Flash Android 5.0.1 LRX22C Lollipop Update for Google Nexus 9

Use this tutorial in case you wish to learn how to manually install the Android 5.0.1 update for the Nexus 9 tablet. This is a guide that has to be used by advanced Nexus 9 users that are tired of waiting for Google to push the LRX22C Android 5.0.1 OTA Update their way.
Check the guidelines below before starting the installation process:

• use this guide only for the Nexus 9 tablet.
  – do not attempt to update other different Nexus devices with the files that you will find in this post.
• your Nexus 9 tablet should be running the Android 5.0 LRX21R firmware.
  – check the firmware version under Settings> About Device> Build Number.
  – install the new LRX22C only if the LRX21R term is listed there.
• the guide will not work in case you’ve applied any changes to your tablet’s stock OS.
• use this tutorial only if you are an advanced user.
• create backups for all important files before starting the adb sideload of Android 5.0.1 for your Nexus 9.
• check the battery charge level and make sure that it is over 50%, it will prevent the device from powering down during installation.
• read the entire guide and don’t skip any steps if you wish to complete the update manually.

How to flash Android 5.0.1 LRX22C over Android 5.0 LRX21R for Nexus 9:

First you need to enable USB Debugging for your tablet from Developer Options.
If the Developer Options menu isn’t shown under Settings section, then you need to go to “About Device” and tap 7 times on “build number” section. It will enable the Developer Options under Settings and you can then enable USB Debugging.
Next you have to setup Android SDK software for your computer:

• download the Android SDK here.
• create the SDK folder on the C:/ partition, then extract the Android SDK contents in it.
• find and launch SDK Manager app.
• confirm the download and installation operations of all the SDK package files.
• after that you will have to update the Google ADB Interface USB drivers through Device Manager.
  – download the Google USB Drivers here, then extract and update them.

Now that you’ve applied all of the above you can continue to the Android 5.0.1 update guide:

1. Download the Android 5.0.1 LRX22C firmware zip here.
2. After the download is complete you have to rename this Android 5.0.1 firmware file to update.zip
   - the ‘rename’ actions allows for easier access when you will be starting the Android 5.0.1 installation.
3. Move the update.zip file in the ‘platform-tools‘ folder under the SDK directory.
4. Switch off your tablet now.
5. Next, boot it in Recovery Mode.
6. Choose the ‘apply update from adb‘ option.
7. Connect your Nexus 9 to PC via USB Cable.
8. Go back to the ‘platform-tools’ folder and launch the Windows CMD prompt there.
   – that can be done like this: press and hold SHIFT key, then right-click on the folder’s empty space and select ‘open command prompt window here’.
9. Enter adb devices command line in order to check that the Nexus 9 device has been detected by your computer.
10. Start the Android 5.0.1 LRX22C manual update using the following command line: adb sideload update.zip
11. Confirm installation and then wait until all files are flashed.
12. After the update is complete you will see a confirmation message displayed by the Recovery Mode. Reboot the Nexus 9 tablet in normal mode.
    – note that the first boot process of this new ROM will take a while before it completes loading all the new files.
13. Use your login details in order to take control over your device once again.

Check the comments field if you wish to ask for more help.