The screen-blocking software update notification that keeps coming back can be frustrating for phone users, but ignoring it for too long is a mistake.
Many consumers choose not to set their phones to automatic updates. As a new day begins, these notifications can pop up at inconvenient and distracting times — while you’re rushing to call or email or text — but phone software updates Smart is mainly designed for your benefit.
The company includes Apple and Samsung, as well as AlphabetGoogle, the company that makes the Android operating system, is continuously working on security and user experience features in annual updates and other periodic updates to fix newly discovered bugs. presently.
Apple’s current operating system iOS 16 was released this past Septemberand it boasts many new features: abilities edit and unsend messages; set multiple lock screens and set Focus Filters to limit who you receive notifications from; security and privacy updates such as Safety Check so that victims of domestic violence or intimate partners can reset the access they have given others; And Lock modean extreme method of protection against cyber attacks.
Samsung’s Android 13 One UI 5.0 lets users customize the lock screen, create stickers from any photo, and open apps in split-screen mode, along with security updates like split alerts. Share personal information and privacy dashboard in settings to check and fix security issues.
Not all software updates offer a host of new features, but when they do, you can feel like you’re getting a new phone at no extra cost. However, many users still do whatever they can to delay the 30 minutes that a software update can take.
Where human procrastination meets technology
It is a phenomenon that researchers study and call “adoption delay.”
Researchers at the University of Tennessee and the University of Munich identified this “intentional delay” as a coping strategy that digital product users implement to combat negative emotions that arise when Software updates are released. Anger often stems from the perception that software updates will require users to relearn how to use certain features on their devices and threatens their current habits. Frustration is also a factor and it is assumed that their phone’s current functionality is optimal, so a software update will only disrupt their ability to use the device.
But there’s also more basic human psychology.
Richard Forno, director of the Cybersecurity Graduate Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and assistant director of the University of Maryland Graduate Program in Cybersecurity, said: school network.
He recommends setting up your phone to automatically download and install updates overnight while you’re sleeping (as long as Airplane Mode isn’t set). “It’s a feature that a lot of people can and should enable, so they don’t have to worry about it,” Forno said.
Apple, Google Update Options
Apple lets users decide if they want their phone to automatically download and install the latest iOS update, or if they want to update it manually. Android users can choose between three local system update policies, including automatic updates, windowed updates, and deferred updates — all of which ultimately result in automatic device updates. . System policy to automatically install as soon as a new update is available; system policy windows installs updates during daily maintenance times that the user can choose; defer option delays the installation of updates for 30 days. When 30 days have passed, the system will prompt the user to install the system update.
While it is offered, cybersecurity experts do not recommend waiting 30 days. Justin Cappos, an associate professor of Computer Science and Engineering at New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering and a member of New York University’s Center for Cybersecurity, said: “For the average user, in within a few days to a week may be fine. Some users are at greater risk if they choose to disable or ignore these notifications. “If you are a dissident who might be the target of a nationalist state actor, you should update immediately,” he said.
When a major security update arrives, everyone should act relatively quickly.
Hackers will target vulnerabilities that you don’t update
Major annual OS updates may be more reported and flashier in terms of new features, but security protection is the main reason why users should download all software updates new available for their phones. Smaller, incremental updates are released primarily to fix bugs and ensure users are better protected. It’s as simple as knowing that Apple or Samsung, or any other phone maker, is indicating that your current operating system is no longer the most secure and it is sending that message out into the world. That’s not only good for you, but also for hackers looking to exploit users who don’t receive notifications.
“You’re making yourself vulnerable,” said Kathleen Moriarty, chief technology officer at the Center for Internet Security. Once a vulnerability has been published and a patch has been released, attackers are quick. take that information and create exploits for those specific vulnerabilities”. .
Without the latest security patches, everything on your phone can be hacked, from social media accounts to banking information to text messages.
“If you reuse passwords in different places and they can get hold of the passwords stored on your phone, they can gain access to other apps,” Moriarty said.
Password reuse across accounts is bad cybersecurity practices starts and can even get worse when a personal phone security hole is used to gain access to the owner’s network.
“Hopefully you don’t use those across borders as this is an area of attack that has been used there, let’s say the admin of an organization is specifically targeted through a personal account their own and that personal account access is used to gain corporate access,” Moriarty said.
If malware, through an outdated operating system, tricks you into clicking a link or downloading something, that malware can gain access to your personal information, draining your battery. run out and reduce overall performance.
Performance concerns hype, patches better and faster
Years ago, software updates were much larger and infrequent, which made the updates themselves more susceptible to hacks and bugs. For example, Apple found a major operational vulnerability after The 2017 release of MacOS High Sierra allow anyone to enter your computer without a password.
However, since Apple and Samsung have moved to release smaller software updates and patches more frequently, this will minimize the impact on devices and improve testing.
“I have a higher level of confidence thanks to the newer processes,” Moriarty said. “There are fewer issues with software updates now than there were five or 10 years ago.”
Companies have also developed software updates that can happen behind the scenes on phones without the user having to download them. In Apple’s iOS 16.2 release, the operating system can now roll out security updates between incremental updates with a new feature called “Quick Security Responses”.
Back in 2019, Google’s Project Mainline was introduced in Android 10 and implemented this mobile update process without requiring users to join or reboot the system. While this system cannot perform full software updates in the background through Google Play, it can install critical operating system patches without having to wait for users or power manufacturers phone.
“They can roll out security updates pretty much when they need them, without requiring a phone reboot and disrupting one’s life, which is a good thing, because it’s transparent to people.” end users, but they’ll get the updates they need. So it’s a win for security,” Forno said.
These days, there’s less reason to worry when it comes to software updates, but the internet is also a good tool to quickly see how any recent update is doing for those who aren’t. other use. From social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter to tech news sites like The Verge, users can get quick feedback on the latest software fixes.
“Due to the availability of social media, you’ll know if there are major issues that are unexpected or unanticipated with a particular update. So you can wait a moment or decide not to be the first, especially [for] a big update. But I don’t think the timeline is that long anymore. Because of things like Reddit forums and Twitter and other places where you can easily access immediate feedback,” Moriarty said.
Smartphone battery problems
Some users avoid software updates for fear that it will reduce battery life or slow down the phone and although this can happen after downloading a major software update, these problems are just temporary.
“Your phone will eat up battery when you install an update, run all the verifications and checks, and then do a bunch of re-indexing. So I wouldn’t be surprised if in one or two days after you download the update, your phone’s battery life may decrease a bit because it’s more active,” Forno said.
However, there have been cases where Apple’s iOS updates caused poor battery life for a long period of time beyond the initial installation duration. For example, the release of iOS and iPadOS 15.4 caused a large number of customers to report battery problems that lasted weeks after the release of the update, leading Apple to quickly release iOS and iPadOS 15.4. 1 to fix this error.
Your phone’s memory is also affected when you install security updates. Depending on the size of the software update, the age of your phone, and the operating system currently in use, storage space may be an issue.
“I think the average user needs to make sure their device is updated regularly. … I don’t think they have to worry about checking for updates every day,” Forno said.
Age of iPhone, Android model matters
Software updates do not guarantee that the phone will always be safe. As newer generations of iPhone and Android were released, Apple and Samsung gradually phased out the older devices and supported the operating system. For example, iOS 16 is supported on every iPhone released since iPhone 8. Samsung currently guarantees customers at least 4 years of major Android updates and up to 5 years of security updates.
Hardware updates, including new chips and security features, are also rolled out regularly.
“Updating your phone model every year to several years can help you stay ahead of the security curve,” says Cappos.
Apple’s release of the iPhone 14 series includes the A16 Bionic chip on the Pro models, emergency satellite calling technology, and better hardware security through the move to eSIM-only cards. The next big release is SamsungGalaxy S23 this month, including Samsung’s latest tweak for Android 13, One UI 5.1. Users should review the phone’s hardware, software, and UI features, and owners of existing Samsung models will want to stay tuned for the announcement that One UI 5.1 will be made more widely available. .
