How To Update Android KitKat To Marshmallow; Getting To Android 6.0

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Like Microsoft and Apple, Google keeps on making changes to its software products to give users the best experience. One of the most crucial software from Google is the mobile operating system, Android.

Android is used by almost 73% of phone manufacturers around the globe, and there is a decent chance that you are using one of their devices.

Google uses code words for different versions of their OS hence KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow, etc. Can you upgrade to a Marshmallow from KitKat? A deeper look into the details will give us an answer;

How To Update Android Kitkat To Marshmallow

The good thing about Android is its flexibility. You could almost use any android version on any android device, provided it has the processing capabilities to handle it. With iOS, some old devices won’t work with new versions of the OS.

If you have an android KitKat device, you should look for an upgrade to a newer version to get better services. The security, interface, and user-friendliness are always better with more recent versions, and this is how you can get a free update;

Go to Playstore and search for build prop editor. This app makes it easier to upgrade and even downgrade your Android version if you want to. Download and install the app.
Launch the build prop editor, and a window will pop up to tell you what the app is all about. You should read this because the build prop has many more functionalities that will be helpful to you other than upgrading the OS.
Go to the bottom-left part of the screen in the build prop editor and search, “ro.build.version.release,” then click on it.
In the next window, you will see the current version of Android your phone is running. You can edit it by clicking on the property value field and replacing the version with the one you want, in this case, version 6.0.

With the build prop editor, you can change the android version to any build you want, provided you know the correct version number.

Click on the Save button, and the app will load for a few seconds to get the updates needed to change the android version. In the following window, you will be required to give the app full access to your device to make the change.
After the download, your phone will need to reboot to properly make all the changes and work.
You could also use the edit button on the bottom right side of your screen. Click on it, and a new window will bring up all your phone details.
Look for the line with the ro.build.version.release and change the number to the version you want. You can then save it by clicking on the save button at the top right side of your phone.
You have to reboot the device after this process, and when you confirm it in settings, you will see that your android version has changed.

Android Kitkat Features And Relevance

Android KitKat was released back in October 2013, which makes it a rather old Operating System.

Its age might make you feel like it has gone obsolete, but what is the truth? Let us take a better look at its capabilities and features to determine its relevance now;

1. The dialer

Smartphones have evolved so much over the eyes, and most of us forget that it is a phone whose primary purpose is to make and receive phone calls. The dialer in android 4.4 is impressive both in functionality and design.

The dialer will put the contacts of the most frequently called people at the top, which is convenient.

It also uses a clean and straightforward design that will give a satisfying experience. In addition to this, the dialer works as a search box.

You can search for a contact from your phone, or you can search for a local business or place, and it will find it for you in Google maps. It will also provide you contacts and names, which will be helpful.

2. NFC Emulation

This functionality allows a phone to talk directly to an NFC reader by emulating the NFC card. This feature enables all devices running KitKat to simulate NFC-based transactions even without an NFC chip.

This feature is helpful in extending the use of NFC for things like mobile payments, sharing media, and other uses to more devices. KitKat will be best for those with older phones without NFC chips.

3. The Design

KitKat formed the basis of the modern-day android visual organization. It changed many elements that used to define Android’s previous versions, and they are much better.

For instance, the notifications bar at the top and the buttons at the bottom are now transparent, making the wallpaper more functional. The font is a bit different, and all the aspects of android 4.4 are generally more subtle and neater.

4. The performance

The performance is an essential part of any Operating System since it will affect all the other aspects. The system requirements for android 4.4 KitKat are low, and it allows for more devices to use.

Android Marshmallow Features

Android Marshmallow is not a significant upgrade; it is more of a 5.2 update focusing on clarity and polish. It has some new tweaks and features, and here are some of them;

1. Fingerprint reading

With Android 6.0, you will get inbuilt fingerprint reading which simplifies a lot for you. You can unlock your phone, buy apps on Playstore with the fingerprint and even use android pay.

2. Small tweaks to minor components

There are a lot of changes that you will notice in android M, including the power button and how you can expand the settings to change the volume for notifications, music, and alarms separately.

The quick settings are easier to use, and you can now manage the individual permissions for each app. Copy-paste allows you to select the words forward one by one, and you can make a 2.4GHz portable hotspot.

3. Power consumption

Android M was designed to cut down on your power consumption by use of a dozing feature. It reads the sensors on your device to tell if it is idle, and it cuts down on background activities to increase the standby time while reducing power use.

This version will run efficiently on devices with half a gigabyte of RAM if needed. Major android components are streamlined in this version, and it is more memory efficient.

Google also added new APIs to the System to allow developers to make better apps for Android.

Differences Between Android Kitkat And Marshmallow

You need to understand the differences between KitKat and Marshmallow to know which one is best for you.

This knowledge will put you in a better position of knowing whether or not you want to upgrade your phone.

Android Marshmallow works with numerous new hardware aspects that KitKat cannot handle, including 64-bit processing and fingerprint sensors. This processing power, however, makes it need more resources to work.

You need at least 1GB RAM to run android Marshmallow comfortably bit you can use half that with android KitKat. The kind of phone you have will therefore determine if the upgrade is worth it or not.

Marshmallow has integrated new features to make the phone’s battery last longer. Features like doze are present in Android M, making it more efficient than Lollipop and KitKat.

When it comes to features, android M is better than android KitKat since it has more features and is practical. The components retained from Android KitKat have been made more efficient, and the OS is generally a big step up.

Android M gives users more privacy than android KitKat when it comes to app permissions. With KitKat, you would have to provide an app with all the permissions, including some features it doesn’t need, which compromises security.

Android M allows you to select the permissions you want an app to have and deny them other permissions. The app will only ask for permissions when you are trying to use a specific feature.

Having said all this, it is clear that android M is better than android KitKat and you should switch if your device can handle it. For the best performance with android M, make sure your device has at least 1GB of RAM.

Conclusion

You can update your Android KitKat to android 6.O for free using build prop editor, an app you will find on Playstore.

The best part about this app is that it will help with more settings in your phone to make it as efficient as possible.

Android KitKat made a giant leap in functionality and design, which laid a foundation for newer and better android versions.

Current versions support more hardware additions, and it could be time to upgrade for a better experience.

It is important to look at your device’s specs before making the change. This is because android Marshmallow is more demanding in terms of resources than android KitKat. To be safe, ensure you have at least 1GB of RAM.