The transition from the fifth to the sixth version of Google's mobile operating system has become a landmark event for many device owners, since Android 6.0 Marshmallow it brought not only visual changes, but also fundamental improvements in managing application permissions and energy consumption. For devices released between 2014 and 2015, this update often became the last official chance to extend the life of the gadget, receiving support for new security features and memory optimization.
However, the transition process does not always go smoothly: device manufacturers have different approaches to distributing updates, and some models are left without official support at all, requiring more in-depth technical knowledge from the user. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available methods for switching to a new version of the OS, from a standard over-the-air update to manually installing the firmware via a computer, and also evaluate the risks and benefits of such a step.
The main purpose of the update is to gain access to functions such as Doze Mode to save battery power and granular access rights management, which makes using the smartphone much safer. Before you begin, you need to clearly understand what model of device you have in your hands, since the choice of firmware method and the availability of available system image files directly depends on this.
Preparing the device for a system update
Any serious manipulation of the smartphone software requires careful preparation to avoid losing important data or turning the device into a “brick.” The first and most critical step is to create a complete backup of all user data, including contacts, photos, messages and application settings, since the internal memory may be completely cleared during the update process.
You must ensure that the battery level is at least 60-70%, since interrupting the process of writing system files due to low battery can lead to irreversible damage to the bootloader. It is also recommended to free up enough space in the internal storage by deleting unnecessary files or transferring them to a memory card microSDas the installation package can take up a significant amount of space.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any actions, be sure to check the device model in the menu
Settings → About phoneand check it with the requirements of the specific firmware so as not to try to install incompatible (incompatible) system image.
An important aspect of preparation is a stable Internet connection if you plan to download the update directly to the device. Using a mobile network may result in additional charges or interrupted downloads if the signal is poor, so it is preferable to use a reliable network Wi-Fi.
☑️ Preparing for the update
The official update method is through the settings
The simplest and safest method of switching to Android 6.0 is to use the built-in mechanism updates that manufacturers implement into their shells. This method involves automatically checking the manufacturer's servers for the presence of a new firmware version that corresponds specifically to your model and region.
To start the process, you need to go to the device settings section, find the item responsible for system information, and initiate checking for updates manually. If the manufacturer's servers still support your device and the update queue has reached your batch, the system will offer to download and install the package.
The menu interface may differ depending on the brand, but the logic remains the same for most devices:
- 📱 On devices Samsung the path usually looks like this:
Settings → General → Device information → Software update. - 🤖 On a clean Android (Nexus, Pixel, Motorola) you should follow the path:
Settings → About phone → Update system. - ⚙️ On devices Xiaomi or Meizu the check is often placed in a separate "Update" application on the desktop or in the menu
About phone → MIUI version.
If the system reports that the update is available, the file will begin downloading, the size of which can vary from 500 MB to 1.5 GB depending on changes in the version. After the download is complete, the device will prompt you to reboot for installation, during which the user should not touch the smartphone so as not to disrupt the process of writing data to the system partition.
If the update is not found automatically, try changing the region in the settings or clearing the cache of the Google Play Services application, sometimes this helps trigger checking for updates.
Manually installing updates via Recovery
In cases where the official update over the air (OTA) does not arrive or is interrupted with an error, you can use the manual installation method through recovery mode Recovery. This method requires first downloading the full firmware image in format .zip from the manufacturer's official website or trusted sources.
The downloaded file must be placed in the root directory of the smartphone's internal memory or on a memory card so that the recovery mode can detect it. After this, the device turns off and turns on in a special mode, the combination of buttons to enter which is unique for each model (often it is Volume Up + Power).
In the Recovery menu, controlled by the volume buttons and the power button, you must select the item Apply update from SD card or Apply update from internal storage. Navigation is carried out with the sound control keys, and confirmation of the choice is done with the power button.
⚠️ Attention: When using this method, it is critical that the firmware file is intended strictly for your device model; installing a file from another model is guaranteed to disable the smartphone.
After selecting the file, the system will begin the verification and installation process, which may take from 5 to 15 minutes. Once the process is completed, it is necessary. select the item Reboot system now for the first boot of the updated system, which may take longer than usual.
What to do if Recovery does not see the file?
Make sure that the firmware file is not renamed and has a .zip extension. Also check that the file is in the root of the memory and not in the Download folder, since some stock recoveries are not. are able to scan nested directories.
Using computer utilities for firmware
Many large manufacturers, such as Samsung, Sony and LG, provide specialized software for personal computers that allows you to update or restore device firmware via a USB cable. This method is often more reliable. than updating directly on the phone, since the process is controlled by the PC.
To use this method, you need to install the appropriate utility on the computer (for example, Odin for Samsung, Flashtool for Sony or LG Bridge), download the full firmware image and connect the smartphone in a special mode. The computer will recognize the device. and will allow you to select a firmware file to write to the phone's memory.
The advantage of this approach is the ability to restore the device even in cases where it does not boot into normal mode, as well as the ability to select a specific version of regional firmware. However, this method requires a working USB cable and installed ADB drivers or manufacturer-specific drivers.
| Manufacturer | PC utility | Connection mode | Firmware file type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Odin / Smart Switch | Download Mode | .tar /.tar.md5 |
| Sony | Flashtool / Xperia Companion | Flash Mode | .ftf |
| LG | LG Bridge / LG Flash Tool | Download Mode | .kdz |
| Motorola | Motorola Device Manager | Fastboot | .xml /.zip |
The firmware process via a computer usually takes longer due to the transfer of large amounts of data via cable, but the risk of failure due to problems with the phone battery is minimal here, since the device is often powered by USB port.
Using proprietary utilities on a PC is the most reliable way to update for devices of popular brands, as it includes automatic checking of compatibility and drivers.
Installing custom firmware as an alternative
If the manufacturer has officially stopped supporting your device and has not released an update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, The only way to get a new version of the system is to install custom firmware. This requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a modified recovery menu, such as TWRP.
The developer community XDA Developers often creates unofficial assemblies based on Android 6 for older devices, which can work even faster and more stable than stock versions due to optimization. However, this path is associated with increased risks: loss of warranty, inoperability of some functions. (cameras, NFC) and the complexity of the installation process.
First, you need to find a suitable assembly (ROM) specifically for your model, download it and a package of add-ons Google Apps (GApps), since in custom firmware Google services are usually not pre-installed The installation process is similar to manual firmware via Recovery, but requires preliminary cleaning of the partitions. Data and Cache (Wipe).
⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader and installing third-party software will completely void the device warranty and may trigger security flags (for example, Samsung Knox), which will irreversibly disable some proprietary features.
Users who do not have experience with the command line and ADB/Fastboot drivers are urged to select this path, since an error at any stage can make the phone unusable without using a programmer.
New features of Android 6.0 Marshmallow
The transition to the sixth version of Android opens access to a number of functions that significantly change the user experience and increase the efficiency of the device. One of the most notable innovations is the application permission management system, which now allows you to control access to sensitive data in real time.
Previously, applications requested all permissions immediately upon installation, and the user had to agree to the entire package or refuse installation. In Marshmallow permission requests occur contextually: when you first launch an application and it tries to use the camera or microphone, the system asks permission for this particular action.
A function has also been introduced that puts the device into deep sleep mode when it lies motionless and the screen is turned off. In this state, background activity of applications is limited, synchronization is delayed, which leads to a significant increase in battery life. Doze Mode, which puts the device into deep sleep mode when it lies still and the screen is turned off. In this state, background application activity is limited and synchronization is delayed, resulting in significantly longer battery life.
- 🔋 Power saving: Doze mode and the App Standby function limit the background activity of unused applications.
- 🔒 Security: Support for fingerprint scanners has become standardized at the system level, rather than being dependent on manufacturer.
- 📂 Memory management: Native support for working with SD cards as part of the internal memory (Adoptable Storage) has appeared.
In addition, work with the clipboard has been improved and a new interface for selecting applications for certain actions, which has become more convenient and informative. These changes make the system more responsive and safe for everyday use.
Possible problems and solutions
Despite careful preparation, unexpected situations may arise during the update process, such as being stuck on the logo, cyclic reboots, or lack of communication. Understanding the causes of these problems and methods for eliminating them will help you stay calm and bring your device back to life.
A common problem after an update is the incorrect operation of the cache of old applications that are not optimized for the new version of the system. This can manifest itself in the form of interface slowdowns or rapid battery drain. The solution in this case is to clear the partition cache through the Recovery menu.
If the device is stuck in a bootloop, the first thing you should try is to perform a factory reset (Wipe Data/Factory Reset) via Recovery. This will delete all user data, but often allows the system to boot correctly if the problem was a settings conflict.
What is a hard reset?
Hard Reset is a complete reset of the device to its factory state, deleting all data, accounts and applications. Use this method only if the phone does not boot or is extremely unstable after the update.
In more complex cases, when the phone does not respond to buttons or is not detected by the computer, you may need to flash the device in emergency mode using the special service utilities mentioned above. Sometimes the problem lies not in the software, but in physical memory damage, which manifested itself at the time of active data recording.
What to do if the update is stuck at 50%?
Do not panic and do not turn off the phone immediately. Wait 15-20 minutes, as the process of writing system partitions can take a long time. If progress does not change for more than an hour, try to force restart the device by holding down the power and volume buttons. If the phone turns on normally, great, if not, you will need to enter Recovery and reset the settings.
Is it possible to roll back to Android 5?
Officially rolling back to the previous version after an update is extremely difficult or impossible, since new bootloaders often block the installation of older versions due to integrity checks. The only way is to completely flash Android 5 with a stock image via a computer, if such a file is available and the bootloader allows it to be installed.
Will the update erase my photos and contacts?
When updating over the air (OTA) or through proprietary utilities, user data is usually saved. However, if you manually install via Recovery, install custom firmware, or reset settings in case of errors, all data will be deleted. Therefore, backup is a mandatory step.
Why did the phone begin to work slower after the update?
In the first hours after the update, the system performs background optimization of applications and rebuilds the cache (Dalvik/ART optimization process), which can cause heating and slowdown. This usually goes away on its own within a day. If the problem persists, try clearing the cache of the Wipe Cache Partition.