Keeping your Fairphone 5 updated is one of the best things you can do for it. Fairphone promises over eight years of software support, so you'll be getting regular Android version upgrades and security patches for a long time. These updates bring new features, fix bugs, and are essential for keeping your data secure.
Check for an Update Over Wi-Fi
Open your Settings app and scroll down to System. Tap on System update. Your Fairphone 5 will immediately check for any available updates from Fairphone. If one is found, you'll see a button to download and install it.
I'd recommend plugging your phone into its charger before starting, especially for a major Android version update. Make sure you're connected to a stable Wi-Fi network, as these files can be quite large. The download and installation process is automatic once you tap the button.
Enable Automatic Updates
You can set your Fairphone 5 to handle updates automatically. Go to Settings > System > System update and look for the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Tap it and select Preferences.
Here, you can toggle on Auto-download over Wi-Fi. With this on, your phone will automatically download updates when it's idle and connected to Wi-Fi. You'll still get a notification to approve the installation, so you're always in control of when it happens.
If an Update Gets Stuck or Fails
Sometimes a download can hang or an installation might fail partway through. The first thing to try is a force restart. Press and hold the Power button for about 10 seconds until the phone vibrates and restarts. This often clears a temporary glitch.
If the update still won't proceed, check your internet connection. Try switching to a different Wi-Fi network if possible. You can also try clearing the cache for the update service. Go to Settings > Apps, tap the three-dot menu and select Show system apps.
Find and tap on Software Update, then go to Storage & cache and tap Clear cache. Don't clear the storage data. After that, head back to the System update menu and try checking again.
Check Your Current Android Version
It's good to know exactly what software your phone is running. Go to Settings > About phone. You'll see details like your Android version, the Android security update level, and the Build number.
This is useful for confirming you've received the latest patch or for troubleshooting issues with specific apps that might require a certain Android version. Fairphone typically sends out security updates every few months.
Update All Your Apps from the Play Store
System updates are crucial, but your apps need love too. Open the Google Play Store and tap your profile icon in the top right. Select Manage apps & device. Under the "Updates available" section, you can tap Update all.
Keeping apps updated fixes performance issues, adds new functionality, and patches security holes. I make a habit of doing this once a week. Outdated apps are a common cause of battery drain and crashes, even on a fully updated phone.
Don't Forget Google Play System Updates
This is an important layer of security that's separate from Fairphone's updates. Google can update core Android components directly through the Play Store. To check for these, go to Settings > Security & privacy > System & updates.
Tap on Google Play system update. Your phone will check and let you know if an update is available. Installing these ensures the deepest parts of Android on your Fairphone 5 have the latest protections. They usually install quickly and don't require a restart.
Why Updates Matter for Your Fairphone
With Fairphone's long support promise, these updates are a key part of your phone's value. Each security patch protects you from newly discovered threats that could compromise your personal information. The major Android version upgrades, like moving from Android 13 to 14, bring significant new features and interface improvements.
Updates also include performance optimizations and bug fixes that can make your phone feel smoother and last longer on a charge. Given that the Fairphone 5's hardware is designed to last, keeping the software fresh is how you get the most out of it for years to come.
