Where to find the update check on your Android phone
Android updates live in your phone's Settings app, not in the Play Store. 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 whether a new version is waiting for you. If an update is there, you will see a button to download 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.
Key Takeaways
- Updates are found in Settings > About phone > System update, not in the Play Store or anywhere else.
- Your phone checks for updates automatically in the background, so you do not have to look for them manually.
- If an update is waiting, your phone will show a notification on your lock screen or in your notification panel.
- Installing an update takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on the size, and your phone will restart during the process.
- Plugging in your charger before you start an update prevents your phone from shutting down mid-installation.
What happens when you tap the update button
When you find an update and tap the button to install it, your phone first downloads the full update file — this can be 500 megabytes to over a gigabyte depending on what is changing. Your phone will show you a progress bar while it downloads. This step usually takes 5 to 15 minutes on a home WiFi network.
Once the download finishes, your phone will ask you to confirm that you want to install. At this point, your phone will restart automatically and spend 10 to 30 minutes installing the update while you see a progress bar on a black screen. Do not unplug your phone or turn it off during this time — if the power cuts out mid-installation, your phone may not start up again.
After installation finishes, your phone restarts one more time and you are back to your home screen. The whole process from start to finish usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Why your phone might say no update is available
If you check for updates and see a message that your phone is up to date, it means you already have the latest version that your manufacturer has released for your specific phone model. This does not mean updates will never come — manufacturers release new versions on their own schedule, sometimes monthly and sometimes every few months.
Your phone also checks for updates automatically in the background, usually once a day. If a new update becomes available, you will see a notification on your lock screen or in your notification panel (the dropdown menu at the top of your screen). You do not have to manually check every day.
One exception: if your phone is very old, the manufacturer may have stopped releasing updates for it. Phones typically receive updates for 2 to 4 years after release, depending on the brand. If your phone is older than that, it may never receive another update even if you check repeatedly.
Preparing your phone before you install an update
Before you tap the install button, plug your phone into a charger. Updates require a lot of power, and if your battery dies during installation, your phone can become unusable. Plug it in and leave it plugged in until the update is completely finished and your phone has restarted.
Make sure you have at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted time. During installation, you cannot use your phone at all — the screen will show only a progress bar. Do not try to use your phone, answer calls, or open apps while an update is installing.
You do not need to back up your data before a routine update — updates do not erase your photos, messages, or apps. However, if you are nervous about it, backing up to Google Drive or another cloud service takes only a few minutes and gives you peace of mind.
What to do if an update fails or gets stuck
If your phone shows an error message during an update, the most common fix is to restart your phone and try again. Hold down the power button until you see the shutdown menu, tap Restart, and once your phone is back on, go to Settings > About phone > System update and try installing again.
If the update keeps failing at the same point, try downloading it over WiFi instead of mobile data, or move to a different WiFi network. Sometimes a weak or unstable connection causes the download to corrupt partway through.
If your phone gets stuck on the progress bar screen for more than an hour, hold down the power button for 10 seconds to force it to shut down, then turn it back on. Your phone will usually resume the update or roll back to the previous version. If it rolls back, wait a few days and try again — the update may have been temporarily pulled due to a bug.
Understanding what each update does
Android updates come in different sizes. Major updates (like going from Android 13 to Android 14) add new features, change how your phone looks, and improve performance. These are large downloads and take longer to install. Security updates are smaller and come out monthly — they fix vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit, but they do not add new features.
You will also see patch updates or point releases (like going from Android 14.0 to Android 14.1). These fix bugs in the current version without adding major new features. All three types are important, but security updates are the most critical because they protect your personal information.
Your phone's manufacturer decides when to release updates, and different brands release them on different schedules. Samsung, Google Pixel, and OnePlus typically release major updates in the fall, while security updates come out on the second Tuesday of each month across most brands.
Checking your current Android version
If you want to know what version of Android you are running right now, go to Settings > About phone and look for Android version or Software version. You will see a number like "14" or "13.1" — that is your current version.
Below that, you may see Security patch level or Security update with a date. This tells you when the last security update was installed. If that date is more than two months old, a new security update may be waiting for you.
You can also see your Build number in this same section, though you do not need to understand what it means — it is just a code your manufacturer uses to track which exact version you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my phone while an update is downloading?
Yes, you can use your phone normally while the update downloads. The download happens in the background. However, once you tap the button to install, your phone will restart and you will not be able to use it until the installation is complete.
Will an update delete my photos or messages?
No. Updates do not erase your data, apps, or settings. Everything stays exactly as it is. The update only changes the Android system itself, not your personal files.
What if I do not want to install an update?
You can ignore update notifications for a while, but eventually your phone will prompt you more insistently. Security updates are important for protecting your data, so it is better to install them when they arrive rather than delay indefinitely.
Do updates slow down my phone?
Most updates actually improve performance or keep it the same. Occasionally an update may feel slower on very old phones with limited memory, but this is rare. If your phone feels slow after an update, restart it — that usually fixes temporary slowness.
Why does my phone keep asking me to update?
Your phone is reminding you because an update is waiting. If you keep dismissing the notification, your phone will ask again after a few days. To stop the reminders, either install the update or go to Settings > Apps and disable notifications for the System Update app — though this means you will miss future update alerts.