diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index a9747dd1..2b294c64 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,12 @@
 # Optimizely Android X SDK Changelog
 
+## 5.5.1
+November 6, 2026
+
+### Test
+
+Do not merge. Verification of upstream dependency handling in the release flow.
+
 ## 5.5.0
 October 30, 2026
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5d9a4096..85720417 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ repositories {
 }
 
 dependencies {
-	implementation 'com.optimizely.ab:android-sdk:5.5.0'
+	implementation 'com.optimizely.ab:android-sdk:5.5.1'
 }
 ```
 
diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 03011cf9..4066995c 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ ext {
     build_tools_version = "35.0.0"
     min_sdk_version = 21
     target_sdk_version = 35
-    java_core_ver = "4.7.0"
+    java_core_ver = "4.7.1"
     android_logger_ver = "1.3.6"
     jacksonversion= "2.11.2"
     annotations_ver = "1.2.0"