What do system updates accomplish?

Every now and again, mobile devices will announce they need to perform an update.

Sometimes this is announced in advance, giving device owners the chance to schedule these updates for a convenient time like 3am.

Other occasions involve an enforced update, typically in response to the emergence of a particular malware threat, or newly-identified flaws in a device’s security settings.

There are also key differences between Apple and Android updates.

The latter are harder to predict owing to the more open nature of the Android operating system, and the different approaches taken by specific Android device manufacturers.

Nokia and Samsung are particularly proactive at updating operating systems and settings, but someone with two Android devices may notice significant variations in update cycles.

These updates are intended to be discreet, though they do involve the device rebooting – not ideal if it happens overnight and you rely on your phone remaining on at all times.

(Android’s parent company Google is working on a way to perform updates without disabling the phone or forcing users to manually enter a passcode to reawaken its services).

But what do system updates achieve? And are they really necessary, or simply advisable?

System of a down

Apart from a little downtime, system updates are designed to keep smartphones and tablets operating optimally.

They’re not meant to replicate the dramatic changes of an entirely new operating system version, such as upgrading from Android Oreo to Pie.

Instead, they will update specific apps, and plug security holes or repair conflicts which have been discovered since the last update took place.

Apps will all be closed down, clearing the device’s cache memory and often accelerating performance – until those same apps are reopened and left to run in the background.

This usually happens over WiFi, to avoid pushing a device over its monthly mobile data allowance, and at night when incoming calls or messages are likely to be minimal.

However, while Apple device owners generally receive encouragement to perform updates at once, Android updates are far more sporadic depending on the whims of manufacturers.

Apps work on any Android device, whereas operating systems tend to be platform-specific.

How to check if your phone needs an update

On Samsung devices, go to Settings > Software Update, to see whether any updates are available.

Other Android phones require users to go into Settings, and then tap About Phone (or System > About Phone).

System Updates should appear as an option, with a further tap revealing whether the device is up to date.

On Apple phones, updates should automatically be flagged up, but you can go into Settings > General > Software Update to see if any updates are available.

However, the annual major update rolled out across devices running iOS often takes care of matters for several months thereafter.