Android 5.0 Lollipop Flashlight Bug on Nexus 5 and Nexus 4: Camera App Locks Up Forcing Reboot

Google's latest iteration of its mobile OS, Android 5.0 (Lollipop), has been rolling out for users of older Nexus devices, such as the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 smartphones, and Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets.

There is reportedly a new bug in the software that for now seemingly affects the Nexus 5 more than the Nexus 4 smartphone.

As per Ubergizmo and Android Police reports, check your Nexus 5 device after updating it to Android 5.0 for the new 'Flashlight' app. The self-explanatory app can be activated from the quick settings menu in the notifications bar.

What's the flashlight bug?

Turn on the Flashlight app on your Nexus 5 and wait for it to turn off by itself. After the flashlight switches off, the bug comes into action and both the flashlight and camera apps stops functioning until a reboot is performed.

Users of Nexus 5 have reportedly been experiencing the Flashlight bug more than those using the older Nexus 4 smartphone, although Ubergizmo mentions that the camera app on the Nexus 4 was not functioning for a short while after installing Android 5.0.

If you use Nexus 4, you will not have to reboot your device each time, since you can access the camera application directly from the lock screen.

Since the flashlight bug does not seem to affect all Nexus 5 and 4 devices, users are advised to test out the flashlight and camera apps to see if they will get stuck with the problem.

Again, open the flashlight app and leave it on until it switches off automatically. If the light stays on even after a long wait, then switch off the flashlight and try launching the camera.

Users of Nexus 5 and Nexus 4 can let us know about the reported flashlight bug that affects both the flashlight and camera functionality within your devices in the comment section below.