Update Mobile | BPI (2024)

FAQs

What does mobile update mean? ›

The updated version usually carries new features and aim at fixing issues related to security and bugs prevalent in the previous versions. The updates are usually provided by a process referred to as OTA (over the air). You will receive a notification when an update is available on your phone.

It's generally advisable to install updates as and when they become available. However, in rare cases, there are reasons why you should not update your phone. For example, if an update has an error in it, it can cause significant performance or security issues.

Open your device's Settings app. Tap Security. Check for an update: To check if a security update is available, tap Google Security checkup.

Why does my Android phone keep updating? Your smartphone keeps updating because on your device the feature of Automatically Auto Update is activated! Undoubtedly updating software is very important to get access to all the latest features that can change the way you operate the device.

For a given app installed on a device, Google Play updates the app if it meets the following conditions: The app is published on Google Play with the same application ID. The published app's signing certificate matches the currently installed version's signing certificate, or it contains a valid proof-of-rotation.

Don't rush into a new contract

However, once a contract ends, you've paid for your phone – so if you simply continue to pay the same amount you are overpaying! That's because even when you don't choose to upgrade your handset, most network providers will keep charging you for the same bundle you originally agreed to.

Upgrading Your Phone Every Three Years

Most people upgrade their phones every two to three years. By then, the battery starts to become bothersome and Android phones stop receiving updates. It's also usually enough time for tech companies to introduce some new features you might want on your next phone.

Consequences to Not Installing Updates

The main reason is that users don't install critical software or operating system updates, allowing malware to exploit loopholes that exist in every software ever developed. Vulnerabilities can potentially be exploited within hours of them becoming publicly known.

Apart from patching flaws, Android security updates also ensure that your device is up-to-date, receives new features, and delivers improved performance. This is why it is important to buy smartphone brands that are great with security updates.

The Android Security Bulletin provide fixes for possible issues affecting devices running Android.

How do I stop my Android from asking me to update? ›

Your Android phone keeps updating to provide you with new features, bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements. These updates are essential to keep your phone running smoothly, protect it from security threats, and ensure that you have access to the latest features and apps.

Tap Settings. Tap Auto-update apps. To disable automatic app updates, select Do not auto-update apps. If you want to instead auto-update apps only when you're connected to a WiFi network, tap Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only in the same pop-up.

In nearly all cases, it's not possible to roll back an Android operating system update. Can I roll back an app update? For system apps, yes. You can roll an app back to the original version in the Apps settings menu and choosing “uninstall updates.”

It's generally safer to keep the apps on your device up to date—so that you get the security fixes to any potential vulnerability in the apps you're using. But whether you want to get these updates automatically or not is more of a personal choice than a hard-and-fast rule.

By default, apps are updated automatically when the following constraints are met: The device is connected to a Wi-Fi network. The device is charging. The device is idle (not actively used).

Things You Should Know

To check your Android version, go to "Settings", "About Phone", then "Android Version". To update your Android, go to "Settings", "System”, then "System Updates". Tap "Download and Install". If your device is older and does not support the newest update, you will not see an update available.

Average lifespan of a smartphone: A smartphone has an average life span of 2.58 years. According to reports, iPhones last 4-10 years, while Samsung phones last 3-6 years. Many factors affect a smartphone's lifespan, including the condition of the screen, the hardware, and the battery's health.

If you're using an iPhone 11, we recommend upgrading to an iPhone 14 (or even an iPhone 13). In the last three or so years, Apple has made enough changes to features including battery life, performance, screen quality, cameras and durability to merit buying a new iPhone.

How long can a phone last without updates? ›

A couple of years ago, an Android phone wouldn't get any more security updates if it was more than three years old, and that's provided it can even get all the updates before then. After three years, you were better off getting a new phone.

The problem, however, is that each major software release is made for the latest and a faster hardware and can't always be calibrated for older hardware. Shrey Garg, an Android developer from Pune, says that in certain cases phones do get slow after software updates.

Guaranteed security updates until at least:

Pixel 4, 4 XL, 4a, 4a (5G), 5, and 5a (5G) phones get Android version updates and security updates for at least 3 years from when the device first became available on the Google Store in the US.

In a nutshell, no, you should not use a phone that doesn't receive updates. The main reason being that the lack of security updates leaves your phone vulnerable to malicious actors. Cybercriminals come up with new ways to bypass security measures in software to get hold of confidential data.

Though the hardware itself is often fine to keep using, particularly if you don't crave the best cameras or fastest processors, the lack of security support means that older phones could be far less safe. If you're concerned about security and privacy -- and you should be -- here are some things to consider.

The random crashing of an app, abnormally high battery usage, and heating are just some of the most common performance troubles caused by bugs. Companies often roll out corrective updates to iron out these issues.

Samsung previously pledged to offer four years' worth of security updates for its hardware and three years of software upgrades back in 2021. However, this commitment to a full four years of major operating system updates, plus five years of security updates, has helped spur similar movements from other brands.

Install updates as soon as possible to protect your computer, phone, or other digital device against attackers who would take advantage of system vulnerabilities. Attackers may target vulnerabilities for months or even years after updates are available.

By not updating or patching your software, your apps become more vulnerable to threats. As IT Governance mentions, prompt patching is essential for effective cyber security. When a new patch is released, attackers will quickly identify the underlying vulnerability in the application and release malware to exploit it.

How long will Android security updates last? ›

Pixel 4, 4 XL, 4a, 4a (5G), 5 and 5a (5G) phones receive Android version updates and security updates for at least three years from when the device first became available on the Google Store in the US. This page is about Pixel software updates.

Android app updates cannot be uninstalled on anything other than system apps.

Upgrading Your Phone Every Three Years

Most people upgrade their phones every two to three years. By then, the battery starts to become bothersome and Android phones stop receiving updates. It's also usually enough time for tech companies to introduce some new features you might want on your next phone.

Old and outdated software is vulnerable to hackers and cyber criminals as updates keep you safe from exploitable holes into your organisation. Having reliable security in place is especially important as the release of software update notes often reveal the patched-up exploitable entry points to the public.

Note that once you uninstall an update, it will try to install itself again the next time you check for updates. To solve this issue, you can pause your updates until the problem is fixed.

No, you should not uninstall older Windows Updates, since they are critical to keep your system safe and secure from attacks and vulnerabilities.

With every update that you get, your phone's performance can improve. On the other hand, ignoring these updates can make your phone slow, hang frequently and be incompatible with different apps and software. It can also make your phone security vulnerable.

Will I lose my pictures if I upgrade my phone? ›

Transfer Backup to the New Device

To access all your photos, videos, and other files on your new device, you need to transfer the data from the backup that you had created in the first step. You might have created this backup on iCloud, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or any other cloud storage platform.

Learn more. Most of the time, upgrading to a new version of Android won't delete your data but there is always a risk of something when wrong and loss of data. So, it's good to back up your data just in case, not necessarily upgrading will delete your data.

Average lifespan of a smartphone: A smartphone has an average life span of 2.58 years. According to reports, iPhones last 4-10 years, while Samsung phones last 3-6 years. Many factors affect a smartphone's lifespan, including the condition of the screen, the hardware, and the battery's health.

Some devices can even last upwards of five years if treated gently. However, you might start noticing a decline at around the three-year mark. It's usually at this point that your hardware becomes outdated, with no new operating system updates from developers.

iPhone battery durability

For most users, this represents approximately two years of use, which is why most people believe that the lifespan of a phone is two years. However when it comes to iPhones, you can expect between three to five years (maybe more) with proper care.

Apart from patching flaws, Android security updates also ensure that your device is up-to-date, receives new features, and delivers improved performance. This is why it is important to buy smartphone brands that are great with security updates.

Updates can prevent security issues and improve compatibility and program features.

When you have performed an Android system update, it may take up to two days for the device software to stabilise. Some processes initiated by the update will continue running in the background for some time, for example: The indexing of files. The updating of pre-installed apps.