Check and update your Android version

Important: It's normal for your Android device to drain more battery after a software update, as it works hard to download, optimise and install the update.

You can find your device's Android version number, security update level and Google Play system level in your Settings app. You'll get notifications when updates are available for you. You can also check for updates.

Check which Android version you have

  1. Open your device's Settings app.
  2. Near the bottom, tap About phone or About tablet and then Android version.
  3. Find your 'Android version', 'Android security update' and 'Build number'.

Get the latest Android updates available for you

When you get a notification, open it and tap the update action.

If you cleared your notification or your device has been offline:

  1. Open your device's Settings app.
  2. Tap System and then Software update.
  3. You'll find your update status. Follow any steps on the screen.

Tip: If you have a Pixel device, it may say 'Software updates'.

Get security updates and Google Play system updates

Most system updates and security patches happen automatically. To check if an update is available:

  1. Open your device's Settings app.
  2. Tap Security and privacy and then System and updates.
    • For security updates, tap Security update.
    • For Google Play system updates, tap Google Play system update.
  3. Follow any steps on the screen.

When you'll get Android updates

Update schedules vary by device, manufacturer and mobile operator.

Important: Older devices can’t always run newer Android versions.

Fix an updates issue

Not enough space available

If you get a 'not enough space available' notification, learn how to free up storage on:

An update didn't download

Let the update automatically try again

If an update starts downloading and doesn't finish, your device will automatically try again over the next few days.
When it tries again, you'll get a notification. Open the notification and tap the update action.

Update Android version for security updates

To get the latest security update available for your device, make sure that you have the latest Android version available for your device.
When updates become active

Pixel phones and Pixel Tablet

Pixel phones and Pixel Tablet install downloaded Android updates in the background. The installed updates become active the next time you restart your device. 

Other Android devices

Many Android phones and tablets automatically restart while they install downloaded Android updates. The updates become active when installation finishes.

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