Computer literacy, help and repair

How to update Android - we reflash the smartphone to the latest version. Updating Android: how to update to a new version, rollback? Guide in detail Updating android 4.4 2 to 6.0

Many users try to find on the Internet Android update program phone or tablet, although you don't actually need it. Why do you ask? Because all official updates for your gadget come "over the air" (via connected Wi-Fi), or simply via the Internet. In 99% of cases, as soon as an update of your Android version, you will see a pop-up message that new updates are available for your operating system.

Official Android update

The advantages of this method are that it is the easiest way to get the latest updates on Android over the Internet. Most importantly, everything is official and you can't go wrong with the installation as there is a huge number of Android versions and assemblies. Of the minuses, several can be noted - if there is no Wi-Fi, you will have to pay for GPRS traffic, which is sometimes very expensive and slow.

To get an official update of the operating system, you need to go:

Settings - General - About phone - Software information

Have different versions Android may have a slightly different menu, but the principle remains the same for all devices. Then you can go to the Update Center and check for updates, as well as check the box "Check and download updates automatically"

This method is suitable for all users who have not installed other assemblies on their Android.

Android Update Manager is a program for updating Android

Android Update Manager- it free program which can be downloaded and installed on your computer. With this utility you can flash custom firmware at one's own risk! If you have not previously installed updates to the Android operating system manually do not recommend you use this method.

You would like to update the firmware on your Android smartphone or tablet, but the latest version does not come over the air. Is there any new firmware for your gadget? Where can you find it, and how to update android on your phone or tablet? Let's figure it out together.

It would seem, what could be easier than updating the firmware on Android? Even a person who is completely not versed in operating systems and devices can press the right button, agreeing to the offer with the platform update. But, as it turned out, this seemingly simple process also has a number of nuances that can puzzle many experienced users and professionals. And yet, let's point by point ...

How do Android devices get updates?

Novice users are often worried about how Android updates arrive, and how often they do it. There is no single answer to this question. Specific terms depend on the manufacturer of the device, as well as on the general situation with the correctness of the operating system. It can be stated unambiguously: devices belonging to the model line receive updates as regularly and promptly as possible. Google nexus.

It is simply impossible to update all other gadgets in the same short time - manufacturers always need a certain amount of time to create their own version of the platform based on the latest version of Android. It still takes some time to test the so-called beta version and fix bugs. Only after the final debugging of the software is the update sent "over the air" to smartphones and tablets. Approximate terms - from one month to six months.

Sometimes users are perplexed: the gadget was running, and then an update comes immediately to. Where are all the other versions? Why didn't they come? The answer is simple: having a large model range (sometimes three or more dozen devices are produced at the same time), the manufacturing company simply does not have time to work on each new version for all models. Therefore, updates are developed as far as possible and "rolled out" when ready for a particular smartphone or tablet.

How long will the manufacturer send (develop) Android updates for a specific device? Will he lose interest in him? From this point of view, of course, it is more profitable to purchase popular models. A whole army of users becomes their owners, and it is important for manufacturers to maintain the software of such a device at the proper level as long as possible, so that the owners can always update the Android version and not be disappointed in the brand and remain faithful to it with the next purchase.

How do I know when an Android update is available for my gadget? There are a lot of options here: communication on specialized forums and social networking groups, reading news on resources dedicated to the Android OS. But the surest way is to regularly view the official website of the manufacturer. The new platform image for manually updating Android on your device will definitely appear there first. One way or another, the corresponding notification will definitely come to your device.

How to update Android over the air?

It so happens that some time passes between the announcement of the latest version of the platform and the receipt of updates. Sometimes someone familiar with the same model as yours has already managed to update Android, and you are still waiting for the cherished notification. There is nothing critical in this - the manufacturers simply send the update to the users of their gadgets, gradually reaching the entire audience, and not all at once. It may take from several hours to two to three weeks before receiving the notification, and you will learn about the possibility of updating the system the next time you connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. However, you can periodically go to the "Settings" and check the item " System update"in the About device section (located at the bottom of the settings menu).

If, when checking the "System Update" item, you see the "Download" button, then it's time to install the latest version of the platform.

1. Click the "Download" button and wait for the download to finish;


2. To initiate the installation process of the updated system, click the "Restart and Install" button;
3. Then the device will reboot itself. After rebooting the device, it will work with the updated version of Android.

How can I get Android updates over the air faster?
You can speed up the receipt of OTA updates as follows:
1. Go to "Settings" -> "Applications" -> "All";


2. Open "Google Services Framework";
3. Select the function "Erase data";
4. Check for updates: "Settings" -> "About device" -> "System update".
Sometimes you need to repeat these steps several times, and in some cases it is enough to wait a few minutes and then double-check for updates (they may not appear immediately).

How do I update Android manually?

We have already said that the latest firmware version can be found on the official website of the manufacturer. If you don't want to wait for OTA updates, you can update the Android version manually using the platform mirror provided by the manufacturers of your smartphone or tablet computer. The first thing to do for this is to go to the site and download the ZIP archive with the firmware to your gadget, placing it in the device's memory in any place convenient for you. Then follow the step-by-step instructions below:
1. Turn off the device.
2. Turn it on again using a certain key combination - find it on the Internet for your smartphone or tablet model (even better if you use the instructions "How to enter the Recovery Menu" for your device). The most common keyboard shortcuts are:
Power button / "Volume +";
Power button / "Volume -";
"Volume +/-" + power button + Home;
"Volume +" + "Volume -" + power button.
Navigation through the Recovery menu is carried out using the "Volume +" and "Volume -" keys, selection - by the power / lock button (in case the menu navigation is not touch-sensitive).
3. After entering the Recovery menu, select the "Apply update" item.
4. If the ZIP-archive with the firmware is located on the memory card, then select "Choose from sdcard". If the archive is located in the device's own memory, you need to select "Choose from internal storage".
5. Next, find the folder where you saved the firmware and select it - the update installation process will start automatically.

Upon completion of the update installation process, you will need to return to the main Recovery menu, where select the " Reboot system now"- the gadget will reboot with the latest firmware version.

Now you know how to update Android over the air and manually. If you have any questions, you can ask them in the comments to the article - we will be happy to help.

The Android operating system is very popular today among the owners of various gadgets - phones, tablets and others. That is why manufacturers are trying to follow the process of updating the Android version and implement their support in their models, at least the flagships. Therefore, you need to know how to update Android on your phone yourself.

The developers of any system strive to improve their product. Android is no exception. Updating the system leads to an increase in the performance of the gadget, the elimination of errors and imperfections of previous versions. All this leads to an improvement in smartphone performance in general. Updating Android is often noticeable even visually, when the interface changes and some new configurations appear.

Distinguish between micro and macro updates. Small ones usually weigh no more than 70-100 MB, but macro can weigh an average of 500 MB. To update the Android version, it is desirable to have a connection to Wi-Fi networks or unlimited internet. Although the latter can significantly delay the whole process.
If the auto-update function is enabled in the phone settings, the user will simply be notified at the end that the operating system has been updated. Self-installation is relevant in such cases:

  • there is no auto-update, there is information about new version;
  • in the current version there is no support for existing or new applications on the phone;
  • there was a need to roll back the system.

For example, my LG L90 smartphone has Android 4.4 as its native version. But after the first inclusion, it was immediately updated to the latest version, or rather, to 5.0.2.
We will consider those cases when you need to manually update the software.

Update Methods

Via phone

How to update the Android version with only a phone?

This method, in my opinion, is the simplest. To update with it, you need:

  • select the "General" tab in the phone settings;
  • tap "About phone";
  • select "General" again (I have duos, so it may differ);
  • all version information can be viewed software or immediately go to the "Update Center";
  • here you can update applications that require it, or immediately the system;
  • selecting the second item, we will see that you can check Android for updates, as well as enable / disable the ability to auto-update;
  • after choosing a checkpoint, the phone warns that to carry out this operation, the device must have access to any network except 2G (everything was turned off for me);
  • after connecting to the network, the search for updates is carried out, after which either a message pops up about the relevance of the version, or the update starts.

The main condition for this method is a high level of battery charging so that the update process does not end with a force majeure event. You can even update Android 2.3 to 4.0 in this way.

Manual flashing

Micro and macro updates to Android appear almost every day. Manufacturers do not always have time, or may not strive, to work them out for all models. Sometimes it takes a very long time, and the update may not come at all. How do you ensure that you don't miss out on improvements for your phone?


In such a situation, you can independently change the firmware of your smartphone via Recovery. For this you need:
  • From the official website of the manufacturer of our device, we download the zip archive with the firmware we need (we check the version number and build date before that) and place it on the phone's memory card.
  • Turn off your smartphone and go to Recovery. All phones may have a different login combination. For example, on LG L90 it is “Power + Vol (up or down)”, on Motorola and Lenovo phones it is “Power + Vol up + Vol down”.
  • We select the item "Apply update".
  • Now the item "Choose from sdcard" ("Choose from internal storage" if the archive was saved in internal memory).
  • Go to the desired folder, find the installed firmware file and run it.
  • After the installation process has been completed, you need to return to the main menu and from there restart the device "Reboot system now"

Using a computer

How to update operating system if there is no access to Recovery?

In this case, you need to have a cord for connecting the smartphone to a PC, as well as a driver disk. official program servicing a certain brand of phones. The latter may not be available, but this program can be downloaded.

Let's consider this method using LG phones as an example. For them, you can download the KDZ Updater application. The prerequisites are:

  • download the Android system update (archive KDZ_Update.zip);
  • mobile phone charge level is 50% and higher;
  • LG drivers are installed;
  • availability of a firmware file for a specific model of the KDZ format;
  • the absence of any other program for LG (not counting the driver).

The procedure for updating software for Android through this program is as follows:

  1. Unzip KDZ_Update.zip and transfer it to the system disk of your computer. Move the firmware file there too. Run the msxml.msi file from the archive.
  2. Enable USB debugging on LG through phone settings. In my case, the fifth Android did not immediately provide such an opportunity. This does not mean that there is no way to turn it on. First, in the information about the phone, you need to find the build number and click on it from 5 to 10 times in a row. A notification "You are now a developer" will pop up. Now in the general settings there will be an item "Developer options". There the item "USB Debugging" is located.
  3. Then turn off the device and remove the battery (some models of LG phones need this for flashing).
  4. Press and hold the "Vol down" button, connect the smartphone to the computer. S / W Upgrade should appear. If it is not there, you should repeat everything, but with the battery inserted. Further, the battery must be in the phone in any case.
  5. Go to Device Manager on your computer. Disable LGE Mobile USB Modem.
  6. In KDZ Updater, in the type field from the drop-down list, select 3GQCT, and in phonemode - DIAG.
  7. In the KDZ file field, write the path to the firmware file or simply select it via the open files button.
  8. If everything was done correctly, the user will see that the system is being updated.

You should use the same method and, if necessary, roll back the version to Android to any of the previous ones. Do not forget that the software made by the software will lead to the fact that all files, contacts and SMS stored in the internal memory of the phone may be lost.

Android update not coming over the air? Is it possible to update the device, is there a new official firmware for it and how to install it yourself? You will learn the answers to all these questions from this article.

It seems that updating Android is the simplest action that even a person who does not understand the system can handle. In general, this is true, but there are several important nuances that even many professionals have not heard about.

How do smartphones and tablets get updates?

Users often ask the question: how often do updates come? Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer - it all depends on your manufacturer. Only the gadgets of the Google Nexus line are regularly and timely updated.

All other devices are simply unrealistic to update in such a short time - you need to wait until manufacturers create their firmware based on the new version of Android, test them, and only then will the update begin. Usually this process can take from 1 month to six months.

Often, many versions are simply "skipped", that is, the device does not receive everything in order: for example, not Android 5.0, 5.1, 5.1.1 and 6.0, but only 5.0 and then 6.0. You should understand that each manufacturer has to support up to 30 models at the same time, and purely physically, the developers of the companies cannot have time to roll out new updates for each smartphone or tablet.

How long will your gadget take to update? Only the manufacturer knows the answer to this question. It is impossible to predict this when choosing a new device. It is logical that the more popular the model, the more advantageous it is in terms of updates. It is beneficial for the manufacturer to satisfy a larger number of users so that they, in turn, remain loyal to the brand and buy its products again the next time.

But how do you know about the release of new system updates for your smartphone or tablet before the corresponding notification appears on the device? Just follow thematic sites, forums or groups in in social networks, and also check the manufacturer's official website for new images to manually update the device (this process is described below in this article).

Checking and installing Android updates

After the announcement of the system update, it may not "arrive" to you immediately. This process usually takes 2-3 days to 2 weeks. The fact is that the manufacturer sends out updates gradually, which is why it turns out that your friend with the same smartphone received an update instantly, but it only came to you after some time.

When it’s your machine’s turn, a notification will appear prompting you to update the system upon a new Wi-Fi connection.

Select "System Update".

Click the Check for Updates button.

And if an OTA update is available for the device, the Download button will appear.

System Update will be downloaded to your phone, tablet, after which you will need to click on "Restart and install".

The installation process will begin, after which the device will reboot with the updated system.

How to speed up (force) the receipt of OTA updates

If the owners of your device have already been updated for a long time, and the update still comes to you, you can resort to a method that very few people know about.

Go to Settings → Applications → All tab. Open "Google Services Framework". Select the "Erase Data" option.

After that, check again for updates according to the instructions above, and most likely you will be pleasantly surprised. Sometimes it doesn't work the first time, and sometimes it takes a few minutes before the OTA update appears.

How to update Android manually

In order not to wait for an update over the air (and it so happens that it does not come at all), I recommend installing the official firmware manually via Recovery.

First, the ZIP archive with this very firmware must be downloaded from the manufacturer's official website to a smartphone, tablet and placed in any convenient place in the memory. After that, go to the Recovery menu and follow the instructions.

1. To enter the Recovery Menu, first turn off the device.

2. Then turn on, but simultaneously hold down the specified keyboard shortcuts. Depending on the manufacturer, this combination is different, but the most common are (in general, it is better to find information on the Internet on how to enter Recovery on your model):

  • Volume up + power button
  • Volume down + power button
  • Volume up / down + power button + "Home"
  • Volume up + volume down + power button

Navigation through Recovery (if it is not touch-sensitive) is carried out using the volume keys, and the selection with the Power / Lock button.

The option names may vary slightly, but I'm sure you can figure it out.

3. Select "Apply update".

4. Then select "Choose from internal storage" if you saved the archive with the firmware in the internal memory or "Choose from sdcard" if on a memory card.

5. After that, go to the desired folder where you saved the firmware and select it.

The update installation process will begin.

When finished, return to the main Recovery menu and select "Reboot system now". Your device will reboot with the updated firmware already.

This is how I told you everything there is to know about updating Android. If you are interested in any questions on this topic, ask them in the comments.


Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) is one of the latest versions of the popular operating system, the appearance of which could not fail to please the owners of mobile gadgets. While creating it, the developer tried to make it intuitive by introducing a number of things that users need. This is the presence of several working screens, the ability to resize widgets, communicate and exchange information, as well as a large set of additional functions. But its main advantage is multitasking.
Workers Android screens 4.0 allow you to move not only shortcuts, folders and icons, but also interactive widgets that provide access to the necessary information directly from the home screen. There is also a new screen lock system and the ability to quickly answer incoming calls. The management of notifications, tasks and applications has also become easier. Now you can dismiss them with one swipe of your finger across the device screen. We touched on the improvement and typing. The so-called "soft" keyboard allows you to quickly type text while checking the spelling of each word. A powerful voice input system also appeared in the arsenal of owners of android devices. Another interesting feature of Ice Cream Sandwich is the availability of functions that make smartphones accessible to people with vision problems. One of them is the "explore-by-touch" mode, which allows you to control the gadget without looking at the screen.

Of course, all this arsenal cannot fail to interest users and those who would like to have android 4.0 games in their arsenal, and even push them to the question of how to update Android 2.3.6 to 4.0 on a tablet?

Answering it, it is worth noting that you cannot update Android 2.3.6 to 4.0 right away! The difference between technical capabilities is too big mobile devices on which they are installed. But if you nevertheless decide to install the Android 4.0 update on your tablet or smartphone, it is worth remembering that this may adversely affect its operation and lead to the loss of information stored in it. That is why, before installing updates, do not forget to save it to an SD card or external media.

How to update Android to 4.0 on your phone.

In order to update the operating system, you must:
1. Connect to the Internet, go to the settings and find the section with system information.
2. Select the "Automatic Updates" function. Then the OS will do everything on its own.
3. If the auto-update function is not available, the updates will have to be done manually. To do this, click on "Update", the system itself will scan the information of the official server and update.
4. The OS can be updated via a computer.
5. If, for some reason, the update functions do not work, you can download the Android 4.0 firmware on the developer's website.

If the official method fails to install updates, you can try to do it "illegally". For example, for Samsung Galaxy wonder(GT-I8150) it looks like this:
1. Translate the device into English and disable geolocation.
2. Translate PC standards into English, and its location in the United States.
3. Install Samsung kies and VPN Gate. In the second application, connect to a virtual server in the United States.
4. Then launch VPN Gate and connect the phone to the PC via USB.
5. If an update is found, Samsung Kies will prompt you to install it. If this does not happen, then you will have to manually reflash the device.

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