How to Update an Android Tablet

This guide walks you through triggering a manual update to your Android tablet and provides an overview of the limitations of older Android devices when it comes to the latest updates.

How to Manually Update Android Tablets By Version

The following steps will help you manually update your Samsung, Google Nexus, LG, and Acer tablets, among many others. They are slightly different depending on your Android version, which we've outlined below.

Tablets Running Android Pie or Later

Here's how to update tablets running Android Pie (version 9.0), Android 10, and Android 11.

1. Select the Settings application. Its icon is a cog (You may have to select the
   Applications icon first).

2. Select Software Update.
   

3. Select Download and install.

Tablets With Nougat or Oreo

Android Nougat (7.0 - 7.1) and Oreo (8.0 - 8.1.0) are the seventh and eighth versions of the Android operating system. Updating changed a little in these versions.

1. Select the Settings application. Its icon is a cog (You may have to select the
   Applications icon first).

2. Select Software Update.
   

3. Select Download Updates Manually.
   

Marshmallow, Lollipop, or KitKat Tablets

Android KitKat (version 4.4), Android Lollipop (version 5.0-5.1), and Android Marshmallow (version 6.0) are different from the previous version (Jelly Bean). Here's how updating differs.

1. Select the Settings application. Its icon is a cog (You may have to select the
   Applications icon first).

2. Scroll down the settings menu list and select About Device.

3. Select Download Updates Manually.

Jelly Bean Tablets

Android Jelly Bean (versions 4.1 to 4.3) is the tenth version of the Android mobile operating system. Here's how to update it.

1. Select the Settings application. Its icon is a cog (You may have to select the
   Applications icon first).

2. Scroll down the settings menu list and select About Device.

3. Select Software Update.

4. Select Update.

Automatic Android System Updates

Android tablets are designed to automatically stay up to date as long as you have an active internet connection. If your tablet can support the latest updates, you'll periodically be prompted to complete an Android software update. To do so, you need to agree to it.

Alternatively, you can delay it (at which point it will remind you later) or schedule it to begin installing at a later time.

Before starting your update, ensure you have plenty of storage space, as updates can require multiple gigabytes of space to install in some cases. How much exactly depends on your version, but ensuring you have a few gigabytes spare should give you enough breathing room to install the update. It's also a good idea to make sure your battery is charged, or at least your tablet is plugged in, so it won't run out of battery mid update.