It has really been over nine months since Google released Android 11, the latest version of Android, first to its Pixel devices and for the Android OS entirely. If you have a supported device, then nothing should stop you from rocking Android 11 on your smartphone. And if you don't know-how, we'll guide you on how to install Android 11 on any phone today.
With that being said, getting Android 11 depends on your phone brand, type, and release date. You already know that if you use Google Pixel 2 and later, the answer is automatic YES. Just visit the Software Update section on your device to get the latest Android 11 update.
However, it's been a long since the release of Android 11, and Google confirms it as the most adopted version ever in the history of Android. Meaning many smartphones, including the budget TECNO POUVOIR 4, have been upgraded to Android 11.
With that, updating your device to Android 11 should be easier. But before we delve into how to install Android 11 on any phone, let’s take a look at its release date and list of supported devices.
ANDROID 11 RELEASE DATE
Google released Android 11 on 8th September 2020, starting with Google Pixel devices. And since then, it has rolled out to many smartphones from many brands like Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO, TECNO, ASUS, and many more.
If you're yet to get the Android 11 update on your device, read on to learn how to install Android 11 on any phone. Meanwhile, the Android 11 release date would be different on various Android smartphone brands, and phone models.
ANDROID 11 SUPPORTED DEVICES
Before jumping to check for Android 11 updates, it's essential to know if your device is eligible. As you probably know in the Android OS, every brand has its way of implementing Android updates on their devices. And the same goes with Android 11.
What that means is you won't get the Android 11 update at the same time it was released on the Pixel devices. More so, most Android devices support only up to 3 years of Android upgrades. So, if your device has received Android upgrades thrice, you probably won't be eligible to get the update.
Meanwhile, it also depends on if your OEM wants to release Android 11 for your device or not. However, if you use a flagship Android phone, you can rest assured of getting the Android 11 update faster. Mid-range and entry-level devices may come afterward.
So, keep that in mind as you’re looking for how to install Android 11 on any device. Your device must be compatible before you can install the Android 11 update.
Here’s a list of some brands that have released the Android 11 for their devices.
- Google Pixel
- Asus
- LG
- Samsung
- One Plus
- TECNO
- Xiaomi
- Motorola
- Nokia
- Oppo
- Realme
- Redmi
- Sony Xperia
- Vivo
Note: these brands have updated some of their Android smartphones to Android 11. Follow the steps below to check if your device is eligible to install the Android 11 update.
HOW TO INSTALL ANDROID 11 ON ANY PHONE
Having known that your device is eligible for Android 11, the next step is to install it straight away. And now that Android 11 is no more in the Beta state, it's easier and safe to install it via an OTA update. All you need is to go to the System Update or Software Update section on your phone, search for updates and install the Android 11 update if available.
But before that, ensure you've taken a genuine backup of your data before installing this upgrade. Though it's less likely that the update will be buggy at this stage, it's just safer to back up your device first. Be on the safer side.
How to install Android 11 on any phone easily:
- Ensure you’ve backed up your device.
- Then open your device Settings
- Scroll to the bottom and select
- Tap Software Update or something similar.
- From there, tap Check for Updates.
- If the Android 11 update is available on your device, simply download and install it to enjoy the new features.
However, note that the update is rolling out in batches. So, even if your device is eligible, you might not get it straight away. Just check back later.
TOP ANDROID 11 FEATURES
Android 11 is a continuation of what we’ve earlier seen on Android 10. And in terms of visual overhauling or user-facing features, you probably won’t notice many at first boot.
But the thing is: Android 11 comes with lots of additional useful features, with most of it centering on conversations and notifications. Even with that, you get more nifty features, or “tweaks”, that make the 11th version of Android worth installing.
Here are some quick notes on Android 11 features. You should know these after learning how to install Android 11 on any phone.
1. Conversation Notifications
Probably, one of the most useful user-facing features on Android 11 is the way it manages notifications of your conversations. And that means one thing: Android 11 prioritizes your conversation notifications above every other thing in the notification panel.
In context, there are now three notification sections on Android 11: Conversation, Alerting, and Silent. As you probably guessed, "Conversations" is where you see all notifications from your chat and messaging apps. While "Alerting" and "Silent" are where other notifications show, based on if they make sound or not.
Additionally, you can now ‘Prioritize’ conversations. With that, prioritize conversations would show at the top of the notifications, and you’ll also see the picture of the prioritized chats in your status bar when there's a new message from them.
2. Notification History
While there was Notification History on Android 10 (via the Settings app shortcut), Android 11 elevates it, make it more accessible and functional.
Although you'd have to enable this feature manually, Notification History keeps a log of any notification that arrived on your device over a day. In context, that could be useful for recalling a notification you dismissed inadvertently, or just for checking what notifications you've not responded to.
When activated, it shows you the notification content, and also takes you to the app when you click one. As said earlier, it keeps notifications from the past 24 hours, and you’ll need to enable it first. You can activate it from Settings > Apps & notifications, Notifications, Notification history.
3. Chat Bubbles
Still, on conversations, Android 11 brings proper support for Chat Bubbles on Android. If you've ever used "Chat Heads" on Facebook Messenger, then you'll be familiar with Chat Bubbles already.
Bubbles let you pin different conversations from supported apps on the topmost layer of your screen, so you can access them whenever you need to. Bubbles appear in a floating panel, which you can open, minimize, or dismiss when you're done with it.
In one word, Chat Bubbles and other “Conversations” feature on Android 11 makes connecting with your friends and families a lot easier and better.
4. Scheduled Dark Theme
Google introduced a system-wide dark mode on Android 10 but didn't add support for scheduling it. Now with Android 11, you can schedule turning on/off dark theme based on sunset/sunrise – similar to what Eye Care/Blue-light Filter already does on many Android devices.
Also, you can set a dark theme to turn on/off at a custom scheduled time if the default option doesn't work in accordance with you.
5. Improved Media Controls
With Conversation notifications taking the topmost part of the notification shade, where do your Media Controls go? Well, that has changed on Android 11.
To further give you notifications more room and make controlling your media playback a lot easier, Google decided to move Media Controls under the Quick Settings Panel.
So, when next you play music, for example, it shows as a compact controller right under the Quick Settings panel but detached from the notification shade.
6. Pin apps to the Share Sheet
If you've always tried to share things on your device, you'd know how cumbersome it is to find an app in the share sheet. However, in Android 11, you can now pin your favorite apps to the top of the share sheet.
Pinning apps to the share sheet allows you to choose which apps show first when you smash the “Share” button in an app. And that should make sharing things a lot faster and easier. Again, this is a nifty feature, but it works. Plus, it’s helpful.
These are just some of Android 11 features. Others include Wireless Debugging, Native Screen Recorder, Smart Device Controls, One-time Permissions and Auto-reset, Google Play Store Updates, Wireless Android Auto, and more.
Most especially, Android 11 comes with various security and privacy features, as well as stability improvements.
