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Android system update 6.0. Firmware update using modified recovery. How to improve the version of Android on your phone

All Android users sooner or later think about updating the system. This is not surprising, because software developers do not hesitate to release the next new version. New updates usually open the door to new features, so users are often looking for a software update solution. In this article, we will offer you two options to solve this problem.

1) Software update via phone settings

This method is one of the simplest and most accessible for all users. You don't need to put in much effort, just follow the instructions. Screenshots were taken on Android 4.4 - KitKat.

Step 1

Backup. Typically, updating software through your phone settings is a virtually harmless process, but to avoid unwanted problems, you need to make a backup.

Step 3

Once you've opened Settings, scroll down the settings panel to System. Click on the "About device" item. Typically, depending on your device, this item may be titled "About Tablet" or "About Phone"

Step 4

Click on the "System Update" option.

Step 5

Next, click the “Download” or “Check Now” button. After this action, you will receive a message indicating that there are available updates for your system. It is worth noting that updating the system may take you a little time. It is also necessary to connect the device to Wi-Fi. After all the steps, reboot your devices.

That's probably all. If you experience any performance issues, errors or freezes after updating your device, then you need to reboot your device again.

2) Software update via computer

You can also use special programs to install the latest updates. The most famous such programs are Kies, as well as New PC Studio.

Step 1

Download the program to your computer. Install it.

Step 2

We connect the phone via a USB cable to the computer. If you have installed the Kies program, you need to open it and click the "Tools" tab.

Step 3

Next, select “Firmware update and initialization”. As a rule, after completing this procedure, the program itself will determine if there are available updates for your device. After all the steps, you need to restart the phone. Also, do not forget that even if you update the software via a computer, you still need the Internet.

Attention!

Whatever software update option you choose, remember that the slightest error or glitch can lead to your phone losing important data or simply turning into a brick. So be careful when installing updates. Don't forget to make backups. Good luck!

We decided to devote today’s material to answering the pressing question of many Android smartphone users: where to download and how to update Android? The operating system, which is being developed by the giant Google, appeared recently (about 10 years ago), but is developing rapidly. Now Android is one of the market leaders in terms of prevalence, 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 the latest 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 you are using. 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), which are provided by the device manufacturer;
  • using custom firmware developed by ordinary users.

The first method of updating Android is preferable, as it ensures ease of installation and stable operation 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 releasing updates for a long time after release. But the budget class often has to be content with a couple of updates, after which the manufacturer simply forgets about the device. In this case, custom ones are ready to help out.

Don't neglect backups before upgrading your 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: SM 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 released more often 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 the device settings;
  2. at the very bottom find the item “About phone”;

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

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

On most devices, automatic updates are installed by default from the factory, when the phone or tablet downloads updates in the background (usually when the device is connected to a Wi-Fi network), offering to install them afterwards.

  1. it will take some time (depending on Internet speed) until 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 installing updates!

  1. now you just need to follow the assistant’s instructions and wait until the update installation is completed and the smartphone reboots.

As a result, you will receive a device with the latest updates, while your personal data will be preserved, as will installed applications.

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

Due to the abundance of phone models in their lines, manufacturers often do not have time to officially update all devices, and therefore enthusiasts take on this task, collecting firmware based on the latest versions of Android for a specific 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, firmware from a smartphone whose characteristics are identical to yours may be suitable.

So, let's start with the search. You can download the updated version of Android on forums dedicated to the topic of flashing various devices. The most visited are the forums of the 4PDA resource, 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 which improvements), and also learn more about it from topic visitors.

It would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the instructions for installing the firmware, which are located in the topic headers and are constantly updated by users. The fact is that all smartphones, albeit slightly, differ from each other, as does the process of flashing them, so it’s worth paying 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 too. 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, other problems are possible: errors in operation, inoperability of some functions, complete failure of the device, etc.

Update Android firmware using the application

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

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

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

  1. launch the installed application;
  2. the application will require you to install ClockWorkMod Recovery (custom recovery for installing third-party firmware), agree with the proposal;
  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 “Save current ROM” (in case of unexpected errors) and “Reboot and installation”;
  5. All you have to do is 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 flexible options and guarantees of success. It will take a little more time and various software:

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

Now, in order regarding the update:

  1. We take the smartphone in our hands and go to “Settings”, where at the bottom we look for the “For Developers” item;

It may not exist initially. 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 ADB drivers on the PC (so that it can recognize your device), and then connect the smartphone via a USB cable;
  3. launch 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 their features in advance.

  1. we wait while the client installs updates without disconnecting the wire;
  2. The client will be notified of the completion of the update, as will the smartphone, which will begin to turn on.

The initial startup process may take quite a long time, don't worry.

What to do after updating Android

Now 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 smartphone tools, then you won’t have to do anything: you will still have all the applications, all SMS messages and other data (unless, of course, there was an error during the update process). That is, you can continue to use your device without bothering with reinstalling applications.

In cases where the device is flashed, all data disappears. Whether you like it or not, you will have to re-login to your accounts, install the necessary applications and re-download your favorite music. Therefore, we always recommend doing Backup, which will greatly simplify these tasks.

How to disable Android updates

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

  1. go to “Settings” of your 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, many users, as we have noticed, are hampered by automatic application updates, which often change the usual messenger or social network client beyond recognition and consume gigabytes of traffic. Here, too, everything can be turned off in a few simple steps:

  1. launch Google Play (Play Market);
  2. By swiping 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, you will only be able to update the necessary applications manually.

Conclusion

Android update is a very useful thing. Regular updates correct errors, introduce many innovations to the system, and simply make it more pleasant to use. The updated smartphone is much less afraid of virus attacks and is “smarter” than its counterparts on older versions of the OS. In addition, the update process is not as complicated as it might initially seem. Just about thirty minutes of work and you have an updated device that can work with all the latest applications.


Many Android smartphones and tablets receive regular updates. The only exceptions are devices from little-known Chinese companies and very budget devices.

Why update Android

Some users of devices running this OS are wondering: should they update Android, and if so, why do it? This is highly recommended, since installing updates:

  • fixes security issues;
  • improves system performance and stability;
  • brings new features.

As a result, after updating, the device is less susceptible to security threats, runs faster, and provides better usability.

You can check this in three ways:

  1. on the official website of the device manufacturer;
  2. on specialized forums (for example, w3bsit3-dns.com);
  3. by launching the application to update the device over the Air.

How to find out the current Android version of your device

To check which OS version is currently installed, do the following:

  1. go to the settings menu;
  2. scroll through the items to the last one - which is called “About phone” and tap on it;
  3. Opposite “Android version” you can see the one present on the device.

Important: many Chinese manufacturers create their systems based on Google's OS. Therefore, in addition to the version of the “Green Robot”, you can also find out about the version of the operating system itself from the specified menu. Often, after an update, it is the latter that changes, while the former remains the same.

Why doesn't Android update automatically on my phone?

Most often this happens for three reasons:

  • First– the manufacturer did not provide for the possibility of an update over the air. In this case, the system does not have a proprietary application and the standard one has been removed, which checks, downloads, unpacks and replaces the corresponding files.
  • Second– the corresponding function is disabled. To activate it, you need to go to the program that performs the update, find this option there and enable it. You can read about activating the standard Android update tool in the “Over the Air” subsection.
  • Third– the software updater is prohibited from accessing the Internet. Many phones/tablets can be used to block network access using a built-in application.

Separately, it should be mentioned that automatic updates may not occur because the device manufacturer simply does not release updates.

Updating a system is not reinstalling it. Therefore, after it, absolutely all the data that was present on the phones at the time of initialization of the process in question is saved.

Moreover, 90% of users have contacts synchronized with the Google cloud. The only exceptions are those who intentionally disabled this feature or use a device that completely lacks services from the specified search giant.

That is, when synchronization is enabled, contacts will be saved even if the OS is completely reinstalled. They will even appear on another phone if you log in with your GMAIL account.

Methods to update the Android version

There are three ways to install updates: over the air - the easiest, through a PC - the most complex, using applications - very unsafe.

Updating Android over the air

In order for the device to receive updates over the air, it is necessary that the developer provide for this possibility. It, in turn, is available in almost all devices over $100.

Over-the-air update involves checking for the latest patches via the Internet (wi-fi) using the phone's built-in tools. If they are, then a special program downloads them to the device and replaces the files present in the system partition with those located in the downloaded archives.

However, the presence of the corresponding opportunity does not mean that updates will come forever. Typically, device support period is 3 years, and for some manufacturers it is even less.

If Android is “clean”, then you can try to update it through the settings menu. To do this, you need to go to the “About phone” section, select “System update” there and switch the switch to the active position.

Update Android via PC

To update via computer you need:

  • drivers for mobile devices;
  • special utility;
  • archive with update.

Also, before this, you may need to unlock the bootloader, which is done through the developer menu.

  • connect your phone/tablet via USB to your PC;
  • run the patcher program;
  • select the archive with updates;
  • press the START button (most often it is called that way).

    • The specific steps that need to be performed in this case depend on the phone model. To obtain the appropriate instructions, you must refer to the manufacturer’s official website or the relevant topics on the forums.

    It should be noted that you can install updates from the archive directly from your phone. But this will require the TWRP bootloader.

    Update Android using apps

    This is the worst way to get updates. Serious companies do not develop such programs, and those applications that exist were created by someone unknown. This method should be used as a last resort.

    The principle of working with such applications in most cases is as follows:

    • downloading and launching the corresponding application;
    • selecting a device model (if it is not detected automatically);
    • Click on the Update button and wait for the update process to complete.

    The easiest way to install patches on the Green Robot is to run the OTA update utility (OTA utility is a standard application for updates provided by the manufacturer). If Android is “clean”, then you need to go to settings, then select “System”, and then “System update”. If the switch present there is active, then, provided there is a connection to the Network, information about patches that have not yet been downloaded will appear on the screen. To install them, you will need to click on the checkbox and agree to download and install the files.

    If the manufacturer has provided its own program for updating the system, then you need to run it and follow the instructions it offers.
    If, after opening, it has not loaded information about the packages, you will need to click on the button with the image of an arrow wrapped in a circle. After this, all that remains is to agree to install updates if they were found.

    How to update Android on a tablet

    How to update Android on a tablet is no different from how to update Android on a phone - these are almost identical devices, just different sizes.

    Everything is quite simple, the procedure is as follows:

    1. Download the update and save it on your phone;
    2. Turn off the phone and use the key combination (see the combination on the website of the manufacturer of your device) to go to the engineering menu;
    3. Find the “Apply update” item and indicate the location of the downloaded update - you’re done.

    If OTA does not work, then you can update via your computer. For information on how to do this, see the “Via PC” subsection.

    Android custom firmware update: where to download, how to install

    Attention: It will not be possible to update a custom OS system; a complete reinstallation of the system will be required.

    As you already understand, it will not be possible to update the system with custom firmware, and to completely flash the device you will need to obtain RTH rights. Mobile phone manufacturers strongly discourage using custom firmware, much less reflash devices yourself.

    In what cases is it not necessary to update Android?

    There are several such cases:

    • The phone already has the latest firmware.
    • The operation of the device is completely satisfactory and there is no valuable information on the phone.
    • Your phone is old and will most likely slow down a lot after the update.
    • You can't connect to wi-fi, and mobile traffic is expensive.

    How to disable Android updates

    This can be done either by changing the position of the switch in the “About phone” – “System update” menu to inactive, or by disabling the corresponding option in the proprietary application.

    How to roll back an Android update to a previous version

    In fact, there is no way to do this. However, it is still possible to return to the old system. To do this, you need to reflash the device. But you will need to find the firmware that matches the previous version.

    You can also reset the firmware to factory firmware, for this:

    1. Find the “Privacy” item in the settings (parameters) menu;
    2. Click the “Reset settings” item in the “Reset settings” tab and wait for the device to restart.

    Be sure to make a backup of your data, as after a rollback they will be erased from the device’s memory.

    Third-party programs for updating Android

    Now let’s briefly look at the option of how to update Android on your phone/tablet using special programs.

    The first of them is Android Update Manager. Through it you can update Android for free. Its advantage is that it allows you to roll out custom firmware. That is, even if the developer no longer supports the device, through AUM you can install a more recent version of the software on it than provided.

    Upgrade for Android Go Next– through this application you can get acquainted with the features of different OS versions for a specific phone and install them. However, of course, not all devices have new versions.

    If you want to update Android as quickly and easily as possible, it is not recommended to use any applications. This is due to the fact that it is far from a fact that the updates will install normally, and if this happens, you will have to remove the phone from the “bricked” state.

    As you can see, there are many ways to install updates. However, it is better to use either those provided by the device manufacturer, or popular, proven ones.

    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 automatically update the operating system, it is recommended to ensure a sufficient speed of your 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.

    From time to time, every owner of a device running Android OS needs to update the system. Moreover, this procedure is not mandatory; you can simply forget about it completely and use the version that was installed from the factory.

    However, this decision will deprive you of many benefits. For example, all new games and applications are installed only on the “fresh” versions of Android. In addition, developers release updates with a very specific goal: to get rid of the shortcomings and bugs of the previous version and introduce new functions useful to the user.

    First of all, we will look at the easiest way to update the system, which does not require any skills.

    Important! Before any update or firmware procedure, make sure your device is fully charged. Otherwise, during the process, the smartphone may discharge and then not turn on, because... the update process was interrupted. Also, before any operation, make a backup of your data so that in case of software errors, you can return to the previous stable version.

    Official firmware

    Android OS update over the air

    The easiest way is to update automatically using Wi-Fi or regular mobile Internet. The most important point here is that there is an officially released update for your device.

    • Go to the device settings, look for the section " About the phone".

    • Inside the section we are interested in the item " System update", click on it.

    • Here you can move the top slider to the active position to have your device automatically check for released updates. Or press the button " Check now".

    • After this, the system will automatically update. Or a message will appear that the device does not need to be updated because... The latest OS version is installed.

    Sometimes it happens that your acquaintances or friends who have the same smartphone as you have already received an update “over the air”, but it never arrived to you. To solve this problem, do the following:

    • Go to the device settings and click on the " tab Applications".

    • In the window that opens, go to the tab " All". In the list that appears you need to find " Google Services Framework».

    • We go inside and press the button " Erase data".

    • After that, in the section " About the phone"Checking for new updates.

    Manual update

    If the above methods did not help, perform the following steps:

    • We go to the official website of the manufacturer of our device and look for an archive there with an updated version of the OS for your device. Download it and dump it onto the device’s SD card or internal memory.
    • We go into Recovery mode. To do this, turn off the smartphone, and then turn it on, holding down the power key and the volume up/down button at the same time (combinations may differ on different models).
    • Here we are interested in the point " apply update from sdcard"if we dumped the archive onto the SD card or " apply update from internal storage", if the archive with the firmware is in the internal memory. Select the desired item and click on it using the power key.

    • In the window that opens, select the archive with the updated firmware and press the power key. After this, the system update process will begin. After rebooting, the device will delight you with the new OS version.

    If for some reason it was not possible to update the operating system using the above methods, we move on to a more complex option. We will need a PC, a smartphone, a USB cable, installed drivers for the specific model of our device, as well as a special program for firmware. Programs and drivers will vary for different brands and models of smartphones. We will describe the process in general terms.

    Instructions:

    • 1. Download the PC client for your model. For example, for Samsung it is Odin or Kies, and for Xiaomi it is XiaoMiFlash, etc.
    • 2. Then download the ADB drivers so that the PC can recognize our device.
    • 3. Download the official firmware for your device from the manufacturer’s website.
    • 4. In the smartphone settings, go to the " For developers"and turn it on" USB Debugging".

    • 5. After this, connect the phone to the PC and install the updated firmware using the appropriate program.

    Unofficial firmware

    It may also happen that the manufacturer no longer releases updates for older smartphone models. In this case, you will have to use unofficial Android OS firmware, of which there are a great many. However, it is worth remembering that installing such software may cause malfunctions in the device or even turn it into a “brick”.

    The instructions for installing custom firmware are similar to what we described in paragraph " Manual update". Only in this case (not always, but most often) we will have to first install custom Recovery (detailed instructions