As an owner of an iPhone, I know all too well the frustration of not knowing when to update my phone and what happens if I don’t. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share what I’ve learned and the issues that can arise if you don’t update your phone. From security to performance, read on to find out what can happen if you neglect to update your iPhone.
But what happens if you don’t update iPhone? The answer simply is that you won’t catch up on the latest features and fixes to current bugs in the system. And you’ll be at a greater risk of being hacked because of old untreated bugs.
In this article, we’re going to discuss all the benefits you’d attain by updating your iPhone regularly, along with tips to ease your update process. Want to know more? Keep on reading.
| Consequences of Not Updating iPhone | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missing New Features | You won’t have access to new features and improvements that Apple introduces in minor and major updates, such as SharePlay and Face ID improvements. | No need to spend time or data downloading updates. | Missing out on the latest features. |
| Lacking Bug Fixes | Failing to update your iPhone may result in unresolved system bugs, causing problems with your device’s performance. Regular updates fix these bugs and improve overall performance. | No need to learn new features or interface. | Experiencing unresolved bugs and performance issues. |
| Risking Data Vulnerability | Not updating your iPhone leaves you at risk of security breaches and data loss, as Apple regularly includes security patches in updates. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities to access sensitive data and applications like Safari and iCloud. | None | Increased vulnerability to security risks and data loss. |
| Tips for Updating iPhone | To ensure a smooth update, create a backup of your data, make sure there’s enough space on your device, and have a stable Wi-Fi connection and sufficient battery charge. Contact Apple support if you encounter issues during the update. | None | None |
| Pros and Cons of Not Updating | If you don’t update your iPhone, you save time and data, and avoid learning new features or interfaces. However, you miss out on new features, bug fixes, and face potential security risks, and your device’s performance may suffer. | Time and data savings, no learning curve. | Missing features, bugs, security risks, performance issues. |
What Happens If You Don’t Update iPhone?
Now, without further ado, let’s dig deeper into the three main perks you’ll miss if you don’t get your iPhone updated constantly.
- Missing New Features
When talking about updates, we don’t just mean major updates such as iOS 15 and iOS 16. There are minor updates, too, such as iOS 15.1 and iOS 15.2. Apple regularly adds more features to the current software instead of waiting for another year to add them.
Not regularly updating to these versions will prevent you from accessing these new features. That doesn’t mean that your current features are going to be affected in any way. It just means that you’ll not be able to try new things that’ll make your experience all better.
Here are some examples of features that are being added. In iOS 15.1, Apple added share play. This feature allows you to share any content from Apple Music, Apple TV, and other platforms during FaceTime.
In iOS 15.4, Apple added a feature that allows you to unlock your iPhone with a Face ID while wearing a face mask. This feature was developed to work on all iPhones, from iPhone 12 to the following versions.
- Lacking Bug Fixes
Not updating for a short period won’t cause you any trouble. However, if you don’t update for a long time, you might face many issues related to system bugs.
Regularly updating fixes not only troubling bugs in the system but also improves the device’s overall performance.
Therefore, If you don’t install the updates constantly, you’ll encounter more problems in your device’s performance, while those who update it won’t.
Here are some examples of bug fixes that you get from updating. In iOS 15.1, fixes were made for problems such as the following:
- Inability to detect nearby WI-Fi networks
- Failure to read the current temperature in the exact location for the Weather app
- Sending incorrect reports about the iPhone running out of storage
In iOS 15.6, fixes were made for braille devices slowing down or stopping responding while navigating a text in Mail.
- Risking Data Vulnerability
Generally, any operating system has loopholes that hackers can use to their advantage. Apple does its best to gather information about any security hacks regularly and figure out solutions to install in their updates.
Not installing updates keeps you at risk of losing your data or being forfeited to get it back. On the other hand, updating your iPhone prevents those risks that Apple has already solved in the updated operating system.
The danger isn’t limited to the data stored on your iPhone. There are some vulnerabilities that hackers can access that’ll lead them to specific applications such as Safari web browser and iCloud.
Read more: What information is stored on an iPhone sim card?
Simple Tips to Ease the Update Experience
Before updating your iPhone or any other device, it’s always in your best interest to keep a backup of your information. Maybe keep a copy of it on iCloud or any hard drive to ensure the data’s safety.
Additionally, check if you have enough space on your device, sufficient battery charge, and a stable Wi-Fi connection before updating. That way, your update won’t be interrupted or stopped.
Moreover, if you come upon any problem in your software, it may be beneficial for you and other iPhone users if you share it. The Apple support community takes complaints seriously and often solves them in the next update.
If iPhone Won’t Update
Read more: What to do if there is water inside iPhone screen
If your iPhone won’t complete the update process or even start it, you’ll find the solution at Apple support.
Examples of the problems you might face are found below:
- Your iPhone doesn’t support the latest version
- Your device doesn’t have enough space
- The update process takes longer time than expected
- Your iPhone is unable to reach the server
Pros and Cons of Not Updating Your iPhone
Pros
- No need to spend time or data downloading the update
- No need to learn new features or interface
Cons
- You will miss out on the latest features and bug fixes
- You may be more prone to security risks
- Your device’s performance may suffer
Conclusion
What happens if you don’t update your iPhone? You’ll miss out on all the new features and solutions to problems you might be having with the current software. Additionally, you’ll be at risk of being hacked and losing all your data.
However, the update’s a simple process. You’ll only need enough space on your iPhone, a charged iPhone battery, and a proper Wi-Fi connection.
