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I'm considering getting a G1 from T-Mobile (in the US), and am wondering, I can update to new versions of Android as they come out, even ones targeted towards newer Android phones, correct? For example, would I be able to update my G1 to Android 2.0 when it is available? Thanks.

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See also: android.stackexchange.com/questions/2696/… – Al Everett Mar 29 '11 at 14:13
See also: android.stackexchange.com/questions/7150/… – Amanda Mar 29 '11 at 14:49
Oh wow, this is a really old question, October 29 '09? – Bryan Denny♦ Mar 29 '11 at 15:32
@Bryan: Back when there was only SO, SF, and SU. – Al Everett Mar 29 '11 at 15:38
@BryanDenny: Oh wow. I completely forgot that I asked this question :) – Maxim Zaslavsky Mar 30 '11 at 0:43

migrated from superuser.com Mar 29 '11 at 13:33

4 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

If it's a T-mobile release, they will download it to your phone. I've received two upgrades since getting my phone in April. I believe Android is a platform on top of which the phone carriers build their specific release.

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You're absolutely right about the process, though I'm not 100% they will supply it – Ivo Flipse Oct 29 '09 at 8:47
up vote 2 down vote

Possibly not according to Engadget:

Pioneering T-Mobile G1 owners have been enjoying the spoils of Android 1.5 (or Cupcake, as it's known 'round these parts) for months now, but it looks as if that very treat will be the last taste of confectionery goodness that the smartphone gets. According to Android software engineer Dave Sparks, a time is soon coming when devs "wont be able to fit the latest [Android] release on the G1's internal flash," and yet another engineer has chimed in via Twitter to say that he "can't promise" that any update after 1.5 will fit. For whatever reason, HTC gifted the G1 with an incredibly meager amount of internal flash, and considering that no Android phone will support app storage / loading from a microSD card, there's no way to free up room for Donut, Eclair or Flan. You've been a real champ, G1, but without 2.0+, we just can't give you the love and devotion you truly need. Go on, call us fickle -- we deserve it.

However, I'm sure there will be a hacked release available, since Droiddog reports video's showing Android 2.0 running on a G1. So keep an eye out for the guys over at XDA Developers for getting a cooked ROM.

Most likely it will be possible, but they probably won't support it...

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2  
Donut did make it to the G1 via an OTA update since that post. Time will tell if Eclair will. – Chris J Oct 29 '09 at 10:13
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I think that when they made this statement they didn't know for sure what version number Donut was going to get (turned out it was 1.6). Still like Droiddog says: it works, so you could install it yourself – Ivo Flipse Oct 29 '09 at 10:31
Froyo has definitely made it to the Magic, which has almost the same internals as the Dream/G1. There have been unofficial ports of the Magic Froyo back to the Dream, see the "When will my phone get the Android 2.2 update (FroYo)?" post android.stackexchange.com/questions/2696/… – GAThrawn Mar 29 '11 at 14:42
up vote 2 down vote

The last official version for the G1 was Android 1.6.

If you want Android 2.0+, you must root the device and install a custom rom such as CyanogenMod. Full instructions and other information can be found here. Note that the G1 is no longer supported after CM6 (Android 2.2), but there may be other custom roms available to obtain Gingerbread (Android 2.3).

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up vote 0 down vote

Yes, but not without rooting it and modding it. My G1 came with 1.6-Donut installed. Find recommendations on suitable ROMs at G1 Misbehaving -- can I (should I?) reinstall donut?

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