Good news for users of the Android-powered Asus ZenFone 2 — the company is now finally pushing out the promised Android 6.0 Marshmallow software update for the handset.
A week after Google released Android 7.0 Nougat, Asus rolled out the much-awaited Android update for the ZE551ML and ZE550ML models of the ZenFone 2 on Aug. 31.
In November 2015, the Taiwan-based company confirmed that its ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML) and ZenFone 2 Deluxe Edition (ZE551ML) smartphones would benefit from the Android Marshmallow update along with the ZenFone 2 Selfie, ZenFone 2 Laser and the PadFone S.
Asus also updated the ZenFone 2 Laser in May, but there was no sight of the Android Marshmallow update for the ZenFone 2 despite the company promising that the handset would get updated to the OS before Q2 2016.
The company's list had hinted the ZenFone 2 and the ZenFone 2 Deluxe Edition would be the first in its lineup to jump from Lollipop to Marshmallow. However, in a surprising move, the company opted to update the ZenFone Selfie and the ZenFone Zoom — based on the ZenFone 2 — in July.
The changelog for the ZenFone 2 reveals that the firmware bears the version number 4.21.40.134.
The update is an over the air (OTA) one and brings in its folds the addition of five apps and features such as Instagram, Google Messenger, Google Calendar, Facebook Messenger and Facebook.
Post the update, owners of the ZenFone 2 will also see nearly 21 pre-installed applications being removed from their handset such as Google Play Books, Jawbone UP, Asus Backup, Google+, Party Link, Data Transfer and TripAdvisor to name a few.
After updating the ZenFone 2 to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, users will not get support for SnapView or Multi-user. However, the software update will bring other exciting features that Android Marshmallow brings in its folds.
Asus has some advice for those downloading the software update. The company advises that users of the ZenFone 2 shift the apps to internal storage because the update does not support APP2SD.
The company also suggests users to remove "Asus Email, Asus Calendar, Asus Messaging [which] won't preload in this software version. You can use Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Messenger for relevant services."
ZenFone 2 owners who want to update their OS to Android 6.0 Marshmallow now may manually download it direct from Asus' website.
Alternately, you can wait for the software update to hit your device. To check if the update has hit your ZenFone 2, go to Settings > About Device > Software Update > Check for Updates.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns | Flickr
