Updating your iPhone’s operating system, iOS, takes up your time and your device’s storage space. Your iPhone’s user interface may change after updating, too. It’s so much easier to tap Later and ignore the update instead.
But how important is updating your iOS on your iPhone? Turns out, it’s very important. Let’s look at several reasons why you should update your iPhone to the latest iOS.
1. Bug Fixes
In the tech world, the term “bug” refers to an error that causes a program to crash or produce unexpected results. iPhone bugs can be completely random and they can affect your everyday use.
For example, you may have experienced being unable to use the Unlock with Apple Watch feature. Or you may have found that your cellular data isn’t connecting properly. Both of these are bugs that some iPhone users experienced due to out-of-date software.
The latest iOS update often contains bug fixes to resolve these common user issues. So updating iOS allows you to get optimum performance out of your device.
2. Security Updates
Each iOS upgrade includes security updates that patch various vulnerabilities to protect your iPhone. This is one of the reasons why you don’t need to install antivirus software or apps on your iPhone. (Take note that these security patches may not safeguard a jailbroken iPhone.)
You may feel that updating isn’t necessary because you’re careful to avoid clicking on questionable links. Perhaps you also conduct banking transactions on your antivirus-protected desktop computer.
But by the time your iPhone is hacked and your data compromised, it’s too late. It’s best to save yourself from that headache and simply update iOS.
3. New Features
Over the last decade, many new and exciting features have been rolled out with major iOS updates.
With iOS 9 came Low Power Mode, which makes your device’s remaining bit of battery power last considerably longer. iOS 12 introduced Screen Time, which provides a record of how many hours you used your iPhone and lets you set up app usage limits. iOS 14 revealed Widgets, bringing you greater abilities to customize your iPhone’s Home Screen. And iOS 15’s Live Text even enables you to scan text in an image or photo.
4. App Compatibility
Some apps only work with later versions of iOS. For example, if you wish to download social media apps like Reddit, or the popular graphic design app like Canva, you can only do so if your iPhone is running at least iOS 13.
Apple usually provides iOS updates for a device for at least five years. Even if you’re using an older device, like the iPhone 7, you can enjoy all these apps as long as your device’s iOS is up to date.
5. New Emojis
Do you see a square emoji with a question mark when you receive messages from family and friends? The actual emoji probably doesn’t show up because your older iOS doesn’t have access to it.
Updating iOS just to get the latest emojis may seem trivial. But it can feel a little lonely when you have no idea what expressions your friends are conveying to you over text. Emojis are a fun way to communicate, so you might as well update and join in the fun!
What’s the Best Time to Update iOS?
Incremental updates, such as a small leap from iOS 15.1 to iOS 15.2, can be quickly installed and will easily fix common iPhone problems you face.
However, for larger updates (like going from iOS 14 to iOS 15), we recommend you to wait a week or two before installing them. This is because these updates might introduce larger bugs. It’s better to wait a while for a subsequent update where new bugs are already sorted out.