Updating your mobile connected to a Wi-Fi network is one of the main tips that everyone throws when they are going to change the operating system, in addition to having the mobile charged above 50%. However, there are times when you need to update Android and you cannot connect to a secure network.
Either because you need to apply a security patch, update an app, or download a new operating system on your mobile, you always have the opportunity to go to the data network to download the installation file. However, this is not entirely recommended, as we explain below.
Is it advisable to download a software without Wi-Fi?
Well, everything will depend from the prism with which you look at it. In general, updating Android without being connected to a Wi-Fi network is not recommended at all because an operating system update usually takes a lot of time. The normal thing is that the weight of the package is between 1 and 3 GB, which can consume a low data plan in just one hour.
However, nowadays there are unlimited data rates that mean that you can not worry about GB consumption, so it is another good option to download large files without fearing possible “bumps” on the telephone bill.
In addition, we must take into account what type of update we are talking about. If it is an operating system we have already said that it is too heavy to download with a “short” data plan but if we talk about a security patch, which usually takes up a few MB, there is no problem in that you download it on your mobile and it install without being connected to a Wi-fi network.
Other ways to update your Android
Once you know the risks you are exposing yourself to, it’s time to try alternative downloads on Android.
Use your data plan
Depending on the type of mobile you have, you can use mobile data to update Android in one way or another. There are manufacturers that do not allow it but generally you will have to enter the system update or Wi-Fi settings to be able to download large files such as an Android package without having to be connected to a Wi-Fi network.
- Option A: Access the Settings app and select Wi-Fi at the top of the screen. Then select Advanced configuration or WiFi settings and activate the option “Automatically switch to mobile data” which will allow you to use mobile data when your Wi-Fi network does not have Internet access
Once enabled, swipe down from the top of the phone, turn off Wi-Fi, and download the update
- Option B: Access the Settings app and select System or About phone at the bottom of the screen. Once inside, select the System update option. Here the pending update will appear or if the mobile is updated. Click on the settings icon in the upper right corner and inside they indicate that you want to download the package without Wi-fi.
Download the package manually
This option is quite similar to the previous one, except that instead of working on the OTA update of the mobile, you can download the software package to your phone to install it manually. To do this, you must first download the official software for your mobile from the manufacturer’s website:
- Official Xiaomi Firmware.
- Download the firmware on Huawei mobiles.
- Get the latest firmware for Samsung.
- The official OnePlus updates.
- Download the latest version of OPPO.
- The latest version of Realme firmware.
Then you must follow this step-by-step guide to manually install a new operating system on each mobile.
And what about updating apps?
If you want to update the Play Store apps , and not the system or apply a security patch, you don’t have to touch the mobile settings, but you do have to touch the Android store settings. In this case, you must choose that the updates are applied using any Network, not just Wi-Fi.
Open Play Store, click on the upper left button that displays the side menu and, below, select Settings. Inside, go to Application download preference and select On any network.
