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How to Install an Android Security Update and Verify It Was Applied

Use your Android device’s Settings update screen to install an available security update, then check Android version for the reported security-update level.
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To install an Android security update, open your device’s update screen in Settings and follow the prompts. After installation, check Android security update under Android version in Settings to confirm the security level your device reports. The exact menu labels and update timing vary by device, manufacturer, and carrier.

Prepare your device

Google recommends connecting to Wi-Fi and charging the device to at least 75% before updating. Updates can be large and may take time to download and install.

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Check for and install an Android security update

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Tap System → Software update, or look for a similarly named update option. On some Pixel devices, the label may appear as Software updates or System update.

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  3. Check the update status. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it. You may also be able to start an update from an update notification.

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  4. Let the installation finish. Follow any prompt to restart your device.

On Pixel phones and Pixel Tablet, a downloaded update installs in the background and becomes active the next time the device restarts. Many other Android devices restart automatically during installation; on those devices, the update becomes active when installation finishes. Follow the instructions shown on your device.

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Verify that the update was applied

  1. Open Settings → About phone or About tablet.

  2. Tap Android version.

  3. Read the value beside Android security update. This is the security-update level the device reports.

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The same screen may also show Google Play system update and the build number. Google Play system update is a separate field; it is not the Android security update field. Seeing an update notification alone does not confirm that installation finished.

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Why is my Android phone not showing an update?

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