Don't know how to update your faithful Android smartphone? Are you looking for the latest news regarding the operating system or apps? Find out in this complete guide how to update android in all possible ways and imaginable, even if the manufacturer has stopped developing new official firmware for your device.
If you have heard of ROM, Firmware, Operating System, you should know that it is ultimately always the same thing. This is nothing more than the main software that runs on your smartphone that we are going to update, with the steps that I will explain to you in this article.
How to update Android via OTA (easiest method)
The best method to update Android is by using the update system already integrated into the operating system. The updates will be downloaded once connected to the Internet via a server, without using cables or PCs, hence the name (OTA literally means Over The Air). The only limitation of this method is that official firmware can be installed, or rather they will be the only ones to appear available as soon as a new version is present, compared to the one you have on your smartphone.
To update any Android smartphone, simply open the menu:
Settings -> About phone -> (Software Information if present) and click on the item Download updates o System updates (depending on the device in use).
On other smartphones there may be an app dedicated to updates, but the operation is identical. If the OTA system finds an available update it will offer you to download it via WiFi (since it can be large) and install it as soon as possible.
At the end, the smartphone will restart and, after a few minutes, we will have the new version of the operating system.
These updates will bring many new features such as security bugfixes, troubleshooting, Android kernel and version updates, and overall greater stability and speed for your device. The important thing, whatever the update method, is to carry it out with at least 50% charge and never turn off the smartphone, as this operation could sometimes last several minutes and interrupting it would in some cases mean having to contact support .
How to update Android via PC
In addition to the OTA update system, it is possible to receive official and non-official updates by installing the smartphone management program and downloading everything via PC.
Smartphone management programs for the most famous manufacturers can be found in the following list:
- Gravel (Samsung)
- LG PC Suite
- HiSuite (Huawei)
- Lenovo MOTO Smart Assistant (Motorola and Lenovo)
- Mi PC Suite (Xiaomi)
Once you have downloaded the program created by the manufacturer of your smartphone, simply connect the smartphone via USB cable, open the program and start the firmware update procedure (if there is a new version of the operating system).
Confirm where necessary and wait for the device to restart with the update already installed.
The screens and voices change depending on the manufacturer and version of the smartphone, but the update procedure via suite is simple to apply as already seen with the OTA.
Flash official ROMs
In addition to the updates provided via OTA and via PC Suite, it is possible to update an Android device by obtaining the official ROM or firmware released by the manufacturer. In this case you will lose all the data and apps, but you will also be able to use versions of the operating system not yet released via OTA or PC Suite and perhaps even remove the branding, if your smartphone is branded Tim, Vodafone, Wind or any other operator .
The official ROMs and firmware can be found at the following links:
- Samsung
- LG
- Huawei
- Motorola
- Xiaomi
- HTC
How to install these files? It is necessary to use flashing tools made available by the manufacturers themselves to carry out these delicate operations.
The tools used can be found at the following links.
- Odin (per Samsung)
- LG FlashTool
- RSD Lite (Motorola)
- Xiaomi Mi Flash Pro
- HTC FLASH TOOL
Using these tools is not easy, that's why I recommend you search for a specific guide on Google indicating the name and version of the ROM or firmware followed by the name of the flashing tool used.
How to update Android with unofficial ROMs
Is your Android smartphone no longer supported? You can still update it to the latest Android version using an unofficial ROM. These ROMs are based on the release of the open source version of Android (AOSP) and on the study of the released firmware, so as to obtain compatibility as similar as possible to that of the official ROMs.
NOTE: by using an unofficial ROM you may lose some features of your smartphone, as well as the product warranty. Act only if you are aware of the risk!
The most popular unofficial ROMs are available below:
- LineageOS
- Slimroms
- AOKP
- Paranoid Android
- CarbonROM
I personally really appreciate LineageOS (formerly CyanogeMod) for its simplicity, its compatibility and constant updates.
Installing this type of ROM requires a minimum of practicality, since it is not enough to press a button to obtain them! Many smartphones have security systems that prevent adding unsigned ROMs, so before proceeding we will need to obtain guides for:
- Unlock the bootlader
- Change system recovery
- Add the ROM to the internal storage
All the necessary material can be found on Google by typing the smartphone model and the name of the chosen ROM, but if you find the online guides too difficult I advise you to forget it and rely exclusively on official system updates.
All the procedures described above, as well as on smartphones, are also good for updating Android on tablets.
How to update apps on Android
Don't want to update the entire system but are satisfied with always having all the apps updated? In this case the operation is very simple, just open the Google Play Store app, open the left side menu and tap with your finger on Le mie app ei miei giochi. In the window that opens, simply click on "Update all" to start updating the apps (if there are updates).
Alternatively you can update just a particular app by clicking on the button Update next to the name of the same, without necessarily having to update everything. In any case, Android has an automatic app update system that will allow you to always have the apps updated when you are connected via the WiFi network and/or have connected the charger to the appropriate socket. If you want advice on which are the best applications to install, take a look here:
How to update Android: Complete guide
