The Android operating system is the most popular in the world. 90% of smartphones are produced on its basis. The South Korean company Samsung does not remain in the country and uses the OS in its devices.
Unlike iOS, Android is an open source operating system. Thanks to this, manufacturers can make their own shells based on the OS. Over the 10 years of its existence, the operating system has changed more than a dozen versions. Currently, Android 10 is current. With each update, modern functions are added to the OS source code, allowing you to even make a new one out of an old smartphone. But, unfortunately, the latest version of Android is not supported by every device.
What are Android OS updates?
Firmware update is a complex undertaking that affects not only the visual characteristics of the software shell, but also productivity. With each new firmware version, Android device users find more rational operating conditions for their gadgets.
After optimization, the device begins to work faster, spending fewer resources on standard procedures.
In addition, when considering the question of what is a software update on Android Samsung Galaxy, you are guaranteed to note the fact that the device’s operating time has increased. In other words, each new firmware version affects the overall service life.
Other advantages include the correction of a large number of errors. Many gadget users have noted more than once that after flashing the device, the device does not overheat, rarely reboots without permission, and demonstrates stable operation even when the processor is heavily loaded.
Why update software on Samsung phones?
In fact, any smartphone, be it Samsung Galaxy Mini, Xiaomi Redmi or even iPhone X, receives updates every year, and sometimes every month. Thus, after the official release, manufacturers continue to work on the quality of their product.
Samsung uses its own Android OS shell
Of course, the number of pixels in the camera will not increase, and the number of cores in the processor will not increase, but:
- system security will improve;
- the list of supported protocols will be expanded;
- errors that arose after the product went on sale will be corrected;
- energy consumption of intensive processes will be reduced;
- Interface design will improve.
For your information! The user will not feel most of the updates at all. They are intended only to maintain the previous functionality, adapting to the constantly evolving software market.
For example, if tomorrow the Viber communication protocol is updated, designed to improve picture quality by reducing traffic consumption, the user will not be able to use the new modification without downloading the latest version of the OS for his device.
Note! When it comes to these or Xiaomi, you should know that not only the Android itself needs to be updated, but also its shell, which is installed by manufacturers. Samsung calls it OneUI.
How to find out if there is new firmware on a Samsung device
In order not to waste time constantly searching for firmware for the gadget, it is advisable to immediately contact the official interactive representative office of the manufacturer. For Samsung, this site is www.samsung.com.
This portal contains all the relevant information about multifunctional devices produced by the corporation. After exploring the vastness of the service, you will always find a scheduled firmware update schedule for various devices. This chart is relevant only for owners of modern gadgets. Users of older device models are forced to look for an alternative, for example, the 4PDA portal.
How to get rid of the pirated version
Let's say you accidentally installed an unlicensed file and are wondering how to remove the update. Odin will help with this. Before deleting, you need to search the Internet for files with the software version you are interested in. An excellent portal is 4PDA, where firmware for many smartphone models is available.
- We connect the phone to the PC and launch the program.
- We turn off the power of the gadget and switch it to Download Mode by simultaneously pressing the Home, Power and Volume down keys.
- When the device is loaded, press the volume up button.
- In the Odin installation form, we indicate the downloaded files as corresponding to PIT, PDA and CSC.
- Click on Start and wait for the files to be downloaded to the gadget.
The completion signal will be given in the form of a green field with the word PASS.
The above steps apply to Android and tablets. Differences may relate to the location of links to some operations or their names.
Updating Samsung Galaxy firmware via Wi-Fi
When you decide to update Android 5.1 to 6.0 on your Samsung Galaxy phone, you should initially try the standard update method. We are talking about a built-in utility that can independently download updates to a smartphone using both mobile networks and Wi-Fi.
The second download option is more rational, since Wi-Fi networks save mobile traffic and provide higher speeds.
To update the firmware via Wi-Fi using standard methods, you will need to go to the gadget settings, go to the “Help” section, select “Firmware Update”.
By tapping on the “Search for firmware” item, you should wait until the system itself finds updates, if any are available on the official website. As soon as the latest firmware is found, you just have to agree to install it.
If there are no updates on the manufacturer's portal, but you know for sure that they are available, download them from third-party sources using your browser. To start the installation, just go to Recovery and run the installation archive from the downloads folder.
Return to factory settings
It happens when a person is not satisfied with the expansion. Then they perform a rollback.
- Go to the settings service and select the “Backup and reset” function.
- In the section, follow the “Reset” link.
- A window appears warning you that the deletion is irrevocable. If the backup has been created and is in a safe place, click “Reset phone settings”.
- The smartphone will begin to reboot. After 15 minutes it will turn on with the restored OS on board.
Updating Samsung gadgets via PC
When using a personal computer to update, you will need to acquire a high-quality USB cable, a program that will flash the firmware, and a charger.
First, it is better to pre-charge the gadget to at least 50%. Otherwise, failures may occur during the installation process and the device will become bricked.
Also, make sure that the firmware is official. Custom versions of software often work unstable, causing freezes, errors and other unpleasant moments.
Flashing your device using Samsung PC Kies
Samsung PC Kies is a program that every user and admirer of multifunctional South Korean technology has on their computer.
To start flashing the firmware using this tool, you will need to download, unpack and run the installer. Then the device is connected, and as soon as the program detects it, the Firmware upgrade button is pressed.
Now all that remains is to wait until the utility downloads the official update from the manufacturer’s website. One of the most useful functions of the program is not only updating the firmware, but also implementing work with the entire file system.
You can handle music, photos, videos and many other files without unnecessary difficulties. This program works without problems on both the new Windows 10 and older operating systems.
Flashing with Smart Switch utility
Another program that is guaranteed to help update the firmware is the Smart Switch utility.
After downloading and installing this utility on the computer, the user only needs to connect the device to the computer and run it. When you first launch the program, it scans for updates. The user will be prompted to update if any are found.
The difference between this software and Samsung PC Kies is the ability to restore the operating system and create a backup copy.
Download Android using Xperia Companion
In order to flash your phone using the Xperia Companion program, you need to:
- Connect your smartphone to your computer and launch Xperia;
- Click on the “Software Update” shortcut;
- Then we should right-click on the “Update” button;
- Next, confirm your intention and click OK;
- We just have to wait for the software to download the new version of Android (when installation is taking place, disabling the software or separating the phone from the PC is prohibited!).
Unforgettable: returning to the previous Android build is impossible! The system will inform you about this.
Which Samsung gadgets can be loaded with Android 7?
According to official data, updating Samsung to Android 7 is not possible on all device models. The company's flagships will be the first to be updated:
- Galaxy S7
- Galaxy S7 Edge.
Following the TOPs, the following will receive new firmware:
- Galaxy Tab S2
- Galaxy Note 5.
At the moment it is known that the official Android 7 software will also be received by:
- Galaxy S6
- Galaxy S6 Edge
- Galaxy S6 Edge Plus,
- Galaxy Tab A version with S Pen stylus,
- Galaxy Tab S2 with 4G module,
- Galaxy A3
- Galaxy A8.
Other users of Samsung devices will have to be content with only unofficial software versions and custom firmware that support the new features of the Android 7 OS.
Xiaomi users suffer too
It is not only Samsung that releases unstable firmware for its smartphones; this is not uncommon for Xiaomi, which is also one of the top 5 mobile phone manufacturers. The clearest example is the Xiaomi Mi A3 smartphone, the update for which has already been recalled three times in the first three and a half months of 2020.
Xiaomi Mi A3 is a global version of the Chinese inexpensive smartphone Xiaomi Mi CC9e, released as part of the Google Android One program and comes with a pure Android OS (without the proprietary Xiaomi MIUI shell and additional applications). This gives the smartphone the opportunity to quickly receive updates.
All three times that Xiaomi tried to install the new Android 10 on the Mi A3, users complained of random reboots, unstable camera performance, decreased smartphone performance, deteriorated sensitivity of the fingerprint scanner and rapid battery drain. The last time the firmware for this smartphone was recalled at the time of publication was April 13, 2022.
Applications do not work after firmware update
Another problem for gadget owners who have updated the operating system to the latest version may be application failures. Quite often, the reason for these failures is that developers do not have time to update their software products to work in the latest OS. Hence there is a conflict between the operation of pre-installed applications and the Android shell.
The result is constant crashes and freezes. There may also be other errors, for example, incorrect installation of the firmware.
What is “firmware” and why is it needed?
Firmware is special hardware settings and software that are located in the phone’s flash memory. Phone firmware is needed to install new software, fix software glitches and protect the phone from hacking.
Firmware advantages:
- getting rid of “glitches”, problems, work slowdown;
- improved performance and battery life;
- the ability to install a more modern, beautiful design;
- improving speaker volume;
- signal improvement;
- installation of an additional language pack;
- support for new headsets.
The disadvantages of the firmware include the complete inoperability of the phone or its individual functions in the event of an incorrect procedure.
If you have flashed the device's firmware yourself, the manufacturer will not be able to replace it. If you doubt the need for firmware, it is better to contact a service center.
