Can an older Android tablet be upgraded?

[Inojim]

I've inherited a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 running Android version 4.1.2. Doing the one-click Software Update utility under Settings simply tells me that I have the latest possible software installed. This tablet would be used solely for casual Web surfing, but the native browser refuses to connect with many sites, doubtless a TLS issue, and won't even participate in downloading an alternative browser. Is there hope to resurrect this device that an "IT Dummy" class of operator could perform, or is this a futile situation? Thanks!

 

[punkncat]

In my own very uninformed experience with Android devices I find that most of them turn to e-waste far sooner than what one might expect. Even if you were able to boot load root it to a newer version it will run so slowly as to be a distracting experience.

I don't know the requirements as far as hardware for (say) version 7, but I still keep an older phone on hand running that for use as a clock and alarm on my night stand. It will surf and resolve sites, it's weather app still updates, but it hitches like nobody's business when trying to scroll the news app.

 

[Math Geek]

sorry it's stuck where it is.

if you have the know how and the time, you can look and see if it can be rooted and a custom OS installed. often there will be custom ROMs made that cut out a lot of the bloat and they run a lot better. it'll still be an older android version but it might run better.

biggest thing i have seen though is that you still won't be able to update the browser to anything newer to make the web usable.

i have an old tablet myself that has an old version of prime video on it. somehow it works but it won't install nor use any other app for netflix or other services. so it's just prime or local files it'll work with. but it is slow as molasses to load anything up.

 

[punkncat]

rooted

Lol, yes that is the term for Android.

 

[Math Geek]

yah root is for android and jailbreak is for apple. same thing just diff words for some reason.

i've rooted every android phone i've had to get rid of the bloat. iphone jailbreak was often to give it features apple refused to add.

both are linux based so getting root access is the main idea to customize it. android is a java shell over the linux kernel so it is not that hard to get root access.

 

[punkncat]

I think if I had someone here, in person, to walk me through rooting an Android it is probably far easier than I make it for myself. I have tried a couple of older devices that were nothing to lose if I nerfed it, but haven't been successful save one, which was an old Nexus device.
One of my funnier recent attempts was on a device that was carrier locked and it took me WAY too long to figure that part out. I just left it in disgust as myself over the time put in for nothing.

 

[Math Geek]

this is where i go for info and how to's

XDA Forums

Android Forum for Mobile Phones, Tablets, Hardware & App Development

forum.xda-developers.com

or

Browse

Cool New Tech

androidforums.com

xda is where most of the developers post and share what they do. search your device and if they have worked with it, then you'll likely find a step by step guide to root it and then a whole list of custom roms to try out.

unpopular and no name knock-offs won't be there but most common models show up

 

[Inojim]

Many thanks and good advice, all. This tablet had been completely 'reset,' not even the Samsung app was resident. So I opened a Samsung account, then went to their store and was able to download Firefox for Android. And... between installing all their own updates for this old thing and using a bit-better browser, most of the Web surfing functionality has been restored. So for now I'm happy, but do have respect the shortcomings of an older device.