Android O to launch today: How to update, download and install new OS on your smartphone

Google will release the next version of Android, called as Android O, today (August 21). Android O release coincides with the total solar eclipse. The company will conduct a live stream from New York, which will begin from 2:40 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). In, India you will be able to watch it from 12.10 AM. The next update of Android is called as Android O, but it is not the name of the software, rather a symbol. According to most speculations and rumours, the O in Android O will officially be named as Oreo. Meanwhile, some reports also suggest that the next version of Android will be known as Octopus. While things may not be certain when it comes to the name, but we do know that the the new OS from Google has brought some amazing new features.

This year, at Google I/O, the tech giant talked a lot about Android O, so we already have a decent amount of information regarding the features which will be seen in the latest OS. Once you download the Android update, you will bring better battery life, enhanced security features, Picture in Picture (PiP) mode, improved notifications, better audio quality, and much more. Since we know Google’s track record, it is expected that all Google-branded smartphones and tablets will get the latest Android system update the earliest. So the Android O is likely to first arrive in the following devices: Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X, and Nexus 6P.

The first smartphone to come pre-loaded with Android O would be none other than the Pixel 2, which we hope will be announced sometime in September. Apart from that, even other phones from Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Lenovo, Motorola will receive the update soon. The key question now, is when Android O finally rolls out how can you download it on your smartphone. Here is a step by steap guide to install Android O on your device.

How to download Android O? How to install Android O?

First check, which Android version you have:
1. Go to the Settings app on your smartphone.
2. Go directly to the bottom of the first page.
3. Click on ‘About phone’ or if you have a tablet, then ‘About tablet’.
4. Now you will have to go to “Android version” and “Android security patch level.”
5. Click on ‘Get the latest Android updates’.
6. As soon as you get an update notification, open it and click on the update action.

In case you cleared your notification or your phone has been offline:
1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Go directly to the bottom and tap ‘About phone’ or ‘About tablet’ and then System updates.
3. You will see your update status. Follow any on-screen steps.

Back up your data: As a precautionary measure, it’s good practice to back up your data such as contacts and photos. The upgrade shouldn’t affect your data but there are no guarantees.

Note: Your phone may need a Wi-Fi connection to find an update. It is recommended that you should download the software over Wi-Fi since the file size could be quite large.