The market for mobile products is structured in such a way that as new versions of Android OS are released, smartphone manufacturing companies introduce their support into their own, both recently released and already proven models. How it works? When purchasing a new mobile product, the basic version of the system installed by default is available on it. After some period of time, Google releases a new Android release. After six months or a little later, depending on the geographic region, when the new version becomes tested and stable, you can install it on your smart phone. As a result, you get a new, modern interface, support for new applications and more settings and customization. In this material we have compiled a detailed guide for you, how to update Android on your phone.
What is a software update on Android and why is it needed?
You need to be aware that as a result of updating or rolling back the operating system, all data stored on the phone will be irretrievably lost. Be sure to back up all the data you need (address book, notes, photos) to a reliable external storage device before taking any of the steps in this guide. This could be an external drive, a hard drive on a PC (as a last resort, a memory card, but not advisable).
One more nuance. Since updating the operating system will take some time (from 5 to 10 minutes, and sometimes more), be sure to charge the phone to 70-80% of the total battery capacity so that the update procedure is not interrupted due to problems with the phone’s battery.
Automatic Android update
Here we go to the “Software Update” item. On your device, this section may be located somewhere else, so you may have to go through the settings.
Now tap on the “Update” button, having previously set the option to download updates only via Wi-Fi, so that the update does not “eat up” all your money from your account.
Option in the settings menu to automatically update the OS
When all the data from the manufacturer’s server has been downloaded, in the menu that appears, tap the “Install” button and wait until the device reboots.
Since in the manner described above you can only update your mobile device to a minor release build, you should also use a special utility from the manufacturer (for Samsung gadgets it’s Kies, for LG it’s PC Suite, etc.) or update “over the air” (most of companies that produce smartphones or tablets have such a proprietary feature).
Latest Android update, if it is already available on the server, you can download it to your device at any time using just such a program.
Manually updating Android firmware
Almost all service centers use this method, but we can easily update ourselves, using only available means. The Odin system application is used for updating. You can download it on many web resources (for example, on the same w3bsit3-dns.com). Using this technique, you can only install a new version of the official firmware, but not a custom one.
1. download the Odin program. We need version 1.83 (or later) - it is very popular among technicians and is suitable for the vast majority of products
2. find and download an archive on the Internet with the firmware we need. After extracting the contents from the archive (you will first need to download the archiver for Android), you should have 3 files: PIT, PDA and CSC
3. connect the smartphone to the PC. It is critical that the phone is detected correctly in Windows
4. launch Odin. If the device connection was successful, the port name in the program will light up in yellow in the corresponding field
Indication of successful connection of the device to the PC for updating in Odin
5. turn off the mobile device and switch it to Download Mode by pressing the home, power and volume down keys at the same time
6. Confirm activation of Download Mode by holding down the “Volume Up” key
7. in the central Odin window, select the downloaded files so that they correspond to the PIT, PDA and CSC objects
8. In Odin, click the Start button and wait until all files are updated.
If the Android system update went smoothly, a field with the inscription PASS in green will appear on the application screen.
Successful system update via Odin
Rollback to previous version
Perhaps you updated to one of the latest versions and were not satisfied (the phone is slow, errors appear frequently, there is a need to reboot, etc.). If necessary, you can roll back to any version you need. How to roll back?
1 way
Suitable for those who want to return the basic official factory firmware installed in the device at the time of its purchase in the store. This is quite easy to do. Go to the device settings and select the item responsible for resetting the settings (this can be “Privacy” or “Backup and reset”). On the test phone, this function was available in the “Backup and reset” menu in the “Personal data” category.
Section in the options menu designed to reset the device to its factory state
- We go to this section of the menu and stop at the “Reset settings” item.
- A form pops up warning you that all data from the gadget will be deleted. If the backups are already saved in a safe place, feel free to click “Reset phone settings”.
- The phone begins to reboot. After 5-10 minutes it will boot again, with a clean base system on board.
Method 2 - reset to factory settings (hard reset)
- turn off the phone/tablet
- simultaneously press and hold down the “Volume Up”, “Home” (bottom center) and “Power” buttons. The Recovery menu opens.
- Using the volume keys, check the “wipe data/factory reset” item.
- press the power key to confirm your choice
- in the next menu you need to confirm your decision. Select “Yes – Delete all user data” using the keys designed to adjust the volume
- Press the power button again. The main menu appears in front of you again
- Using the power key, select “reboot system now”
All is ready. Next time the factory version of the OS will boot.
How to rollback if a custom version of Android is installed (Cyanogenmod, MIUI, Paranoid Android)?
If you installed a custom ROM, you can return the official firmware in the same way as performing a manual update - using the Odin program already mentioned in the review. First, you will have to search the Internet for files with the firmware you need, individually suitable for your smart model. Perhaps the best resource for searching is the mobile portal 4PDA; here you can find any firmware for almost every phone model.
- connect the mobile device to the PC
- launch Odin
- turn off the phone and enter it into Download Mode. To do this, press the home key, power key and volume down key.
- when the phone is booted, press the volume up key to activate Download Mode
- on the main Odin form, select the downloaded files as a match for PIT, PDA and CSC
- in Odin, click the Start button and wait until all the files are updated.
The successful completion of the rollback procedure will be indicated by a green field with the inscription PASS at the top.
Information about a successful rollback to a previous version via Odin
How to update Play Market on Android
The first time you boot a fresh system, you have to configure everything again: account, language, mail, time zone, network, etc. The same applies to the Google Play Market store. An update to this module will become available immediately after setting up a Google account on your mobile device.
Proposal to connect your Google account to the system
As soon as you enter your Google account authentication information, Play Store components will appear in the notification panel, which can be updated just like any other application.
Updates for Play Market components
If you are using custom firmware, you need to go to the store itself at least once to update. After this, an update for the service will appear on the display.
Answers to readers' questions
When will the new Android update be available?
Answer. Since a certain time passes between the immediate release of a new version of Android and the physical possibility of installing it on a gadget (from 2-3 to 6-8 months), you need to be patient and follow the announcements of companies. Among the first products with marshmallow support are devices from the Nexus and Android One lines. As for the Samsung brand, this month they promise updates to 6.0 for the following models of mobile devices: Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+; in January 2016 – Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge; in February – Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge.
Now about other brands. Sony announced an update for all current devices in the Xperia line, starting from the Xperia Z Ultra GPE released in 2013 and ending with all models of the Z5 series (both Premium and budget). The range of devices from LG is limited to the G4, G3 and G Flex2. HTC, in turn, limited itself to only the last two generations of devices of its own production: One M9/E9 and One M8/E8. In addition, companies such as Motorola, Xiaomi, Huawei, Asus, OnePlus and ZUK promise to equip their flagship devices and mid-level devices with Android 6.0. This list is not yet final. Subsequently, we will keep you updated on the latest announcements.
I have a Huawei U9500 phone, and I did not know or did not understand that I needed to update the version. Now I have Android 4.0.3, how can I update the firmware to the new version, please help!
Answer. The Huawei firmware update process is described. In short, there are two ways to update the Huawei U9500 firmware.
- We take out the battery and hold down the volume buttons on the phone. After this, the Android update process will begin.
- Go to Settings -> Storage -> Software Update -> SD Card Update, launch the Android OS update.
I have a MFLogin3T tablet and until now I didn’t know that it was possible to update the system. I read it on different sites, tried it, but it doesn’t work. I have Android 4.4.4. How to update the Android version?
Answer. The easiest way to update your phone is through Settings - Options - About device - Software update. The location of the partition may vary in different versions of Android OS. In this way, a standard update on Android is performed and the official software is downloaded. This is the safest and easiest way.
I have a Samsung Duos, version 4.1.2, I can’t update the operating system to a higher version. Please help me update Android on my phone!
Answer. First you need to find out if it is possible to update Android on your phone to version 5.x. It turns out not. The fact is that the technical characteristics of your phone do not allow you to install newer versions of Android.
On the other hand, you can download the update for Android from the 4pda forum, where modified firmware is posted. But we would not recommend installing such updates on a fairly old phone unless you have the necessary skills and are not prepared for a drop in the performance of your mobile device.
Lenovo A1000, Android is not updated. I'm trying to update version 5.0 to the newest one. At first everything goes well, but then he writes “Error” and shows an opened Android with a red triangle with an exclamation mark hanging over it. What should I do? How to update the OS to the latest version?
Answer. Why isn't Android updated? The fact is that Android 5.0 is the latest OS version to which you can officially update the firmware on your phone. At least that's what users of the 4pda forum say. Of course, you can update your phone by installing custom firmware, but no one guarantees stability after such an update.
I purchased NTS one m7. I can't update Android 4.4.2. The device does not find the software update, how to solve this problem? How to update it?
Answer. NTS one m7 can be updated to at least Android 5.1. If you can’t install the official update, try downloading custom firmware on the 4pda forum. Instructions for updating on this device are also collected there (see). In this topic you will find solutions to the problem if the Android OS is not updated.
I have a Moto x play, I don’t want to update the system, the message “Android 6.0.1 software available” constantly appears, which is wildly annoying. Please tell me how to remove this message so that it doesn’t appear again. I even contacted the support service of the smartphone manufacturer itself, All the instructions they gave me did not bring any results.
Answer. To disable firmware updates, go to Android settings, section About phone - Software update and disable updates by unchecking the corresponding item.
A year ago, the memory on my device died (the phone stopped turning on), it was replaced, but the firmware was not the original one (it’s no different, only the yellow Kernel inscription appears in the corner on the startup screen). Naturally, there are no updates for this firmware. Can I use Kies to roll back Android (install the native one) and update it?
Answer. In order to roll back the update, you need to reboot the phone in Recovery mode, select wipe data/factory reset, wipe cache partition and reinstall the firmware from the zip archive previously downloaded to the memory card. You can find the official firmware both on the manufacturer’s official website and on the 4pda forum, in the section with the corresponding name of your mobile device.
Acer Iconia A1-810 tablet. I don't have firmware updates... I click system update and it says "your device requires an update." How can I “force” it (forcefully update the Android system) or update it myself?
Answer. This tablet model was released about 5 years ago; it does not support new versions of Android, so the manufacturer does not provide firmware updates. You can look for custom (unofficial) firmware on the 4pda forum, but we do not recommend installing them - it is better to buy a new tablet than experiment with firmware at the expense of the stability and speed of the device.
The build number does not open on Android. I called for a long time. What should I do?
Answer. The Android build number is initially available for viewing in the “About smartphone” (“About tablet”) section. If you want to enable hidden settings (section “For Developers”), you can activate them by clicking on the build number, just 4-7 clicks on this line.
Before you begin, save important data before updating, otherwise you risk losing this information.
Update via phone
- Charge your phone or tablet fully;
- Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network;
- To find out if there are updates available, select “About phone” in the settings, go to the “system update” section, click “Check now”;
The names of the items depend on the device model, so if you encounter any difficulties, check the instructions. Based on the results of the check, you will receive information about available new versions of Android and, if available, you will be prompted to install.
Most new phones and tablets do not require such complex manipulations, independently notifying their owner about the availability of updates. Some leave the owner no choice, telling him that he has two options - install a new OS now or wait a few hours until the operations are performed automatically.
Using a computer
Let's say you don't have the ability to connect to Wi-Fi, but you want (or need) to download an update. Use a computer connected to the Internet!
The main method is to install the program on your computer from the disk included with your phone or tablet. After you have installed the program on your computer (or used universal software), connect your phone using a special USB cable and launch the program.
Samsung, Sony, Motorola and LG have programs specifically designed for downloading and installation via a computer, so it is recommended to use software found on the manufacturer’s official website.
For example, if you have a Samsung, then download the KIES program and use it.
If the phone is connected and the program is running, the current operating system is automatically checked and searched for updates.
You may need to select the appropriate option from the menu manually. Please ensure that your computer has Internet access while downloading data.
If updates for your phone or tablet are found, you will see a corresponding offer to go through a simple automatic installation procedure. It will take a few minutes to install and your phone's OS will be updated to the latest version.
Let's say you have a file with an update suitable for your smartphone.
- Download to your computer;
- Use a USB cable to connect your mobile device to your computer and copy the file to a memory card;
- Disconnect the device from the computer, find the copied file - all you have to do is run it to begin the installation procedure;
The Android OS is popular among mobile users, and the manufacturer does not forget about regular updates that open up new opportunities for owners of phones and tablets.
At the moment, the newest version of Android is Android 5.0 Lolipop, which features excellent performance, minimalistic design, convenient pop-up notifications, a new energy-saving mode and other innovations.
Before version 5.0, think carefully. There may be two reasons why you did not receive the update automatically. Either this was an error (during distribution, upon receipt, etc.), or the manufacturer did not plan to update the software for your device. And if in the first case the defect is easy to correct, then the second option makes you think. Of course, the point here is not that the manufacturer doesn’t care about your device or has forgotten about you. Everything is much more prosaic.
Every manufacturer, be it Samsung, Sony, HTC, LG or any other, remembers very well about each of its devices. But he also knows in detail all the technical characteristics of each model. Much better than you and me! And no matter how much OS developers talk about increasing the performance of gadgets after updating them, numerous tests and user reviews indicate either a meager or zero “increase” in operating speed. But most often, users report a deterioration in the performance of the device after the update. The explanation for this is simple: Android 5.0 Lollipop is brighter and more functional than its older brother, and this requires more resources to work. And all manufacturers also know about this, which is why they do not send an update to your device.
Therefore, let's start with some advice: if it seems to you that your device on Android 4.4 Kitkat is working at the limit of its technical capabilities, then most likely you don’t! Of course, you can experiment with deleting photos, videos, games and applications, installing accelerator programs, checking for viruses, and so on. But the risk of getting a “brick” after a forced update still remains!
It's worth remembering that there are a few things you need to take care of before starting the installation. Surely you are well aware of them, but, as they say, “Repetition is the mother of learning!”
First, you need to do Backup. After installing the update, there will be nothing on your device except the operating system itself and the programs installed by default. Therefore, SMS, applications, games and everything that you downloaded will have to be done on your own. Fortunately, there are a lot of special programs that will help you do this.
Secondly, if you decide to install custom firmware, of which there are an incredible variety now, then you will have to take care of Root rights. Just like with Backup, you will need special software.
Thirdly, before you start manipulating the system, make sure that the battery is fully charged and that you have a USB cable (preferably the original one) at hand.
Before moving directly to the Android update process, it must be said that there are not many options for doing this, only two: “over the air” (that is, via the Internet) and through a computer.
Option number 1. “By air”
As mentioned above, there can be two situations here. Either the update arrived automatically, or it needs to be checked and installed forcibly.
If the update came automatically, then there are no problems at all. You will see a notification that a new version of Android 5.0 Lollipop is available. Typically, the same notification will suggest “Update now” or “Delay update.” You know what to choose!
If your Android does not receive the update automatically, you can check for it manually. To do this, open the “Settings” menu, go to the “About device” submenu, then go to the “Updates” section. In the window that opens, tap on the “Check for updates” button. If the update is “found”, install it.
It happens that this method does not work. Then you can go another way. To do this, you must first erase the data from the Google Services Framework application. And you can find this application at “Settings” - “Applications”. After the data is erased, restart your phone and check again for updates.
Before moving on to the next OS update method, I would like to note that the options described above will install the official firmware on your device. Therefore, you don’t need to think about any other nuances. But it’s better to do Backup anyway!
Option number 2. Through a computer
This method will be of interest to those who want to install custom firmware, as well as to all owners for whom Android 5.0 Lollipop was not originally intended.
I would like to immediately note that for each specific device, be it a smartphone or tablet, the process of installing the OS via a computer is individual. Before you start installing the update, study the algorithm in detail in theory. Read forums, reviews, ask questions. Firmware assembly is individual for each device separately. Install only the one that is suitable for yours.
In essence, the update process via a PC comes down to the fact that you need to download the firmware to your computer and use a certain bootloader program to install it on the device. For many gadgets on the Internet there are detailed installation instructions, and even videos with visual reviews. Especially for popular models of the tablet and smartphone world.
The update method will depend on the specific device We will focus on the main actions that will have to be performed, based on the fact that you have already downloaded the firmware, root, bootloader and backup programs, unpacked everything, installed it and are ready to start.
- Switch the device to firmware mode (see the instructions for your device).
- Connect to computer.
- Launch bootloader and load the firmware into it.
- , start the installation process and wait a bit.
- After completion, the device will reboot and turn on with the new version of Android.
This is the structure of the process. In fact, for some manufacturers' devices, this process can be much more tricky. But it’s certainly possible to figure it out!
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would like to say thank you to those programmers who, despite all the restrictions of manufacturers, bypass the prohibitions and adapt the firmware for our phones and tablets. Also, the people who test these updates, find errors and test again deserve words of gratitude. After all, everyone wants to enjoy new features and new design, not just those who bought their gadget today!
Conclusion (alternative)
In the end, after all of the above, I would like to philosophize a little. Because a number of questions hang in the air:
- Why do device manufacturers only push updates to flagship devices by default?
- Why do they decide whether to update for us?
Android OS appeared relatively recently, and we all remember how raw and inconvenient it was. The developers are not sitting idle! Today, many users have an excellent opportunity to download Android 5.0 firmware for various smartphones and tablets for free, and then quickly update their device.
The differences between the starting and latest versions of the OS are, of course, huge. For a long time, Google did not pay attention to the appearance of Android, with tacit consent allowing manufacturers to create the appearance of applications themselves.
Main functions
Material Design
The lack of a standard interface created a number of additional problems. Experts at Google decided to make profound changes to the Android interface that are simply necessary. Thanks to this, the idea of Material Design came to life, unifying all Google services and products.
Lock screen and application menu
Now, in order to view notifications or turn off data transfer, you do not need to unlock your smartphone, as was the case in earlier versions. In Android 5.0, the lock screen is designed in such a way that the user has easy access to notifications, even to the point where you can write a reply while in lock mode, making the device much easier to use.
The updated menu makes it easy to work with applications, both system and user-installed, which are located in one place. Application icons are displayed on a light background, so navigating the menu has become much easier.
Changing users
Special attention should be paid to such an option as a user manager. The function is very relevant for family tablets that are used by all family members. A separate account can be created for each user. By switching between accounts, using one gadget becomes more convenient for a group of people.
Alert panel
The notification panel has undergone global changes; now, when it drops out, it does not cover the main screen, because it is made translucent. In conditions of multitasking use of a smartphone, this feature will be an additional plus for ease of use.
Settings
After the installation is complete, you will see that the improvements in the settings menu are not so global; you will not find any special differences: all the same icons, all the same functions. The exception is the additional function “Contactless payment” - a section intended for mobile payments.
Extra options
Smartphone, calendar and clock
Voice calls are set to shortcuts by default. Contact lists, as well as call logs, can be found if you scroll to the right. The change to the calendar is the addition of an option to display the schedule. You will see the calendar and all events in one feed.
The application standardly contains local and world time, a timer, an alarm clock, and a stopwatch. Here you can set the time display to turn off on the display at night, saving a little battery, the setting is called “night mode”.
Contacts, photos and keyboard
The address book is a list of contacts arranged in alphabetical order. The “Favorites” tab allows you to create an additional short list of the numbers that are most important to you.
Lollipop's snapshot storage concept is inextricably linked to Google+; Photos can be saved to Google cloud storage. The program will edit pictures automatically; it is possible to create interactive and animated albums consisting of a series of photographs. But everything about the keyboard has changed: the interface as a whole, the design of the buttons, animation when pressing keys, vibration response.
Google Fit
In the updated OS, you will find a pedometer from Google - Google Fit. The program will count steps, show average speed, display the number of kilocalories burned, but will also allow you to systematize and save training results and various health information.
The South Korean company Samsung has been in the telecommunications equipment market for quite some time. Since the thirties of the last century. During this time, it managed to become one of the world's leading companies producing smartphones, tablets and various household appliances. Today, Samsung is on a par with such giants as Microsoft and Apple. Sales of Samsung smartphones have confidently risen to first place among other companies, overtaking Apple and Huawei.
The flagships of the Galaxy S line significantly outsell the Apple iPhone. This is not surprising, because Samsung smartphones have the highest performance, modern attractive design, support for a huge number of applications and millions of users around the world. Do you want to follow all the news about existing and details about new Samsung devices? Then we are glad to welcome you to our website. Here you will find all the most interesting things for your smartphone: from useful applications to stylish accessories, and you will always be aware of all the most interesting things from the world of Samsung gadgets.
