As a smartphone user, updating your device to the latest version of the operating system may seem like a chore and an annoying way to use up your precious data. But keeping your phone up to date is essential to keeping it at top performance. TCL explores the importance of keeping your smartphone up to date with the latest version of Android.
Why is it important to update your operating system?
Here are four good reasons:
- Malware writers and hackers are constantly looking for new ways to get their hands on your data. New versions of Android include fixes for security vulnerabilities, helping to protect your personal data.
- New Android versions often include stability and performance enhancements, which can help your phone run smoother and faster. These improvements optimise app and operating system performance, reduce system slowdowns and crashes, and fix bugs and glitches that mar the user experience.
- Major Android updates introduce new features to your Android device. These typically span a range of small tweaks and major innovations in terms of camera capabilities, new gestures, the user interface, or enhanced voice assistants.
- The latest versions of your favourite apps may require the newest version of Android to run. You may not be able to benefit from the latest improvements to your apps without updating Android.
Types of Android updates
Google typically releases major Android updates at a rate of around one a year. These major updates usually have a dessert-related codename like ‘Upside Down Cake’ and are denoted by a change in version number (e.g., Android 13 to Android 14). The next major version will be Android 15, codenamed Vanilla Ice Cream.
Major updates often introduce new features, user interfaces changes, performance improvements, and sometimes even structural alterations to the operating system. Android 15 is currently in preview and will be available to most smartphone users a little later this year.
Security and stability updates are released to fix bugs, address performance issues, patch vulnerabilities and address security issues discovered in the Android operating system. These updates are crucial for protecting your device from malware, viruses, and other security threats. Most system updates and security patches happen automatically.
How to ensure a smooth update
Most Android updates will be rigorously tested before they’re released to the public. But if you want to be cautious, you can check specialist Android websites or forums to see if other users are having any issues with the latest software. If you have an older phone, you might want to see if the newest update causes performance issues on less new devices.
There are also some precautions you can take to ensure an easy download and installation:
- Make sure that your phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network for quicker installation and to avoid using your data up.
- Either plug your phone into the mains or ensure the battery is fully charged to avoid the risk of the battery running out during the file download or installation.
- Back up your important files and media to the cloud so you can recover them if something goes wrong.