Should You Tap Update? How to Update Your Phone Safely

That little "update available" message keeps popping up on your phone. Should you tap it, or wait? October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and keeping your software updated is one of the simplest ways to stay safe. Here's a calm, step by step guide to updating your phone with confidence.

What a phone update does

A software update is a free improvement your phone's maker sends to your phone. Software is the set of instructions that tells your phone how to work. Updates come from Apple for iPhones, and from Google or your phone's maker, like Samsung, for Android phones.

Updates do 3 main jobs:

1. They fix security holes. A security hole is a weak spot that criminals could use to get into your phone. When a company finds one, it sends a fix in an update.
2. They fix bugs. A bug is a mistake in the software that makes something act strange, like an app that keeps freezing.
3. They add new features. Sometimes you get handy new tools, like better photo editing or clearer text options.

The first job is the most important. An out of date phone is like a house with an old lock that thieves already know how to open. An update changes the lock.

Why updates matter for your safety

Criminals study old software. When a company announces a security fix, bad actors know exactly which phones are still at risk: the ones that haven't updated yet.

That's why Cybersecurity Awareness Month campaigns have long named updating your software as one of a handful of core safety habits. It sits right next to strong passwords, two step verification, and spotting scams.

Here's the good news. Updating is free, it usually takes less than an hour, and you can let your phone do it on its own while you sleep.

Before you update: 3 quick steps

A little preparation keeps the process smooth.

1. Back up your phone. A backup is a safe copy of your photos, contacts, and messages stored somewhere else, like your iCloud or Google account. Updates almost never erase anything, but a backup means you're protected no matter what.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is your home's wireless internet. Updates can be large, and Wi-Fi keeps them from using up your cell phone data plan.
3. Plug in your phone. Updates use battery power, and your phone may need a good charge to start. Plugging it in removes the worry.

How to back up an iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap your name at the top.
3. Tap iCloud, then iCloud Backup.
4. Make sure the backup switch is on, then tap Back Up Now.

How to back up an Android phone

Menus vary by phone maker, so your screens may look a little different.

1. Open Settings.
2. Search for Backup using the search bar at the top of Settings.
3. Tap your Google backup option, then tap Back up now.

How to update an iPhone, step by step

1. Open Settings. It's the gray icon with gears.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. Wait a few seconds while your phone checks.
5. If an update is ready, tap Update Now or Download and Install.
6. Enter your phone's passcode if it asks. Your passcode is the number you type to unlock your phone.
7. Leave your phone plugged in. It will restart on its own when it's done.

Your phone may be dark for several minutes and show the Apple logo with a progress bar. That's normal. Don't press any buttons. Let it finish.

How to update an Android phone, step by step

Android phones come from many makers, so menu names vary. These steps work on most phones.

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap System, then Software update. On many Samsung phones, tap Software update right on the main Settings screen.
3. Tap Check for updates or Download and install.
4. Follow the prompts on your screen.
5. Let your phone restart on its own.

If you can't find it, use the search bar at the top of Settings and type the word update. That shortcut works on almost every Android phone.

Android phones may also get a separate "Google Play system update." That's a smaller safety update from Google. If you see one, install it too.

Turn on automatic updates and relax

The easiest path is to let your phone handle updates for you. It will download and install them overnight, while it's charging and connected to Wi-Fi.

On an iPhone

1. Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update.
2. Tap Automatic Updates.
3. Turn on the switches for downloading and installing updates. If you see a switch for security responses, turn that on too.

On an Android phone

1. Go to Settings and search for auto update or automatic updates.
2. Turn on the option to download updates automatically over Wi-Fi.

Don't forget your apps. Apps get updates too, and they matter for safety. On iPhone, open the App Store, tap your picture, and look for automatic app updates in your settings. On Android, open the Google Play Store, tap your picture, then Settings, then Network preferences, then Auto-update apps.

How to spot a fake update message

Here's an important warning, paired with the fix. Scammers sometimes show fake "update" pop-ups on websites. A pop-up is a small window that appears on top of a web page. These fake messages may say your phone is infected or out of date, and they push you to tap a link or download an app.

The fix is simple. Real phone updates come only from your phone's Settings app. Apple and Google won't ask you to update your phone through a website pop-up, a text message, or an email link.

If you see an update message while browsing the web:

1. Don't tap anything inside the message.
2. Close the browser tab, or close the browser app.
3. Open Settings yourself and check for updates there.

If Settings says you're up to date, you are. The pop-up was a trick.

Don't forget your tablet and computer

Your phone isn't the only device that needs updates. Tablets, laptops, and desktop computers get security fixes too. The same habits apply: back up, plug in, connect to Wi-Fi, and update through the device's own settings.

1. iPad: Open Settings, tap General, then Software Update. The steps match the iPhone.
2. Windows computer: Click the Start button, open Settings, and look for Windows Update. Click Check for updates.
3. Mac computer: Open the Apple menu in the top left corner, choose System Settings, then General, then Software Update.
4. Chromebook: Click the clock in the bottom right corner, open Settings, and look for About ChromeOS, then Check for updates.

Your web browser matters too. A browser is the app you use to visit websites, like Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox. Most browsers update on their own when you close and reopen them. If you leave your browser open for weeks, close it once in a while so updates can finish.

Smart TVs, streaming boxes, and home Wi-Fi routers get updates too. A router is the box that brings Wi-Fi into your home. Many update on their own. If you're not sure, ask your internet provider or a trusted family member to take a look.

What if something seems off after an update?

Most updates go smoothly. Once in a while, things look a little different. Here's what to do.

1. Restart your phone. It fixes many small hiccups.
2. Give it a day. After a big update, your phone may run a little warm or slow while it organizes things in the background. This usually settles down.
3. Check your settings. If your text size or sounds changed, you can change them back in Settings.
4. Ask for help from a trusted source. Visit an Apple Store, your phone carrier's store, or call your carrier's number from your bill. Avoid "support" phone numbers you find in pop-ups or ads.

Quick checklist

• Back up your phone first.
• Connect to Wi-Fi and plug in your charger.
• Update only through the Settings app.
• Turn on automatic updates for your phone.
• Turn on automatic updates for your apps.
• Ignore update pop-ups on websites and in texts.

FAQ

How long does a phone update take?

It depends on the size of the update and your internet speed. Small updates may take a few minutes. Big yearly updates can take longer. Start it at night or when you won't need your phone for a while.

Will an update delete my photos?

Updates are designed to keep your photos, contacts, and apps right where they are. Still, a backup first means you're protected even in the rare case something goes wrong.

My phone says it can't get updates anymore. What now?

Older phones eventually stop getting updates from their makers. When that happens, they stop getting security fixes too. If your phone can't update, it may be time to consider a newer model, especially if you use it for banking or email. Your carrier's store can tell you which phones still get updates.

Want more simple tech fixes like this one? Grab the free Digital Steady Starter Kit at /free-kit. You have got this. Stay steady out there.