How to Upgrade Android Phone using OTA Zip File

All smartphones provide options to upgrade their Android Operating system through System Update. But sometimes update fails to download or install downloaded firmware. In such cases, you can manually update or upgrade your Android phone using the OTA Firmware update zip file.

So, in this tutorial, we will show you how to update or upgrade your Android phone using the Firmware zip file via Recovery mode. Please note that using stock recovery, you can only install Stock ROMs. So, if you need to install custom ROMs on your phone, you will need to root your phone and also install custom recovery.

WARNING: We strongly advise you to take a backup of your phone before proceeding further. This process will wipe your phone’s internal storage completely. In case of failure, you may also get a dead device. We won’t be responsible for any damage of any kind. So, proceed at your own risk.

Requirements to Upgrade Android

• Official Stock ROM or OTA Firmware Update.zip file for your smartphone.
• Take a Backup of your personal data as this process will erase all data on your phone.
• Charge your phone’s battery by more than 50%.

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Upgrade your Android Phone using OTA Firmware Zip File via Recovery

In this tutorial, we are using stock recovery to install the OTA firmware zip file, so you won’t need a PC. Just follow these steps.

Step 1: Copy the OTA Firmware Zip File to the SD Card and Turn Off your Phone

Copy the downloaded Stock ROM (Firmware) update zip file to your SD card and rename it to Update.zip. After that, insert the SD card into your phone.

After you have inserted the SD card in your phone, power off your phone using the power button on your phone.

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Step 2: Start and Boot your Phone into Recovery Mode

Now, go to Recovery Mode by using the combination of volume up, volume down, and power buttons. This combination may be different for different phone models. Here are details for all major phone models.

You should hold these three buttons for 10 seconds and then release them. You should see the Android robot logo. If you don’t see it, you have to power off your device and repeat this step. We will use Recovery Mode to install the OTA firmware zip file and upgrade your Android phone.

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Step 3: Wipe Data or Factory Reset using Recovery Mode

You will see the Recovery menu on the screen, choose wipe data/factory reset and wipe cache partition before installing the OTA update zip file on your device.

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Step 4: Install OTA Firmware Zip from SD Card and Upgrade your Android Phone

After wiping out data and cache partition, select the apply update from the external SD card option. After that, navigate to the OTA firmware or ROM zip file you copied to your SD card in Step 1 and select it.

It may take some time to install the OTA firmware upgrade zip on your Android phone. So, you may have a cup of coffee in meanwhile.

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SEE ALSO: How to Make a Zip of Death or Zip Bomb?

Step 5: Reboot to System After Firmware Upgrade

After you have successfully installed the OTA update on your Android smartphone, choose the reboot system now option from the Stock Recovery Menu. Your phone will start with the new updated Android.

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SEE ALSO: How to Downgrade Lenovo A6000/Plus Phone from Lollipop to KitKat?

Install OTA Firmware Update Zip and Upgrade Android using Recovery

Now, your Android phone will reboot and boot to updated Android. The first start after the firmware upgrade may take some time, so be patient. After that, Android will optimize all your apps for new upgraded Android.

Hope you liked this tutorial. If you face any issues with the upgrade, reset your Android smartphone to factory settings. This might solve most of the problems.