Some of the previous articles about the streaming devices like Android Box, Fire TV Stick, and Chromecast are covered in detail. Here, rather than pointing any specific issue on the Android TV, we are looking to update Android TV Box Firmware. Keeping your Android TV box or even the latest Android TV stick is important as most applications are only compatible with the latest version of Android OS.
Recently, many readers have been asking about their Android TV Boxes. How do you get the best streaming and quality of output? Besides having a good quality product from a reputable manufacturer, one other aspect can significantly influence the performance of your Android TV box firmware.
In this how-to guide, we will tell you more about firmware. What is firmware, why you should update it, where to get the latest version, and how to update it? Of course, when we speak about the Android Box Firmware update, it doesn’t mean that you should update to the latest version to enjoy the great experience of Android Boxes. But sure, if your Android TV Box is provided with the latest version of Android Update for TV, which is Android 9, then you should update it without any further delay.
What is Firmware in Android TV?
When you mention firmware today, people do not turn around and stare at you with a strange look. Because it is the tech age, and we expect that the majority (out of the 5,400) English words created every year will be tech-based. But that is beside the point.
The term firmware is pretty much like software. Only that now it applies to Android Smart TV boxes.
An Android TV Box operates pretty much like your tablet or smartphone. It has the hardware, the operating system (of course, it is Android, duh!), and the firmware.
Firmware is what speaks to the hardware and makes it do what it should do. It connects the Wi-Fi, SD card, or Bluetooth with the hardware and instructs it on what to do.
Each Android TV manufacturer develops its firmware to optimize its product. It is usually stored in the Read-Only Memory (ROM) of the TV box. So the info will not disappear when you switch off the device.
Why Should You Update the Firmware on Your Android TV Box?
Firmware is specific to hardware manufacturers, and it is meant to make the device function optimally. Unless you have the most up-to-date firmware for your Android TV box, it may not do all the things that the manufacturer has developed.
For example, the manufacturer may have come up with a way to enhance the performance of your device. They may have improved streaming or image quality. You will need to update the firmware on your TV box to benefit from the improvements. Updating firmware also safeguards your device from security vulnerabilities that had not been identified in the previous versions.
How To Update the Firmware on Your Android TV Box?
Since the Android System update delivery option powers all the devices, you will be notified when a new firmware update is available for your Android Stick or Box. If you receive such notification, you can follow the on-screen instructions to update your Android Box. However, in some cases, due to the connectivity issue and some other factors, the system may fail to notify you when a new update is available. In that case, you can manually update your Android TV box to get the latest version (Android 9 as of September 2021).
To do so, follow the steps.
Step 1: Turn on your Android TV box and from the home screen click on the Settings icon on the top right corner.
Step 2: Now from the settings options, click on Device Preferences.
Step 3: Next step is to click on the About option under Device Preferences.
Step 4: Under the About section, you can find an option called System Update. Click on that.
Step 5: Now, the system will automatically check for any available updates. If an update is found, you can perform the on-screen instruction to download and Install the Firmware for your Android TV.
If it is impossible to perform auto-updates, follow the below steps to download and install the update manually. But, only perform these steps if you know sideloading, USB transfer, accessing recovery mode, etc.
Before we give you the steps, there are a few things to clarify.
- Reputable TV box manufacturers will always have instructions on how to update firmware on their websites. They will also have a page where you can download the latest firmware.
- Firmware connects the hardware to the operating system. It is not software. Therefore you can only get it from the device manufacturer, not Android.
- Firmware is also model-specific. Make sure you have the correct details of the model before downloading. Installing incorrect firmware could damage your Android TV box.
- If you have a reputable brand, you can register your device with the manufacturer and receive automatic firmware updates on your device.
Manually Update Firmware using Recovery Mode
Follow the below steps to update the Android Box using the recovery mode.
- Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the correct firmware onto a USB or SD card.
- While the device is off, fix the memory device on the TV box.
- Switch on the TV box in recovery mode. To do this, turn on the power while holding the reset button for about 8-10 seconds. The box should open in recovery mode with several options. In case you cannot locate the reset button, consult the TV manufacturer’s manual.
- Select the option to reboot the system in recovery mode. You will get a request to apply updates from the memory device you had inserted in your box.
- Choose the firmware file, and let it run. When it is through, restart the system.
This is a general guide and should work for most Android TV boxes. But we appreciate that manufacturers like to differentiate their products or how consumers do their thing. So, we suggest that you check out the manufacturer’s TV box manual and procedure for specific instructions. They should be available on the manufacturer’s website.
Also, you may go through the above process but discover that the firmware is not compatible with the device. In that case, double-check if the model details correspond with the firmware you downloaded. Chances are, you may have downloaded the wrong firmware. Be careful since installing the wrong firmware could brick your Android TV box. It could also be that the manufacturer no longer supports the hardware (that particular model). If this is true, consider investing in a new Android TV box.
What is the latest Android version available for TV
The latest version of Android TV firmware is Android 9, and most devices available now in the market come with Android 9 pre-installed. However, some upcoming devices are powered with Android 10 for TV and are now available to selected markets.
Which is the Minimum Android version needed for Android TV?
There is no specific minimum version for Android TV. Android TV boxes are running on Android 6 Marshmellow, Android 7, Android 9, etc. The only difference is the application support. Some of the applications for Android TV are available only on Android 7 and above. So, in this case, we can say that Android 6 may be a bit disappointing regarding application support. If you own an Android TV stick or Box with Android 7 and above, then no need to worry. It supports all the applications as of now.
Final thoughts
To conclude, updating the firmware on your Android TV box will help you to enjoy better performance. It is easy to update. Make sure you consult the manufacturer’s website for the specific procedure and download the correct firmware. Installing the wrong firmware could brick your Android TV Box and render it unusable.
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Amazon Prime video app in Playstore supports only Android 9 and above. I have Compaq HEX 55″ QLED ATV that came with Android 8, and no update available (it’s been more than 6 months) to upgrade to 9. So only option left for me was to download older compatible apk and sideload.
Oh, that is strange. Normally it should work on Android 8 and below. If possible, can you please let me know the model number of your smart tv.
Hi Vipin, it is ‘Compaq CQ55AOQD 55-inch Ultra HD 4K Smart QLED TV’.
Hi Prabakaran,
So, in the past six months, you never received any update on your TV? Also, is thee any issue with other apps like Netflix, Hotstar, etc.?