The launch of the Nexus 5 and the release of Android 4.4 Kit Kat have both been exciting events, but neither has managed to go off without a hitch. It seems that many people are having issues getting Exchange to sync properly, and looking at a particularly beefy Google Groups thread about the problem shows just how widespread it is. While many people report having the issue with their Nexus 5, it appears the syncing problems have spread to other devices running Kit Kat as well.
For instance, there are a few people claiming they’ve fallen victim to the same issue using their Moto X or Nexus 7. It may not even be an issue exclusive to Android 4.4 for that matter, as at least one person is reporting the problem with a Nexus 7 running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The problem doesn’t manifest in the same way across all instances, either, as some are having difficulty with Exchange sign-in and others are experiencing syncing issues.
This is particularly problematic because many people who use their personal smartphone for work rely on Exchange ActiveSync. Exchange is a protocol designed by Microsoft that allows users to sync email, tasks, calendars, and notes from a corporate messaging server to their personal device. It has many benefits, not the least of which is that Exchange doesn’t require a reboot to use your own device for work, but with so many users stuck in a sync loop after updating to Kit Kat, those benefits are essentially lost.
The thread – which has now grown to 13 pages in length – quickly attracted the attention of Google employee Ersher, who said on November 6 that the company’s email team was looking into the issue. This was followed by promises of a fix, but so far, nothing of the sort has arrived. Since the workarounds presented in the thread have been largely ineffective, more than a few folks plagued with Exchange problems have opted to try other third-party apps while they wait for a fix. We’ll be keeping an ear to the ground for any news of a solution, but for now, let us know if you’re one of the people experiencing problems with Exchange after updating to Android 4.4 Kit Kat.