How to install the latest version of Android on your smartphone. How to update Android to the latest version

This article is devoted to the problem in which your Android phone or tablet does not want to be updated “over the air,” i.e. via WiFi. We will look at the main reasons and what to do in this case.

This article is suitable for phones and tablets of all Android device manufacturers: Samsung, LG, Sony, Huawei, Xiaomi, HTC, ZTE, Fly, Alcatel and others. We are not responsible for your actions.

Quite often there is a situation when Android is updated “over the air”. But not all users prefer such an OTA update, since it can be expensive when using mobile traffic and not secure. During the update, failures may occur (the update was not downloaded successfully, the battery is dead).

Let's look at how you can enable and disable Android updates over the air with or without root rights. We will also study the question of why the Android firmware is not updated via OTA.

First you need to do:

Before updating the operating system, you should charge the gadget's battery 100%.
Before starting the update, you need to save contacts, programs, information, etc. in a separate place. Often, after an update, all this can simply be lost.

There are the following ways to update Android to the latest version:

Auto.
Semi-automatic.
Using a computer.

Why are there no updates on Android?

The most common reason why Android is not updated is that the manufacturer has stopped supporting the device and the gadget has become obsolete. Android developers are forced to work on the problem of compatibility with a large number of devices by creating additional drivers. Because of this, updates are often available only for the latest models of devices, the flagships of the series.

Other reasons for the lack of over-the-air updates include:

Google services crash.
Lack of memory on the device. There is simply nowhere for the update to install. In this case, a corresponding message appears.
Hardware faults leading to failure of individual components.
Use of unofficial software. Installing applications from dubious sources, installing custom recovery and firmware.

It is also important to understand that the new firmware is distributed gradually among users, starting from the region where the product is bound. Even if someone you know has already updated Android, this is not a reason to troubleshoot; you need to wait a little longer.

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Only Nexus models in the line of different brands are updated in a timely and regular manner. Owners of other devices need to wait for information about whether the new version will support their gadgets, and when the update will be published - in a week or several months.

Automatic and manual Android updates

Often, a notification about the availability of updates appears while connecting to the Internet. They can be downloaded and installed via mobile traffic or Wi-Fi. If other users have already installed new firmware, but nothing works for you, then you can request the update again:

Open the settings.
Go to the “About device” menu.
Select "System Update".
Click “Check for updates”.

If there are updates for the device, click “Download”. It is much preferable to use a Wi-Fi Internet connection. To prevent the gadget from running out of charge when reinstalling, when the battery charge is low, connect a charger to it.

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If the update does not arrive, but your device model supports the new version, you need to force the update:

Open the settings.
Go to the "Applications" menu
In the “All” section, open “Google Service Framework”.
There you should erase the data and clear the cache.
Check again for updates.

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If the manufacturer supplies a proprietary control program with the device, then it can be used to receive Android updates. The screenshot below shows the Samsung Kies program. Other brands have their own software.

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When connecting the gadget to Android, the program window will display a list of available updates that can be downloaded.

Using the Recovery Menu to install firmware updates

If all else fails, you can manually install the update by downloading the file from the gadget manufacturer’s website:

Download the new official firmware to your computer. The firmware can be found on the manufacturer’s website page in the support menu for the tablet/phone model.
We move the file with updates to the internal memory of the device or to a memory card.
Turn on the device and go to the Recovery Menu. Often, to enter Recovery, the combination “Power button” - “Volume up” is used. If this combination does not work, you need to look at the combination for a specific model and manufacturer.

The Recovery menu is navigated using the power button and volume keys. To install the firmware, follow the steps:

Select “Apply Update”.
Click “... internal storage” or “Choose from sdcard” depending on the location where the update file was downloaded.
Select the firmware file to start the installation process.

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The gadget will reboot. You must ensure that there is enough charge to complete the installation. Otherwise, the system will not install correctly and will need to be reinstalled again.

Prohibiting Android updates over the air

The first method assumes that there are no root rights. The instructions are suitable for Android 5.X and higher:

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The second method is relevant if you have root rights:

Allowing Android updates over the air

The first method assumes that there are no root rights. Instructions for Android 5.X and higher.

The Android operating system is very popular and the reason for this is its many advantages. Many modern smartphones and tablets run on this operating system, which indicates its reliability, otherwise well-known gadget manufacturers would not use Android. In general, this OS has enough advantages, but the purpose of this article is not to describe the advantages and disadvantages of Android. This rather voluminous manual is intended for users who want to know how to update Android.

From time to time, every owner of a smartphone, tablet or other device running on the Android platform needs to update the operating system version. Of course, updating is not mandatory and if this is not done, any device will continue to function normally. However, the old version of the OS often becomes a problem. For example, it may be difficult to install new programs or games whose developers did not take care of later versions of Android. In addition, developers regularly release new versions of the Android OS for a reason. First of all, this is done to eliminate all the shortcomings of previous versions and add new, user-friendly features.

So, we figured out the need to update Android, now let's find out how to update Android on different devices. In this article we will look at using the official and non-official firmware versions. You will be presented with step-by-step instructions on the basis of which you can update Android on your phone and tablet. We will also tell you how to update Android via a computer. So let's get down to business.

Before you update Android, you need to choose the most suitable method for yourself, and there may be several options here. Perhaps the most convenient is automatic software updates directly through the phone. That is, this method does not require the use of a computer and pre-downloading a new firmware version, since all necessary actions will be performed in the smartphone settings. This OS update method is suitable for all devices with Android version no later than 4.0. The software update procedure is extremely simple and will take very little time.

It should be noted that the Android update process may vary slightly depending on your specific smartphone model. We have prepared step-by-step instructions using the most common software as an example, but you can easily figure it out if your device has a slightly different interface. So, to update Android on your phone, follow these steps:

1. Go to the “Settings” of your smartphone. This is usually done through the main menu of the phone or using a special button on the phone. It all depends on the model of the gadget. In any case, there will be no problems with this.

2. After entering the phone settings, find the “About phone” item (in some cases, this section may be called “About tablet” or “About smartphone”). Here you will find the build number and android version. After clicking on the “About phone” item, the following window will appear in front of you:

3. Next you need to find and go to the “System Update” section. (in some cases, this section may be called “Software Update” or simply “Update”). Now you need to click on the “Update” button (in some cases this button may be called “Check for updates” or “Check now”). If an update is available for your device, your smartphone will automatically download and install it. In some cases, automatic downloading is not possible and you will need to confirm the software update. If there is no update for your smartphone, you will see a message indicating that you have the latest version of Android OS installed.

Note: before installing Android, you should make sure that your phone is connected to the Internet and that you have enough traffic to download the new firmware.

It should be said that some devices require certain features of updating the Android operating system. For example, some Samsung smartphones require you to enable your Samasung account before updating Android. Please note that we are not talking about a Google account, but about a Samasung account. If you have not yet created a Samsung account, then follow these steps:

In your phone settings, find the “Account and synchronization” item and go to it.
Now click on “Add account” and in the window that opens, select the “Samasung Account” section.
Now follow the prompts on your smartphone screen. After activating your account, you can start updating your Android, following the previously given instructions.

Also watch the Android update video on your smartphone.

You already know how to update Android via your phone. Now let's find out how to update Android on your tablet. It should be said that the process of updating software on a tablet computer does not imply significant differences from updating a smartphone, however, there are still some differences, so we decided to prepare separate instructions.

Quite often, tablets are almost constantly connected to the Internet. In this case, the Android update procedure is greatly simplified. The fact is that while in constant network access mode, the device can itself find a new version of the operating system and notify you about it. All you have to do is accept or reject the new software. If a similar offer has already been received, but at that time you decided to refuse it, then there is nothing wrong with that. Just go to the “About Tablet PC” section and select “Update Software”.

If automatic updating does not occur, this procedure can be performed manually. Again, the process of updating Android on a tablet may involve minor differences depending on the specific device model, but the meaning is the same and you will not encounter any difficulties. To update Android on your tablet computer, you need to follow these steps:

Go to “Settings”.
Find "About your tablet." Go to this tab and click on “System Update”.
After this, the tablet will begin searching for the latest software version.
If the device has the latest version of Android installed, the device will tell you that no updates were found. If a new version of Android OS is detected, you will be prompted to install. install. Once the installation is complete, your tablet may restart.

Note: to eliminate problems with the device, before updating Android on your tablet, you need to make sure that the battery charge of the tablet computer is more than 50% of the permissible capacity. It is advisable to connect the tablet to a charger when updating the software. This rule is also relevant when updating the OS on your phone.

You can update Android not only directly from the device itself, but also from your computer. To do this, you will need a special program and a disk that comes with the device. You can also download the Android version from the Internet, for example, if there is no corresponding disk or you want to install a specific version.

Today, there are several programs for updating Android, but we use the special Kies application as an example. You can download the program on the Internet, just use the Yandex or Google search. To update Android via your computer, you need to follow these steps:

1. Connect your smartphone or tablet to your computer and launch the Kies application. The program will automatically check if there is a software update available for your device and the result will be notified to you in the appropriate window.

2. If there is a new version of the operating system for your device, then the “Update” button will appear in front of you. Click on it and a new warning window will appear. Carefully study the information provided and only then proceed to the next step.

3. If you agree with everything, check the box next to “I have read all the above information” and click on the “Start update” button. After this, the latest version of the operating system will begin downloading, fully matching your smartphone or tablet model.

4. Once the Android OS files are downloaded, the software update will automatically begin. If the automatic update has not started, a corresponding button should appear, clicking on which you will confirm the start of the software installation.

5. That's all. You have updated Android to the latest version. Now you can evaluate the benefits of the new software.

Android is updated in the same way through Sony PC Companion and other programs.
Also watch the video on how to update Android via Kies.

Many modern gadgets, for example, Nexus, HTC, Samsung, etc. have the opportunity to get Android 5 Lollipop. Meanwhile, often for unknown reasons, many users cannot install this software, since the long-awaited update simply does not arrive. That is, in the corresponding section it is reported that there are no updates available for the device. If you are sure that your smartphone or tablet supports this version of the operating system, but automatic updating does not occur, then you can try updating in another simple and safe way, which, moreover, does not require.

We are talking about a forced update, and there will be no need to manually install the image and use non-official firmware. Since we did not find a device that does not already have Android 5 Lollipop installed, the screenshots presented in the instructions will already be with this version of the software, but there is no significant difference and the menu content is no different, so you will cope with the task without any problems.

So, go to “Settings” and select “Applications”.

Open the list of all applications. Now you need to find an application called Google Services Framework. Click on it and select the “Erase data” option.

After this, turn off the smartphone and immediately after turning it on, check for software updates again; to do this, follow the following path: “Settings” → “About device” → “System update”.

Note: In some cases, there may be a delay in receiving the update. As a rule, after 10-15 minutes you can start updating.

If your device does not support Android 5 Lollipop, and the previously specified file is deleted, nothing bad will happen. True, for Google Play to continue to function correctly, you may have to re-authorize, that is, you just need to enter your login information to your Google account, and not register in the system again.

You can also watch the video to see how the firmware is updated to Android 5 lolipop.

How to update Android using unofficial firmware

This is where we will end this article. We hope this rather lengthy manual helped you and now you know how to update Android. If you have any problems with the update, ask questions in the comments.

How to update Android using standard means

The Android OS functionality provides the ability to receive updates from the manufacturer’s server via the Internet. The item responsible for receiving updates is usually located in the settings menu, next to the phone information. Depending on the system modification, the appearance of this item may differ, but the functions are the same everywhere. This is what the update menu looks like in pure Android 5.1 Lolipop (top item).

And this is the appearance of the entrance to the update submenu in MIUI8 OS from XIaomi (bottom of the screenshot).

After entering the submenu, the system will contact the manufacturer’s server and check if a new firmware version has appeared. If it is available, the phone will report this and begin downloading it. After this, the installation will occur (it is advisable to charge the battery to 50% or higher) and the device will reboot.

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to update Android on a tablet or phone in this way. Even if the new firmware has already been released, manufacturers do not send the update to everyone at once, since their servers may not be able to withstand the heavy load. Sometimes it takes days or even weeks for an update to reach the end user. However, in this case, you can outsmart the developers and avoid the wait.

How to update Android if there are no updates

Before you update Android, if there are no updates, forcefully, you need to make sure that only you do not have updates, and that other owners of a smartphone or tablet of this model have already downloaded the firmware. To do this, you can visit the profile forum (XDA, w3bsit3-dns.com, forum for fans of your brand, etc.) and see if there are any messages about the release of updates. If they are, you need to find the update file for your smartphone. Make sure that the version matches: many devices are produced in several modifications, the firmware for which is incompatible! When the firmware file is found, you need to download the Android update and save it to the phone’s memory or to a flash drive. After this, go to the above system update item and click the ellipsis icon. On stock Android 5.1, the additional options menu looks like this.

The menu interface for selecting update options over the air and on MIUI is implemented in a similar way.

In the first case, you can update Android from a flash drive using the “Local updates” item, in the second case, “Select firmware file”. Captions may vary depending on the translator, but the general meaning of the title should be approximately the same. After selecting the firmware file, the system will check its integrity and compatibility with the smartphone, reboot the system and install the update. Again, this must be done with a charged battery to avoid sudden shutdown of the device.

How to install a new version of Android if there are no official updates at all

If the manufacturer “forgot” about customers and does not release firmware updates for old devices, the chance to get a fresh OS still remains. There are many enthusiasts developing alternative Android builds for many smartphones. The most famous is the CyanogenMod project, the OS build of which is installed on more than 15 million devices.

Also, quite often, alternative OS builds are made by small groups of enthusiasts or individuals, using as a basis the firmware from another similar model equipped with a more recent version of the OS. However, before you update Android on your tablet or smartphone to such a build, you need to take into account that it may be unstable. The fact is that it is very difficult to assemble 100% working firmware alone, because such assemblies often have bugs and shortcomings.

To update the Android version to an unofficial build, you need to follow the instructions for flashing the firmware of a specific smartphone model (the flashing procedure differs for different phones). The easiest way is to install the update from the Recovery menu. First you need to download the Android update and save it to your memory card. To enter recovery, you need to turn off your smartphone, hold down the volume up and power buttons at the same time, and wait to enter the menu. Sometimes, in addition to the above two, you need to hold down the home button under the screen (for Samsung smartphones). To update Android, you need to find an item in the menu containing something like “Install from sdcard” (navigation is carried out with the volume rocker, selection is made by briefly pressing the power button), find the firmware on the flash drive and install it.

Sometimes, to flash the firmware, you first need to install an alternative recovery menu, for example, TWRP, since the native one may not support the installation of unofficial updates. Once the Android update is installed, you need to select “Wipe data & cache” and reboot. Before updating in this way, carefully read the instructions so as not to break your phone or tablet.

Another way to install official and unofficial Android firmware updates is through a computer.

Updating the Android operating system usually occurs by default, that is, the telephone device periodically prompts you to update the software (software).

Important points before updating Android on your phone

Before agreeing to automatic updating of the operating system, it is recommended to ensure a sufficient speed of the Internet connection (mobile Internet is not suitable). Automatic software updates occur at least once every six months, and the phone itself asks you for permission to update the software. If this does not happen, then you can check and set the update settings yourself. In this article, we will take a closer look at how to update the Android OS manually.

Why doesn't Android update automatically on my phone?

Android OS has a large number of variations depending on the type of device (phones, tablets, smartphones), but the principle of placing settings is the same. Software updates do not occur automatically in two cases:

The "automatic software update" option is not enabled.
Or you have an old phone model that no longer receives Android OS updates.

Old phone model – from one to three years. In this case, you can update the OS by downloading it manually on the official Android website (you will need to enter your mobile phone model).

How to set Android OS update settings on your phone manually?

The first thing you need to set the necessary settings is a good Internet connection. We connect the telephone device to the Wi-fi router:

Go to the main menu and select the “Settings” option.

Next, click “Wi-fi”.

We connect the phone to an available network.

Instructions for updating Android OS on your phone

Now let’s move on to setting up automatic software updates - go again to the “Settings” menu.

We find the menu item “About the device” - depending on the phone model, this item may have a different name, similar in meaning: “About the system”, or “About the tablet/smartphone”.

Next, select the “Software Update” option (check for updates).

Next to this option you can find the item “available for download only when connected to Wi-fi”; to save your money, it is recommended to check the box.

On the phone screen, the “software update” command is executed, connection to the server - connection to the Internet. At the moment, there are no latest Android OS updates for the phone model in question, as the system reported.

The OS update for your phone can also be found on the official Android website http://androidmir.org/faq/update/, after downloading it in accordance with your phone manufacturer.

We looked at the easiest way to update the Android operating system on your phone manually. In some phone models, you just need to check the box next to “Automatic software updates”, and immediately after that the phone itself finds updates and asks for permission to restart and install new software. We remind you that for successful installation of new software, a fast Internet connection is very important.

Let us now look at ways to update Android “over the air”, i.e. receiving an update file via WiFi, as well as manual updating via a computer and .

This article is suitable for all brands that produce phones on Android 9/8/7/6: Samsung, HTC, Lenovo, LG, Sony, ZTE, Huawei, Meizu, Fly, Alcatel, Xiaomi, Nokia and others. We are not responsible for your actions.

Update Android on your phone

The update process on an Android OS phone is necessary to ensure stable operation of the gadget. The update improves the performance of the smartphone, corrects manufacturer errors and creates new opportunities for the user.

When changing the current version of Android, the user is required to pay attention and fulfill certain conditions. Before changing the OS, you must ensure the following:

Wi-Fi network is stable and reliable. This is an important point in a situation where the computer is not in use when downloading software.
The smartphone is charged. The recommended battery level is at least 50%.
The USB cable connecting the smartphone to the PC is working properly.

During the Android update, turning off the phone or removing the battery is prohibited. Interrupting the update process for these reasons may lead to a breakdown that cannot be fixed without contacting a service center. Before installing a new version of the system, it is recommended to transfer copies of your data to cloud storage, removable media, or save them on your computer.

Android update over the air

Connect to the Internet, preferably via a Wi-Fi connection. Then go to the “Settings” menu. It is often displayed as a gear icon. Go to the “System Data” tab. On some devices it is called “About the system” or “General settings”. A menu with different settings will be displayed there.
Find the “Automatic Updates” section and see if these settings are enabled. If not, then they should be enabled. If you want Android to be updated automatically, click on “Updates”. The OS will update itself to the latest stable version available.
System files weigh quite a lot, so you won’t be able to use the phone for several minutes. With low internet speeds, updates can take hours. It is recommended to install updates overnight so as not to wait for the phone to accept the changes. This is the easiest way to update the Android system on your phone.

If the previous method does not work for you, then go to Play Marker. There, in the updates section, you can find the appropriate version for your smartphone.

Updating Android manually using a computer

You can update Android using applications from the manufacturer. The main purpose of these programs is to create backup copies and transfer multimedia files to a PC and vice versa.

In some OS versions this setting is hidden. To activate it, follow these steps:

Go to “Settings”.
Select the “About phone” section.
Scroll down, then click on the “build number” line several times until the message “You have become a developer” appears on the screen.
We return to “Settings”, there we select the new item “Features for developers”.
Find the “USB Debugging” tab. Let's activate the option.

Downloading a new Android using Xperia Companion

To download firmware to your phone using the Xperia Companion program, do the following:

We connect the phone to the PC and download the software.
Click on the “Software Update” item.
Right-click on the “Update” button.
Then we confirm our choice and click on the “OK” button.
We wait for the software to finish installing the operating system.

It is impossible to return to the previous version of the system. The user will receive this message before installation.

Update using Smart Switch

We install the new Android on a Samsung phone using the Smart Switch application:

If a notification about the possibility of downloading a new version of Android is not displayed on the screen, then the latest updates are already installed on the gadget.

Update via Samsung Kies

We follow the instructions:

The user's expectations may not be met by the new firmware (old applications are removed and new applications appear, the appearance of the menu changes, etc.). It is important to read during installation what changes will occur and whether it is worth upgrading.

Manual update via Recovery Menu

Unofficial firmware

The manufacturer may no longer release updates for older phone models. In this situation, it is necessary to use unofficial Android firmware, of which there are a lot. There is one caveat: installing such software can cause malfunctions in the operation of the gadget or even lead to its breakdown.

This instruction is similar to “Manual update”. The difference is that here you need to install a custom Recovery, for example, TWRP.

Instructions:

You need to download unofficial firmware. We dump it in the form of an archive into the external or internal memory of the gadget.
Now we go into Recovery mode. Turn off the smartphone, then start it by holding the volume down/up button + power key (the combinations differ on different gadgets).
Click on the Install button, find the copied archive with the firmware. In our example, this is Update MIUI.zip. You need to click on it.