To update Android to the latest version available you have several options: directly from your smartphone or via computer
Android Nougat is no longer new. The new Google operating system is already available on several smartphones. Are you curious to know if it is possible to update yours as well, and if so, how to do it? Let’s see how to update Android to the latest version.
Upgrading Android is quite fast and simple. However, in order to pull it off, we have to hope that we have updates available on our smartphone model. The latest versions in the Android system do not arrive at the same time on all manufacturers. From the moment Google releases the update of the operating system, weeks and even months can pass before a manufacturer, for example Huawei, Samsung or LG, make it available on all their phones. Sometimes manufacturers, especially in the entry-level range, don’t release available updates. Luckily though, we can do it manually. Let’s see how.
Update Android via OTA
The OTA system, or Over the Air, is the easiest way to update Android. In this way we won’t even need to connect the phone to a PC but just use an Internet connection. Obviously let’s do it with a stable Wi-Fi connection to avoid complications in the process. To get started we have to go to System Settings. We check for available updates and if the latest version of the operating system is present we accept to download it. At this point we have to wait a few minutes while the smartphone will automatically download the update. Remember that at this stage we do not have to do anything with the phone. And we don’t even have to worry about files, photos and apps, everything will stay where it was. Although it is always advisable to make a backup before performing the update. After the process is finished the smartphone will reboot, don’t worry if it takes a few seconds longer than usual, it’s normal. The problem is that, excluding Android smartphones, other phones depend on the OTA update based on the manufacturer’s choices. If we read on the website of the manufacturer of our smartphone, or in some forum, that soon will be released the update to the latest version Android every now and then we can monitor the availability. Doing so is simple, just go to Settings, then click on the heading Phone Info and then select System Updates. On this page if we see the words “device software is updated” it means that there are no updates available yet. Once the Android updates are done if we don’t like the latest version there is no problem, we can always uninstall it and go back to the previous one.
Update Android via computer
On some Android smartphones you can also update the mobile operating system to the latest version using your PC. This possibility depends on the manufacturers. The process is quite simple: just connect your phone to the PC via USB cable and accept the Android update. At this point we just have to wait, since the entire process will be handled automatically by the device. Also in this case we won’t lose any important document and every application will remain installed, but it is always advisable to make a backup of data.
Update Android with a custom ROM
This technique is the one that requires more specific knowledge and is not recommended for those who have no mastery with some aspects related to the world of smartphones. In this way, in fact, we’re going to get around constraints of updating Android to the latest version imposed by the various manufacturers. It is the last resort if the manufacturer has announced that it will not support updates of the mobile operating system. To do so, we’ll have to use a root procedure that will allow us to totally customize the phone. With this system we’ll be able to download the latest Android version from the Internet and then install it manually on our smartphone. To start we must unlock the bootloader. For those who do not know it is a program that, whenever we turn on a device, comes into action and activates the operating system. At this point we must install a custom recovery. That is, a software that allows us to perform actions that usually could not be done at startup. The last step is to install on the smartphone a custom ROM that allows us to install the latest Android version. If we were experts we could also increase the speed and memory of the phone. The main disadvantage of this operation? The warranty will no longer be valid. The risk, if we get some steps wrong, is to brick the phone. That is to say, make it an unusable brick. In short, this is a solution recommended only to experts.