Checking for software updates on an Android phone
This short guide is a reference tool to help refresh your knowledge or practise what you have learned in the Checking for software updates on an Android phone online video course. You’ll learn how to:
- find your phone’s software information and check if an update is available
- install a software update.
About software updates
Keeping your phone’s software up to date can improve device performance, fix security risks and provide the latest features. Most phones update automatically, but it’s useful to know how to do it manually, especially if your phone has been switched off for a while.
Step by step
You can check for software updates from your phone’s Settings app.
- From the Home screen, swipe up to open the Apps screen.
- Tap on the Settings icon, to see the options.
- Tap on Software update.
- Tap Download and install.
- Your phone will check for updates. If none are found, your phone will display Your software is up to date.
- If an update is available, some information about the update will display along with options to install now or later.
- Tap Install now.
- Installation will take several minutes, and your phone will restart and display the Lock screen when it’s complete.
- After installation, your phone will be updated with the latest security and features.