Moto G Power 2022 version system update?

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Hello! Glad to be reminded of this Android forum. My husband recently got a new phone – a Moto G Power 2022 on the Tracfone/ATT system. He’s gotten a few notifications that it should get a system update, and I have a few questions about that. I’ve never done a system update on a phone (My Moto G6 has never been updated – still on Android 8 – long story for another day), and before we go ahead and get this one on the Power, I wanted to just get an idea if this is a safe thing to do.

It currently says the phone is Android 11 version RRQ31 Q3-68-16-2. It wants to update to version RRQ31 Q3-68-99. I don’t think this has anything to do with upgrading Android 11 to a higher number – seems to be an update to the current version?

Can anyone tell me what that might mean or what is involved. I think it said that the update is about 1GB, so that is a pretty big update, it seems.

I want to keep his phone up to date and not make the same mistake we made with mine (probably far too late to do anything with it now that won’t put the entire thing at risk) – but before we do this, I was just hoping someone might be able to shed a little light on it and give me some guidance.

Thanks so much!

 

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LHiggins wrote:

Can anyone tell me what that might mean or what is involved.

There are 3 types of smartphone updates :
1. Apps updates.
2. Security updates (Google issues monthly security updates)
3. OS version updates.

Only Pixel smartphones get direct updates from Google. All other Android smartphones depend of the good will of OEMs.

Just with any OS updates create a backup before running the updates.

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LHiggins

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Alex5723 wrote:

Only Pixel smartphones get direct updates from Google. All other Android smartphones depend of the good will of OEMs.

OEMs or cellular carriers, usually, but there is a third update source too.

As I understand, the norm (in the US at least) is for the cellular carrier to provide the phone together with the plan, usually at a discounted (subsidized) cost, and that is locked to that carrier. The carriers may be willing to provide an unlock code to the end user after a while (after they have recouped the subsidy).

The updates from those devices start with Google, make their way from there to the hardware OEM, and from there to the carrier for final release. More changes are made at each of the extra steps along the way, if the OEM or the carrier want them.

People who buy unlocked phones skip the carrier step and get their updates from the hardware OEM.

The third option is phones like mine, a Motorola G7 Play, which came with Android preinstalled, and would ordinarily be called an Android phone. It was unlocked when I bought it, but I never depended on Motorola for updates. In the first few days I had it, I removed Android and replaced it with an AOSP (Android Open Source Project)-based aftermarket OS (initially LineageOS, then to Resurrection Remix, which unfortunately ceased development about a year ago, so now it is on LineageOS+MicroG), which is where the updates come from now. Is it still an Android phone? I would say no, but it is still within the Android orbit (similar to how Chrome is related to Chromium), and it uses Android apps, so… it’s kind of Android (as far as the platform) but not Android as far as being the product that Google calls Android.

Most regular users who are not techie types will not want to de-google their phones themselves, as it is quite a bit more involved than, say, installing Linux on a Windows PC. But there are phones available with the AOSP-based OSes already installed, and at least one business will de-google a phone you provide for a fee (must be one of the exact models they work with, for obvious reasons).

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Thanks. It looks like this is a security update.

I guess my question is – is this safe to apply to the phone and should I go ahead and do it? I can’t seem to find any info on just what security issues it addresses, or what it is supposed to fix. This is the first time we’ve seen it – I guess once I get used to getting these, I won’t be quite as reluctant.

 

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May I suggest a Google search for Android Help?

The first result, Google’s Android Help page, contains links to Motorola and other manufacturers’ support sites as well as carriers’ support sites. There are also several other links helpful for improving/refreshing your Android knowledge.

My personal experience with Moto phones (most recently my wife’s current 2019 Moto G7) updating has been uneventful. That said, Motorola are not renowned for aggressive updating.

HTH

Edit: I concur fully with the advice below regarding plugging-in and using wi-fi.

Regards, Phil

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LHiggins

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Yes it is supposed to be safe, connect the phone to a charger as it can take a few minutes or longer to update because this appears to be a firmware/operating system update. Tracfone should help in case of a serious problem, which if you see an error take note of the message.

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LHiggins

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I’ve only done a security update once on an android phone and it went well. The actual update installation took about 15 minutes (as I recall), but make sure you connect the phone to your wifi. If you try to download the update over the tracfone network, it could take hours, at least on 4G.

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LHiggins

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DrBonzo wrote:

…make sure you connect the phone to your wifi. If you try to download the update over the tracfone network, it could take hours, at least on 4G.

Indeed – we almost never use the Tracfone data!

Thanks for the help – I guess we’ll try to do it whenever we have some free time. Not much on the phone to download to save before doing it – it still is pretty new and hasn’t had much time to accumulate stuff!

Thanks again!

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Lisa not sure what that update holds in store for you but I’ve done quite a few over the years. I always recommend backup contacts and files beforehand. Keep phone plugged in or at least have a full charge. After it reboots let it settle down for some time then do another reboot.

Edit to add I did an update on my Moto G stylus a week or two ago and all went well

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LHiggins

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Also, Motorola has sub site to read about updates your, phone is listed… https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/software-upgrade/g_id/1949/

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LHiggins

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Thanks everyone for the positive advice. It is reassuring to hear that others have had these updates and there were no issues. Makes me feel much better about doing the update.

Phil F wrote:

The first result, Google’s Android Help page, contains links to Motorola and other manufacturers’ support sites as well as carriers’ support sites. There are also several other links helpful for improving/refreshing your Android knowledge.

I\’m Not A Robot wrote:

Also, Motorola has sub site to read about updates your, phone is listed… https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/software-upgrade/g_id/1949/

Yes it is supposed to be safe, connect the phone to a charger as it can take a few minutes or longer to update because this appears to be a firmware/operating system update.

Phil F wrote:

I concur fully with the advice below regarding plugging-in and using wi-fi.

Good advice on both counts – the charger and the wifi!

I did look at the Android Help site and also the Motorola site, and didn’t see the update numbers that I am looking for in any of the links or listings, but there is other good information there to definitely check into. Thanks!

Thanks again for all of the help. I will set aside some time to do this update and also glad Motorola isn’t update-crazy!

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I did it again! I called you Lisa! My apologies, but I guess you can surmise I had a friend by that name and she signed things L Higgins. So, sorry

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No worries – there are worse names than Lisa – LOL!

It’s actually Lily – but I generally settle for LH or LHiggins!

Thanks for the help with the phone and no need for apologies!

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cyberSAR

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LHiggins wrote:

Can anyone tell me what that might mean or what is involved

Examples : MotoG updates (from Verizon)

https://www.stockrom.net/2022/04/xt2165-5-retus-11r-rrqs31-q3-68-99-2.html

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carlospedrox, LHiggins

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