Where to find and start a tablet update

Updates on most tablets happen through the Settings app, not through a web browser or email. Open Settings, then look for a section called System, About, or Device — the exact name depends on whether you have an iPad or an Android tablet. Inside that section, you will see an option for Software Update, System Update, or Check for Updates.

Tap that option and your tablet will check whether a newer version is available. If one is ready, the screen will show you the version number you have now and the version you can read. You do not need to know what those numbers mean — just look for a button that says read, Install, or Update Now.

Before you start, plug your tablet into power. Updates can take 15 minutes to an hour, and if the battery dies halfway through, you can damage the system. Also make sure you are on a strong Wi-Fi connection, not cellular data, because the read is usually 500 megabytes or larger.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, find the System or About section, and tap Check for Updates to see if a new version is ready.
  • Plug your tablet into power before you start, because the update will fail if the battery runs out during installation.
  • Use Wi-Fi, not cellular data, because updates are large files that can take several hundred megabytes.
  • Your tablet will restart one or more times during the update, and you should not unplug it or turn it off until the process finishes.
  • If an update gets stuck or fails, force restart your tablet by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try again.

What happens during the update process

Once you tap the button to install, your tablet will read the update file. This can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed. The screen will show a progress bar. Do not close Settings or use other apps while this is happening — just let it run.

After the read finishes, the tablet will ask you to confirm that you want to install. Tap yes or confirm. The tablet will then restart itself, and you will see a loading screen or progress bar. This is normal. The installation itself usually takes 10 to 30 minutes. Your tablet may restart two or three times — this is also normal and expected.

When the update is complete, you will see your home screen again, and the tablet will be running the new version. You can check that it worked by going back to Settings and looking at the version number — it should be different from what you saw before.

Differences between iPad and Android tablet updates

iPad updates (called iOS or iPadOS) are handled through Settings > General > Software Update. Apple releases updates on a regular schedule, usually once a month for small fixes and once a year for major new versions. You can also turn on automatic updates so your iPad downloads and installs them overnight while plugged in.

Android tablet updates (made by Samsung, Google, Amazon, or other manufacturers) work similarly but vary by brand. Samsung tablets use Settings > About Phone > Software Update. Google Pixel tablets use Settings > System > System Update. Amazon Fire tablets use Settings > Device Options > System Updates. The process is the same — you check, read, and install — but the menu path is different depending on who made your tablet.

Android updates can take longer to arrive than iPad updates because each manufacturer has to test them before releasing them. You might see an update available on an iPad weeks before the same version reaches an Android tablet of the same age.

What to do if an update fails or gets stuck

If the update stops responding, the progress bar freezes, or you see an error message, do not panic. First, try waiting 10 minutes — sometimes the tablet is still working even though the screen is not changing. If nothing happens after that, force restart your tablet by holding the power button for 10 seconds until the screen goes black and the tablet restarts.

Once it restarts, go back to Settings and try the update again. Most of the time, the second attempt will work. If you get the same error twice, check that you are still on Wi-Fi and that the connection is strong. If your Wi-Fi keeps dropping, move closer to the router or try a different network.

If the update still fails after a third attempt, write down the exact error message you see and contact the tablet manufacturer's support line. They can tell you whether the error is temporary or whether your tablet needs service.

When updates are optional versus required

Some updates are security updates, which fix problems that could let hackers or malware reach your tablet. These are important and you should install them as soon as they are available. Other updates add new features or improve performance — these are nice to have but not urgent.

Your tablet will usually tell you which type of update is available. If the message says "security update" or "important update", do it soon. If it just says "new version available" or lists new features, you can wait a few days if you need to, but do not skip it forever. Updates also fix bugs that make apps crash or run slowly.

If you have turned off automatic updates, check for new versions at least once a month. Tablets that never update can become slow, unstable, or unable to run newer apps.

How to turn on automatic updates

On iPad: Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. Turn on the toggle next to "Install iOS Updates". Your iPad will read and install updates automatically when it is plugged in and on Wi-Fi, usually overnight.

On Android: The option varies by manufacturer. On Samsung tablets, go to Settings > About Phone > Software Update and look for an option to enable automatic updates. On Google Pixel tablets, go to Settings > System > System Update. On Amazon Fire tablets, go to Settings > Device Options > System Updates. Not all Android tablets offer this feature, so if you do not see it, you will need to check manually once a month.

Automatic updates are convenient because you do not have to remember to check, and they happen when you are not using the tablet. The downside is that you have less control over when the update happens. If you prefer to choose the timing yourself, leave automatic updates off and check manually every few weeks.

Storage space and update problems

Updates require temporary space on your tablet to read and install. If your tablet is almost full, the update may fail because there is not enough room. Before you try to update, check how much storage you have left by going to Settings > Storage or Settings > About > Storage.

If you have less than 2 gigabytes free, delete some apps, photos, or videos that you do not need, then try the update again. You do not need to delete much — even freeing up 500 megabytes usually solves the problem. After the update finishes, your storage will go back to normal because the temporary files are deleted automatically.

If you are not sure what is taking up space, go to Settings > Storage and look at the list of apps and files. Photos and videos are usually the biggest space hogs. You can also move photos to cloud storage (like Google Photos or iCloud) to free up room without losing them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my tablet while it is updating?

No. Once the installation starts, your tablet will restart and you will not be able to use it until the update finishes. This usually takes 15 to 45 minutes. Plan to leave your tablet alone during this time. Do not turn it off, unplug it, or try to force it to do anything else.

Will updating erase my photos, apps, or files?

No. Updates only change the operating system software, not your personal data. Your photos, videos, apps, and settings will all stay exactly as they are. The only exception is if something goes seriously wrong and you have to factory reset the tablet, but this is extremely rare.

What if my tablet is too old to get the latest update?

Older tablets eventually stop receiving updates because the hardware cannot run the newest version. When this happens, you will go to Settings and see "Your device is up to date" even though newer versions exist for other tablets. At this point, your tablet is still safe to use, but you should not expect new features or security fixes.

Do I need to be connected to Wi-Fi the whole time, or just to read?

You need Wi-Fi for the read, but once the file is downloaded, you can unplug from Wi-Fi before installation starts. However, it is safer to stay on Wi-Fi the entire time in case something goes wrong and the tablet needs to re-read part of the update.

Why is my tablet so slow after updating?

New updates sometimes make tablets run slower for the first few hours as the system reorganizes files and indexes data. If your tablet is still slow after a full day, restart it by holding the power button for 10 seconds. If it is still slow after that, check your storage space — a full tablet always runs slowly, even after an update.