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Upgrade OS

New to Android. My new phone has the OS 8.0.0. I see there is a new one 9.0. Do these get automatically downloaded for a time period? Do I need to purchase and download the new OS? Is this called an OS?
 
Hello welcome to Androidforums. Generally speaking OS updates are sent to individual devices. You can check by going into settings, scrolling down to system and checking for updates. Normally I just wait for the message to come in advising of a security patch or OS updates. Most devices Android wise are running 8:0:0, only a few have gotten pie(9:0:0) from what I understand.
 
Yes android is a mobile OS. Some phones receive updates to a newer android version depending on the carrier and oem and are provided free. Sometimes there's an alternate way of updating by rooting and installing a custom rom if available.

For further help you need to post your phone's brand/model so that someone can check for you if there's any updates and perhaps lay out your options if any.
 
Thanks all for your responses. Being new to the cell phone community is making me look up many things. In any case the phone I have is a MOTO e5 Plus with v8.0.0. I believe it should be new enough to get the v9 upgrade. I will wait for notification. Thanks again and have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
 
WOW am I totally surprised. Being new to the cell community I did not know how this worked. I guess the one I have is far below the price range for them to upgrade the OS. Or the OS, which I know nothing about, would not be suitable for my phone. In any case this is a big disappointment for me especially knowing this unit is fairly new. I usually always upgrade my computers to the latest just to be on the safe side. Live and learn as they ole saying goes.
PS: I forgot thanks for the link to see the availability of v9.0.
 
I am using the Moto E5 plus also as well as the Moto E5 plus, so it probably won't be getting pie, I don't really care. My devices are running pretty good except the pop issues with my Moto E5 play. Back in the day I was all about updates then KitKat came along and I was like:rolleyes:,then lollipop:thinking: then by the time Android N rolled around I was:thumbsdowndroid:, some how the whole Android system update had lost it's macic
 
I am using the Moto E5 plus also as well as the Moto E5 plus, so it probably won't be getting pie, I don't really care. My devices are running pretty good except the pop issues with my Moto E5 play. Back in the day I was all about updates then KitKat came along and I was like:rolleyes:,then lollipop:thinking: then by the time Android N rolled around I was:thumbsdowndroid:, some how the whole Android system update had lost it's macic

This is my first modern cell phone and I am already loosing the magic. As I only want it for emergencies and maybe contacting someone when I am away from home I will hang in there and learn before I decide what to do with situation. I am not into the Social environment so I have nothing to lose or gain.
 
If they continue to provide security updates that's probably more important than an OS version update anyway. And if those are your uses I doubt that the lack of an update will make a lot of difference.

In general lower-end models get less software support: that's part of why they cost less (you have to build a mobile OS for each different model, there aren't generic distributions you can install on any phone, so building, testing etc costs effort and hence money). Also if it is bought through a carrier and the carrier have modified the software that can also delay or in some cases suppress updates, because in those cases the carrier has to do the updating rather than just the manufacturer.

It also depends a bit on the manufacturer. Some are faster than others, some provide more support for their lower-end devices than others. Of course it's hard to know this if you haven't been watching the market for some time (and the shop just wants to sell them to you, so isn't likely to be a source of unbiassed information about this).
 
If they continue to provide security updates that's probably more important than an OS version update anyway. And if those are your uses I doubt that the lack of an update will make a lot of difference.

In general lower-end models get less software support: that's part of why they cost less (you have to build a mobile OS for each different model, there aren't generic distributions you can install on any phone, so building, testing etc costs effort and hence money). Also if it is bought through a carrier and the carrier have modified the software that can also delay or in some cases suppress updates, because in those cases the carrier has to do the updating rather than just the manufacturer.

It also depends a bit on the manufacturer. Some are faster than others, some provide more support for their lower-end devices than others. Of course it's hard to know this if you haven't been watching the market for some time (and the shop just wants to sell them to you, so isn't likely to be a source of unbiassed information about this).

Your response makes perfect sense. I will have to be in the cellphone arena for some time before I understand the workings of these devices and systems.
 
The life cycle of cell phones is very short compared to other consumer electronics. While it's possible to keep a phone working for 4 or 5 years, at 2 years it's generally considered old technology. You may possibly see security patches for a device for 3, maybe 3-1/2 years following its release, but after that you're either on your own or you have to look to the developer community for support and updates.

Part of the problem is that, as the network infrastructure advances, a lot of the current protocols will drop by the wayside and you can't retrofit old tech to work with the new networks. That's just the way it is, I'm afraid.
 
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A few days ago I was home and my daughters Moto E5 plus was acting a little buggy, she complained about the battery. So I checked the apps, there are only a handful installed .
So I checked for security updates. It was running a December security patch. I was able to update first to January and then February
It wouldn't update any further
But at least it's running a little better
 
A few days ago I was home and my daughters Moto E5 plus was acting a little buggy, she complained about the battery. So I checked the apps, there are only a handful installed .
So I checked for security updates. It was running a December security patch. I was able to update first to January and then February
It wouldn't update any further
But at least it's running a little better

Sage advice from somebody who learned the hard way: never update your device past the firmware that is currently present for download or you won't have a fallback plan if you soft brick
 
I read somewhere that support for the Moto E5 plus and play were supposed to end sometime in 2019 , I know neither is on the list to get Android Q
 
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