The latest update of the world’s most popular system on smartphones was Android 14released in October 2023.After more than three months later, statistics say that less than 3% of Android devices, cell phones and tablets, have received the update. It’s clear that something isn’t right and that there are strong limitations in the possibilities of updating Android.
Those who still have older versions might wonder because your smartphone doesn’t update to the latest version of the operating system, why one model is updated and another is not and what can be done to force this update ed Always have the latest version of Android.
READ ALSO: How to find out the Android version on your phone or tablet
The big problem and flaw of this operating system, so open, flexible and customizable, it’s the fragmentation of versions installed on the numerous devices that adopt it. Android is a free system (while iOS can only be installed on iPhone) adopted by almost all the main mobile phone manufacturers (Samsung, LG, HTC, Motorola and all Chinese brands), which is adapted for the most popular smartphone and tablet models. different.
It so happens that when Google releases the new version, this must then be revised by the various manufacturers, who only after making the necessary changes can release it for the various models. It is therefore obvious that manufacturers will work to update Android only on the most popular devicesleaving aside the older ones and the less sold ones.
Despite being officially available in November, Android 12 was released as an automatic update only on Google Pixel devices, which are sold by Google itself. To understand why Android doesn’t update on all smartphones let’s give an example.
Let’s say three friends go to buy the same kit of LEGO pieces that each uses to make a different and unique construction. A few months later, LEGO puts on sale a new set of pieces that the three friends buy to improve their construction. Since these constructions are different, even if made with the same pieces, it will take a different amount of work and time to improve it with the new kit that will have to be adapted. This is what happens with Android: Google, like Lego, develops and works on the next versions of Android. When they announce a new version, which happens every 6 to 12 months, Google provides the source code (pieces) of the system, publicly, on its website, so that phone manufacturers and manufacturers can use it to update their devices . Once the source code is available, manufacturers must prepare it for their customers.
We have seen in another article what the producers are fastest to release Android updates between HTC, OnePlus, Samsung and Xiaomi. Those who own an Android smartphone can only wait patiently for the release of the update. Those who have a cheap phone, an old one or one produced by a small and semi-unknown company like the many Chinese ones out there, can also put their soul at peace because they will hardly be able to update Android.
To fix the problem, Google has divided the Android system into a series of independent applications that can be installed and updated from the Google Play Store.
Among these, the most important is Google Play Services to update Android and protect your phone.
Let’s see now how to update android.
Regular Android updates are released on smartphones with a notice.
You can also check for a possible update by going to Settings – About phone.
However, the update check is automatic and is done every day by Android so it is absolutely not necessary to do the manual check.
We have seen how this is possible Update or install Android on Nexus from PC manuallyprivileged devices being Google branded.
For everyone else, the only way is to install a custom ROM.
Basically, without waiting for the manufacturer, you can turn to independent developers who are freer and less tied to the bureaucratic procedures of large companies, who develop versions of Android compatible with many various smartphone models.
We have seen, for example, how to install LineageOS, the best Android ROMthe most popular one, of which there are versions for many cell phones.