ART requires more storage space.

Smart Lock

Android Lollipop includes Smart Lock, which bypasses your screen lock and keeps your phone unlocked in situations you specify:

  • When paired with a trusted device, such as your Moto 360, a Bluetooth car kit or headset. Smart Lock replaces previous trusted device capability in your Motorola phone. You will need to add your trusted devices again: Settings > Security > Smart Lock.
  • When you're at a trusted place, like work or home.
  • When it recognizes your face.
  • When it recognizes your voice.
  • When you're carrying it in your hand or bag.

Security

Encryption can now use a stronger 256-bit key to help protect your data. The stronger key will only be used after you perform a factory reset on Android Lollipop. Otherwise encryption will continue to use 128-bit key.

And more

  • Search the Settings app to find what you need quickly.
  • People app is now called Contacts.
  • Adaptive brightness replaces auto brightness.