Every Android device is, by design, able to receive updates over time. These can be system updates—when a new Android version has been released, or security updates—when some critical vulnerability has been fixed and Google is distributing the patch. Once the update has been received, every device is able to decompress and apply this update, following the required procedure.

These types of updates are called OTA, or over the air updates, because they can be downloaded and applied by the Android device itself, without the support of a host PC. These updates are typically going to patch operating system features, working in the so-called read-only part of the system. No user app will ever be affected by these updates— apps installed via the Google Play Store are completely safe.

Android will asynchronously notify you when a new OTA is available. Most of the time you will receive a notification if connected to a Wi-Fi network and if your battery is above 50...