Updating Android: why do you need it and what will happen if you ignore it?

Have you ever wondered why your smartphone prompts you to install a “new software version” every few months? Many users simply close this notification, considering updates to be an unnecessary waste of time and bandwidth. Meanwhile, refusing Android updates may cost you not only new functions, but also the security of your personal data, the stability of the device, and in some cases, even money.

In this article we will figure out what specific problems security patches solve, how updates affect the speed of a smartphone and what happens if you ignore system offers to update for years. You will also learn how to install updates correctly to avoid common mistakes, and what to do if after the update the phone starts to “glitch.” why manufacturers and Google insist on regular updates, what specific problems security patches solve, how updates affect the speed of a smartphone, and what happens if you ignore system offers to update for years. You will also learn how to install updates correctly to avoid common mistakes, and what to do if your phone starts to glitch after the update.

Spoiler: an Android smartphone without updates in 2-3 years becomes vulnerable to 90% of modern viruses and fraudulent schemeseven if you install an antivirus. But this is far from the only reason to keep the system up to date.

1. Security: why older versions of Android are a tasty morsel for hackers

The main reason why Google and smartphone manufacturers release monthly ones security patches is to eliminate vulnerabilities that can be used to steal data, spy on or even remotely control your device. For example, in 2023, a critical flaw was discovered, allowing attackers to gain superuser rights through a regular file. Security patches How does this work in practice? Imagine that you downloaded a seemingly harmless video in CVE-2023-20963, which allows attackers to gain superuser rights through normal .mp4-file.

How does this work in practice? Imagine that you downloaded a seemingly harmless video from WhatsApp or opened a link in Telegram. On a device with old firmware, this file could secretly install spyware that:

• 📱 Intercepts SMS (including codes from banks)
• 👁️ Turns on the camera/microphone without your knowledge
• 💳 Steals credit card data from the browser or applications
• 🔑 Gives access to Google accounts, social networks, mail

Manufacturers close such vulnerabilities in new firmware versions, but if you do not update, your smartphone remains at risk. At the same time antiviruses are powerless against exploits that use flaws in the Android kernel, only an official patch can close them.

⚠️ Attention: Fraudsters are actively scanning networks for vulnerable devices. According to Kaspersky, in 2026, 68% of attacks on mobile devices were aimed at Android smartphones older than 2 years without updates.

2. Performance: why the new Android is faster than the old one

If your smartphone becomes “dull,” the hardware is not always to blame. Often the problem lies in outdated software, which is not optimized for modern applications. For example, Android 12 and newer ones use technology App Hibernationthat automatically “freezes” rarely used applications, freeing up RAM and disk space.

And here’s how else updates affect speed:

Problem on old firmware	Solution in new versions of Android
Long loading of applications	Optimized ARTcompiler (with Android 7.0)
lags during scrolling the interface	Improved rendering SurfaceFlinger (with Android 10)
Fast battery drain	Adaptive energy saving Battery Saver 2.0 (with Android 11)
Overheating when games	Dynamic control of the CPU/GPU clock frequency (with Android 12)

In addition, new versions of Android work better with multitasking. For example, in Android 13 a function appeared Partial Screen Sharingthat allows you to broadcast only one window instead of the entire screen - this reduces the load on the processor when streaming or video calls.

3. version

Each major release of Android brings not only fixes, but also useful featuresthat simplify everyday use. For example, Android 14 there are:

• 🔒 Blocking the installation of old applications (protection from vulnerable Software)
• 📱 Clone applications for several accounts (for example, two WhatsApp)
• 🎨 Themes based on wallpaper (automatic color matching)
• 🔊 Improved notification management (grouping by type)

And in Android 15 (released in autumn 2026) the following are expected:

• 🛡️ Theft protection — blocking the phone in case of suspicious activity (for example, if the SIM card was removed in unfamiliar place)
• 📡 Automatic connection to the fastest Wi-Fi networks (even if they are hidden)
• 🔋 Advanced energy saving mode for games (FPS limitation in the background)

Without updates, you not only lose these features, but also encounter incompatibility. applicationsMany apps (for example, banking or instant messengers) require a minimum version of Android and no longer support older devices.

⚠️ Attention: Some functions (for example, Google Play Protect or Live Translate) work only on current versions of Android. On devices older than 2-3 years, they may be disabled automatically.

4. Compatibility with applications and services

Application developers focus on current versions of the OS, and over time refuse to support old firmwareFor example:

• 🏦 SberBank Online and Tinkoff required Android 8.0+ to work with biometrics.
• 🎮 Genshin Impact and PUBG Mobile refuse to launch on Android 7.0 and below.
• 📺 YouTube and Netflix are limited by resolution 480p on older devices.
• 🚗 Yandex Navigator and Google Maps may display maps incorrectly without updates GPS module. Yandex Navigator below, and

Moreover, some services completely block access from older versions of Android. For example, from 2026 WhatsApp stopped working on devices with Android 4.4 and below, and Instagram restricted the loading of Stories on older firmware Android 6.0.

If you use a smartphone for work (for example, 1C, CRM systems or corporate mail), the lack of updates can lead to loss of access to critical toolsMany. companies are introducing security policies prohibiting the connection of devices with old firmware to corporate networks.

Which applications are the first to stop supporting older versions of Android?

Usually these are banking applications, instant messengers and games with high system requirements. For example, SberBank and VTB Online stopped support Android 6.0 in 2022, and Fortnite requires Android 8.0+ to launch.

5. How to update Android correctly: step-by-step guide

Install the update is simple, but there are nuances that will help you avoid problems Here secure algorithm:

Make a backup copy of your data (Settings → Google → Backup)

Connect to Wi-Fi (updates weigh 1–3 GB)

Charge the phone at least 50%

Close all applications (especially instant messengers and games)

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Now let's move on to the process itself:

1. Open Settings → System → Update system (the path may differ depending on the shell - MIUI, One UI, ColorOS etc.).
2. Click Check for updates. If the update is available, the system will offer to download it.
3. After downloading, click Install. The phone will reboot and begin installation (this may take 10-30 minutes).
4. Do not interrupt the process! If you turn off the phone during the update, this may lead to brick (inoperability) of the device.

If the update is not found automatically, check:

• 🌍 Firmware region (some updates are released first in the USA/Europe, then in Russia).
• 🔌 Internet connection (sometimes switching between Wi-Fi and a mobile network helps).
• 📱 Device model (some budget smartphones receive updates with a delay or do not receive them at all).

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi or Realme), you need to unlock the bootloader before installing major updates. If you see an error "Couldn't verify update"check the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times to unlock).

6. What to do if after the update the phone began to work worse

Sometimes new versions of Android contain bugs that appear on specific models. If after the update you notice:

• 🔋 Rapid battery drain
• 🐢 Freezes and lags
• 📶 Problems with the network or GPS
• 🔊 Distorted sound or problems with the speaker

try these steps:

1. Clearing the cache

Go to Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Memory → Clear cache. Do the same for Google Play Market i Google Play Services.

2. Resetting network settings

Sometimes problems with the Internet or calls are solved by resetting: Settings → System → Reset → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings.

3. Rollback update (if available)

Some manufacturers (for example, Samsung or OnePlus) allow you to roll back to the previous firmware version via Settings → Software update → Three dots (menu) → Delete the latest update.

4. Hard reset (if all else fails)

This is a last resort: Settings → System → Reset → Delete all data. Attention! All files, photos and applications will be deleted. Make a backup copy first.

If the problem persists, check the forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers) - perhaps this is a known bug, and there is a workaround.

7. Myths about Android updates: what's true and what's not

There are a lot of rumors around Android updates. Let's look at the most popular ones:

Myth 1: “Updates slow down the phone”

🔹 Partly true. On very old devices (for example, with 2 GB of RAM), new versions of Android may work slower due to increased requirements. But on most modern smartphones (with 4 GB of RAM and above), updates, on the contrary, speed up the system due to optimizations.

Myth 2: “Updates spoil battery"

🔹 Not true. The software update itself does not affect the physical condition of the battery. However, new versions of Android can display more accurately real charge level, which makes the battery seem to run out faster.

Myth 3: “If the phone works fine, you don’t need to update”

🔹 Dangerous misconception. Even if the smartphone does not slow down, outdated firmware makes it vulnerable to attacks (see the section on security). In addition, without updates, you lose important corrections, for example:

• 📞 Correcting errors with missed calls (relevant for Samsung Galaxy S22 on Android 12).
• 📷 Fixing camera bugs (for example, a green tint on Xiaomi Redmi Note 11).
• 🎧 Fixing problems with Bluetooth headphones (a common problem on Android 11).

Myth 4: “Updates erase all data”

🔹 Not true. Regular updates (via Settings → System update) save all files, photos and applications. Data loss is possible only if manual firmware via Fastboot or ODIN.

Myth 5: “All smartphones receive updates equally quickly”

🔹 Not true. The speed of updates depends on the manufacturer and model. For example:

• 📱 Google Pixel receive updates on the day of release.
• 📱 Samsung Galaxy S/Note —in 1–2 months.
• 📱 Budget Redmi/Realme —in 3–6 months or not at all.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Android updates

🔹 Why doesn’t my device receive updates?

There are several reasons:

• 📅 The support period has expired. Most manufacturers update smartphones for 2-3 years (exceptions are Google Pixel flagships Samsungthat receive updates for up to 4-5 years).
• 🏷️ Regional restrictions. Some updates are released first in the USA/Europe, then in other countries.
• 🔧 Custom firmware. If you installed unofficial software (for example LineageOS), automatic updates may not work.
• 📡 Problems with servers. Sometimes updates get stuck due to overload of the manufacturer's servers (relevant for Xiaomi in the first days after the release).

To check if your model is supported, go to the manufacturer's website (section "Support") or use services like GSMArena.

🔹 Is it possible to roll back an Android update?

In most cases yes, but the methods depend on the manufacturer:

• Samsung: Through Settings → Software update → Uninstall latest update (works within 24 hours after the update).
• Google Pixel: You can flash the previous version via Android Flash Tool (official Google tool).
• Xiaomi/Redmi: Requires bootloader unlocking and manual flashing via Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Attention: Rolling back may lead to data loss or blocking of some functions (for example, Google Pay will stop working on the downloaded firmware).

🔹 How long does the update take?

The time depends on the size of the update and the phone model:

• 📲 Small security patches (50–200 MB): 5–15 minutes (download + installation).
• 📲 Large updates (1–3 GB): 20–40 minutes (can take up to an hour on budget smartphones).
• 📲 First startup after the update: another 5-10 minutes to optimize applications.

If the installation took more than an hour, an error may have occurred. Try rebooting the phone and repeating the process.

🔹 What to do if the update occurs. "stuck"?

If the update progress bar does not move for more than 30 minutes:

1. Wait another 10–15 minutes (sometimes the process “freezes” by 90–99%).
2. If this does not help, Force reboot phone (press Power for 10-15 seconds).
3. After rebooting, check if the update has installed. If not, try repeating the process.
4. If the phone does not turn on or is stuck on the logo, go in. in Recovery Mode (Volume Up + Power) and select Wipe Cache Partition.

If nothing helps, the firmware may be damaged. In this case, you will need manual flashing via Fastboot or a service center.

🔹 How to find the Android version and the date of the last update?

To check the current firmware:

1. Open Settings → About phone (or About device).
2. Find items Version Android and MIUI/One UI/ColorOS version (depending on the shell).
3. To see the date of the last security update, open Settings → System → System update → Update history.

If there are no entries in the history for the last 3-6 months, your device does not receive security patches is vulnerable to attacks.