How to Update Android to the Latest Version

How to Update Android to the Latest Version

It would seem, why update the Android operating system when mobile devices work stably anyway. The fact is that fraudsters who steal personal banking data work through vulnerabilities of the mobile platform. Therefore, this is the first reason why you need to update the firmware of your gadget. So you protect your personal data from hacking. In addition, if you like to play mobile games, then without installing updates you will not be able to open the latest multimedia developments. Therefore, these two points are enough to start looking for tips on how to update Android on a smartphone or tablet.

Android update: step by step instructions

There is an official way to update the version of Android on a phone or tablet. Consider it, since it is safe and does not harm the device itself.

  • Open “Settings” and select “System” or “About system” (in some older versions of smartphones, the “About phone” destination is used).
  • Expand the “Advanced” section.
  • The “System” section will appear. You need to select “System Update”.
  • Tap “Check for updates.”
  • If updates are available, click “Restart and install.”

After installing new components, the device will start on its own. No need to click on the side buttons of the gadget or tap on the screen. Installing updates will continue for a couple of seconds after starting the device. Need to wait.

Alternative Android Update Methods

There are several alternative options for installing updates for the Android operating system:

  • Go to the official website of the manufacturer of the smartphone or tablet and download the update package from there. In this case, in the settings of the smartphone you will have to allow the installation of software from third-party resources. Only in this case, you update the gadget at your own peril and risk.
  • Download the update from the Google Play Market. For some smartphone models, updates are available in the App Store.
  • Some smartphones and tablets come with a software disc that is designed to check and install updates.

In case you want to update the phone to a certain version of Android, you will have to reset the phone to factory settings, and only then find the distribution of the desired version of the mobile platform and install it through the PC. However, we recommend entrusting such an action to specialists, since an incorrect update can turn your gadget into a “brick”.

Android is an operating system that is constantly evolving, therefore, its developers regularly release new versions. Some devices are able to independently detect a recently released system update and install it with user permission. But what if update alerts do not arrive? Can I update Android on my phone or tablet on my own?

How to update Android to the latest version

Content. How to update Android to the latest version

Android update on mobile devices

Updates really come very rarely, especially when it comes to obsolete devices. However, each user can install them forcibly, however, in this case, the warranty will be removed from the device, so consider this step.

Before installing the new version of Android, it is better to backup all important user data. Backup. Thanks to this, if something goes wrong, then you can return the saved data.

Method 1: Standard Update

This method is the safest, since updates in this case will be installed 100% correctly, but there are some limitations. For example, you can install an exclusively officially released update and only if it howled specifically for your device. Otherwise, the device simply cannot detect updates.

The instruction for this method is as follows:

1. Go to “Settings“.

2. Find the item “About phone“. Go into it.

3. There should be a clause “System update“/”Software Update“. If it is not, then click on “Android version“.

4. After that, the system starts checking the device for updates and the availability of available updates.

5. If there are no updates for your device, the display will show “The latest version system is used.“. If available updates were found, you will see a proposal to install them. Click on it.

6. Now you need the phone / tablet to be connected to Wi-Fi and have a full battery charge (or at least at least half). Here you may be asked to read the license agreement and check the box that you agree.

7. After the system update starts. During it, the device may reboot a couple of times, or it may hang “tightly”. It is not worth doing anything, the system will independently conduct all updates, after which the device will boot in normal mode.

Method 2: Install Local Firmware

By default, many Android smartphones are loaded with a backup copy of the current firmware with updates. This method can also be attributed to the standard, as it is carried out exclusively using the capabilities of the smartphone. The instructions for it are as follows:

1. Go to “Settings“.

2. Then go to the “About phone“. Usually it is located at the very bottom of the available parameter list.

3. Open the “System update“.

4. Click on the ellipsis icon in the upper right. If it does not exist, then this method will not suit you.

5. From the drop-down list, select “Install local firmware” or “Select firmware file“.

6. Confirm the installation and wait for it to complete.

In this way, you can install only the firmware that is already recorded in the device’s memory. However, you can load firmware downloaded from other sources into its memory using special programs and the presence of root rights on the device.

Method 3: ROM Manager

This method is relevant in cases where the device has not found official updates and cannot install them. With this program, you can deliver not only some official updates, but custom ones, that is, developed by independent creators. However, for normal operation of the program you will have to obtain root user rights.

To upgrade in this way, you will need to download the desired firmware and transfer it either to the device’s internal memory or to an SD card. The update file must be a ZIP archive. When transferring his device, place the archive in the root directory of the SD card, or the internal memory of the device. Also, for convenience of searches, rename the archive.

When the preparation is complete, you can proceed directly to updating Android:

1. Download and install ROM Manager on the device.

2. In the main window, find the item “Install ROM from SD card“. Even if the update file is located in the internal memory of the device, still select this option.

3. Under the heading “Current directory»Specify the path to the ZIP archive with updates. To do this, simply click on the line, and in the “Explorer»Select the desired file. It can be located both on the SD card and in the external memory of the device.

4. Scroll down a bit. Here you will come across the item “Save current ROM“. It is recommended to set the value to “Yes“, Because in case of an unsuccessful installation, you can quickly return to the old version of Android.

5. Next, click on the item “Reboot and installation“.

6. The device will reboot. After that, the installation of updates will begin. The device can again begin to freeze or behave inappropriately. Do not touch him until he completes the update.

Method 4: ClockWorkMod Recovery

ClockWorkMod Recovery is a more powerful tool for working with the installation of updates and other firmware. However, its installation is much more complicated than ROM Manager. In fact, this is an add-on to the usual Recovery (analogous to the BIOS on a PC) Android devices. With it, you can install a larger list of updates and firmware for your device, and the installation process will go more smoothly.

Using this method involves resetting your device to the factory state. It is recommended that you transfer all important files from your phone / tablet to other media in advance.

But installing CWM Recovery is notable for some complexity, and it is impossible to find it in the Play Market. Therefore, you have to download the image to your computer and install it on Android using some third-party program. Installation instructions for ClockWorkMod Recovery using ROM Manager are as follows:

1. Transfer the archive from CWM to the SD card or the internal memory of the device. You will need root privileges to install.

2. In the block “Recovery“Select”Flash ClockWorkMod Recovery” or “Recovery Setup“.

3. Under “Current directory“Tap on an empty line. It will openConductor“, Where you need to specify the path to the installation file.

4. Now select “Reboot and installation“. Wait for the installation process to complete.

So, now your device has an add-on for ClockWorkMod Recovery, which is an improved version of conventional recovery. From here you can put updates:

1. Download the zip archive with updates to the SD card or internal memory of the device.

2. Unplug your smartphone.

3. Log in to Recovery by simultaneously holding down the power button and one of the volume keys. Which of the keys you need to pinch depends on the model of your device. Usually, all key combinations are written in the documentation for the device or on the manufacturer’s website.

4. When the recovery menu loads, select “Wipe data / factory reset“. Here, control is carried out using the volume keys (move through menu items) and the power key (select item).

5. In it, select “Yes. Delete all user data“.

6. Now go to “Install ZIP from SD-card“.

7. Here you need to select the ZIP archive with updates.

8. Confirm your selection by clicking on “Yes. Install /sdcard/update.Zip“.

9. Wait for the update to complete.

There are several ways to update your Android device. For inexperienced users, it is recommended to use only the first method, since in this way you are unlikely to cause serious harm to the firmware of the device.