Our guess is that most of you have a smartphone if you’re reading this. Being smartphone owners ourselves, we’re always interested in knowing when a smartphone gets updated. Wouldn’t it be convenient to have this all in one place? That’s why we created our ‘Droid Updates’ Weekly Series.
Once per week, we’ll give you a list of notable Android devices that received updates over the course of seven days. This can be anything from a minor carrier update, a security patch update, or a major system overhaul like Android Nougat. We’ll give you an idea of when to expect the update as well as what’s new in that particular update. Access our ‘Droid Updates’ Weekly Series from the main menu or search “Droid Updates.”
Droid Updates Weekly: 9/11 – 9/15
Tuesday 9.12
Google pushes September security patches to its devices
Every month, Google pushes updates over-the-air to its Nexus and Pixel lineups of smartphones and tablets. Since their devices run stock/vanilla Android, they’re among the first the get updated. This monthly update includes only security patches, keeping you prone to future viruses. They’re sent directly from Google, with no need to pass through carriers. The update itself is a small package and makes no changes to the look and feel of your device, nor does it reset your phone. The update is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend downloading and installing it as soon as you can for your own safety. This typically takes a week before it hits all devices. Hit one of the links below for instructions on how to get started.
**Also receiving the update: Verizon Pixel models and Google Project Fi variants.
Manual install: OTA Download, Factory Image Download, Android Security Bulletin
Wednesday 9.13
Samsung updates the Galaxy Note 8 right before its global release
On Wednesday, ahead of the Galaxy Note 8’s release date, Samsung began pushing a firmware update over-the-air. Included in the update are a bevy of camera improvements as well as performance fixes for Samsung’s fast wireless charging. Also on board are Google’s security patches from August. The update comes in a medium-sized package and will not reset your device. It typically takes around a week to reach all compatible devices. You can try triggering it by going into your device settings under ‘About’ and ‘check for new software updates.’
SOURCE [SamMobile]
The Essential Phone is updated for the first time
The Essential PH-1 picked up its first update this week over-the-air. Included in the update are a ton of performance tweaks and bug fixes that improve the overall performance and touch sensitivity of the device. Also included are the Android security patches from September. The update comes in a medium-sized package and will not reset your device. It typically takes around a week to reach all compatible devices. You can try triggering it by going into your device settings under ‘About’ and ‘check for new software updates.’
SOURCE [Droid-Life]
Verizon’s Galaxy S5 strangely receives Android’s August security patches in new OTA update
Samsung and Verizon push monthly updates over-the-air to some smartphones and tablets. This monthly update includes security patches, keeping you prone from viruses. The update itself is a small package and makes no changes to the look or feel of your device, nor does it reset your device. The update is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend downloading and installing it as soon as you can for your own safety. This typically takes a week to reach all compatible devices. You can try triggering it by going into your device settings under ‘About’ and ‘check for new software updates.’ For further installation instructions and details on what’s new, hit the source link(s) below.
SOURCE [Verizon]
Friday 9.15
Verizon Galaxy Note 8 units are sent an update on release day
Verizon Galaxy Note 8 customers began receiving an update on Friday over-the-air. Included are patches to a known Blueborne vulnerability, improvements made to GPS and fixes to the on board Swype keyboard. The update comes in a medium-sized package and will not reset your device. It typically takes around a week to reach all compatible devices. You can try triggering it by going into your device settings under ‘About’ and ‘check for new software updates.’ For further installation instructions and details on what’s new, hit the source link(s) below.
SOURCE [Verizon]
**Friendly reminder: Our recommendation is that you charge your battery first and connect to a nearby Wi-Fi network prior to getting started with any updates!
