How to Change the Operating System of a Mobile Phone

Last update: 04/10/2024
Author Javier Chirinos

Changing the operating system on a mobile phone is a great way to improve its processing speed and ensure you have complete control over what's installed on the device. This task can seem difficult and daunting if you're new to the process. But don't worry—we've created this tutorial to guide you through the entire process.

change the operating system of a mobile phone

How to change the operating system of a mobile phone

Changing the operating system on a mobile phone isn't as difficult as it seems. You can even upgrade from one operating system to another, such as from Android to iOS . Just follow these steps:

Uninstall the current operating system

Before installing a new operating system, it is important to uninstall the current operating system. To do so, follow these steps:

  • Go to Settings > General > About phone/tablet and tap “More information” if you see it available.
  • Tap on Software Information and look for Android Version or System Version, depending on your device. This will show you what version of Android is currently installed on your phone or tablet. If this number doesn't match one of the ones listed under [List of Available ROMs], then you should probably uninstall and reinstall before proceeding to flash any ROMs.

Restart your phone to make sure all processes have stopped

The first step in changing the operating system on a mobile phone is to reboot the phone. This will ensure that all processes have been stopped and any data stored in the memory has been erased. If you don't do this, the old operating system may take over as soon as you reboot the phone. The next step is important: make sure that all data has been backed up. It's also a good idea to back up any photos or other files on the phone before you wipe it so that you can transfer them later (later).

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Insert the new OS installer into a MicroSD card

So you've decided to change the operating system on a mobile phone. It's a fairly simple process that can be done in a matter of minutes, but it does require some advanced computer skills and basic software usage. First, make sure your phone's battery is sufficiently charged to prevent any potential damage from power loss during the OS change. Next, insert the MicroSD card into your computer and follow these steps:

  • Install the operating system installer on the MicroSD card
  • Copy all data from your old operating system to the new one (this step may take some time)
  • Reboot with your new operating system

Install the new OS by inserting it into the phone

This is the next step to change the operating system of a mobile phone. What you need to do is the following:

  • Make sure the phone is on.
  • Make sure the phone is plugged into a power source.
  • Make sure your phone is connected to the Internet.
  • You will need a computer that can run Windows or macOS and has a slot for the SD card reader (or a port USB for Android devices). If your computer does not have these ports, you can purchase an external SD card reader or USB cable separately at most electronics stores.
  • Insert the new operating system installer into your SD card or USB flash drive as explained in “Prepare your SD card/USB flash drive.” The installation file should be named something like “install-ubuntu-20xx,” where 20xx represents the version number of Ubuntu (e.g. 1310, 1410).

Make a backup

Make sure all data has been backed up before changing the operating system on a mobile phone.

  • Please backup all data.
  • If you don't have one yet, set up a service storage in the cloud as Google Drive or Dropbox and use it to back up your data. You can also back up files to an external hard drive or flash drive and store the backup on your computer itself (in addition to storing it off-site).
  • Back up your contacts using Google Contacts Sync: https://www.google.com/contacts/sync/. This will allow you to easily restore them when you reinstall your new operating system.

You might be interested in: Easily Formatting an Android Phone From Your PC

Conclusion

Wow, you've come a long way. After following all these steps, you should have a much better understanding of how to change a mobile phone's operating system to fix any problems or customize your device in the future. We hope this article has helped generate more enthusiasm for technology.