Checking on Android Updates for Older Phones

Android Updates

For Older Phones

Q. I have heard that the next version of Google’s Android operating system will run on older phones that couldn’t handle some of the newer updates. How can I find out if my handset can use the system?

A. Android 4.4 (also now known as KitKat, in keeping with the software’s tradition of dessert-themed nicknames), is expected this month. On its Web site, android.com/kitkat, Google says, “It’s our goal with Android KitKat to make an amazing Android experience available for everybody.”

Still, check with your phone’s manufacturer or wireless carrier for announcements about your particular model. And even if your phone is on the list for an official update from the manufacturer or carrier, it often takes longer for the software to become available after Google releases an update.

Many hardware makers have customized Android to work better on their own devices and have added their own features to it — like custom interfaces or special apps — so putting out a new version of the system often requires some extra time. And most do not bother to update software for models more than a few years old, partly because of outdated hardware and partly because of the desire to sell you a new phone. (Owners of Google’s recent Nexus phones typically get the update quickly, as Google puts out its own straightforward version of Android.)

Some people have gone the unofficial route and modified their devices outside of the manufacturer’s official guidelines. While this typically voids any warranty that may be left on the phone or tablet, it is one way to get newer software, and the Web has plenty of instructions for doing so.