When a new iOS version is out, every supported iPhone and iPad can get it right away. On Android, however, different manufacturers and carriers roll out the updates at different times. Here's how to force an Android update check, if you suspect you are about to get one.
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We have prepared this guide on a Nexus 62014 phone, regarding the upgrade from Android Lollipop 5.1.1 to Android Marshmellow 6.0 that started rolling out on October 5, 2015. It should work to force an Android update check for recent past and future Android device.
The standard, manual Android update check
Before we try the more advanced methods to force an Android update check, it doesn't hurt to do a manual check.
While connected to the internet, preferably through WiFi, we just need to go to settings.
There, we scroll all the way down to "About phone".
We tap the first option, System updates.
If after we tap "Check for update", the phone claims it is up to date, it's time to try the alternate methods.
Clearing the Google Services Framework data
The first method to force and Android update check is to clear the Google Services Framework data. It should be noted that this method won't always work on the first try, and we might have to repeat it a couple of times.
We go back to Settings and tap on Apps or Applications.
We select the "All" applications tab...
...and scroll down until we find the Google Services Framework. There, first we click on "Clear Data", and then on "Force Stop". The app will immediately restart.
After that, we can go back to Settings -> About phone -> System updates. If the date of the last update is considerably old - for some phones as old as 1969 - it means it worked. If not, we must go back to the Google Services Framework and repeat the process.
If the method doesn't work after a few times, we've got another trick up our sleeve.
The *#*#CHECKIN#*#* trick
For the final method, we need to open the dialer, and type:
*#*#2432546#*#*
The numbers spell "Checkin". On the screenshot, we haven't typed the last asterisk "*", because doing so will automatically run the code.
After we type the last asterisk, we will get a "checkin succeeded" notification in a second or so.
As with the Google Services Framework trick, we again go to Settings -> About phone -> System updates to run a new manual update.
Which method is better?
Both methods can potentially speed up the update/upgrade notification, to start the procedure earlier. The Google Services Framework method is easier to remember, the checkin method is faster to apply. There is no harm in trying them both.
Of course, if there just isn't an update to download yet on our carrier's or manufacturer's servers, none of these methods are going to create it out of thin air.
Have you tried the above methods on your Android device? Did either of them force a successful Android update check? Leave us a comment.
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Israel Frost says
Tried both and neither are working on Moto g4, I had the update but had to go back because I soft bricked my phone and now it won't see the update for some reason.