Where to find and start a Samsung software update

Samsung phones check for updates automatically, but you can also start one yourself. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap About phone. At the bottom of that screen, you'll see Software update — tap it. Your phone will check for a newer version. If one is available, you'll see a button that says read and install or Update. Tap it to begin.

The update will read over Wi-Fi or mobile data, depending on what your phone is connected to. Larger updates work faster on Wi-Fi. Once the read finishes, your phone will ask you to restart. Tap Install or Restart now, and your phone will restart itself during the installation — this is normal and can take 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off your phone during this time.

If you don't see an update available, your phone is already on the latest version that Samsung has released for your model. Different Samsung phones receive updates at different times, so an older model may not get the newest Android version that a newer model has.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap About phone, then Software update to check for and read updates yourself.
  • Updates read over Wi-Fi or mobile data and install automatically after you restart your phone.
  • Your phone will restart during installation — this is normal and can take up to 15 minutes.
  • If no update is available, your phone already has the latest software released for your model.
  • Plug in your phone before starting an update so the battery doesn't run out during installation.

Preparing your phone before you update

Before you start an update, plug your phone into a charger. Updates use battery power, and if your phone shuts down during installation, the update can fail and cause problems. Aim for at least 50 percent battery, though a full charge is safer.

Back up your important data — photos, contacts, messages, and app data — before you update. Samsung phones usually don't lose data during updates, but backups protect you if something goes wrong. You can back up to Samsung Cloud (built into your phone), Google Drive, or your computer. To use Samsung Cloud, open Settings, tap Accounts and backup, then Samsung Cloud, and follow the prompts.

Make sure you have enough storage space. Updates need room to read and install. If your phone is almost full, delete old photos, videos, or apps you don't use, or move files to cloud storage. You can check how much space you have by opening Settings, tapping Storage, and looking at the bar at the top.

What happens during and after the update

Once you tap Install or Restart now, your phone will restart and show a Samsung logo or a progress bar. This is the installation phase. Your phone may restart multiple times — this is normal. Do not interrupt it by pressing buttons or removing the battery. The whole process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes, but can occasionally take longer.

When the update finishes, your phone will restart and show your lock screen. Your apps, photos, messages, and settings will be exactly as they were before. Some apps may need to update themselves after your phone updates — you'll see notifications for these in the coming days, and you can update them from the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store.

After the update, you may notice small changes to how your phone looks or works. Samsung adds new features and improves security with each update. You can learn what changed by opening Settings, tapping About phone, then Software update, and looking for release notes or a "What's new" section.

Troubleshooting when an update won't read or install

If your phone says "Update failed" or the read keeps stopping, restart your phone and try again. Press and hold the power button, tap Restart, wait for your phone to turn back on, then go back to Settings > About phone > Software update and try downloading again.

If the read keeps stopping, switch to Wi-Fi if you were using mobile data, or move closer to your router. Large updates need a stable connection. If you're on Wi-Fi and it's still stopping, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to reconnect.

If your phone gets stuck on the Samsung logo or a progress bar for more than 20 minutes, hold the power button and volume up button together for 10 seconds to force a restart. This will not delete your data. After the restart, plug in your phone and try the update again. If the problem continues, contact Samsung support through the Samsung Members app or visit a Samsung service center.

When to update and how often

Samsung releases updates regularly — usually monthly security updates and larger feature updates one or two times a year. You don't have to update when ready, but security updates fix problems that could affect your phone's safety, so it's worth doing them within a few weeks of release.

Your phone will remind you about available updates with a notification. You can ignore these for a while, but eventually your phone will prompt you more frequently. There's no penalty for waiting, but delaying security updates leaves your phone vulnerable longer than necessary.

If you prefer not to be bothered by update notifications, you can turn them off in Settings > Notifications > App notifications > Software update, then toggle off Allow notifications. You can still check for updates manually whenever you want by going to Settings > About phone > Software update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will updating my Samsung phone delete my photos or data?

No. Updates do not delete your photos, messages, contacts, or app data. Everything stays on your phone exactly as it was. However, it's always smart to back up important files before any major change to your phone, just in case something unexpected happens.

How long does a Samsung phone update take?

Most updates take 5 to 15 minutes from the moment you tap Install until your phone restarts and is ready to use. Larger feature updates can occasionally take 20 to 30 minutes. Your phone may restart several times during this process — this is normal.

Can I use my phone while it's updating?

No. Once you tap Install or Restart now, your phone will restart and you won't be able to use it until the update finishes. This is why it's important to plug in your phone and make sure you have time before you start.

What if my Samsung phone is too old to get new updates?

Older Samsung phones eventually stop receiving updates. When that happens, your phone will show "Your software is up to date" even though newer Android versions exist for newer phones. This is normal — Samsung supports each phone for a certain number of years, then moves on to newer models.

Do I need Wi-Fi to update my Samsung phone?

No, but Wi-Fi is faster and more reliable. You can update over mobile data, but larger updates may use a lot of data. If you have a limited data plan, use Wi-Fi. If you're on an unlimited plan, mobile data works fine.