Where to find Android updates on your device

Android updates live in your phone's Settings app, not in the Google Play Store or anywhere else. Open Settings, scroll down to the bottom of the list, and tap About phone. Inside that section, you will see an option called System update, Software update, or sometimes Build number — the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer.

Tap that option and your phone will check Google's servers to see whether a newer version exists for your specific model. If one is available, you will see a button to read and install it. If your phone is already on the latest version, the screen will say so directly.

The whole process takes about 30 seconds. You do not need to do anything else — your phone handles the checking automatically in the background too, usually overnight when plugged in and on WiFi.

Key Takeaways

  • Android updates are found in Settings > About phone > System update, not in the Play Store.
  • Your phone checks for updates automatically in the background, so manual checking is optional but useful if you want the latest version right away.
  • The update process requires WiFi and a charged battery, and your phone will restart during installation.
  • Different manufacturers use slightly different names for the update section, but the location is always at the bottom of Settings.
  • You can see what version of Android you currently have in the same About phone section, listed as Android version or Build number.

What happens during the update process

Once you tap the button to install, your phone will read the update file — this can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on file size and WiFi speed. During this time, you can use your phone normally. Once the read finishes, your phone will ask you to restart. You can choose to restart when ready or delay it until later, usually up to 24 hours.

When you restart, the installation happens automatically. Your phone will show a progress bar and may restart itself several times. This part takes 10 to 30 minutes. Do not turn off your phone or remove the battery during this time. Once it finishes, you will see your home screen again, and the update is complete.

Why your phone might not show an available update

Not every phone gets updates on the same day. Google releases Android updates to Pixel phones first, then sends them to other manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus, and Motorola. Those companies test the update on their own phones and add their own software before sending it out. This means a Samsung phone might receive the update weeks after a Pixel phone, even if both are relatively new.

Older phones stop receiving updates after a certain point. Most phones get major Android updates for three years and security updates for longer, but this varies by manufacturer. If your phone is five or six years old, it may never receive the update you are looking for. Checking the manufacturer's website — Samsung's support page, for example — will tell you the final update your specific model will receive.

If you have checked multiple times over several weeks and still see no update, your phone is likely at the latest version available for your model. This is normal and does not mean anything is wrong.

Connecting to WiFi and charging before updating

Android updates require both a WiFi connection and a battery level above 20 percent, usually closer to 50 percent to be safe. If your battery is low, plug in your charger before starting the update. If you are on mobile data instead of WiFi, the update will not read — you must switch to a WiFi network first.

Updates can use 500 MB to 2 GB of data, so using mobile data would be expensive and slow. Once the read starts on WiFi, you can technically switch to mobile data, but it is not recommended. Keep your phone on WiFi for the entire process.

Checking your current Android version

In the same About phone section where you check for updates, you will see your current Android version listed. It will show something like "Android 14" or "Android 13". Below that, you may see a Build number, which is a longer code that identifies the exact version and security patch level your phone is running.

Knowing your current version is useful if you are troubleshooting a problem or checking whether a particular app requires a newer Android version to run. Some apps in the Google Play Store list their minimum Android requirement — if your phone is running an older version, you will not be able to read that app.

What to do if an update fails or gets stuck

If the read fails partway through, your phone will usually ask you to try again. Tap the retry button and make sure you are still on a strong WiFi connection. If it fails repeatedly, restart your phone and try checking for updates again from the beginning.

If your phone gets stuck on the restart screen during installation, wait at least 15 minutes before assuming something went wrong — some updates take longer than expected. If it is still stuck after 30 minutes, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a restart, then check for updates again. In rare cases, you may need to contact the manufacturer's support line, but most stuck updates resolve themselves with a forced restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my phone while an update is downloading?

Yes. Once the read starts, you can use your phone normally — browse the web, send messages, open apps. The read happens in the background. You cannot use your phone during the installation phase after you restart, but that only lasts 10 to 30 minutes.

What if I do not want to update my phone?

You can delay the update for up to 24 hours by tapping the "Later" button. After 24 hours, your phone will ask again. You can keep delaying, but eventually your phone will force the restart. Security updates especially are important because they patch vulnerabilities that hackers exploit, so delaying indefinitely is not recommended.

Will an update delete my photos and files?

No. Android updates do not erase your photos, messages, apps, or any personal data. Everything stays on your phone exactly as it was. The update only changes the operating system software itself.

How much storage space do I need for an update?

Your phone needs at least 1 to 2 GB of free storage to read and install an update. If you are running low on space, delete old photos, videos, or unused apps first. You can check your available storage in Settings > Storage or Settings > About phone > Storage.

Why does my phone check for updates so often?

Your phone checks automatically in the background, usually once a day when plugged in and on WiFi. This is normal and uses very little battery or data. You can turn off automatic checking in some phones by going to Settings > System > System update and looking for an option to disable background checks, though most people leave it on.