If you find yourself compulsively diving into Settings to see whether a fresh Android build has landed, there’s a faster way. I tested two shortcuts that cut the taps to almost zero, and they’ve already saved me a surprising amount of time during beta rushes and monthly security patch days.
The One-Tap Shortcut You Already Have on Android
Android ships with a little-known Settings widget that can deep-link to specific menus. It’s been around for years and still works on recent releases.
Here’s how to set it up on most phones, including Pixels:
- Long-press your home screen and tap Widgets.
- Find the Settings widget (often called Settings shortcut) and drag it to the home screen.
- When prompted, pick System (on Pixels) or Software Update (on some OEM skins). If you only see System, choose it—your update menu lives inside.
Now, a single tap jumps you straight into the System page, where the System update or Software update menu is one more tap away. It sounds minor, but if you check multiple times a day—or manage updates across several devices—that saved motion adds up quickly.
The Deeper Hack That Jumps Straight To Updates
If you want to land directly on the update screen—no intermediate menus—you can create a shortcut to the underlying Settings activity. Activities are the building blocks of Android apps; many can be opened directly if your launcher or a utility app exposes them.
One reliable method uses the free Shortcut Maker app from Google Play:
- Open Shortcut Maker and choose Settings from the top row.
- Tap Settings Activities.
- Search for “update” and select the Software Update activity for your device. On Pixels, it commonly appears as com.google.android.settings.update.SoftwareUpdateActivity.
- Rename it to “Updates,” pick an icon if you like, then Create Shortcut and Add to home screen.
From then on, tapping that icon opens the exact System update screen instantly. Launchers such as Nova Launcher and Niagara can also expose activities without an extra app, but the approach is similar: find Settings, locate the update activity, and pin the shortcut.
Notes and caveats: names vary by manufacturer (Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, etc.), some OEMs hide these activities, and the update page’s location can shift with major OS upgrades. If you don’t see a clear Software Update entry, try searching for “system,” “OTA,” or “FOTA.”
Why OTA Checks Often Feel Random for Many Users
If you’re mashing the Check for update button and seeing nothing, that’s not unusual. Google and device makers typically throttle over-the-air rollouts in waves to watch for issues before expanding to more users. Carrier approvals can add another layer of pacing, so your friend may get an OTA hours—or days—before you do.
There’s also more than one kind of update. Monthly patches are guided by Google’s Android Security Bulletin, which details the vulnerabilities fixed each cycle. Meanwhile, Google Play system updates (Project Mainline) ship security and core component fixes via Play Services outside the traditional OTA path. Translation: even when your full system build hasn’t landed, you may still see important updates under Security and privacy.
Finally, ignore old forum myths like clearing Google Services Framework to “force” an OTA. Engineers and Android developer docs have cautioned that this can backfire, temporarily removing your device from a rollout bucket rather than accelerating it.
Pro Tips To Stay Ahead on Android Update Days
- Enroll wisely: If you’re on a Pixel and want early features, the Android Beta Program offers preview builds—just expect occasional bugs. Leaving beta can require a device reset.
- Watch the cadence: Google typically publishes security bulletins early each month, and many OEMs synchronize their patches around that window. Following your manufacturer’s community forum or carrier support pages can provide rollout clues.
- Separate checks: Look in both System update and Google Play system update, plus App details for Google Play Services and Google Play Store. Critical fixes often arrive modularly before the full OTA.
- Keep storage and battery healthy: Low free space or low battery can delay installations. Aim for ample storage headroom and plug in during downloads.
The bottom line: a one-tap widget gets you close, and an activity-based shortcut gets you there instantly. Neither forces an OTA that isn’t ready for your device, but both streamline the ritual so you can check quickly, get on with your day, and install the moment your wave hits.
