Smartphone updates Android, or a tablet, depend on several parties involved. Firstly from Google, which is the one who launches the new versions of the operating system; and in the second instance from the manufacturer, from the brand. They are the ones who take over from Google and make the modifications and adaptations that are necessary so that 'lace' in the specific model, unless you have Android StockFurthermore, some operators may intervene by adding their own customizations, which explains why Not all mobile phones update at the same time. even if it's the same model. And how do we know if there's an update?
Most commonly, smartphones and tablets are configured to check automatically when is a new one available update of the system. Which could be a firmware update, or a security update (which usually arrives periodically)However, this automated system is 'slower' than manual checking, which gives us an immediate answer based on the availability of updates. That's why it's important to understand the difference between Automatic Updates y manual search, as well as the minimum requirements for the process to be completed without errors.
How to check if an Android mobile has an update available to install
It's as simple as opening the application Settings of your device and, once inside it, move to the lower area until you find Software updateDepending on the brand and the customization layer, this section may appear as System > System Update, About phone > Updates or a specific menu called Software update (very common in manufacturers like Samsung or Motorola). The important thing is to locate the menu where the system centralizes all the system updates.
Within this section, in almost any model we will see when the most recent update was applied and we will have the button Download and install, Search for updates or similar text. If we tap this button, the phone will search for available updates and, if any are found, will give us the option to apply them. To do this, we will need a minimum battery percentage (usually above 50-75%), and it is recommended to keep the device plugged into the power supply to avoid unexpected shutdowns during the process.
Before starting any firmware download It is advisable to comply with a series of basic conditions:
- enough battery: have your mobile phone charged, ideally above 75% or connected to the charger.
- Connect to a Wi-Fi networkUpdates are large files and can quickly consume mobile data.
- Free storage spaceThe system may display warnings such as "Not enough space", in which case it will be necessary to free up memory before continuing.
- Check compatibility: make sure the update is designed for your specific model and not for a similar variant.
- Previous backup: back up photos, files, and apps to protect your data against potential errors.
Many manufacturers also allow you to activate or deactivate them. Automatic Updates From this same section. If you have them enabled, the system will download and install new versions in the background and restart when necessary; if you disable them, you will have to enter manually and click on Check for updates every so often.

Returning to Settings, in the section About of the phone We can review, in the Software Information section, the version of Android that we have installed and the version of the customization layer. Details about the Android kernel and security patch level among others are also here. With this information, and a quick search on the Internet, we can find out if there is any firmware later than ours and a security patch, for example. In addition, many phones also display the status of the Google Play system update, a mechanism with which Google distributes security improvements and system components without needing to update the entire firmware.
Automatic updates, security patches, and Google Play

Not all updates your phone receives are the same.In general, we can distinguish between:
- system updates: new versions of Android or the manufacturer's layer, with interface changes, functions and optimizations.
- Security updatesPatches designed to correct vulnerabilities and improve protection in the face of known threats.
- Google Play system updates: improvements to internal components that are distributed through Google Play and that usually require a restart to be applied.
On most devices, Android periodically checks in the background for new versions of any of these types. When it detects an available version, it displays a update notification so the user can download and install it immediately or postpone it. However, this rollout is usually done gradually, so manually clicking on Search for updates You can jump ahead of part of the "queue" and receive the download sooner.
If an update starts downloading and doesn't finish, the system usually retrys automatically in the following days. If the problem persists, check your Wi-Fi connection, free space, and battery level, as these are the three most common causes of such issues. The update is not installing correctly..
What to do if your manufacturer stops updating your mobile phone
If the manufacturer of our device has stopped supporting our mobile, and it will no longer receive new updates, we always have the option of installing LineageOS. The list of LineageOS compatible phonesAnd the device support is truly comprehensive. As we mentioned, it's an interesting way to get updates even when the manufacturer has stopped a specific model.
In these cases it is especially important to have checked beforehand the current version of AndroidYou can find the build number and security patch status in Settings > About phone > Software information. This information will help you confirm whether your device is truly out of official support or if it still has pending OTA updates that haven't been installed due to insufficient battery, storage space, or other issues.

Before applying any Alternative ROM For major updates, it's advisable to check user reviews and specialized forums to see if certain versions have any issues. serious errors, performance problems, or battery failuresKeeping your mobile phone updated is key to security and stability, but doing so with prior information and a good backup is the best way to avoid unnecessary complications and ensure your Android is always on the best possible version for your daily use.

