How to update Android phone even if there are no official updates! Maybe you didn’t know, but you have the possibility to update your Android phone even if the manufacturer has not released an official version. Follow these tips if you don’t want your phone to get old.
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Currently, one of the main problems presented by mobile phones is the lack of Android support and updates, because, after a couple of years in the market, manufacturers, and operators stop updating their devices.
This programmed obsolescence applied to the software can be very dangerous, since, even if the device can still give much more, the lack of updates with security improvements can leave the smartphone or tablet exposed to many dangers.
So how to update Android phone even without official updates? Fortunately, there are other alternatives to upgrade your Android, even if there is no official update from the manufacturer. Thanks to these alternatives you can keep your Android safe and up to date much longer.
The most popular Android
When you buy your smartphone, you looked at the camera, if it had a quality screen or if it has the internal memory you need. However, there is one factor that not many users take into consideration, but that will be crucial to maximizing device life- how popular is the device among the developer community?
Do you know that a device with more than 6 years in the market can still stay updated with the latest Android versions through the work of the developer community that creates custom ROMs for these devices?
How to update Android phone, if the manufacturer no longer releases official updates?
ROM and manufacturer’s warranty
Your Android’s ROM is considered one of the main/important components of your device, so the manufacturer won’t be happy if you change it to an unofficial one. Therefore, changing the ROM automatically invalidates the manufacturer’s warranty on your Android phone.
Fortunately, if your device is medium or high, you will have official updates for your phone over 18 months after its launch, even reaching 2 years. Therefore it is possible that the lack of support coincides with the end of the guarantee offered by the device manufacturer.
Therefore, the ideal time to look for an unofficial version of Android to keep your smartphone or tablet up to date will be when the two-year warranty ends.
Find the ROM for your Android
If your device is one of the most popular at the moment among developers, it is very likely that there are many ROMs available for this. However, we recommend that you start by installing a custom ROM that has broad community support. This way, if you have some kind of problem during the installation, you will have the help you need to quickly solve the problem.
One of the easiest to use due to its similarity to the official Android version, and it also has broad support, is LineageOS. (Through the LineageOS link you will find the best-customized ROMs for your Android phone)
The best Android ROMs you can install in 2024
Before starting, make a backup
Before updating your Android phone and changing anything on your device, it is advisable to take the necessary precautions and make sure you do not lose any data during the process.
One of the requirements to change the ROM is to remove all content from the device’s internal memory, so if you store personal data in that storage space, it will be irretrievably lost.
Therefore, you need to copy music, photos, videos or all the information you want to keep on the device’s microSD card or PC.
Furthermore, it is possible to create a nandroid backup of the device in which all the data and settings of the apps currently installed on the phone are stored. If you don’t know how to do it, in this step by step we tell you how to create a nandroid backup of your Android in detail.
Android Backup on PC without Root | Simple guide
Install the Android drivers on your PC
Another factor to consider before installing a custom ROM to update Android phone even without official updates is to install the drivers of your Android phone on your PC.
These drivers allow you to establish communication between your smartphone or tablet and your computer, so if you have not installed them correctly, your computer will not recognize your Android and you will not be able to copy or run the files and commands necessary to update Android.
Go here to learn how to install Android drivers on your PC
Install a custom recovery on your Android
Before changing the ROM on your phone you will need to install a custom recovery on your Android and compatible with your device.
Custom recovery is the BIOS/UEFI equivalent of your computer and will be the one that will open the doors to install a new ROM with which to upgrade your Android.
To find the correct custom recovery for your Android, you can search for your device in the largest Android developer forum as you will find the files needed to install custom recovery on your Android and detailed instructions on how to do it. Or trust us and visit the link below!
How to install TWRP custom recovery on your Android phone
Choose the right method
Not all Android devices are the same and, therefore, there is no universal formula for installing a custom ROM on your phone that works foolproof with everyone.
Even if few, some ROMs could have a different installation process, so you have to be very careful when you follow the instructions provided by the ROM developer.
In the case of LineageOS ROMs, all compatible devices are shown in the Download section of your website. You just have to select exactly your model, paying particular attention to the operator’s variations or the reference of the model that can exist between the versions of the same device.
Download the version that you think is appropriate for your device and access the installation instructions tab for more information on how to install the ROM on Android and how to access the recovery to run the installation files.
I hope I was helpful in letting you know how to update Android phone even without official updates. If you have problems with this tutorial, don’t hesitate to contact us using the comment box or the Facebook page.
