The latest Android devices use Android 9 Pie. It’s a nice name and it’s a much more stable operating system, to say the least. But with all versions of an Android operating system, there are various updates that usually occur between the release of an operating system and the next.
So how can you know if your device is up to date? You will need to search through the device settings for information about the operating system, model number, etc. to get the details on your phone. Here’s how you can do it on virtually any Android device, old or new.
WHERE TO FIND THE INFORMATION OF THE OPERATING SYSTEM ON ANDROID DEVICES?
You can find information on the operating system on the Device Information tab on most Android smartphones and tablets. The passages may differ slightly from one model to another, but this is the general path you must follow.
How to check if Android is up to date
- Go to the apps.
- Select Settings
- Find and tap Device Information or Phone Information.
- Find and read the information for the Android version.
- Alternatively, touch the Android Version tab to expand it.
EXTRA TIP – ANDROID VERSIONS
Here is something else you might find useful. Android operating systems have various names for specific versions.
If your phone does not display more information than the version number, you can use the following list to understand what your Android version is called.
Android versions
- Jelly Bean for versions 4.1 to 4.3.1.
- Kit Kat for the 4.4 to 4.4.4 and 4.4W to 4.4W.2 versions.
- Lollipop for versions 5.0 to 5.1.1.
- Marshmallow for versions 6.0 to 6.0.1.
- Nougat for versions 7.0 to 7.1.2.
- Oreo for versions 8.0 to 8.1.
- Pie for 9.0 versions
How to update Android phone even without official updates
IDENTIFICATION OF INFORMATION ON THE OPERATING SYSTEM- SPECIFIC STEPS BASED ON ANDROID VERSIONS
How to check if Android is up to date
Here are some steps that should work on all Android devices with a specific operating system designation, such as those listed above.
NOUGAT, OREO, AND PIE
- Go to the settings.
- Tap Phone Information.
- Tap on System Information.
This should display the current operating system and version installed on the device. You can also check for the most recent updates available through the following steps:
- Go to the settings.
- Access the software update.
- Select Download updates manually or Download and install.
This will allow you to search for the latest version, download it and install it on your phone. Usually, a newer version should be installed automatically if the phone is out of date. However, this feature cannot be used to install beta OS updates as they are generally not stable for all phones.
MARSHMALLOW, LOLLIPOP, AND KITKAT
- Go to the settings.
- Tap Device Information.
- Go to the bottom of the page to find the Android Version tab.
If you want to start checking for the latest updates, here’s what you can do:
- Go to the settings.
- Tap Device Information.
- Tap Software Update.
- Follow the instructions.
This will start an automatic online search for the latest Android version of your specific operating system, compatible with your device. It will not be installed automatically once found, you will have to do it manually.
JELLYBEAN AND OLD OPERATING SYSTEMS
- Go to the settings.
- Tap Phone Information.
- Tap Android Version.
From the same path, you can instead select Update software instead of Android Version, if you want to see which is the latest version available for your Android operating system.
As you can see, the steps involved are essentially the same. There are only minor variations in the formulation. This can also happen due to the manufacturer, not just the version of the operating system.
WHAT CAN SHOW THE DEVICE INFORMATION CARD
The Device Information or Phone Information tab will always show the version of Android installed on the device. It should also show you the name of the device, the model number, your security software version, and its release date.
More or less information will be displayed, depending on the device in use. Older devices generally show less relevant information in the Information section. However, on devices that use Android Pie 9, for example, you may also see the One UI version installed, the service provider, the Knox version, the build number and much more.
Of course, for most casual users, this information is irrelevant.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CHECK THE VERSION OF THE OPERATING SYSTEM?
Many people end up checking their version of the operating system because some apps don’t work properly on their devices. It is known that some apps may not respond well to previous versions of the operating system, so an update may be required.
Others check the operating system version and other device information to determine if they have a legitimate device in their hands. You too can use the information displayed on your device and cross-reference what the manufacturer lists on the website for your model.
This should let you know if you have an official model or if you may have been tricked into buying a fake.
MAINTAIN UPDATES OF THE OPERATING SYSTEM ON AUTOMATIC OR MANUALS?
Just like in most laptops and computers, Android devices tend to work better if most automatic update features are disabled. But again, this operating system is more susceptible to incompatibility problems if we consider how many new “indispensable” apps appear by third-party developers.
How do you usually check the automatic update option on your device? Uncheck it to improve performance and limit notifications or hold to avoid bugs and blocks on newly installed apps? Also, have you ever had to restore an operating system update to continue playing your favorite title? Let us know in the comments below.
