How to update your phones and tablets to the latest version of Android

This is the route to update your android device directly from the system: Settings > System > About device > Software update. This way, you can force its update even if the manufacturer in question has not yet released the latest version of this OS officially. And it is that apart from this route, we can find other perfectly legal and effective ways with which to be able to update to the latest version of Android all kinds of terminals like mobiles and tablets, mostly.

Therefore, you will have to choose between performing the update using the official method, or instead forcing the update of Android phones and tablets, available through the internal configuration of your device. Although you should also keep in mind that you will not always have this option available, since there are not always new android versions to download and update our phone with, or it is possible that the update is simply not yet compatible with your smartphone model. But don't worry, because we will guide you through this entire process so that you can get the latest version. Update your Android mobile or tablet correctly, and thus avoid any typical installation or compatibility errors and various headaches.

What is the purpose of updating Android?, and why is it so important? Many of you will have asked yourselves this question at some point in your lives, since it is becoming more and more common for our phone to request periodic permissions to carry out this process. Well, it is something quite important, since at update a smartphone or tablet What we will get will be Install the latest version of your operating system, and this brings with it a large number of benefits for your terminal.

To know all these advantages, you must Get to know Android Oreo in depth, the latest version of this operating system (equivalent to 8.0), with a very interesting series of extras, additions and improvements that it offers. Here you have Everything you need to know about Android Oreo, although you can also scroll to the end of the article, where we will list the new features that this new Android 8.0 update has incorporated.

Learn how to update your Android mobile and tablet step by step

First, check your current software version

Check the version of your terminal This is vital to begin the entire update process, otherwise we won't know where we started from. To see the current Android version of your phone, go to the "Settings" menu, and then click on "Software information". This is when you'll see a screen like this, with fairly clear information about the software on your device, such as what version of the Android OS you have, among others.

Be careful! If by any chance your mobile phone or tablet runs Android Jelly Bean, you should keep in mind that the manufacturer has stopped updating its devices, so it is unlikely that you will be able to update your Android smartphone or tablet.

If after checking the Android version you see that it is completely out of date, we will have to proceed with the next step to update to Android 8.0 Oreo: make a backup of all your data.

Make a backup, important before starting the OS update.

Although in principle this procedure should not affect the files you save on your device (such as music, pictures,, documents, private conversations, etc.) It is always good to be cautious and make a backup to ensure that, if any mishap occurs, we can always recover the lost data.

Now there is nothing that prevents us from continuing with the process so that you learn to How to update Android to the latest versionThere are many ways to do it, but obviously the most advisable is always do it through official channelsAside from the security provided by its official status, it is also worth noting that it is a much faster, more efficient and, above all, simpler process to carry out.

Remember to be connected to a WiFi network before performing any type of Android, mobile or tablet update, since a stable and free connection is necessary to allow you, among other things, to complete the operation without complications and without using a large amount of data in the process.

Update Android officially and via OTA (wireless method)

It is called as OTA or FOTA (failing that) refers to any software update that is done wirelessly, and that evidently with the type of current networks and connections, is one of the most common ways in which this process is carried out. It can also help to know how to get free internet.

The procedure is very simple, since we only have to download the firmware from the device itself, without having to connect the smartphone or tablet to the PC, a somewhat more cumbersome method (and which we also show you further down in this same post) that uses the computer as an intermediary for downloading and installing these files on our terminal).

There are two ways to carry out the OTA method. One is much simpler, but it depends on the the manufacturer has already released the aforementioned update. Otherwise, we will have to do everything manually, which implies rooting the mobile. However, let's go step by step. We will first enter the following route: Settings -> Phone Information -> System Updates to check it, and if it has actually already been officially launched, we will only have to accept certain conditions of use and we will be able to download the update and start installing the new firmware.

If this is not the case, we will have to do it manually. It is a bit more difficult and will take longer to be able to do it, but we will try to explain everything step by step and simplify it as much as possible so that it does not become tedious.

How to update your Android mobile or tablet manually

Downloading the latest version of Android on your devices can be different depending on the model of smartphone or tablet you have. Although it usually doesn't differ much, so by following this guide you will most likely achieve this goal in the same way.

1. First of all, you should start by Root the mobile.
2. A posteriori, it will be necessary to Install a modified recovery (a tool that will allow you to modify any part of the system, and that will allow you to install versions of this operating system that are not official).
3. It is also necessary install ROM for unofficial Android versions (as is the case).

If you have no idea how to do all this, don't worry, since we were just giving you the guidelines to follow in the tutorial. Next comes the explanation where we will show you how to carry out each and every one of the steps.

1. We download ROM Installer from Google Play (if you press here It will take you directly to the application). Install and run it, click on skip to skip all the information that appears at the beginning explaining everything you can do with the app.

Now that you are inside, you will be able to see a series of options such as: make a backup or install a flash recovery apart from the main one: install a ROM.

2. As we have already said, it is advisable to make a Backup, being able to take advantage of the tool that the app provides you, although It's better if you do it manually.

3. Afterwards, you will need to select the flash recovery you think is appropriate. After downloading it, its installation will automatically start as well. As you can see, everything is very simple and intuitive.

4. Now you will have your device fully prepared to install the ROM, and that is precisely what we are going to do. We only need to click on ROM Installer, and select the option that suits us again. We recommend the C-ROM option, although this depends on each person.

Your device will reboot and after turning on the update will be available. Remember to install the apps you need again, as well as the Android store itself.

Once this explanation is finished, we move on to other variants and software update methods.

Other methods to update Android to its latest version (Oreo)

There are a wide variety of ways to install the Oreo version on mobile phones and tablets other than the official ones or the one shown above. We show you how below:

Use apps to update Android

First of all, we will show you a little trick to force the new update to appear. To do this, we must access Settings -> Applications -> Google Services Frameworks. There we will proceed to force its stop, but not before deleting all the (important) data from said app. We restart the terminal and you will see a notification appear asking you to access your location information, which we must accept and automatically we will see another notification appear on the screen with the update to Android Oreo.

This trick for updating Android is also useful for new upcoming versions, so it is worth keeping it in mind. The only requirement for it to work is that this firmware has already been released in your country.

Kingroot, another way to update to the latest version of Android.

We have already mentioned the importance of rooting your mobile to update Android. Well, the Kingroot app will help you in this process, making things much easier for you, since it is very easy to use. After downloading and running it, We will see how a security suite will be installed in the form of additional software whose function will be to allow us to execute processes in the background, especially performing various analyses and diagnostics.

The only problem with this app is its main language: being in Chinese is not the most comfortable, but it is not a problem since we only have to press a button for the tool to grant us superuser permissions, and thus we can easily enter a "root" state on our smartphone or tablet.

Kingroot is available for virtually all mobile models and Android versions, so you won't have any compatibility issues. Just in case, and if you still have doubts about it, below We leave you an explanatory video where you can see how to download Kingroot and install it step by step. And, in case you were wondering: yes, there is also a way to get superuser powers. Although as we have already said, it is simply a matter of pressing a button.

If you have any questions about how to install Kingroot on your mobile phone, leave them in the comments and we will answer them as soon as possible.

How to update Android from a computer

This is another method with which you can install the new version of Android through the PC. You will need that Install the Android SDK (Software Development Kit) on your computer, as well as the drivers corresponding to the device and model in question. Now you can update your Android with the help of a PC.

The first thing you need to do to carry out this process is to download the firmware version you want to install (in this case, Android 8.0 also called Oreo), and save the ZIP file inside the previously installed Android SDK. More specifically, inside the Platform-tools folder.

Next, connect the Android device you want to update so that your PC recognizes it and turn it off.

Turn it on, but this time by pressing the volume up and down buttons together with the power button so that start the terminal in bootloader mode.

Afterwards, you will have to enter recovery mode by selecting that option. You can do this using the volume buttons, as they are the controls for that mode. Likewise, the power button will be the one you can use to select it, acting as the "OK" button. After having done so, wait for the exclamation mark to appear on the screen and press the combination of the three buttons mentioned above again, and then select the option again with the power button. Apply update from adb.

Now it's time to work with the computer. Go to «Start», «Run» and type the following command: cmdA command prompt will open, where you must type the following: “adb sideload” + the name of the downloaded file containing the updated Android version. Press enter to send it, Disconnect the device from the PC and you can start it normally.If you have followed these steps to the letter, after turning it on you will be able to enjoy the new version of Android 8.0 on your device.

Perform the update process from an SD card

It is also possible to perform this "update" via SD or microSD card, although this obviously implies that the method is not possible for any device that does not have this type of slot available. Even so, this is a fairly small group, so The vast majority will be able to update Android using an SD card. Pay special attention to the explanation, as it is a somewhat complicated process. Luckily, we will show you all the steps to follow so that you do not have any problems installing the new version of Android from a microSD.

And from the Android Oreo version, we move on to talk about the Kit Kat (Android 4.4), since it is necessary to explain the big change that was implemented in terms of the behavior of SD cards of our mobile devices, and how they impact our phones.

The main problem was that any app or tool that had access to the memory card could also modify and/or overwrite any important elements within it, such as the files within the DCIM folder, which turned it into an access point that promoted the vulnerability of the phone or tablet, making it very easy to steal private information such as images or videos. It is for this reason that since then, and despite the fact that It is still possible to install apps on the SD memoryIf they need to save information and/or have access to it, it will all go to a specific folder within the terminal's internal storage.

This security enhancement that Android KitKat 4.4 brought to SD cards also complicated the firmware update process from the card, although this does not mean that it is impossible: it can still be updated.

To install the new version of Android from your SD card You will need to first download PhoenixCard, the memory card itself and the Android ISO image (or also called Android image file).

We will start by explaining what PhoenixCard is and how to install it.

This tool is what will allow us to run the updated firmware on the memory card, so without it we will not be able to start the update process. Its function is to make these devices a bootable unit allowing ISO recording on them. This way, you can later connect them to the device you want to update and boot directly from them to start the process that will lead to the firmware update.

You can download PhoenixCard to update Android from an SD card.

The image file: The Android 8.0 ISO image is the container for each and every one of the files that make up the update, and the main way to make them effective on your tablet or smartphone. Download it here:

And finally, SD memory cardAny of them will do, you just have to meet one requirement: it must have at least 1GB of storage, otherwise you won't be able to burn the ISO image to it and turn it into a bootable drive with which to update Android to its latest version.

Complete guide, how to reinstall Android step by step.

 

1. First, we proceed to download from our computer PhoenixCard software. Remember to unzip the file.
2. Download the ISO file from the link we have provided you earlier, and connect the SD card to the PC.
3. Run the PhoenixCard tool via the PhoenixCard.exe file inside its folder.
4. Next, a menu will open where you must select the drive where you have connected the memory card, and load the Android image file into it.
5. Burn the ISO image to the SD card (at least 1GB in size). Make sure it is in read mode before recording.
6. Remove the card from your computer and connect it to your tablet or phone to start the Android installation updated on said device.
7. Disconnect the card again and enjoy your terminal updated to 100%, since the process will have finished successfully.

These are the most common ways to install the latest version of Android on our devices. However, and despite the fact that we have explained them step by step, these are general processes that obviously do not work for all models and brands of mobile phones equally. It is time for us to show you how to update Android phones and tablets according to their brands.

How to update Android on Samsung brand devices

As with the rest of the brands, you will always have the official option available (OTA update), which you will find well explained in the initial part of this same post. Likewise, you can also update Samsung mobiles from KingRoot, SD card and other apps already mentioned.

Where things start to change is in the last method of updating Samsung from the PC, as you will need a specific type of software to carry out this procedure. Specifically, you will need to download the Kies programs (from here you can do it) and the Samsung Smart Switch (download here).

Both are necessary to carry out Installing the new Android version on Samsung devices.

Update Sony brand mobile phones and tablets to the latest Android version with these methods

Update Android on Sony It is quite similar in most cases for the user, being able to opt for official forms, or update via KingRoot, SD card, etc. Nothing we haven't already offered you.

You can also update Sony tablets and mobile phones from your PC by following the general guidelines outlined above, but you will also need other more specific programs, such as Xperia Companion (for the Windows operating system) and Sony Bridge for MAC. This is the only way to do this. manage files on a Sony tablet or mobile phone from your PC, and in both cases you can download it from here.

Updating Android on LG phones and tablets

It is possible update android on lg brand devices in different ways: either via OTA, with an SD card or with apps and the Kingroot tool. You will find all of this perfectly explained above at the beginning of this extensive guide.

Although the best option without a doubt (and the one we personally recommend) is that of update Android using a computer or PC.

As always, we will need the program with which we can manage the files on our device from the computer; LG PC Suite for Windows OS and LG Bridge for MAC.

We teach you how to update HTC Android devices

At the time of update android on thc We can also choose the OTA methods, apps, Kingroot and microSD. Again, what changes slightly is the way to do it using the computer. To update Android on HTC phones from the PC, it is necessary have the HTC Sync Manager software (here), which works for both operating systems: Windows and MAC.

This tool presents practically the same functions as those previously mentioned for other systems, only this time focused on the brand, so it is the only way to manage your THC terminal files within the computer.

Install the latest version of Android on Xiaomi phones and tablets

Most people prefer Update Xiaomi Android devices with the OTA method, since it is the fastest and most effective way to do it as it is an official method. However, this does not mean that it is not possible update Android on Xiaomi from Kingroot or memory card.

You will also, of course, have the option of using the PC to update Android on Xiaomi from the computer, this being a fairly safe way to do it, especially since you will be able to make backup copies of all your files. The program needed to update Xiaomi from computerr is My PC Suite, and you can download it from the following link.

Update Android on Lenovo phones and tablets

Update Lenovo devices to the latest Android version It is not complicated, and in fact it can be done in the same way as other mobile phones and tablets belonging to other brands: from the official OTA form to via a bootable SD card, or instead via Kingroot or other applications.

Again, we find the difference in the software needed to carry out the update from the computer. Where it will be necessary to download a specific type of software again to be able to carry out the update. Android update on Lenovo phones and tabletsHowever, there is a big difference with respect to other brands, and that is that this program is only available for computers running under the Windows OS. Download it from its official website.

How can you update a Motorola mobile phone or tablet to the latest Android version?

Updating Android on Motorola devices It's not that far from the other updates we've already seen. We have official OTA, via Kingroot, other apps and of course creating a boot drive through a USB memory card.

It is also highly recommended update android on a motorola from the computer due to the security provided by being able to make backups of your files. To do this, you must Download Motorola Device Manager from the official website and thus be able to manage all the files on a smartphone or tablet of the brand.

Methods to update Android on Alcatel tablets and mobiles

If you have come here looking for a way to be able to update android on alcatel devicesCongratulations! You have come to the right place. We inform you that you can do it in different ways. The most common ones, such as updating Android via OTA, or with various applications, a microSD card and Kingroot have already been explained at the top of the post, so this time we will focus on how to update an alcatel terminal from the computer.

This is the program that you will need to carry out the installation. Remember that one of the great advantages of update firmware from PC is that you can make backup copies. If by any chance you have forgotten to do so and have lost your data during the update, don't worry, as there is also a way to recover deleted images and documents.

Benefits of Updating your Android device to the latest version

• New versions of the Android operating system serve to improve the performance of our device, since the software is updated with quite interesting extras and additions, so it could be said that our mobile phone or tablet undergoes a free improvement through it.
• The restructuring that involves installing the latest Android version on our mobile and/or tablet also allows strengthen the system. Make it faster, fix factory glitches and errors, etc.
• Another of the most common options that new versions of the Android operating system usually include is that of improve the battery of the terminal. Whether by optimizing its expenditure (with the consequent energy savings), or simply by reducing the cost of resources needed to keep the device active. With the consequent extension of its useful life through, again, save battery.
• Updating Android also improves the compatibility of our smartphone or tablet with the apps.
• Added New features and functions to the terminal.
• The security of the device is reinforced through each and every one of its access points, both at the hardware and software level.

What's new in the new Android update: Oreo.

Android 8, also known as Oreo, is the new version of this operating system. We show you everything it includes and what it is capable of offering to your mobile phones and tablets that work under this system.

Picture in Picture (PIP): This feature was already made public with the launch of Android TV, although it is worth mentioning it since many still do not know about it, and now thanks to it they will be able to view videos, images and/or video conferences while you do other things in the background, which helps speed up tasks and promotes the multi-function of the terminal. The operation is very simple: The audiovisual material will be played in a floating window while you can continue using your mobile or tablet normally, and even run other apps.

Enter the scene adaptive icons: These new two-layered icons adapt to any interface and improve the user experience.

Notifications also come out very well from this new version 8.1 Android. You will be able to customize notifications, and manage it as we wish. Whether by blocking some, or selecting which ones we want to see and which ones we don't, postpone them…

It is worth highlighting the ability to classify them now by color, and the New notification hierarchy that has been created:

• The first level is for browser notifications, phone calls or music. The second level is for notifications from WhatsApp and other instant messaging apps, as well as missed calls or messages (SMS).
• The third level of notifications includes typical app updates, as well as miscellaneous events, calendar notifications, etc.
• The fourth and final level will contain less important notifications, such as suggestions or weather, etc.

He Google Android search autocomplete: As with Chrome and other desktop browsers, you'll now be offered auto-complete suggestions for every search.

Improvement of the Settings menu and navigation bars, improving them above all aesthetically.

Another improvement to notifications: Now, You can customize the sound they make with your own songs and sounds.

The option of is remodeled “applications of unknown origin” whose function is to install unknown apps. Now, you will have to manually authorize an app to install another new tool. An improvement clearly focused on the security of our Android phones and tablets.

It is allowed copy and paste plain text, a feature also taken directly from computers.

Smart Text Selector: Finally, this feature that iOS users could already benefit from has now been implemented with Android Oreo.

Automatic wifi connection: You can select a location to determine it as the default connection site, so that if you disconnect the WiFi on the street to save battery, when you get home it will automatically reactivate, this being a very practical option.

Emoticons return to a more classic design.

Now apps can ask you for different permissions, such as continuing to run even in “do not disturb” mode via prior authorization.

Includes WebView for much safer browsing. Once again, the aim is to make the experience similar to the Chrome browser for PC.

Project Treble is added to speed up the process of updating Android on our devices, avoiding data fragmentation.

In terms of connectivity, Android 8.1 Oreo includes:

• WiFi Aware Technology.
• Bluetooth AVRCP 1.4 and Low-Energy (BLE) 5.0
• Sony Wireless LDAC codec.

Greater control of the running apps in the background, with a view to saving battery on your mobile phone or tablet.

Support for external displays, which allows the connection of the device in question to them.

Remember that just below, in the comments box, you can leave any questions or recommendations about this guide on how to update Android to its latest version.