Updating LineageOS without losing your personal data—commonly referred to as a "dirty flash"—is the standard way to handle minor version updates (e.g., weekly nightlies) and can often be done for major upgrades (e.g., LineageOS 20 to 21) if certain precautions are taken. 1. The Easy Way: Using the Built-in Updater

On your phone's recovery screen, navigate using volume buttons and the power button:

Suddenly, the animation snapped away. The lock screen appeared—his same wallpaper of a nebula, his same clock font. He swiped up, and there they were: his apps, his messages, and his high scores, all intact and humming on a brand-new engine.

Go to and enable USB Debugging . If you don't see Developer Options, go to Settings > About Phone and tap "Build Number" seven times.