Many users are faced with a situation where their smartphone stops receiving new features or some modern applications are no longer supported on the current version of the operating system. The desire to “upgrade” Android in this case is absolutely natural and dictated by the need for current data protection and access to new interfaces. However, the process of upgrading software can vary dramatically depending on the manufacturer of your device and its hardware capabilities.
There are two main ways to solve this problem: a safe official method through system settings and a more complex, risky method of installing custom firmware. Official update guarantees stability, but is often limited by the manufacturer's policy, which may stop supporting the model a year or two after release. Custom firmware, on the contrary, are able to give a second life to even old devices, allowing you to install the latest versions of Android, but require deep technical knowledge.
Before you begin any manipulations, you need to clearly understand what exactly you want to do: just update the system to the latest available version or replace the operating system itself with a newer one, which the manufacturer does not officially provide. In the first case, the risk of losing data is minimal, in the second, the probability of turning the phone into a “brick” without proper preparation is extremely high.
⚠️ Attention: Any actions to flash the device will void the official warranty. If your smartphone is under warranty service, we strongly advise you to limit yourself only to standard update methods through the settings menu.
Checking the current version and available updates
The first step should always be a thorough diagnosis of the current state of the system. Often, users look for complex ways to install software without checking to see if there is an official update, which simply did not arrive in the form of a push notification. To do this, you need to go to the menu Settings → About phone → System update (the path may differ slightly on different shells). The current version Android and build number are displayed here.
If the system reports that the device works with the latest version of the software, this does not always mean that there is nothing newer. Sometimes updates come in waves and your particular instance has not yet received the signal to download. In such cases, you can try to artificially initiate a scan, but this must be done through hidden menus or special codes if the standard “Check” button does not work.
- 📱 Go to settings and find the “About phone” section.
- 🔄 Click on the “Software Update” or “System Update” item.
- 📶 Make sure you have a stable connection to the Wi-Fi network.
- 🔋 Check the battery level - it should be above 50%.
It is important to understand the difference between a security update and a major update to the OS version. Security patches come out frequently and are light, while moving from, for example, Android 11 to Android 12 is a difficult process that takes time and space. If the settings indicate that the system is up to date, but you know that a newer version is coming out for your model, you may need to reset the settings or wait.
⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces on Xiaomi, Samsung and Huawei smartphones may differ. Look for sections with the words “System”, “About phone” or “Software update”.
Preparing the device for the version upgrade procedure
Quality preparation is 90% of the success of the entire operation. Backup data is an absolutely mandatory step, ignoring which can lead to irretrievable loss of photos, contacts and correspondence. Even if you are planning only a standard update, failures in the process of writing system files can damage the user memory partition.
Free up space on the internal drive. System update files often take up several gigabytes, and if the memory is full, the installation process may be interrupted halfway, resulting in critical errors. It is recommended to have at least 5–10 GB of free space. It is also worth deleting unused applications and clearing the cache.
☑️ Checklist before updating
Don't forget to check the battery condition. The firmware or major update process can take from 30 minutes to several hours. If the phone turns off while the system partition is being written, it will be very difficult to restore it. Use the original charger or make sure that the battery holds a charge reliably.
Before updating, take a photo of the screen with the current network and display settings. After reinstalling the system, the access point and brightness parameters often disappear, and a photo will help you quickly return to your usual comfort.
The official update method is through the settings
This is the safest and recommended method for most users. It does not require a connection to a computer or special knowledge. The mechanism is simple: the manufacturer's server checks the compatibility of your device, and if a new version is available, it is downloaded and installed automatically after a reboot.
The process is as follows: after downloading the file in the background, the system will prompt you to reboot. During this stage, a logo Android and a progress bar may be displayed on the screen. Important: at this moment you should absolutely not interrupt the power supply or try to turn on the phone using the buttons. Interrupting the recording of system files leads to damage to the bootloader.
Sometimes the update does not arrive due to a changed region or modified firmware. If you purchased a phone intended for the Chinese market or previously flashed it, automatic updates may not be available. In this case, you have to use manual methods or wait until the server “sees” your device.
- 📥 Wait until the update file is downloaded.
- 🔌 Connect the charger before starting the installation.
- ⏳ Do not touch the smartphone for 15-40 minutes during the process.
- ✅ After turning on, check the version in the settings.
⚠️ Attention: If the phone runs slowly after the update, perform a factory reset (Wipe Data). This is necessary for the new version of the system to work correctly with old user data.
Use of a PC and official utilities
If it is not possible to update over the air (OTA), manufacturers offer desktop apps. For Samsung it is Smart Switch, for Xiaomi - Mi Flash Tool or Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools, for Sony - Xperia Companion. These utilities allow you to force install the latest firmware version, bypassing the restrictions of the mobile interface.
To work with such apps, you often need to put your smartphone in a special mode. For example, for Samsung this is the Download mode (usually caused by holding the volume down and connecting the cable), and for many others it is the Fastboot or Bootloadermode. The computer will recognize the device as an interface for firmware, and the app itself will select the necessary file.
adb reboot bootloaderThis command, entered in the computer command line with the phone connected (with USB debugging enabled), will put the device into bootloader mode. This is a powerful tool, but it requires ADB drivers to be installed on the PC. Be careful when choosing a model in the firmware app: a single letter error can lead to the installation of incompatible software.
What is Fastboot mode?
Fastboot is a protocol that allows you to change file system images from a computer. It sits below Android and works even if the system doesn't boot. Through Fastboot you can not only update the system, but also unlock the bootloader.
Installing custom firmware and root access
When official support ends, the only way to “upgrade” Android is to install custom firmware (Custom ROM). Popular projects like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or crDroid allow you to install Android 13 or 14 on devices that have officially stopped at Android 9 or 10.
This process is complicated and requires unlocking the bootloader. On Xiaomi smartphones, for this you need to wait 7–168 hours after submitting an application in the official email. On Samsung devices, unlocking the bootloader permanently disables the protected container Knox, which makes it impossible for banking applications and Samsung Pay to work, even if you return everything back.
| Option | Official firmware | Custom firmware |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | High | Average / Depends on the developer |
| Security | Guaranteed by the manufacturer | Risk of introducing malicious code |
| Version Android | Only up to support version | The latest versions are often available |
| Camera | Original quality | Often worse due to drivers |
The installation process usually occurs through_recovery_ (recovery mode). Standard Recovery is replaced with a custom one, for example TWRP, through which a zip archive with the new system is already installed. It is important to know: for each specific phone model there is its own unique version of Recovery and firmware; there are no universal files.
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the command fastboot.
- 💾 Install a custom Recovery (for example, TWRP).
- 📂 Copy the firmware file (ROM) and GApps to the phone.
- 🧹 Perform a hard reset (Wipe Dalvik/Cache/System).
- 🚀 Install the firmware via the Install menu in Recovery.
Installing custom firmware is the only way to get new Android on an old phone, but you lose the warranty, stability and security of banking transactions.
Optimization after upgrading the version
After a successful update or When reflashing, the system may behave unstable for the first few hours. This is a process of optimizing applications and rebuilding databases. Don't panic if your phone gets hot or is slow to open apps immediately after turning it on for the first time.
It is recommended to remove old versions of applications that might conflict with the new system and update them through Google Play. It is also worth re-configuring power saving, since battery operation algorithms in new versions of Android often change. Check which applications have access to background work.
If you notice rapid battery drain, try resetting your network settings and re-logging into your Google account. Sometimes old authorization tokens conflict with new system security protocols. As a last resort, if problems persist for more than 2-3 days, it makes sense to perform a full reset (Factory Reset) on the new version of the system.
What to do if the phone does not turn on after the update?
If the screen is black and the phone does not respond, try holding down the combination of buttons to enter Recovery (usually Volume Up + Power). If the menu appears, try making Wipe Cache Partition. If it doesn’t help, you will need to flash it via a PC.
Is it possible to downgrade the Android version back?
Officially - almost never. Manufacturers block the ability to rollback (Downgrade) for security reasons. You can return to the old version only by flashing the official file of an older version, if the bootloader allows it, which often requires unlocking.
How long does the update process take?
The installation itself takes from 5 to 20 minutes. However, preparing the files and then optimizing the system after the first startup may take another 10–30 minutes. Do not interrupt the process, even if it seems protracted.
Will my photos and contacts be lost?
During a normal update through the settings, the data is saved. When installing custom firmware or resetting via Recovery, all data will be permanently deleted if you have not made a backup copy in advance.