How to Update an Android

This wikiHow teaches you how to manually update an Android phone or tablet operating system. While your Android will typically update automatically, you can speed up the update process by manually updating as soon as you know an update is available.

10 Second Summary

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Open Settings.
3. Tap About device.
4. Tap Software update.
5. Tap Check for updates.
6. Tap Update and then Install if prompted.

Steps

1. 1
   Make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi 

   

    . To do so, use two fingers to swipe down from the top of your Android's screen and look for the Wi-Fi icon; if it has a slash through it, tap it to enable Wi-Fi before continuing.
2. 1. Open your Android's Settings 

      

       . It's a light-purple app with a white gear on it that's in the App Drawer.
   2. 3
      Scroll down and tap About device. This option is near the bottom of the page.

      • Skip this step if you have a Samsung Galaxy device.
   3. 4
      Tap Software update. It's at the top of the screen. Depending on your Android, this button may instead say "Update" or something similar.^[1]
   4. 5
      Tap Check for updates. You'll see this option at the top of the screen.

      • On some Android devices, tapping Software update may prompt your Android to search for an update.
      • Tap the Update option if prompted. If there is an update available for your Android device, you'll have the option of tapping Update or Install.

        • If you don't see an Update button, your Android device is up-to-date.
      • 7
        Tap Install or Update when prompted. This option will appear in a pop-up window. Doing so will begin installing the Android's operating system update.

        • This process will likely take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.