Android tablet software update

IM

I've got a Vankyo S20 tablet, which has started to run very slowly.

Took the opportunity today to delete apps I don't use, get rid of old files etc. to try and get it performing better, when I noticed it was still running on Android 9 and there haven't been any security patches since 2019.

There's no option to update the OS and it appears to think it is up to date.

Is there any way to 'force' an update/is there any need to worry?

The Vankyo website is of no help.

400ixl

Vankyo is a reseller of mass produced Chinese products. They don't manufacture anything.

These cheap tablets rarely get any updates, they just release newer versions (e.g. the S30) so there is likely no update and it is as up to date as it is going to get.

I wouldn't be using it for anything on the internet other than maybe streaming. Android 9 has lots of known vulnerabilities.

Mark_d

Your Android device received software updates and security patches until November 2019.  Manufacturers tend not to provide software updates for too long...whether it's Android phones or tablets.

There's not really anything you can do about it unfortunately.

Do you need to worry?  It really depends on what you use your tablet for.  If you're interacting with the internet from a public network then that is high risk.  But if you're just reading local PDFs within your secure local network then teh risk is much lower.

IM

Mark_d said:

Your Android device received software updates and security patches until November 2019.  Manufacturers tend not to provide software updates for too long...whether it's Android phones or tablets.

There's not really anything you can do about it unfortunately.

Do you need to worry?  It really depends on what you use your tablet for.  If you're interacting with the internet from a public network then that is high risk.  But if you're just reading local PDFs within your secure local network then teh risk is much lower.

I've just looked it up, and I only actually bought it in November 2020 - so I'm assuming it's effectively not had any changes since it was manufactured.

Alderbank

Mark_d said:

Your Android device received software updates and security patches until November 2019.  Manufacturers tend not to provide software updates for too long...whether it's Android phones or tablets.

There's not really anything you can do about it unfortunately.

I agree there's not much you can do to make the manufacturer do anything, but if you are handy you can update your device's operating system.

It does need care and attention to detail, and you risk bricking your device if you mess it up. But installing a new OS means you are no longer dependent on Vankyo.

Back in the days when I used to do it, Cyanogenmod used to be king. Those days are gone but there are plenty of alternatives to try to give your device a completely new lease of life.

Have a look here for a start:
https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/cyanogenmod-alternatives/