Why app updates matter for your security and device health
App updates do two things: they fix security holes that hackers can use to steal your data, and they patch bugs that slow down your phone or computer. When a developer releases an update, it usually means they found a problem — either something that makes the app crash, or something that lets someone access your information without permission. Ignoring updates leaves those holes open.
The longer you wait to update, the more time attackers have to exploit known vulnerabilities. Security researchers publish details about these holes, and within days or weeks, malicious actors start using them. If you update within a few weeks of release, you close the door before most attacks happen. If you wait months, you are running a much higher risk.
Updates also keep your apps compatible with your phone or computer's operating system. When your device gets a major update, older apps sometimes stop working properly. Keeping your apps current prevents crashes, freezing, and features that straightforward stop responding.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on automatic updates for all apps so you do not have to remember to update manually, and security patches arrive as soon as they are released.
- Check your device's app store settings — both Apple App Store and Google Play Store have an option to update apps automatically over Wi-Fi or cellular data.
- Review what permissions each app requests before and after updates, because updates sometimes add new access to your camera, location, or contacts.
- Delete apps you no longer use, because unused apps still receive updates and still pose a security risk if they contain vulnerabilities.
- Keep your device's operating system updated as well, because app security depends partly on the foundation your apps run on.
How to turn on automatic updates on your phone or tablet
On an iPhone or iPad: Open the App Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, scroll down to "App Updates," and toggle on "Automatic Updates." This setting updates all your apps automatically when you are connected to Wi-Fi. If you want updates to happen on cellular data as well, you can allow that in the same menu, though it uses more data.
On an Android phone or tablet: Open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, go to "Settings," then "Network preferences," and select "Auto-update apps." You can choose "Over any network" (Wi-Fi or cellular) or "Over Wi-Fi only." Most people choose Wi-Fi only to avoid using their data plan.
Once automatic updates are on, you do not need to do anything else. Your apps update in the background, usually overnight or when your device is plugged in. You may see a notification that an app has been updated, but you do not have to take action.
What to do if an app keeps crashing after an update
Sometimes an update introduces a new bug instead of fixing one. If an app crashes repeatedly after updating, the first step is to force-close it and restart your device. This clears temporary files and memory that might be causing the problem.
On iPhone: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top right on newer models) to open the app switcher, find the app, and swipe it up to close it. Then restart your phone by holding the power button until you see the shutdown slider, slide to power off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on.
On Android: Swipe up from the bottom to open the app switcher, find the app, and swipe it up to close it. Then hold the power button until you see the restart option, tap it, and wait for your phone to restart.
If the app still crashes, try clearing its cache. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find the app, tap it, and tap "Offload App" (this removes the app but keeps your data), then reinstall it from the app store. On Android, go to Settings > Apps, find the app, tap "Storage," and tap "Clear Cache." If it still does not work, uninstall and reinstall the app from the app store.
Managing permissions when apps update
Updates sometimes add new features that require access to parts of your phone you did not give permission for before — your camera, microphone, location, contacts, or photos. When you update an app, check what new permissions it is asking for, because you can refuse them.
On iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy, and you will see a list of permissions like Camera, Microphone, Location, and Photos. Tap each one to see which apps have access. If an app has access you did not expect, tap the app name and toggle off the permission.
On Android: Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Permissions, and you will see the same list. Tap each permission to see which apps use it, and tap the app name to change its access level.
You can also check permissions inside the app itself. On both iPhone and Android, go to the app's settings (usually found by tapping a gear icon or "Settings" within the app) and look for a Permissions section. Some apps let you grant or deny permissions from there.
Deciding which apps to keep and which to delete
Every app on your device is a potential security risk, even if you do not use it. Unused apps still receive updates, and if a vulnerability is found in an app you never open, you are still exposed to it. The simplest way to reduce risk is to delete apps you have not used in three months.
Go through your home screen and app drawer, and ask yourself: have I opened this in the last three months? If the answer is no, delete it. You can always reinstall it later from the app store if you change your mind. Pay special attention to apps that ask for unusual permissions — a flashlight app that wants access to your location, or a weather app that wants access to your contacts, should be deleted when ready.
Some apps come pre-installed on your phone and cannot be deleted, only disabled. On Android, go to Settings > Apps, find the app, and tap "Disable" if that option appears. On iPhone, you can only delete apps you downloaded yourself, not the ones Apple includes.
Keeping your device's operating system updated
App security depends on your device's operating system being current. The operating system is the foundation that all your apps run on, and security holes in the operating system can affect every app you use. When Apple releases iOS updates or Google releases Android updates, install them as soon as you can.
On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, tap "read and Install." Your phone will restart during the process, so plug it in and make sure you have time for it to complete. You can also turn on automatic updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates and toggling on "read iOS Updates" and "Install iOS Updates."
On Android: Go to Settings > About phone > System update. If an update is available, tap "read and install." Like iPhone, your phone will restart, so plug it in first. To turn on automatic updates, go to Settings > System > System update > Advanced settings and toggle on "Auto-read updates over Wi-Fi."
What to do if you cannot update an app
Sometimes an older app becomes incompatible with your device's operating system and will not update anymore. The app store will show an error message like "This app requires a newer version of iOS" or "This app is not compatible with your device." This means the developer has stopped supporting that version of the app.
You have two choices: update your device's operating system if it is behind, or delete the app and find an alternative. If your device is too old to run the latest operating system, you cannot use that app anymore. Check the app store listing to see what operating system version the app requires, and compare it to your device's current version (found in Settings > General > About on iPhone, or Settings > About phone on Android).
If you need the app's function but cannot update it, search the app store for an alternative app that does the same thing and still supports your device. Many apps have multiple options — if one banking app will not update on your older phone, another one might.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to turn off automatic updates?
It is not recommended. Automatic updates may support you get security patches as soon as they are released, which is when you are most protected. If you turn them off, you have to remember to check manually, and most people forget. The only reason to turn off automatic updates is if you have very limited data and cannot use Wi-Fi — in that case, update over Wi-Fi at least once a week.
Why does an app ask for permission to my location when it never did before?
An update added a new feature that uses location data. You can refuse the permission — the app will still work, but that specific feature will not. Go to your phone's Settings > Privacy > Location (iPhone) or Settings > Apps & notifications > Permissions > Location (Android), find the app, and change the setting to "Never" or "Don't allow."
Can I update apps without using Wi-Fi?
Yes, but it uses your cellular data. If you have an unlimited data plan, it does not matter. If you have a limited plan, set automatic updates to "Over Wi-Fi only" so updates happen when you are connected to Wi-Fi. You can also manually update individual apps over cellular data by opening the app store and tapping the update button next to the app name.
What happens if I delete an app and then reinstall it?
Reinstalling the app downloads the latest version from the app store, so you get all the security updates automatically. Your personal data inside the app (like saved passwords or preferences) may or may not be restored, depending on whether the app syncs to a cloud account. If the app uses your Apple ID or Google account, your data usually comes back.
Do I need to update apps on my computer, or just my phone?
You should update apps on both. Computers have app stores and automatic update settings just like phones do. On Mac, open the App Store and go to Updates to see pending updates. On Windows, many apps update automatically, but you can check individual programs by opening them and looking for a Settings or Help menu with an "Check for updates" option. Keep your computer's operating system updated as well — Windows and macOS both release regular security updates.