Check the cell phone manufacturer's website for the latest firmware version.
Cell phones require a software operating system, much like a computer, which can be updated to install new features and bug fixes. The process has become known as "flashing," as the software is stored in flash memory within the cell phone. Flashing can be performed by the operator over the cellular network, or manually by the phone owner. To update a phone manually, new software must be acquired from the operator and installed on the cell phone via a compatible USB cable.
Instructions
1. Locate and download the latest version of the firmware for your model of cell phone. Unzip the executable firmware file to your computer.
2. Connect the cell phone to your computer using the USB cable. Allow the computer to detect and recognize the cell phone before proceeding. If the cell phone is not detected automatically, open the "Control Panel" and click "Add New Hardware." Select the cell phone from the list of available hardware to install its driver.
3. Launch the firmware file by clicking it on the computer. Follow the instructions to install the latest version of the cell phone's firmware. Once installation is complete, disconnect the cell phone from the computer, and then turn it off and back on again.
4. Turn the cell phone off once installation has completed, and then disconnect it from the USB cable. Turn the phone back on once it's been disconnected. This forces the cell phone to reconnect to the network, thereby testing that the firmware update was successful.
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