The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is a premium flagship smartphone that showcases cutting-edge technology, most notably its next-generation under-display camera (UDC) for a true, uninterrupted full-screen experience. It also features a powerful triple-camera system where all three rear lenses are 64MP, and is powered by the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. For users who are not receiving automatic updates or who wish to manually install a specific software version, this guide provides an official OTA (Over-The-Air) update package. These files allow you to update your device’s software using the built-in recovery or ADB sideload method.
Important: This is an OTA update file, not a full unbrick package. It is designed for updating a functioning phone. Flashing the wrong firmware for your device’s region can cause the update to fail. This process will not wipe your data, but a backup is always recommended.
Quick Device Specs
- Device: ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
- Release year: 2022
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- Display: 6.8″ AMOLED, 120Hz, Under-display camera
- Battery: 5000 mAh, 65W fast charging
- Original OS: Android 12, MyOS 12
- Key Features: 3rd-Gen Under-Display Camera, Triple 64MP Main Cameras
Required Downloads
For the advanced ADB Sideload method, you will need the official ADB tools from Google.
| File / Tool | Download Link |
|---|---|
| ADB & Fastboot Platform-Tools | Official Google Download Page |
| ZTE USB Drivers | Download Drivers |
Official OTA Update Package
| Region | Version | Android | Type | Download | Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unspecified | TO_T-B02 | 12 | Official OTA Zip | Download | A2023G / A2023P |
How to Manually Install OTA Updates
There are two methods to install these updates. The Local Update method is the easiest and recommended for most users.
Method 1: Local Update (Easiest Method)
- Download the correct OTA
.zipfile. Do not extract it. - Connect your phone to your PC and transfer the downloaded
.zipfile to the root directory of your phone’s internal storage (i.e., not inside any folders). - On your phone, navigate to Settings → System → System update.
- Tap the gear icon or menu icon in the top-right corner and select Install from local or a similar option.
- Your phone will scan the storage and find the update package. Tap on it to begin the installation.
- The phone will verify the package and reboot to complete the update.
Method 2: ADB Sideload (Advanced Method)
- Download and set up the ADB Platform-Tools on your PC.
- Download the OTA
.zipfile and place it in the same folder as your ADB tools. Rename it to something simple, likeupdate.zip. - Reboot your Axon 40 Ultra into recovery mode (Power off, then hold Power + Volume Up).
- Using the volume keys, navigate to Apply update from ADB and select it with the power button.
- Connect your phone to the PC. In a command prompt window in the ADB folder, type
adb devicesto ensure it’s connected. - Type the command:
adb sideload update.zip - The update process will begin. Do not unplug the device until it is finished and the phone has rebooted.
Device-Specific Troubleshooting for OTA Updates
- “Update Verification Failed” Error: This is the most common error and it almost always means you are trying to install the wrong firmware. OTA packages are region-locked (e.g., Global, Europe, China) and version-specific. Ensure this package is meant for your exact model and that you are not trying to downgrade your software.
- This is NOT an Unbrick File: An OTA
.zipfile is for updating a working phone only. If your phone is hard-bricked (won’t turn on or boot into recovery), you need a different type of firmware (an EDL programmer file, also known as a firehose file) and a different flashing method (QFIL). This file will not fix a dead device. - ADB “Device not found” or “Cannot read file”: If your PC doesn’t see the phone in sideload mode, it’s a driver issue. Ensure you have the latest ZTE/ADB drivers and that your phone is recognized correctly in the Windows Device Manager. The “cannot read file” error means you have typed the filename incorrectly or the command prompt is not open in the correct folder.
- Under-Display Camera (UDC) Performance: The quality of the under-display selfie camera is heavily dependent on software processing. After an update, if you notice a change in selfie quality, it may be due to new imaging algorithms. Clearing the cache of the camera app can sometimes resolve minor glitches.
FAQs
Q1. What is an OTA file? An OTA (Over-The-Air) file is an update package designed to upgrade a working phone from one software version to another. It contains only the changes between the two versions, or sometimes the full system, but it is not a low-level unbrick tool.
Q2. Do I need to unlock my bootloader to install this update? No. These are official, signed OTA packages. They can be installed on a device with a locked bootloader using either the Local Update or ADB Sideload method.
Q3. Will this erase my data? No, a standard OTA update does not wipe user data. However, it is always highly recommended to back up your important data before any major software installation.
Q4. My phone isn’t receiving automatic updates. Can I use this file? Yes. This manual installation process is the perfect solution for users who are not receiving automatic OTA notifications due to region, carrier, or server delays.
