You can find your device’s Android version number, security update level, and Google Play system level in your Settings app. Near the bottom, tap About phone Android version. Most system updates and security patches happen automatically. To check if an update is available: Open your device’s Settings app.
Important: Older devices can’t always run newer Android versions. If you get a “not enough space available” notification, learn how to free up storage on: Pixel phones The installed updates become active the next time that you restart your device.
How To Change the OS on An Android Phone
Changing your Android operating system is not ideal and recommended, as it can lead to data loss, app compatibility issues, permanent damage, and other vulnerabilities.
‘Why won’t my Android update?’: How to fix any Android updating issue, from low storage space to a faulty internet connection
Like most modern devices, Android phones and tablets have to periodically install updates in order to keep themselves performing at top capacity.
Check & update your Android version
You can find your device’s Android version number, security update level, and Google Play system level in your Settings app. Near the bottom, tap About phone Android version.
Most system updates and security patches happen automatically.
To check if an update is available: Open your device’s Settings app.
Important: Older devices can’t always run newer Android versions. If you get a “not enough space available” notification, learn how to free up storage on: Pixel phones
The installed updates become active the next time that you restart your device.
How to run a new Android OS on your dated Android smartphone
This article is a good beginner’s guide to get you familiar with the process but you might have to go further and do a little more research before setting out to do it yourself. You will find resources online that teach you how to flash a ROM, specifically for your device. One of the primary reasons to run a custom ROM is to get your hands on the latest Android OS update.
If you don’t own a flagship phone, chances are that you won’t have access to the latest OS updates.
Most Android versions on smartphones are filled with unwanted bloatware, in the form of apps and heavy interfaces. Such a light custom ROM will not only improve the performance but also enhance the whole Android experience. For example, you can customize your device by adding shortcut gestures which can be accessed right from the home screen. Some Custom ROMs also let you overclock your device speeds, making it much faster and more powerful. If you’re bored of your current operating system, running a custom UI is a good idea.
You can also simply run a beefed up version of your existing OS, but do make sure that you choose the right ROMs. The bootloader decides whether to run the Android system or the recovery whenever the device is switched on. Before you can start getting into the nitty-gritty of things, we recommend that you take a backup of your phone onto your PC or laptop .
HTC, Most manufacturers such as Sony Huawei and Motorola allow unlocking of the bootloader and the process to do this is more or less the same across their devices. This is essential in order for your PC to detect your smartphone when connected with the USB cable. Now connect the phone to the PC and open the folder where ‘ADB’ and ‘Fastboot’ are setup.
If it doesn’t show any devices, it might mean the USB drivers are not installed properly.
There are plenty of custom recovery tools to choose from, but the two most popular ones are TWRP and ClockworkMod (CWM). This is a backup of your existing OS and allows you to go back to things the way they were, in case you run into trouble.
Be advised, before you get to the custom recovery menu, that the only way to navigate on some phones will be with the help of the volume keys and power button. Some of the popular ones are CynogenMod, Paranoid Android, Resurrection Remix, MIUI and Euphoria ROM.
While you would find many others on websites such as XDA Developers Forum, be careful of the one you choose, as some carry bugs which could affect certain features on your phone.
ROMs are usually large ZIP files, hence we recommend downloading it on your PC first before transferring it to your smartphone. We suggest saving the file in the root folder or the SD card on the phone, which will make it easier to find. Now reboot the device into the recovery mode using the power and volume button we mentioned earlier.
Post this, reboot your device using the interface, and wait for your custom ROM to come to life. Choose a package based on the storage limitations of your device and the Android OS you’re using. Note: We’d like to stress again that there is a risk involved in installing and running a custom ROM, but as long as you’ve done enough research you shouldn’t have a problem.
How to Update Your Android OS
How you access OS updates will vary, but you should prepare your phone or tablet in a few ways before you start downloading. The newer your phone is, the sooner you’ll receive OS updates; Google’s Pixel smartphones gets them first. Those with phones running on older OS versions will have to jump through a few hoops first or might not be able to update at all. The directions below should generally apply no matter who made your Android phone: Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, etc.
On Samsung Galaxy phones, the process is similar, though again, the interface might vary. If you have a phone that’s not from Google or Samsung, the process will be similar; check for your specific device’s instructions from the manufacturer or carrier.
When the latest Android version is available, you’ll receive a notification on an eligible phone; you can check for system updates by going into Settings. Otherwise, if you own a newer non-Pixel phone, you’ll be first in line when your wireless carrier starts rolling out OS updates. The same applies if you have a lower-end device; again, check with your manufacturer and carrier to determine their policy. If you want the latest OS as soon as it’s available, you can still choose to root your phone, enabling you to access updates when you want them.
How to Check and Update Your Android Version: Phone & Tablet
I recall the periodic operating system updates I’d receive on my many Apple devices.
How to update your Android phone
You might be most excited about the new features, but regular updates also fix bugs and compatibility issues to optimize performance. It’s very quick to check your Android version and install updates on your phone.
While the settings menus differ significantly between phone manufacturers and models, the steps to update are essentially the same. We’ll show you the process on a OnePlus 8 and indicate where the steps might differ for your phone. This is the part where device menus vary, and it’s possible that your smartphone even has a different submenu name to those options. It’s on the About device submenu in the example above, which shows that Android version 13 is installed and other phone details.
There should be an indication of the size of the update, which gives you an idea of whether your device has the required memory and how long the download might take. Once the download and installation are concluded, you might be prompted to restart your device to complete the update.
Bear in mind that this may take longer than a normal restart as the update process can take a few minutes to complete, and you won’t be able to use your phone during that period.
How to upgrade my Android device to latest Android version
I have Galaxy Tab A (Model SM-T550) tablet, that I’ve barely used the entire time I’ve had it, and I’m wanting to give it to my Godson as a gift. I’m very technically savvy on laptops and PCs, if you could direct me to a thorough guide, where someone has accomplished this, I could probably pull it off, its just that I’ve never really tried to do anything like this with tablets or mobile phones.
Also, if this isn’t doable, and I wanted to buy him a new tablet, which brand would be the best about always allowing upgrades to the latest Android?
Android™ Operating System (OS) FAQs
iPhone $829.99 purchase on device payment or at retail price required. New line on any 5G Unlimited plan req’d per phone. Less $829.99 promo credit applied to account over 36 mos; promo credit ends if eligibility requirements are no longer met; 0% APR. Mobile Hotspot not included on Unlimited Welcome plan.
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