Owners of devices that run on the Android operating system can count on updating their software version. For this purpose, manufacturers install special programs that help to accomplish this. Before you update "Android", as a rule, you receive a notification that a new version of the software has been released and an update is available. The user himself decides whether to install a new package or not. But, as practice has shown, new improvements justify themselves. Developers are always trying to fix past shortcomings and offer to solve them with new system options.

Do not be afraid that the new version can greatly harm the device, as the companies that release updates value their reputation the most. The main thing is to install the application correctly and, just in case, copy the data that is important.

Is it worth upgrading?

Many users are skeptical about new software releases and think that if the device is already working fine, then why update it further. But this is true only for those who do not widely use the capabilities of the device. If the user frequently uses applications and downloads new programs for this, then the update will help maintain the latest versions of products. As a rule, all developers of additional programs follow the updates of operating systems and make their products for them.

Timely updating allows you to be sure that any program will start and work correctly on a smartphone or tablet.

Upgrade Benefits

To get more benefits in the operation of the device, you need to know how to update the system on Android. This will improve performance and eliminate errors. There may also be new features that the developers have integrated into the new version. In addition, usability can be improved by optimizing older features to work more correctly.

It is also worth noting the update of the appearance, which can be changed according to the user's personal preferences. Along with the firmware, it is often possible to download new update packages for menus, desktops, and other frequently used functions.

Preparing for the update

Before updating Android, you need to download the necessary data package from the official supplier. Please note that during the installation of the update, most device functions will be unavailable for at least 30 minutes. This is warned by the application that installs the software. Also, before installation, you can read the model of the device for which the package was made, and make sure that it is really suitable for the user.

Sometimes a new firmware is already available for download, but the notification does not arrive on the device. In this case, you can download the new version to your computer and copy it to your device.

Conclusion

So, how to update the Android firmware? Before you need to download the update from the official website or use the built-in program. Next, you need to run the file and wait until all the steps have passed. In order not to lose personal data, you need to save it to another device before the update process.

If an unlicensed version is used as the operating system, then you need to find an update for this particular variant, otherwise it may fail. As a rule, such firmware should be searched on the official websites of the manufacturers of the device that needs a system update.

Together with the update, the subscriber receives full support for all modern programs and functions that are used in devices. He will also have access to all the fixes in the code that the developers have made. Since programmers are always trying to maximize performance, you can count on faster operation of the device as a whole after the update.

We decided to devote today's material to answering the burning question of many users of Android smartphones: where to download and how to update Android? The operating system, developed by the giant Google, appeared recently (some 10 years ago), but is developing rapidly. Now Android is one of the market leaders in terms of prevalence, it receives updates with enviable regularity and has a lot of advantages that attract users.

How to find out what version of Android is on your smartphone

Before you start looking for fresh updates, you should find out which version of Android you are using.

The version is indicated by the manufacturer in a separate item in the device settings - "About phone". Here you need to find "Android Version", where you will see the version used. Also in this menu you can find out which shell is preinstalled by the manufacturer and the date of the last security update.

How to update Android

There are two ways to update the system:

• through OTA updates (over-the-air updates) provided by the device manufacturer;
• using custom firmware developed by ordinary users.

The first way to update Android is preferable, as it provides ease of installation and stability of the device on the new version of the system, which cannot be said about custom firmware. However, OTA updates are usually relevant for flagship smartphones, whose manufacturers take care of the release of upgrades for a long time after the release. But the budget class often has to be content with a couple of updates, after which the manufacturer simply forgets about the device. Customs are ready to help out in this case.

Do not neglect backup before you start updating the operating system. Even in the case of an over-the-air update, errors are possible that will lead to the loss of photos, contacts and other information. Therefore, we recommend making backups of important data manually or using third-party software, which is available in abundance on Google Play (for example: CM Backup - Safe Cloud, App Backup Restore Transfer, G Cloud Backup).

Update Android "over the air" (OTA update)

The easiest way to update an Android phone or tablet, which requires a minimum of skills and knowledge from the user.

As already noted, official updates are more often released to popular devices. In addition, some smartphones (usually those ordered from China) can be flashed by the seller with custom firmware, which does not provide for over-the-air updates at all.

If you are one of the lucky ones, then:

1. go to device settings;
2. at the very bottom, find the item "About phone";

A number of manufacturers bring a tool to update Android to the desktop to make this process even easier for the user.

1. in a new window, at the very top, there is a button "System Update", which is what we need. Click on the button;
2. in the menu that opens, click "Check for updates";

Most devices come from the factory with automatic updates set by default, when the phone or tablet downloads updates in the background (usually when the device is connected to a Wi-Fi network), prompting you to install them afterwards.

1. it will take some time (depending on the speed of the Internet) until the available Android updates are found (or not found);
2. if there are system updates, you will be prompted to download them, and then install them;

Be sure to fully charge your device before you start installing updates!

1. now you just need to follow the instructions of the assistant and wait until the installation of updates is completed and the smartphone reboots.

As a result, you will receive a device with fresh updates, while personal data will be preserved, as well as installed applications.

Updating Android using custom firmware: where to download, how to install

Due to the abundance of phone models in the lines, manufacturers often do not have time to update all devices officially, and therefore enthusiasts take up this business, who collect firmware based on the latest versions of Android for a particular device. Custom firmware is distributed free of charge, installation requires additional software and some skills.

Note! Not every custom firmware is suitable for your device - only those that were developed for it. In exceptional cases, a firmware from a smartphone may be suitable, which is identical in characteristics to yours.

So let's start with the search. You can download an updated version of Android on the forums dedicated to the topic of flashing various devices. The most visited are the w3bsit3-dns.com resource forums, where using the search bar you can easily find a topic dedicated to your smartphone. Here you can choose the firmware you like (based on which version, from which developer, with what improvements), as well as learn more about it from the visitors of the topic.

It will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with the instructions for installing the firmware, which are located in the topic headers and are constantly supplemented by users. The fact is that all smartphones, albeit slightly, differ from each other, as well as the process of their firmware, so you should pay attention to the instructions.

When the firmware image is loaded into the memory of your phone or computer, you can proceed to the installation itself, but there are some nuances here. First of all, you have to choose a method for installing custom firmware:

• through applications that are installed directly on Android;
• using a personal computer, special software and custom recovery.

Here it is worth warning you that you install custom firmware at your own risk. In addition to the fact that the firmware may simply not suit your device, there may be other problems: errors in operation, inoperability of some functions, complete failure of the device, etc.

Updating Android firmware using the application

An easier way to install firmware on Android, but it does not always guarantee success. To update we need:

• (not required, but desirable);
• install an application on the device (recommended: Android Update Manager, ROM Manager);
• download firmware (save to SD card).

When all of the above is ready, we move on to updating Android:

1. run the installed application;
2. the application will require you to install ClockWorkMod Recovery (custom recovery for installing third-party firmware), agree with the offer;
3. click on "Install ROM from SD card", then specify the path to the firmware image;
4. a new window will open, in which you should click "Keep current ROM" (in case of unexpected errors) and "Reboot and install";
5. all that remains is to wait (about 10-15 minutes) until the smartphone appears before you with an updated interface and functionality.

Updating Android firmware using a computer

This option is somewhat more complicated, but with more flexibility and guarantees for success. It will take a little more time and different software:

• naturally, downloaded firmware;
• a client for installing the firmware (for each smartphone model it is different, so look for your device in the relevant sections of the forum);
• ADB-driver for your device, the download link of which can also be obtained on the forum.

Now, in order regarding the update:

1. we take the smartphone in hand and go to "Settings", where at the bottom we look for the item "For developers";

It may not be there in the first place. In order for it to appear, you need to go to the "About phone" menu and click on the "Android version" item several times.

1. in the "For Developers" settings, check the box next to "USB Debugging";
2. install the ADB driver on the PC (so that it can recognize your device), and then connect the smartphone via a USB cable;
3. run the client to download the firmware to the smartphone;
4. we indicate to the client the location of the firmware and proceed to the update process;

Each client is different, so you should familiarize yourself with its features in advance.

1. we wait while the client installs updates without disconnecting the wire;
2. the end of the update will be notified by the client, as well as the smartphone, which will start to turn on.

The process of switching on for the first time can take quite a long time, don't worry.

What to do after updating Android

So we figured out how to install Android, installed the latest version of the operating system with a bunch of new features (or with a minimum of these features), what should we do next?

If you updated using the regular means of a smartphone, then you don’t have to do anything: you will have all applications, all SMS messages and other data (unless, of course, an error occurred during the update process). That is, you can continue to use your device without bothering with reinstalling applications.

In cases where the device is reflashed, all data disappears. Whether you like it or not, you'll have to re-login to your accounts, install the apps you want, and re-download your favorite music. Therefore, we always recommend making a Backup, which will greatly simplify these tasks.

How to turn off Android updates

Along with the question regarding the installation of new updates, many users are interested in how to disable them. Some of them simply do not need them, others are already used to the old version of Android and do not want to change anything in their smartphone. So that the system does not pester with constant offers to get updates, and also does not spend traffic on downloading them, you need to:

1. go to the "Settings" of the phone or tablet;
2. go to "About phone", then - "System update";
3. uncheck the box next to "Auto-update".

Now, only after your request, the system will start searching for new versions to download.

Also, as we have noticed, many users are hindered by automatic updating of applications, which often changes the familiar messenger or social network client beyond recognition and consumes gigabytes of traffic. Here, too, everything is turned off in a few simple steps:

1. launch Google Play (Play Market);
2. making a swipe from the left side of the screen, we get to the side menu, where we find “Settings” at the bottom;
3. go to "Auto-update applications";
4. Select "Never" from the list provided.

In the future, only manually you can update the necessary applications.

Conclusion

Android update is a very useful thing. Regular updates fix bugs, bring a lot of innovations to the system, and simply make it more enjoyable to use. The updated smartphone is much less afraid of virus attacks, "smarter" than its counterparts on older versions of the OS. In addition, the update process is not as complicated as it might seem initially. Just thirty minutes of work and you have an updated device that can work with all relevant applications.

How to update android on tablet

Updating the Android OS on a tablet computer is not at all difficult, but please note that this procedure may have subtleties based exactly on your wishes. As many people know, Android OS is the most flexible operating system of all, therefore it is very good if the user knows what he wants.

First, pay attention to the possibility of automatic updating of the operating system. To do this, go to Settings -> Device Information -> Software Update. Click on the hidden "Refresh" button and see what result the tablet computer produces. If nothing happened, then we will have to move on to the next step. In the second stage, an update from the manufacturer will be required. You will need to go to the website of the company that created the tablet computer, be it Samsung, Asus, Acer or some other company.

Updates

Typically, links to updates are located in the "Support" section, and then in the "Downloads" section. We select this category, then our device model and view the materials that the site offers us. In principle, there should not be a particularly large number of files here, because companies are trying to assemble them into a single whole for convenience. Next, we have the option to perform a manual update. This is not a particularly difficult procedure, but it does require some skill.

Usually in this case we are talking about custom firmware, but this is not necessary to be afraid. You only need drivers for the tablet, official or custom firmware, as well as some kind of program that is suitable for your tablet computer. Pay attention to the fact that the need to update the Android OS can still face some difficulties that are solved quite simply, but can still unsettle you.

Firmware selection

We are talking about what the firmware can do if the tablet computer turns on and does not boot. The computer may begin not to see it - it all comes from an excessive desire to create firmware for yourself, choosing too many options that you do not understand at all. For example, sometimes this is done in general in order to brag to friends about something revolutionary.

Do not overestimate your capabilities, because some of the options that custom operating systems offer are designed for professional programmers, and you will not be able to get in touch with this. It will be very good if, when flashing a tablet computer for the first time, you write down each action done on a piece of paper in order to control all the operations performed. There is nothing complicated about this, just consider the needs that you need from the operating system. Gradually, you can start using more and more complex solutions that you like.

You will definitely customize Android for yourself, but you just need to gain experience. Or visit the site with a huge number of ready-made firmware, which are created for fans of the various capabilities of tablet computers. Particularly experienced users have the opportunity to customize absolutely all the parameters of tablet computers for themselves, which gives simply amazing results.

For example, if you are a fan of games on tablet computers, you can choose firmware that will be specially optimized for this purpose. There are a lot of similar projects, so you can set aside one full day to sort out this issue once and for all.

Android update. What threatens Android OS updates for a phone or tablet

Like any operating system, Android is improved, improved, made more productive, optimizing individual parts and the principle of operation. It is these fixes and improvements that include official Android updates that appear on the screen of your Android mobile phone or tablet from time to time, in the form of a notification.

It should be noted that you can manually check for updates for your device, be it a phone or a tablet. This is done in Settings, paragraph About Device where click Software Update. After that, the device update settings will open in front of you. Click the button Refresh to check the new android version for your device.

Android update

As it was already written earlier, updates for the android operating system are a very good and correct thing, you should not be skeptical about this. Android updates are designed to improve the performance of your device and make this work more convenient for you.

There are big updates and micro updates. Large updates usually require more traffic to download the update itself from the Internet. On average, a large update requires about 500 MB of information downloaded from the Internet. Micro updates tend to be smaller, averaging 70MB. In any case, it is recommended to use Wi-Fi for updating, with a good internet access point. Let's consider these two types of android update in more detail.

Big updates affect, as a rule, the entire device as a whole and are aimed at global changes. Major updates bring with them a minor change in the version of the Android OS, which you can see in Settings, in step About device, opening which you will find in the column Android version, information about the current version of your OS. Such large-scale updates can slightly change the appearance of the operating system, making it a little more concise.

Micro updates are minor patches, patches of minor flaws and malfunctions that are most often invisible to the eye. In such micro-updates, there is no global version change, but only an improvement, stabilization of the current one.

How is the Android update going?

First, the OS prompts you to update, a dialog appears in which you can answer the suggestion Install a system update either Later, or Install, or cancel the update by closing the dialog.

If you answer Later, then a dialog will appear with a choice of time after which you will be prompted to upgrade again. Usually it is 30 minutes - 2 hours. Below and above this limit there is usually no choice.

When you press Install, Android will notify you that the device will now be rebooted. For this reason, it is recommended that you complete all running applications that you run before installing the update, correctly saving all data. After being notified that the device has rebooted, your phone or tablet will be turned off.

A few seconds after the screen of the device has gone out, the android robot itself will appear, in which a geometric figure will spin in the abdomen, below you will be presented with percentages showing the progress of updating the device. Depending on the type of update, this can take from 5 to 20 minutes. After the update progress, displayed as a percentage, reaches 100, the device will turn off and reboot. The first thing that will happen after turning on the device is the optimization of all applications installed on the device so that they work correctly with the installed update. The progress view will show the number of optimized apps in relation to the total number of apps. After completing this, the last, step of the update, and a notification appears that the device has been successfully updated, it is recommended to restart the device manually in order to reduce the number of possible errors to a minimum. What can be wrong? Applications and services that have been optimized are best launched at the start of the OS itself, and immediately after the update they were launched with the presets of the old version of android, and only then optimized, which could cause minor brakes in the device until the first reboot after the update.

What negative consequences can be after updating Android?

There can be no negative consequences as such. After updating your Android phone or tablet, a couple of applications that are not compatible with the new version may be removed (This happens extremely rarely, and if it does, it may be only 1-2 programs that are not updated and for which there is a better replacement in the Play Store). Some icons from the desktops may also disappear (Icons of those programs that are incompatible with the new version).

Also, along with updates, several official programs from Google and from the device developer can be installed. This only has negative consequences because these applications cannot be removed and you will have them regardless of whether you use them or not.

All these minor inconsistencies are more than compensated by the new installed Android update, which is usually better than the previous one and offers more features and makes old features and functions even more convenient.

Is it possible to return the old version of Android?

Some people who for some reason were not satisfied with updating their android device are wondering if it is possible to return the old version of the system that was before the update.

Unfortunately, this feature is not officially supported by all Android devices. It should be noted that the craftsmen find a way to manually reflash their phones and tablets to the version they want. Naturally, we strongly do not recommend doing this. This will void the warranty and more. It’s better to think again if it’s bad on the updated version than on the old one, we are sure you will like the new version and you will get used to the changes.

In the event that you have really serious complaints about the new update and you need to somehow fix everything, then: We go to the office. phone developer website (Samsung, Sony, Phillips, etc.). On the site we find software in the section of mobile devices. For example, for the same Samsung "s there is the Samsung KIES program, for other phones there are other programs. Download it, install it and run it. With it, you can install the firmware and do a lot of things. We recommend using this recommendation.

If you have any questions regarding this topic, as always - in the comments.

New and new versions of Android, such as KitKat, Lollipop, are released almost regularly. Many people are constantly scouring the Internet for information about whether to upgrade and how to do it. But not everyone knows how to update Android on a tablet to the latest version and expand its functionality. Let's try to figure out what the system update brings and what additional features they can provide.

How to update Android on a tablet?

In order to update Android to a new version, you can go in different ways. You can update your device:

• Through a computer;
• With the help of the tablet itself.

We will describe in detail both methods at once, so that you can choose the one that is more convenient for you. So let's start with the first method.

Update via computer

A large number of manufacturers, along with their devices, also release some utilities for computers. The main task of such applications is to check for updates for the version of the operating system. So, in order to manually update Android on a tablet through a computer, you need to:

• Connect your tablet to your computer using a USB cable.
• Turn off the tablet computer.
• Enable special utility.
• If there are updates, download and install on the tablet.
• Wait for the tablet to reboot and then start working.

This method is great, but not for all devices. The fact is that not all device manufacturers produce such special utilities, but only some of the best brands, for example:

• Samsung;
• HTC;
• Sony.

Other tablet models should be updated in a slightly different way, namely by downloading the system update file from the manufacturer's official website. It is about this type of update - using a tablet - that will be discussed in the next subheading.

Update using the tablet itself

At first it may seem that updating Android through a computer is much easier than any method, however, we want to say that updating through the device itself is an incredibly simple matter. The most important thing is to be connected to the internet throughout the process. One more thing: it is advisable to do this only via Wi-Fi, since the sizes of new files can reach a gigabyte.

• In "Settings" we find the item - System.
• Inside the "System" we go to the menu "About the device" or "About the tablet".
• In the open window, select the "System Update" tab.
• After the update process is completed, the system will reboot. After the reboot, you can start working with the already updated system.

Why update the tablet and is it worth it

Both of these questions are very often heard from the lips of many users, and they are quite logical. If everything works, there are no problems, then why carry out unnecessary actions, download something dubious, change it, and so on? Is it worth it? People brought up in the spirit of conservatism are accustomed to asking this question. Of course, we cannot forbid updating or say that it needs to be done, however, now we will describe in detail a couple of facts about how the update will affect the system.

Updating your tablet system will speed up your tablet.

There are no people who would not complain about certain problems while running the Android OS. Even the latest versions such as 5.0, 5.1, 6.0 have a number of shortcomings in this area, however, such updates erase data from the system, freeing up a significant amount of RAM for your data. In simple terms, such an update removes a lot of information and data that no one needs, and you can use the freed space for the applications you need.

Major updates introduce features that were previously unavailable.

It often happens that some little things are missing, but we are so accustomed to without them that we no longer notice their absence. You can give an example of past versions, for example, Android 4.0 provided the ability for users to:

• use different sensors;
• download manager;
• ability to copy and paste.

Therefore, it is worth remembering that the new update can be very useful for you.

General work with the device will become much more comfortable.

Minor innovations will make the work of this device very comfortable and smooth. It could be:

• Updated browser;
• Smooth operation of the operating system as a whole;
• Support for new programs and utilities;
• And much more.

Improvements contained in updates

• In principle, the above factors can also be part of this section. The improvement that these updates bring can be the correction of minor bugs, such as, for example, in small updates, "weight" up to 100 megabytes. Often, such updates stabilize the system. These are the ones you need to download first. Minor fixes will help improve the overall quality of the device. What is included in this concept?
• Updated applications, for example, Google+, Play Market, can greatly facilitate your work on the device. Google+ is a social networking application from Google. The update of this application will provide a lot of new features, and the Play Market will make minor improvements to the overall experience with installed applications and programs.
• The smoothness of working with the device will increase significantly. Why? Everything is very simple. During some small innovations, temporary files or programs are deleted. With their removal, the user will be able to notice an increase in the speed of working with the device.
• If the update is more than 500 megabytes, then it is most likely a general Android update. It provides an opportunity to install a new, improved OS (operating system) on your device. With its "arrival" you can get a lot of useful innovations:
• Updated design;
• Additional programs;
• The ability to install new, more convenient and useful applications from the Play Market.

But is it possible to experience negative consequences after you decide to update the Android system on your tablet? Or does everything always go smoothly?

Lack of updates

• If your device was purchased a relatively long time ago, and it seems that it would be time to update OS Aandroid, then such an update can harm the tablet more than free it from previous problems. The processor power or the amount of RAM may not be enough for comfortable work.
• Delete all data from the device memory. Here's something that really annoyed many users. With major updates, it happens that the device simply clears all the memory of its drive in order to load the new Android OS. In this case, all user data simply disappears forever. To prevent this from happening, make a backup, that is, save all your data in order to restore them later.
• New apps that are absolutely unnecessary. Recently, there are a lot of those and their whole essence lies in the fact that they simply are. They are of no use, no one uses them, but since this is a Google product, you cannot delete them, you just need to put up with it.

Do I need to restart apps after OS update

Depends on the application itself. If this is a system utility or application, then they may well update themselves, but if it comes to games or other programs installed at the request of the user, they need to be updated on their own.

How to return the old version of the firmware

Officially - there is no way to install the old firmware on an Android device. This means that the only option is to use programs downloaded from the Internet in order to install the old firmware on your device. However, it is important to remember that if something goes wrong after that, your tablet will be out of warranty and the service centers will not fix the problem for free, so first make sure if you need to install a new firmware or not.

Conclusion

Now you know how to update Android on your tablet yourself quickly and correctly. It also became known that even though installing such updates on Android has its drawbacks, it is important to remember that the manufacturer creates them for a reason. This means that this update contains some important details and improvements for your system that will improve the overall level of security or other features of your tablet and operating system as a whole.