We all want the most up-to-date gadgets and therefore the most recent versions of the software that is available for them. Upgrading an Android device might take you to a newer version of the operating system like 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich or bring new features or enhancements for your smartphone or tablet.
Upgrades for Android devices are generally available over-the-air (OTA) which avoid the need for cables and a PC. They also rolled out gradually and will depend on the manufacturer and mobile operator. You may receive a notification about an upgrade but you can also manually check and upgrade your device.
Here's a one-size-fits-all guide to upgrading an Android smartphone or tablet.
Step One
As a precautionary measure it's good practice to back up your data such as contacts and photos. The upgrade should not affect your data but there is no guarantee.
Step Two
Navigate to the Setting menu of your device. On any Android device this can be done via the app menu. Typically the Setting app will have a cog or spanner logo.
Step Three
Scroll down the Setting menu a click on 'About Phone' or 'About Tablet'. This section of the menu will detail which version of Android your device is running.
Step Four
The menu can vary slightly from device to device but click the 'Software Update' or similar button.
Step Five
Your phone or tablet will now search for an available update. If you are taken to another menu, select the 'Software update check' button or similar.
If an update is available your device then you will be asked whether you wish to install it. If you select yes then the system will download and install the new software and reboot.
Note: You device may require a Wi-Fi connection to search for an update. We also recommend downloading the software over Wi-Fi because the file size can be large.
Comments
suchwasteoftime said: what a waste of time the mobile operators are good where us and eur what about the rest of us and those greed corps that dont have updates servers for us and only sell sell and sell i still got the gingerbread and i cant upgrade it and when i can who know maybe one year maybe 2 mabe even i must pay my fkn mobile operator coporation knowing is a osource please man if you say manually under informatics speach MEAN IT beacuse a script a link a direct access a program is not manual by u or me
Brenda Owens said: I find this information vVery helpful and I will save the page and tryto upgrade my phone
guest said: i dont have about phone showing on tablet i hane about device when i click on that and then i cant click on software update can any one help me plz
Sarahglaze1244 said: hi iv been in my settings but there isnt anythink in them to do with software updates or just updats help please wat can i do now
Cscasc said: Whata bag of shit - that was of no help whatsoever
Grlusi said: my tablet is a8826 and there isnt software update or similar buttonplz help mehow can I update the software thanks
David said: hey there is no update software on my tablet any other suggestion
Chris Martin said: It may be somewhere else in the setting menu If you cant find it its best to contact Disco and ask about updates
Col said: My tablet is a Disco10 running android version 22-20110803 The about device page looks similar to that shown but there is no software update or similar button Looking for a more manual update than this
Matt Egan said: Judging by your comment I think closed mouth is best in your case
UnoHelp said: Really Duh Now tell me how to eat do I have to open my mouthDuhhhhh
Guest said: Thats not a manual update thats a check automatic updatesI was looking for a step by step because my cheapo tablet DOESNT have a software update button
DANIEL SALVIA said: Hi Nan please check again you must have an update option unless you are using a very obsolete gadget
Nan said: I have gone to this setting but there is no option of software update in the About Tablet option So how do I get to this option to check for an update to the system
DANIEL SALVIA said: Hi everybody there Let me put this direct and crystal clear In my personal case and asume in most of others cases I use the cell phone together with a contract sign with MOVISTAR Telefonica de Argentina which means all future OS updates will be available only repeat only if MOVISTAR makes it available I have a MOTOROLA ATRIX MB860 running Android 236 Obviously I would like using Android Jelly Bean however when I check available updates the systems says theres no updates available Now one question I have for you smart people up there does it mean my MB860 wont run Android 40 or on the contrary it means that MOVISTAR has not alllowed Jelly Bean to be installed as an update yet
Afiqsabqi said: I have a problem with play store cannot download anything from it it juz show meter downloading moving nonstop when i click download button anyone can help me i used galaxy s plus gingerbread
Doganko said: Most of the user knows this Is there any way to update manually to the newest sistem instead of using phone update
Christina Radcliffe said: I have looked for the soft ware update on my phone I have a samsung galaxy s3 and i do not have the option software update i have checked my partners phone which is exactly the same his phone has it I am confused as it looks like the option for this is missing on my phone any ideas please
Alexey said: Thanks the article was actually useful for me because I didnt notice the Check now button at first only the Check for updates every day checkbox
Ubaidaz6 said: here it shows your tab is updated 403 but i need 41 or 42 jelly bean