How to fix Android Update Issues

Are you struggling to perform a simple security update on your phone, or upgrade to the latest version of Android? Here are a few common issues that could prevent you from downloading that all-important update.

It’s always worth keeping your phone up to date with the latest security updates, bug fixes and operating system. From improvements to navigation, to making sure your phone is as secure as possible, there are plenty of reasons to make sure you’ve got the latest updates.

Sometimes, though, a small issue can stop you from either starting or completing the download. Here are a few common Android update issues and how they can be solved:   

Network connection not strong enough

No matter what kind of update it is, you’ll need a solid internet connection to be able to successfully complete it.

Make sure that you’re either connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network or you’ve got your mobile data turned on. If the update file is large, we’d recommend saving the update until you’re at home and connected to a familiar Wi-Fi network. Don’t burn through your monthly data on a single download!

Your device doesn’t have enough battery power to complete an update

Big updates can take quite a while to complete and many phones are required to have a certain amount of battery power remaining before they can update. This is to make sure that the phone doesn’t shut down before the update has completed.

Try charging your device until the battery is full, then tap the update. A full battery should be more than enough to see any update through from beginning to end.

Not enough storage space to update

As well as data, any software update requires a certain amount of available storage space. If you’re getting a notification along the lines of ‘not enough space to download update’, it’s worth deleting a few of your infrequently used apps. This’ll help free up some much-needed space and declutter your phone.

If you’ve still not got enough space, check how much storage certain apps are using. If you download movies on streaming apps to watch offline, these take up a huge chunk of storage. Go through your downloads and delete any films or show episodes you’ve already watched.

Lastly, check your saved files from messaging apps like Whatsapp. When friends send you pictures and videos, you have to download to view them. These don’t take up too much space individually but can amount to gigabytes of valuable storage after a while.

Your device is too old

This is a slightly trickier issue to deal with. Some older Android phones can no longer update because updates aren’t being created for them anymore. This is due to a number of reasons. If you can’t update the operating system on your old Android device, it’s likely due to the processor not being powerful enough to handle the new software. If you’re struggling to perform a security update, it’s probably because the manufacturer is focusing on newer models. If you’re experiencing either of these issues and your phone is several years old, you’ll need to buy a new one to continue receiving current updates.