# OTA update
> An OTA update is software sent wirelessly to your device without plugging it into a computer.
Topics: Apps, Smartphones
Difficulty: Everyday
Aliases: over-the-air update, system update
Updated: 2026-06-26T08:00:00.000Z
## Go deeper
An OTA update is software sent wirelessly to your device without plugging it into a computer. In everyday buying decisions, the useful question is not just what the spec says, but what it changes for comfort, cost, speed, safety, or battery life.