Certainly, everyone is aware of the updates sent by manufacturers for their operating systems, whether it is Android or iOS. Sometimes, you may have doubts when receiving a notification for a new update on your phone. You may wonder what new features you will get with the update? Will my data be deleted? Will the new update affect the device’s speed? All these questions may arise in the minds of many; therefore, in this article, we will clarify everything related to the consequences of updating your phone, whether Android or iPhone, as well as the types of updates provided by companies for their devices, and other matters.
In simple terms, the operating system is a set of software responsible for managing the device’s resources “hardware,” and all phones need an operating system to function properly. Therefore, phones come preloaded with a specific version of the operating system. Google and Apple always work on releasing enhanced versions of their operating systems to add new features or fix security and stability issues of the operating system. New updates are usually provided through a process called Over-the-Air programming or “OTA,” which refers to different ways of distributing new software and configuration settings. Operating system updates come in two types: new version updates and security updates.
New Version Updates of the Operating System
Major updates or operating system updates are usually released annually, and these updates bring significant changes to the operating system, such as changes in the user interface and the addition of new settings and applications, as we saw in the iOS 14 update, which introduced many features like “Private Address” and “Picture-in-Picture” mode, among other new features. These updates also come with large sizes ranging from 700 MB to 1.5 GB or more.
It is also worth mentioning that Google and Apple have made significant progress in the versions. Android devices now operate on the 10th version “Android 10” of the operating system, and iPhone devices also run on iOS 13. Both Android 11 and iOS 14, the new operating systems, are available for trial, and you can download them to your device and enjoy the new features until the stable version is released to all users. However, for Android operating system, you will not be able to get the trial version at the moment unless you own a Pixel phone.
Security Updates
Security updates are responsible for fixing vulnerabilities and errors in the operating system, securing the phone from getting infected by any harmful software. These updates come in smaller sizes compared to system updates, and they are released regularly and frequently to always maintain the security of your phone. For example, Google’s Pixel phones receive security updates approximately every month, but this does not apply to Android devices from other companies such as Samsung, Xiaomi, and others, which may receive security updates approximately every three months.
At the same time, these updates are often referred to as incremental updates, where mobile phones can receive some new and simple features alongside security updates. For example, the iOS 13 operating system received many additional upgrades ranging from 13.1 to 13.5 during the last year.
What Happens After Downloading Updates for Your Phone
First, after completing the update process and downloading the new updates to your device, this update will not delete any of your data or files. All your files, documents, and installed applications will remain as they are. However, it is good to take a backup of your phone just in case any problems occur.
Getting New Features and User Interface Changes
As mentioned, system updates come with a set of new features and changes in the user interface, and companies always strive to provide tangible updates in the user interface because the user creates their first impression from this interface. The company always tries to simplify the user experience through new updates. For example, Android 10 introduced the navigation gestures instead of navigation buttons and also introduced many new features like smart replies, dark mode, and more.
Fixing Errors and Improving Performance
Any software or operating system is susceptible to errors, and some updates may cause some problems on your device, such as breaking the proper performance of the Wi-Fi network, among other issues. Fortunately, these problems can be fixed through other updates. Therefore, software updates can contribute significantly to fixing issues related to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, permissions, and more. Additionally, updates will also greatly improve the performance and battery life of your device.
Precautions to Take During Updating Your Phone
Charging Your Phone’s Battery
It is natural for your phone to take some time during the update process, so make sure to charge your phone’s battery. It is preferable that your phone is charged to at least 70%. If there is any problem with your battery, ensure to connect the phone to the charger during the update.
Never Turn Off Your Phone
It is crucial not to turn off your phone during the update process, even if the phone takes longer than expected during the update. Do not turn off your phone. Therefore, always update when you have enough time, at least 30 minutes to an hour.
How to Know About New Updates Available for Your Phone
Usually, your phone displays a notification when any software update is available. If you have enabled automatic downloads, updates will be downloaded automatically once available. If automatic download is disabled, you will need to download the update by going to settings and clicking on the download button.
To find out about updates available for devices running on the Android system, go to settings, then system or “About Phone,” then system update. After that, click on the check for updates button. For Samsung phones, you can find available updates by going to settings, then software update, then download and install.
As for iPhones, go to settings, then general, then software update, and your iPhone will start searching for available updates and installing them on your device.
In conclusion, updating your phone is important but not mandatory as you can continue to use your phone without updating it. However, you will miss out on the new features offered by these updates. Additionally, you will be vulnerable to security breaches because the security vulnerabilities of the operating system are not addressed. Some applications may also stop working if not upgraded to the latest version. In general, you will lose many conveniences and security factors, so always make sure not to delay updating your device as it is beneficial in most cases.
