• How does Android update? How to quickly and efficiently update the firmware on an Android device

    For most Android device owners, the release of a new OS version is a long-awaited event. There is no point in parting with your favorite old phone and buying a new, more functional one if you can “refresh” it with new firmware. Therefore, for this category of users it is important to know how to update Android on your phone quickly and correctly.

    This question becomes especially relevant in view of the release of the new Android 8.0, called Oreo. Like previous versions, Oreo opens up a lot of possibilities for gadget owners.

    Features of the new OS based on Android 8.0

    Even in previous versions, you could experience all the benefits of using the “picture-in-picture” function. But in the latest Android, programmers have improved it: now the user can, while working with the main program, in parallel, not only observe what is happening with the second (for example, correspond with friends in the messenger and watch videos at the same time). There is no need to go to the second window to stop or continue watching the video: when you hover over one of the windows, control buttons appear.

    Managing notifications has become much easier. If in the previous version, to block or enable notifications, one had to go to settings, now the user saves time. To block unnecessary messages, just double-click on it and click on the corresponding switch.

    Starting with firmware 6.0, when the application was first launched, the system asked the user for permission to access data (contacts, photos, etc.). In the latest OS, the developers paid even more attention to security. Now it is possible to indicate sources from which downloading programs is prohibited.

    Which smartphones and tablets will be updated to Android 8.0

    Unfortunately, not all gadgets running Google's OS will be able to receive the update to Oreo. Basically, the new firmware will be available for flagship smartphones, tablets and some models in the mid-price segment of almost all well-known brands.

    You can update the Android version to 8.0 on the following models of smartphones and tablets:

    • Google: Nexus and Pixel;
    • Samsung: Galaxy S8, S8+, S7, S7 edge, A and J series smartphones 2017, Tab S3 tablet;
    • Sony: XA1, XA1 Ultra, Xperia X, XZ, X Performance;
    • Xiaomi: Mi 5S, Mi 5S Plus, Note 2, Mi 6, Mi 6 Plus;
    • LG: V10, V20, G6, G5, Q6;
    • HTC: U11, U Play, Desire 10 Pro, HTC 10, 10 Evo, U Ultra;
    • Nokia: Nokia 3, 5, 6 and 8;
    • Motorola: Z Droid, Z Force Droid, Moto G4, G5, Z, X4, G5S;
    • OnePlus: models 5, 3, 3T.

    The list of devices that will be updated to Oreo may change. To clarify information on the desired device model, you need to go to the manufacturer’s website or contact the support service of an official representative.

    How to update Android on your phone over the air

    You can update to the latest version in the following ways: make an update using a PC or start the process of changing the firmware on the phone itself.

    The last method is the easiest, since the user is not required to install special software or use additional devices.

    By default, the phone is configured to receive notifications when a new version of Android is available. When the latest OS version appears, a corresponding message will appear on the gadget screen.

    If the owner of the gadget has disabled this function previously, then, accordingly, he will not be notified of the opportunity to download new software.

    How to download and install the latest Android, for example from 5.1 to 6.0, without connecting to a computer:

    After the software is downloaded, you must either install it or postpone the installation.

    How to update Android on your phone manually

    Gadget owners have the opportunity to change the firmware, for example to 7.0, using special utilities (Odin, KDZ Updater), even despite the lack of up-to-date software from the manufacturer.

    When using these utilities, you must act strictly according to the instructions, otherwise your phone may malfunction.

    In addition to the programs, you need to download the driver and official firmware to the PC (firmware resolution - tar or tar.md5).

    Most often, users resort to this method of changing Android when they want to return the previous version (the new firmware with its changes does not always meet their expectations).

    Before connecting the smartphone to the computer, you must start it in Download Mode. To do this, you need to hold down 2 or 3 buttons on your phone (depending on the brand).

    For example, in order to enter the Download Mode menu on a Samsung phone, you should hold down the power, volume down and home buttons.

    If the user has done everything correctly, the following image will appear on the screen:

    The last step is to press the volume up button. As a result, the following will appear on the phone:

    Installing a new version of Android using the Odin application:

    If the folder with the firmware contains not one, but three files at once, then they should be correctly distributed in the “Files" area:

    • add the file whose name contains “CODE” to the “PDA” section;
    • add the file whose name contains the word “MODEM” to the “PHONE” section;
    • in the “CSC” section we indicate the path to the file whose name contains the word “CSC”.

    How to update Android on your phone via computer

    You can change Android via a computer using a special program from the manufacturer.

    There are two applications for Samsung gadgets: Samsung Kies or Smart Switch. The difference between these programs is that you cannot download later firmware through Samsung Kies (you can update a maximum of Android 4.2.2 to 5.0).

    Updating Android using Smart Switch:

    • connect the smartphone to the PC;

    • if a smartphone with an old software version is connected, the user will receive a message about the opportunity to download a new version. Click on the “Continue” button;

    • We are waiting for the new software to install on the phone.

    In a similar way, you can update through the Samsung Kies program. In the same way, when connecting the device and launching the program on the screen (if new software is available), the user will be prompted to install the firmware.

    What consequences can an Android OS update lead to?

    It is strictly prohibited to interfere with the running update of Android 4.4.2 to 5.0 (or to other OS versions). Interrupting the installation may lead to the loss of personal information (photos and contacts may be deleted), incorrect operation of the device or its failure.

    Before connecting your smartphone to your PC, you need to make sure that the USB cable is working properly.

    Before installing new firmware, you should make a backup copy of your data in any known way (use a backup program, synchronize photos, videos and contacts with your Google account, etc.).

    From time to time, every owner of a device running Android OS needs to update the system. Moreover, this procedure is not mandatory; you can simply forget about it completely and use the version that was installed from the factory.

    However, such a decision will deprive you of many benefits. For example, all new games and applications are installed only on the “fresh” versions of Android. In addition, developers release updates with a very specific goal: to get rid of the shortcomings and bugs of the previous version and introduce new functions useful to the user.

    First of all, we will look at the easiest way to update the system, which does not require any skills.

    Important! Before any update or firmware procedure, make sure your device is fully charged. Otherwise, during the process, the smartphone may discharge and then not turn on, because... the update process was interrupted. Also, before any operation, make a backup of your data so that in case of software errors, you can return to the previous stable version.

    Official firmware

    Android OS update over the air

    The easiest way is to update automatically using Wi-Fi or regular mobile Internet. The most important point here is that there is an officially released update for your device.

    • Go to the device settings, look for the section " About the phone".

    • Inside the section we are interested in the item " System update", click on it.

    • Here you can move the top slider to the active position to have your device automatically check for released updates. Or press the button " Check now".

    • After this, the system will automatically update. Or a message will appear that the device does not need to be updated because... The latest OS version is installed.

    Sometimes it happens that your acquaintances or friends who have the same smartphone as you have already received an update “over the air”, but it never arrived to you. To solve this problem, do the following:

    • Go to the device settings and click on the "tab" Applications".

    • In the window that opens, go to the tab " All". In the list that appears you need to find " Google Services Framework».

    • We go inside and press the button " Erase data".

    • After that, in the section " About the phone"Checking for new updates.

    Manual update

    If the above methods do not help, perform the following steps:

    • We go to the official website of the manufacturer of our device and look for an archive there with an updated version of the OS for your device. Download it and dump it onto the device’s SD card or internal memory.
    • We go into Recovery mode. To do this, turn off the smartphone, and then turn it on, holding down the power key and the volume up/down button at the same time (combinations may differ on different models).
    • Here we are interested in the point " apply update from sdcard"if we dumped the archive to the SD card or " apply update from internal storage", if the archive with the firmware is in the internal memory. Select the desired item and click on it using the power key.

    • In the window that opens, select the archive with the updated firmware and press the power key. After this, the system update process will begin. After rebooting, the device will delight you with the new OS version.

    If for some reason it was not possible to update the operating system using the above methods, we move on to a more complex option. We will need a PC, a smartphone, a USB cable, installed drivers for the specific model of our device, as well as a special program for firmware. Programs and drivers will vary for different brands and models of smartphones. We will describe the process in general terms.

    Instructions:

    • 1. Download the PC client for your model. For example, for Samsung it is Odin or Kies, and for Xiaomi it is XiaoMiFlash, etc.
    • 2. Then download the ADB drivers so that the PC can recognize our device.
    • 3. Download the official firmware for your device from the manufacturer’s website.
    • 4. In the smartphone settings, go to the " For developers"and turn it on" USB Debugging".

    • 5. After this, connect the phone to the PC and install the updated firmware using the appropriate program.

    Unofficial firmware

    It may also happen that the manufacturer no longer releases updates for older smartphone models. In this case, you will have to use unofficial Android OS firmware, of which there are a great many. However, it is worth remembering that installing such software may cause malfunctions in the device or even turn it into a “brick”.

    The instructions for installing custom firmware are similar to what we described in paragraph " Manual update". Only in this case (not always, but most often) we will have to first install custom Recovery (detailed instructions

    Android is an operating system that is constantly evolving, hence its developers regularly release new versions. Some devices are able to independently detect a recently released system update and install it with the user’s permission. But what if you don’t receive update notifications? Can I update Android on my phone or tablet myself?

    Android update on mobile devices

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

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

    Read also: How to make a backup before flashing the firmware

    Method 1: Standard update

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

    The instructions for this method are as follows:

    1. Go to " Settings».

    2. Find the item " About the phone" Enter it.

    3. There should be a point here “ System update»/« Software update" If it is not there, then click on “ Android version».

    4. After this, the system will begin checking the device for the possibility of updates and the availability of available updates.

    5. If there are no updates for your device, the display will show “ The latest version of the system is used" If available updates have been detected, you will see a prompt to install them. Click on it.

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

    7. Afterwards, the system update will begin. During this, the device may reboot a couple of times or freeze completely. There is no need to do anything, the system will carry out all the updates on its own, after which the device will boot in normal mode.

    Method 2: Installing local firmware

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

    1. Go to " Settings».

    2. Then go to “ About the phone" It is usually located at the very bottom of the available list of parameters.

    3. Open the item " System update».

    4. Click on the ellipsis icon in the upper right side. If it is not there, 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 only install the firmware that is already stored in the device’s memory. However, you can load firmware downloaded from other sources into its memory using special programs and the availability 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. Using this program, you can install not only some official updates, but custom ones, that is, developed by independent creators. However, for the program to work normally, you will have to obtain root user rights.

    To update in this way, you will need to download the required 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 easier searching, rename the archive.

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

    1. Download and install on your device.

    2. In the main window, find the item “ Install ROM from SD card" Even if the update file is in the device's internal memory, 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 window that opens “ Conductor» select the desired file. It can be located either on the SD card or in the external memory of the device.

    4. Scroll down a little. Here you will come across the item “ Save current ROM" It is recommended to set the value here to " Yes", because if the installation fails, you can quickly return to the old version of Android.

    6. The device will reboot. After this, the installation of updates will begin. The device may again begin to freeze or behave inappropriately. Don't touch it until it finishes updating.

    When downloading firmware from third-party developers, be sure to read reviews about the firmware. If the developer provides a list of devices, device characteristics and Android versions with which this firmware will be compatible, then be sure to study it. Provided that your device does not meet at least one of the parameters, there is no need to take risks.

    Method 4: ClockWorkMod Recovery

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

    Using this method involves resetting your device to its factory state. It is recommended in advance to transfer all important files from your phone/tablet to another medium.

    But installing CWM Recovery is somewhat complicated, and it is impossible to find it in the Play Market. Therefore, you will have to download the image to your computer and install it on Android using some third-party program. Instructions for installing ClockWorkMod Recovery using are as follows:

    1. Transfer the archive from CWM to an SD card or internal memory of the device. To install, you will need root user rights.

    2. In the block " Recovery» select « Flash ClockWorkMod Recovery" or " Recovery Setup».

    3. Under " Current directory» Tap on an empty line. " Conductor", where you need to specify the path to the installation file.

    " Wait for the installation process to complete.

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

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

    2. Turn off your smartphone.

    3. Log into Recovery by holding down the power button and one of the volume keys at the same time. Which key you need to press 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 occurs using the volume keys (moving through menu items) and the power key (selecting an 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 choice by clicking on “ Yes – install /sdcard/update.zip».

    9. Wait for the updates 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 device’s firmware.



    All Android users sooner or later think about updating the system. This is not surprising, because software developers do not hesitate to release the next new version. New updates usually open the door to new features, so users are often looking for a software update solution. In this article, we will offer you two options to solve this problem.

    1) Software update via phone settings

    This method is one of the simplest and most accessible for all users. You don't need to put in much effort, just follow the instructions. Screenshots were taken on Android 4.4 - KitKat.

    Step 1

    Backup. Typically, updating software through your phone settings is a virtually harmless process, but to avoid unwanted problems, you need to make a backup.

    Step 3

    Once you've opened Settings, scroll down the settings panel to System. Click on the "About device" item. Typically, depending on your device, this item may be titled "About Tablet" or "About Phone"

    Step 4

    Click on the "System Update" option.

    Step 5

    Next, click the “Download” or “Check Now” button. After this action, you will see a message indicating that there are available updates for your system. It is worth noting that updating the system may take you a little time. It is also necessary to connect the device to Wi-Fi. After all the steps, reboot your devices.

    That's probably all. If after updating your device you experience any performance issues, errors or freezes, then you need to reboot your device again.

    2) Software update via computer

    You can also use special programs to install the latest updates. The most famous such programs are Kies, as well as New PC Studio.

    Step 1

    Download the program to your computer. Install it.

    Step 2

    We connect the phone via a USB cable to the computer. If you have installed the Kies program, you need to open it and click the "Tools" tab.

    Step 3

    Next, select “Firmware update and initialization”. As a rule, after completing this procedure, the program itself will determine if there are available updates for your device. After all the steps, you need to restart the phone. Also, do not forget that even if you update the software via a computer, you still need the Internet.

    Attention!

    Whatever software update option you choose, remember that the slightest error or glitch can lead to your phone losing important data or simply turning into a brick. So be careful when installing updates. Don't forget to make backups. Good luck!

    Many users install new applications from the Play Market on their Android smartphone. It happens that a user suddenly notices that a friend has exactly the same application that works differently than his. More precisely, a friend has new features and capabilities in the application, but for some reason our user does not have them. The user has serious doubts that he is using the updated application of the latest version. The question arises, how to update the application on Android?

    Rice. 7. Click “Accept” to give Yandex.Mail permission to use device resources

    Click “Accept”, the application update begins, this will take some time.

    You can find out which applications are updated and which are not in the Play Market, “My Applications” option, “Updates” tab:

    Rice. 8. Message in the Play Market that the Yandex.Mail application has been updated

    Setting Up Update Notifications

    It happens that update messages arrive completely inappropriately and you want to turn them off. You can turn off the sound that occurs when such updates appear, or block them from receiving them.

    To turn off notifications, you need to open the Play Market settings. To do this, you need to follow the steps described above in Figures 1-3. When the “My apps and games” option is open on your Android smartphone, you need to scroll (scroll) the window down so that “Settings” appears (Fig. 9):

    Rice. 9. Play Market settings

    Open “Settings” Google Play Market, and click “Alerts” (1 in Fig. 10):

    Rice. 10. Update notification settings. Application auto-update settings.

    Having opened “Alerts”, check the checkboxes. If you DO NOT want to receive notifications about the availability of updates for applications, you need to uncheck the box next to “Updates” (1 in Fig. 11). Also in this case, you should uncheck the box next to “Automatic update” (2 in Fig. 11):

    Rice. 11. Check/uncheck the boxes for notifications about updates and for automatic application updates

    If you uncheck the boxes, you should not receive notifications about the availability of updates and about automatic updates.

    We configure automatic application updates to save Internet traffic

    Everyone chooses their own settings for automatic application updates. In Fig. 12 “Only via Wi-Fi” option is selected. This is convenient for updating applications. I already have a sad experience when the mobile traffic limit quickly and completely unexpectedly ends. However, Wi-Fi is not ubiquitous and widespread, so you have to think about Internet traffic consumption and choose the appropriate settings.

    Rice. 12. Application auto-update settings

    You can also get useful information about application updates in compressed form from Google Help:

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