How To Update Firmware On Android

Keeping your Android firmware up to date is essential - much like using your smartphone withno restrictions, which is why we also recommend unlocking your phone while yous're at it.The Android that powers your phone is chosen, in more than technical terms, firmware.If your telephone would be a Windows-powered estimator, then firmware versions would be Windows XP, Windows 7, or Windows 10, with many iterations for each broad version. This is more or less what happens with your Android phone - periodically, Google releases a new Android version that improves features and fixes security risks.

What is Android firmware exactly?

As our tech-savvy readers may already know, a firmware is a set up of programs and software installed on the ROM (read-only memory) of devices. In most cases, the firmware of a device cannot be modified or customized, as information technology is kept well out of accomplish of the ordinary consumers.Notwithstanding, things practice go different when it comes to Android since the entire mobile operating arrangement is compressed and stored in a writable form called NAND flash memory. All of this technical jargon essentially boils downward to the fact that unlike your run of the mill firmware, firmware Android which is amend known as Android ROM is open up to modification.Well-nigh of the fourth dimension, it's a good idea to keep your telephone up to engagement by installing the most contempo firmware. Some of the best reasons to do and then include:

Improved battery life
Eliminating stutters and lags
Better connectivity
Improved information transfers
Compatibility with the latest apps
Design changes
Additional features and optimizations

Drawbacks exist as well, but they're quite rare. You won't exist able to install the latest firmware on a phone you bought eight years ago, equally it most probable won't be able to handle the newer features that the firmware came with. But barring these rare cases, you should always strive to be upwards to date with your firmware, even if it's just from a security point of view.And to that extent, Updato has your back. We'll show you 3 means to keep up with firmware upgrades - and don't worry, you don't have to exist an expert to go along upward:

Use our Updato Samsung Android firmware Platform, a large complimentary firmware archive for Samsung Galaxy phones.
Use the Android device manufacturer's website to download official updates.
Employ OTA updates and get straight updates through your device interface.
Use Android device's manufacturer'due south official software to download firmware updates.

We'll break downwards what each selection has to offer you, its pros and cons, and how to perform them. After you lot empathize every option in detail information technology volition be easier for you to go along your telephone upwardly to engagement.

Option 1: Apply Updato Android firmware download platform

A while back we launched the Updato free Android firmware download annal, which is now the biggest free firmware archive for Samsung phones on the cyberspace. We're constantly improving and expanding on it, to make sure that your experience is as smooth every bit possible.Apart from ensuring that nosotros have all the Samsung Galaxy devices covered, y'all can remainder assured with Updato that the firmware you are downloading has been tested and scanned to be costless of malicious code. Considering the fact that firmware files can be rather large in size, our dedicated servers ensure you can download the firmware updates right away. android firmware update When you visit our library, just enter your telephone'south model number to search for the latest firmware. If you're unsure of your phone's exact model number, grab your phone and go to "Settings", and so click "Near", and you lot'll observe your phone's precise make and model number.Once you lot enter your device'south model number y'all'll see a list with multiple firmware available for download. Cull the one for your region, and so but hitDownload and wait for the firmware to get downloaded on your computer.You tin can also utilise the library for Android firmware download from whatever region beyond the globe if your specific region isn't available. However, you must brand sure that you enter the model number correctly, and expect a few minor changes depending on the region you download the Android firmware from.Once you have the firmware all that'due south left for you to exercise is install it on your phone, using Samsung Odin. This leaked software used by Samsung to handle Android firmware updates internally has been helping Milky way users to update, restore, and repair their devices for years. Apart from helping you lot install the latest updates from any region on your device, information technology is besides capable of flashing custom ROMs, custom recovery, and a lot more.Every bit powerful as the Odin software is, it needs to exist used responsibly and with caution. Hither's an in-depth tutorial that shows you lot how to use Odin to install Android firmware, so make sure y'all go through it advisedly before yous proceed further.This is by far the simplest pick if you want a specific firmware installed on your Samsung Galaxy device. However, since the selection is just applicative to Galaxy devices, there are other ways to update your device firmware right now.

Choice two: Utilise the manufacturer's official site to download Android firmware updates

Almost every manufacturer in the smartphone industry provides updates through their website. This method will become you lot the latest official firmware for your Android phone, provided of course that your preferred manufacturer is amidst those who offer their firmware for download.This method of updating the Android software is non available for every Android manufacturer such as Samsung. The simply way to update Samsung Galaxy devices is either through the Odin software unofficially, or officially through the use of Samsung Smart Switch.HTC Sync Manager: Developed by the Taiwanese tech visitor to aid users manage their HTC Android devices, which is bachelor on the official website. Apart from managing the contents of your device and syncing data to the computer, HTC Sync Director besides enables you to install the latest Android firmware updates available officially.Sony Wink Tool: Created by Sony to help users and developers flash their Sony Xperia devices, Sony Flash Tool is a lot like Samsung Odin. While yous need to unlock the bootloader of your Xperia device to use this tool, information technology helps y'all flash stock every bit well equally custom firmware with ease.LG PC Suite: Quite like to HTC'due south iteration, the LG Pc Suite offers a great user interface to help you backup, restore, and update your Android LG devices. Available on the official LG download department this PC software to update Android firmware too comes with features like SmartShare to help yous instantaneously share media and content between your phone and PC.Mi PC Suite: Since it is one of the closest clones to Apple, it is natural for Xiaomi to have its very own iTunes-like Mi PC Suite as well. Designed to look fantastic, information technology doubles upward every bit a way to share your PC internet with your mobile phone, acts equally a file manager, assists in backup and recovery, and gives y'all a suite of tools to flash the Android firmware on Mi devices.Apart from these official tools to download Android firmware and flash it to your devices, at that place are third-political party options besides. For instance, KDZ Firmware Updater is a nifty tool for LG devices to unofficially upgrade the software, while RSD Calorie-free for Motorola devices is likewise a great choice. However, these are tools developed past the Android community and not endorsed by the manufacturers, so tread carefully.The procedure itself is like to how you navigated our firmware archive:

First, scan the manufacturer'south site and find their firmware download page.

Next, insert your telephone'southward make and model number, then the build number, or another serial number that your manufacturer uses to place your phone.

Using this method, you'll have the latest official software release approved by the manufacturer.The reward of this method is the reliability you get from the official manufacturer, which makes information technology safe to utilise and guaranteed to piece of work. The disadvantage is in the filibuster of releases - or the availability of releases, as some manufacturers stop releasing updates after a while.

Option three: Use the OTA Android firmware download method

This is the simplest and safest method for downloading and installing the firmware and is used most often by the bulk of smartphone users. Since most manufacturers are interested in helping y'all get the best from the latest updates, Android comes with the ability to fetch OTA (over-the-air) updates. OTA Android firmware download method While Android OS is designed to automatically notify yous when a new firmware update is bachelor, information technology isn't always perfect. Depending on your mobile or wireless network, you don't always receive a notification and sometimes yous may take to look for the OTA update manually.Just head over to the Settings app on your Android device and look for the "Software Update" pick in your smartphone'due south interface. Some devices also have an entirely separate app for the Organisation Updates. Simply tap on "Check for Updates" and you volition automatically be able to see the latest updates directly on your device if whatever are bachelor. This method relies on the manufacturer's updates, and you can expect delays depending on your region. Annotation: Some manufacturers provide special features for specifically chosen regions, and restrict them for others. For instance, features like VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling on the Samsung Galaxy devices are restricted to certain regions. OTA updates are generally for the latest devices that are substantially guaranteed to be supported by manufacturers for at least a year to come up, while older ones have a relatively long waiting period. This "set information technology and forget it" option tin exist very handy, and if you're not keen on having the latest firmwarethe solar day it'south released then information technology'south a good enough option.

Option 4: Use official software to download firmware updates

Depending on your Android device and how pop it is, you will exist able to find a multitude of sources for the latest Android firmware download all over the cyberspace. While it may seem tempting, installing a corrupt or malware-inflicted Android ROM tin can spell cypher but trouble.The Updato Android firmware platform ensures that each and every available download is tried and tested with state of the art antivirus protection. But even with that balls, the entire ordeal of flashing a firmware on your device may seem too complicated.If you are looking for an official way to update your Android firmware without downloading the ROM, nosotros recommend you choose none another than the official software provided past your device manufacturer. Nearly every mainstream Android manufacturer has their very own "iTunes-similar" suite to assistance users update their devices and manage their data.For instance, if you lot ain a Samsung Galaxy device, you can download the Samsung Smart Switch software to download Android firmware officially. Samsung also provides Kies software for older Galaxy devices, which helps you not only update your phone to the latest available Android version but also synchronizes and backs up your personal information.Like to OTA updates, this option volition only bring you're the latest Android firmware through the official channel. This ways that yous cannot install custom ROMs or the stock firmware Android from other regions, which does limit your choices.Was this comprehensive guide on how to download Android firmware update helpful in getting your device tuned up and running on all cylinders? We've done our best to streamline the process and get in easy to follow, simply if questions arise, or y'all but want someone to hold your hand, exit a comment below or on the Updato forum and we'll do our best to help.