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How to Check for Updates on Your Android Phone

Check for a system update to get the latest version of Android

By Marziah Karch Marziah Karch Writer Michigan State University Emporia State University Marziah Karch is a former writer for Lifewire who also excels at Serious Game Design and develops online help systems, manuals, and interactive training modules. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 7, 2021 Reviewed by Jon Fisher Reviewed by Jon Fisher Wichita Technical Institute Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Android Switching from iOS

What to Know

On most Android phones: Settings > System > About Phone > System updates > Check for update and tap to start.The update takes a few minutes and restarts the phone. This article describes how to check for updates on your Android phone on most recent versions of Android; instructions might vary slightly among manufacturers. How to Turn off Automatic Updates on Android

How to Check for Android Updates

Following these steps will also tell you which version of Android your smartphone is running. Open the Settings app. Samsung devices may display a Software Update notification. If not, tap Settings > Software Update to see if updates are available. Tap System. On some phones, tap About phone, then skip to Step 4. On some Samsung phones, tap System updates, then skip to Step 5. Tap About phone. On some Android Phones, tap Advanced, then select System Update. Tap System updates. The phone may display different phrasing, such as in this LineageOS example. The screen shows if the system is up to date and when the update server was last checked. Select Check for update to check again. If an update is available, tap to start the installation. Leave the phone in a charger during a firmware update so there's less chance of running out of battery power mid-upgrade and potentially breaking the phone. The update takes a few minutes and restarts the phone.

How Android Updates Work

Google periodically pushes upgrades to the firmware on an Android phone by sending the updated information through a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. When the phone is turned on, notification of the available update appears on the screen. These updates are rolled out in waves by device makers and carriers, so updates aren't available to everyone at once. That's because firmware updates must be specifically compatible with the hardware on a phone, unlike apps, which work with a wide variety of devices. Firmware updates require permission, time, and a device restart. Because Android is a fragmented operating system — different device manufacturers and cellular carriers configure it separately — updates roll out at different times to different customers. The first recipients of any new upgrade are Google Pixel users because updates are pushed directly by Google without being reviewed or modified by a carrier. Users who have rooted their phones (that is, modified the device on a basic operating system level) may not be eligible for over-the-air carrier updates and must reflash the phone to update to the newest Android version that is optimized for their device. A firmware upgrade is unrelated to app upgrades pushed through the Google Play Store. App updates do not require vetting by device manufacturers or cellular carriers. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Unlock the Bootloader on Your Android Phone How to Update Your Android OS How to Update iPhone Carrier Settings How to Fix It When Discovery Plus Is Not Working How to Turn Off Android Phone Sensors How to Check if an iPhone Is Unlocked How to Update an iPad How to Set Up a New Android Phone How to Update AirPods Firmware 10 Ways to Speed Up a Phone That's Running Too Slowly How to Fix the Green Line on an Android Phone How to Fix an IPv6 No Network Access Error How to Update Java How to Fix It When Facebook Videos Aren't Playing How to Back Up Your Android Phone to a PC Can a Router Get a Virus? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies