It is very important to keep the Android operating system up-to date on your Zebra mobile computer. Not updating your Zebra device can lead to a range of issues over time, some of which may seriously affect your device’s performance and security. Issues include increased security vulnerabilities, slower performance, and incompatibility with InspectNTrack software updates. There are several ways to update the operating system including:
- For devices with a current Zebra OneCare support contract, if they are shipped into the Zebra repair center to have a complaint investigated the operating system will be updated by the OneCare team prior to device return.
- Use Zebra’s free Stage Now software to perform the OS update.
- Use the SD Card method to perform the OS update.
- If the device is enrolled in EMM software such as InTune, SOTI, etc.; the update can be pushed out by the program administrator.
- Contact your InspectNTrack Account Manager to ship the device to Wentworth for update.
Important Notes About Updating Devices
How to lookup the current operating system on the device
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- From the device Home Screen, swipe up and tap on “Settings”
- Touch “About Phone”
- Touch “System” and then expand open “Advanced”
- “System updates” displays the current OS version.
You need to know what the current operating system is so that you can download the proper update package from Zebra. After completing the OS update, you should also navigate to the same area to ensure that the new OS is displayed.
If the starting operating system on the device is Android 8 or 9, a factory reset may occur during the update. Read here for more information about how to avoid this.
Ensure that you have written down and tested the credentials for the device’s Google account prior to beginning the OS update.
You can find the Google ID linked to the device as follows:
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- From the device Home Screen, swipe up and tap on “Settings”
- Touch “Accounts”
- The Google account is displayed. Write the gmail address down and ensure you have a working password for it.
The linked Google account is necessary in the event that the device enters a factory reset during the update. If this happens, you must have the information about the prior Google account to prevent being locked out of the device.
Accessing the OS Update Files
The files needed to perform the Android update and Lifeguard update can be downloaded from Zebra’s support website:
Other Zebra models, input your model number into the search bar on the general support website to access the files.
**Note that you must have a mobile computer which is within warranty or an active Zebra OneCare contract to download the files from Zebra. Login to the Zebra website is required to access the files. A login can be obtained by inputting the serial number of a device which meets one of the two eligibility criteria. If you do not have either of these, you can contact your Wentworth Account Manager to purchase a support contract or request update services from Wentworth.
