Periodically, every device running the Android OS needs to be updated. current version operating system. Of course, even without this, the gadget will remain in working condition, but nevertheless, some problems may arise with the old version. Therefore, today we will talk about how to update Android.

Often, launching for sale new model, some problems software remain outside the field of view of the manufacturer. A conscientious developer always tries to eliminate the shortcomings of previously released versions identified in the process of using the gadget, and in addition, add new features that are more user-friendly.

There are also third-party developers who do not work for a particular company that produces mobile devices, but release their own, unofficial software (custom firmware) for many models of devices, which can even be best quality, how android versions directly from the manufacturer.

In addition, devices from little-known manufacturers (usually Chinese) purchased outside the Russian Federation and not having normal localization also need a firmware update.

How to update the version (firmware) of Android

Standard procedure

Official updates from the manufacturer are released quite regularly. As a rule, this applies to popular models of gadgets or devices manufactured by well-known companies.

Such updates are absolutely free, do not require special knowledge from the user, and usually occur automatically. An Internet connection is required to check the firmware and update it.

Go to the main settings, in the section " System", at the very bottom we find the item" About phone" (may be " About device"), then open the position" System update" (may be " Update ON", on some models you will need to press the " Check now«):

The display will show “ System check“, after which a message will appear about the availability of the latest version or about its use, which means the system has been updated automatically. If this does not happen, then before flashing to a new version of Android, we will find out information about the firmware installed on a particular device. To do this, we return to the "About phone" section and at the very bottom we find the necessary information:

Knowing the current firmware version is necessary to obtain information about the availability of more fresh versions software for specific model smartphone / tablet and the possibility of their installation.

Note: if you are using a gadget whose software does not support the Russian language, then you need to find the items " About tablet" or " About phone” and already there to look for the necessary information.

Using third-party programs (ROM Manager)

Sometimes loading official update through i-no it can be impossible, and even custom firmware can’t be installed in this way at all. In this case, one of the best applications used for this purpose, .

With this program, you can easily create system backups and (in our case) manually update the current version of Android, including on Chinese smartphones.

For correct work with the program, it is necessary if your device is not rooted.

After launch, the program will ask you to install ClockWorkMod Recovery (CWM), this is a more advanced mod of the standard Android Recovery OS. We agree, and then we do the following:

Upload to SD card of his apparatus desired firmware(zip-archive format), which can be found on the official website of the developer of our device, run the utility ROM Manager, then select " Install ROM from SD card". Using the folder navigation, we indicate the path to the archive on our es-di map. Now let's activate the button Save Current ROM" (this is done to be able to roll back to the old version if you do not like the new firmware) and select the position "":

We agree with the reboot and the program will start the process of rebooting the smartphone in the mode CWM and installing new firmware.

Also, the ROM Manager application will help in finding the firmware for a specific device, for this, in the program menu, select the item " Download firmware”, and it may well be that there is something more suitable for you.

Learn more about app features ROM Manager we watch the video:

Via ClockWorkMod Recovery

It is possible that updating Android using the ROM Manager utility did not work, especially this situation is possible on smartphones from Chinese or little-known manufacturers. In this case, you can use the CWM menu.

ClockworkMod Recovery (or CWM Recovery) is an analogue of the standard recovery with advanced features. This utility will not only help full reset device or install patches for games, but also make the firmware of a mobile gadget.

CWM supports most devices on Android based. In fact, every second modern smartphone(or tablet) Android is equipped with Modrecovery CWM. But if your device has only stock (standard) recovery, then install CWM Recovery using the ROM Manager application (see above).

After entering the ClockWorkMod Recovery menu, navigate using the volume key, first select " wipe data/factory reset" (to reset all settings to factory settings), then " wipe cache" (to clear the cache). Now find the line install zip from sd card» and confirm the action with the hardware button « Home” or the power button of the device (it plays the role of the button “ Yes»):

Note: for some models of devices, menu operation can be controlled using a sensor.

Further, hitting the point " choose zip from sd card”, specifying the path to new firmware in the ZIP archive that was saved on the es-di card, confirm the choice by clicking " Yes - Install /sdcard/update.zip»:

After the steps have been taken, the process of flashing our android devices will be launched. Upon completion, select " reboot system now" to reboot the device and wait for the device to load, which can take a rather long period of time.

Important ! Before updating the Android version (firmware), you need to fully charge the device, because the whole process will take about half an hour. During the firmware, the smartphone will need a lot of energy to correctly complete the task. In addition, the backlight of the display during the update procedure will be at maximum brightness, and the update process interrupted due to lack of power can lead to disastrous consequences.

Therefore, before you start updating your device, assess the degree of risk and try to approach the issue of how to update the Android version responsibly. Good luck!

Android is the operating system that has revolutionized mobile technologies. More and more gadgets are produced on this platform every day due to its flexibility, and mainly because it is open source software. source code. Developers are constantly coming up with new ideas to make Android even better, but there are users who still operate devices with older versions. Because of this, they cannot use some of the new applications and modern features.

What to do with the old version?

Many in this regard will ask the question: "How to update Android, if possible?" Answer: yes, it is real, and quite easy to go from old version to the very last one.

Even though the Android OS is already widespread in the 4.0.5 distribution, many people still use version 2.3. Even developers various applications today they are making changes to their products that entered the market earlier to make them compatible with new releases of the platform. If you update Android 23 to new version, it will improve your device in many ways, adding multitasking and functionality, and most importantly - making it compatible with new applications offered in Google Play store.

So let's see how you can update Android 2.3 to 4.0 or even newer releases using OS settings (OS Updater). Follow the instructions below to properly perform this operation.

Before updating "Android", be sure to make all the data saved in your smartphone. This is necessary in case you make a mistake and delete all the contents of the memory. Otherwise, all data will be lost forever.

So, how to 40 and above?

First you have to download OS Updater for Android. Then save it and run. Connect your device to your computer and click "Find Android device” in the menu of the program you just installed.

After the device is found, go to the next step and click on the "Find Similar OS Platform Ver" button to find updates. Then click the "Upgrade to 4.0" button and start the download process. Speaking of how to update Android, you can install version 4.0.3, and even 4.0.5 in your device in a similar way.

Then reboot your smartphone or tablet - and you will have the latest distribution. As you can see, this process is very simple. This instruction works with all kinds of devices.

Is an update to version 4.3 available?

In addition, the Android-4.3 Jelly Bean OS has already been released, presented in new Nexus devices. However, other gadgets will take time to be upgraded to this version. Speaking about how to update Android to version 4.3, it should be noted that standard procedure may not be effective (for the above reason). However, if you don't want to wait for the official release of this version, you can update directly from the Google servers and try to download them using the Sideload command. In other words, it's better to wait a while and then enjoy the new features of your favorite platform to the fullest. Moreover, all new items become available to the general public rather quickly. As the representatives of the company promise, in the near future it is planned to release about a dozen devices on the new version of the platform.

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 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 to this. Updating the system leads to an increase in the performance of the gadget, the elimination of errors and shortcomings of previous versions. All this leads to an improvement in the performance of the smartphone in general. An Android update is often noticeable even visually when the interface changes and some new configurations appear.

There are micro and macro updates. Small ones often weigh no more than 70-100 MB, but macros can weigh an average of 500 MB. To update the version of Android, it is desirable to be connected to a Wi-Fi network, or unlimited Internet. Although the latter can significantly delay the entire 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 relevant in such cases:

• there is no auto-update, information about the new version has appeared;
• 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 smartphone LG L90 has Android 4.4 as native. 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 update the software manually.

Update methods

Via phone

How to update the version of Android, having only a phone?

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

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

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

Flashing manually

Micro and macro Android updates appear almost every day. Manufacturers do not always have time, or maybe they do 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 to make sure you don't miss out on improvements for your phone?

In such a situation, you can independently change the firmware of your smartphone through Recovery. For this you need:

• From the official website of the manufacturer of your device, 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. For all phones, the login combination may be different. For example, on LG L90 it is "Power + Vol (up or down)", on Motorola phones and Lenovo - "Power + Vol up + Vol down".
• Select the item "Apply update".
• Now the item "Choose from sdcard" ("Choose from internal storage" in case the archive was saved in internal memory).
• Let's move on to desired folder, we find installed file with the firmware and run it.
• After the installation process has been completed, you need to return to the main menu and from there reboot 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 cable to connect your smartphone to a PC, as well as a driver disk official program maintenance of a certain brand of phones. The latter may be missing, but this program can be downloaded.

Consider this method using the example of LG phones. You can download the app for them. KDZ Updater. The necessary conditions are:

• download Android system update (archive KDZ_Update.zip);
• the level of charge of the mobile phone is 50% or higher;
• LG drivers are installed;
• the presence 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 to system disk computer. Move the firmware file there as well. Run the msxml.msi file from the archive.
2. Turn on 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 it cannot be enabled. First, in the information about the phone, you need to find the assembly number and click on it from 5 to 10 times in a row. The notification "You are now a developer" will pop up. Now in general settings"Developer options" will appear. There is the item "Debugging USB".
3. Then turn off the device and remove the battery (some models of LG phones need this for flashing).
4. Hold down 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 of the cases.
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 through the file open 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 on Android to any of the previous ones. Do not forget that the made app software will lead to the fact that all files, contacts and SMS stored in the internal memory of the phone may be lost.

Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) is one of the latest versions popular operating system, the appearance of which could not but please the owners of mobile gadgets. Creating it, the developer tried to make it intuitive by introducing whole line 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 features. 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 necessary information right from your desktop. appeared in it and new system screen lock, and the ability to quickly answer incoming calls. It has also become easier to manage notifications, tasks and applications. Now you can dismiss them with a single swipe of your finger across the device screen. We touched on improvement and typing. The so-called "soft" keyboard allows you to quickly type text, while checking the spelling of each word. Appeared in the arsenal of android device owners and a powerful system voice input. Another interesting feature of Ice Cream Sandwich was the availability of features that make smartphones accessible to people with visual impairments. 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 but interest users and those who would like to have Android 4.0 in their arsenal of games, and even push them to the question of how to upgrade Android 2.3.6 to 4.0 on a tablet?

Answering it, it is worth noting that you cannot immediately update Android 2.3.6 to 4.0! Too much difference between technical capabilities mobile devices on which they are installed. But if you still decide to install android update 4.0 on a tablet or smartphone, it is worth remembering that this can 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 function " Automatic updates". Then the OS will do everything on its own.
3. If the auto-update function is not available, you will have to do the updates manually. To do this, click on "Update", the system will scan the information itself official server and update.
4. OS can be upgraded via computer.
5. If for some reason the update functions do not work, you can download Android 4.0 firmware from the developer's website.

If the official way to install updates fails, 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 USA.
3. Install Samsung Kies and VPN Gate. In the second application, connect to virtual server in the USA.
4. After launch VPN Gate and connect your phone to PC via USB.
5. In case of discovery Samsung updates Kies will prompt you to install it. If this does not happen, then you will have to reflash the device manually.

Updating the Android operating system is not only recommended, but also a necessary process for stable operation smartphone. For the owner of the phone, this is primarily an increase in the performance of the device, the emergence of new features, and not just the correction of errors by the manufacturer. Therefore, every user should know how to update Android on a phone.

The process of changing the current version of Android on a device requires the user's attention and the fulfillment of several conditions.

Before proceeding to change the operating system, you need to make sure of the following:

• that the phone is charged (recommended battery level should be at least 50%);
• what wifi network reliable and stable (important only when a computer is not used when downloading the software);
• that the USB cable connecting the phone to the computer is working.

During an update to Android 9.0, 8.0, 7.0, 6.0 or earlier, it is forbidden to remove the battery or turn off the smartphone.

Interrupting the update process for one of these reasons can lead to irreparable consequences (you cannot do without the help of service center specialists).

There are two main ways to change Android yourself:

1. Launching the update on the smartphone itself.
2. Changing the software modification using a computer.

How to install a new Android without connecting to a computer

The easiest option to change the OS version is to run the process on the smartphone itself.

Usually, the system notifies you about the availability of a new version (a notification appears at the top of the gadget screen):

Note: the algorithm for updating to a new versionAndroid always the same: no matter if the operating system is updated to 5.0, 7.0 or 9.0.

Depending on the phone model and the current firmware modification, the text and design of the notification on the screen may differ.

After receiving the notification, click "download", and wait until the software is downloaded to the device.

When Android is downloaded, a message will appear in the notification bar and the user will be prompted to install or postpone the process.

Important: before clicking "install now", it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the information provided above, where developers warn about possible loss personal data, and the need to make a backup.

The system does not always notify the user about the availability of a new version of Android. The reason may be the lack of an Internet connection or refusal to receive notifications (can be set in the “Software Update” section).

In this case, you can download the new Android manually. To do this, follow these steps:

How to update Android OS using a computer

You can change the Android operating system using the application from the manufacturer.

The main purpose of such programs is to create backup data, transfer photos and videos to a computer and vice versa.

Among such applications, one can single out Samsung kies or Smart switch for Samsung smartphones and Xperia Companion for Sony phones.

Before you change android 4.4.2, you need to activate a special setting intended for developers - "USB Debugging". In more later versions OS, this setting is hidden, and to activate it, you need to do the following:

How to download new Android using Xperia Companion

To download firmware to a smartphone using Xperia software Companion needed:

Note: back to previous version OS is not possible, about which the user will receive a notification before installation.

How to update using Smart Switch

For installation new Android on tablets and Samsung smartphones are used smart apps Switch and Samsung Kies.

To update to 7.0, 8.0 or 9.0 using Smart Switch, you need to:

Note: If you don't see a notification on the screen that you can download the new versionAndroid- this means that the latest updates are installed on the device.

How to Update Android with Samsung Kies

To update, for example, android 4.2.2, using Samsung Kies, you need to do the following:

The new firmware may not meet the user's expectations (changing appearance menus, new ones appear and old applications are deleted, etc.). Therefore, it is important to read during installation what changes will occur and whether it is worth updating.