14 DAY TRIAL // The memory leak issue is now new for Lollipop users. Since Google released Android 5.0.1, many users who installed the update complain about an issue where their devices will continue to use a lot of RAM even after the apps using it have been closed.
The problem has been reported at the AOSP issue tracker but hasn't been fixed in the latest version of Android. If you are the lucky owner of a Nexus device that received Android 5.1 Lollipop update recently, then you may have noticed that the new OS is still affected by this issue.
“Memory leak not fixed. I've had system RAM bloated over 1GB, processes restarting and launcher redraws. Android 5.1 running on a Nexus 5,” says one user.
Here is another one that explains the issue and confirms it's still present on Android 5.1 Lollipop: “I did experience the same, on my Nexus 5, with clean Android 5.1 factory images.
“After about 36 hours there where various processes restarting, (active) apps disappearing while using them, launcher redraws. Less than 150MB free RAM. Not sure if System or Apps did take most of the ram.”
No timeline for the release of the fix
The good news is that a few days ago Google managed to fix this issue, since the thread on the AOSP forum has been closed and given a resolution, “This has been fixed internally. We do not currently have a timeline for public release.”
Unfortunately, the fix did not come on time for Android 5.1 Lollipop, which is why those who own Nexus device are still experiencing memory leaks.
The good news is Google confirmed that the fix would be included in the next software update. Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, or whatever Google will call it, will definitely fix the memory leak issue, but until then everyone using Android 5.0.1 or up will still be affected by it.
Sadly, Google has not provided us with a release date for the next software update, but since it's a much needed bug fix, we believe the search giant won't delay too much.