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How to Update Your Android OS

Getting the latest Android update can be a simple task or a tedious one

By Molly McLaughlin Molly McLaughlin Senior Editor & Content Strategist Molly K. McLaughlin has been a technology editor and writer for over a dozen years. She runs product reviews for Lifewire, overseeing the process from hands-on testing to publishing. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 13, 2020 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

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Expand Jump to a Section Updating Android Find Out Which Version You Have Other Android Devices When Will You Get the Latest Version? Rooting Your Phone In general, Android updates will come courtesy of your carrier. How you access OS updates will vary, but you should prepare your phone or tablet in a few ways before you start downloading. The newer your phone is, the sooner you'll receive OS updates; Google's Pixel smartphones gets them first. Those with phones running on older OS versions will have to jump through a few hoops first or might not be able to update at all. Here's how you can find out which version of the Android OS you're running, get OS updates, and what to do if you don't want to wait for your carrier to issue the OS update. The directions below should generally apply no matter who made your Android phone: Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, etc. Each handset may have slightly different names for things, however.

Updating Your Android OS

On a Pixel smartphone, you'll get OS updates within days of their release. You'll receive a notification with a prompt to download the update. On most Android smartphones, you can check for system updates in Settings; if one is available, you'll see information on what the update is with a download prompt. Whether you got a notification or went into Settings, you can download and install the update right away or schedule it for later. Just follow the on-screen prompts. Before you proceed, there are a few things should you do: Back up your Android phone Make sure your battery is at least at 50 percent Plug the phone into a power source Make sure you have enough space on your phone Connect to Wi-Fi unless you have an unlimited data plan. Google outlines how much space you need to download an update. If you don't have enough, you can offload some of your apps, pictures, and other files to make room using Android's file manager. How to Move Apps to an SD Card for Your Android Devices

Find Out Which Version of Android You Have

If no update is available, you should check which version of Android you have, which will help you figure out if and when you're eligible for an update. On most smartphones, you'll find this under About phone in Settings.

Finding Your OS Version on a Pixel

Depending on the brand of Android phone you have, the process is a bit different. Here's how to find your OS version on a Pixel phone. The interface will vary depending on the Android version you have. Open Settings Scroll down and tap System > About phone. Towards the bottom of the screen, you'll see your Android version.

Finding Your OS Version on a Samsung Galaxy Phone

On Samsung Galaxy phones, the process is similar, though again, the interface might vary. Open Settings. Tap About Phone > Software Information. You'll see both your Android version and One UI version (Samsung's custom skin).

Updating Other Android Devices

If you have a phone that's not from Google or Samsung, the process will be similar; check for your specific device's instructions from the manufacturer or carrier. The "About phone" section of settings contains your phone's model number, which can also help you figure out how to update your device (and if you can). Your carrier should also have information about whether you'll receive an OS update. How to Update to Android 12 on Samsung

When Will You Get the Latest Android Version

When the latest Android version is available, you'll receive a notification on an eligible phone; you can check for system updates by going into Settings. If you own a Pixel, you probably already know that your device receives updates as soon as one is available. In this case, you will be alerted to updates within the first few days of an OS release. Otherwise, if you own a newer non-Pixel phone, you'll be first in line when your wireless carrier starts rolling out OS updates. The older your hardware, the longer you'll have to wait. And if it's old enough, you might not receive updates at all. The same applies if you have a lower-end device; again, check with your manufacturer and carrier to determine their policy.

Get an Android Update by Rooting Your Phone

If you want the latest OS as soon as it's available, you can still choose to root your phone, enabling you to access updates when you want them. That's just one of the many benefits of rooting your Android device. You'll also be able to access features not yet available to unrooted Android smartphones and tablets. How to Update an Android Tablet 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 The Official Android Versions Guide: Everything You Need to Know How to Root Your Android Phone Android 13: News, Release Date, and Features How to Block Cell Phone Numbers On Android or iPhone (iOS) How to Unlock the Bootloader on Your Android Phone How to Turn Off Android Phone Sensors How to Update iPhone Carrier Settings 10 Ways to Speed Up a Phone That's Running Too Slowly The 19 Best Xposed Framework Modules How to Update Instagram How to Install Magisk and Safely Root Your Android How to Get iPhone Emojis for Your Android How to Update Java How to Check for Updates on Your Android Phone Remotely Reset Android Lock Screen Password and PIN How to Back Up Your Android Phone to a PC 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