What Software Updates Actually Do
When your phone downloads a software update, it is receiving a package of changes from the manufacturer that can do several things at once: close security vulnerabilities, improve system stability, fix bugs, and occasionally introduce new features. Not every update does all of these things — smaller monthly patches typically focus on security fixes, while major version updates (like moving from one numbered OS release to the next) bring broader changes.
Security patches are the most critical category. Researchers and hackers constantly discover new weaknesses in software, and patches are the manufacturer's response — closing those holes before they can be widely exploited. Without regular patches, your phone's software accumulates known, unaddressed vulnerabilities over time. Think of it like skipping repairs on a lock after someone publishes the master key online.
To understand how the operating system itself shapes your update experience, see our explainer on how Android and iOS differ under the hood.
Why Update Support Has a Deadline
No manufacturer supports a phone forever, and the reasons are a mix of technical reality and business economics. On the technical side, older hardware — particularly the processor — eventually cannot run newer software efficiently or at all. Modern operating systems grow more complex with each version, requiring more processing power and memory than older chips were designed to handle. Our guide on how smartphone processors work explains why the chip inside your phone has such an outsized influence on its longevity.
On the business side, maintaining software for older devices requires ongoing engineering resources. At some point, manufacturers redirect those resources toward current and upcoming products. Support timelines also vary significantly by platform: iOS devices have historically received updates for five to six years or more, while many Android devices have traditionally been supported for two to three years, though several major Android manufacturers have extended their commitments to five or seven years in response to consumer demand.
2–3 years
Typical Android update support (historically)
Many Android manufacturers have traditionally offered two to three years of OS updates, though several have extended commitments to five or seven years for newer flagships.
5–6 years
Typical iOS update support window
Apple's control over both hardware and software has allowed it to sustain longer support windows across its iPhone lineup compared to most Android manufacturers.
~1 billion
Android devices running unsupported OS versions (estimated)
Industry analysts have estimated that a substantial share of active Android devices globally run software versions no longer receiving security updates, creating a persistent security exposure at scale.
What Happens When the Updates Stop
The immediate effect of losing update support is invisible — your phone keeps working exactly as it did the day before. The risk builds gradually. Each month that passes without security patches is another month in which newly discovered vulnerabilities go unaddressed on your device. Cybercriminals actively target older, unsupported operating system versions because they know those weaknesses will never be officially fixed.
Practically, you may also start noticing that apps stop functioning correctly. Developers update their apps to target the latest operating system versions, and over time, newer app updates may refuse to install on older OS versions entirely. This affects not just convenience apps but also banking apps, two-factor authentication tools, and communication platforms — the apps where security matters most.
For more on keeping a phone secure beyond the update settings screen, see what the settings menu won't explain about phone security.
How to Factor Update Support Into Your Device Decisions
Understanding a phone's support window is a practical lens for evaluating its long-term value. A device sold at a lower price point but supported for only two years may cost more in replacements over a decade than a device with a longer support commitment. Before purchasing any phone, check the manufacturer's published support policy — many now list guaranteed OS update years and security patch years separately.
If you already own a phone nearing the end of its support life, a few steps can reduce risk in the meantime: avoid installing apps from outside official app stores, use a dedicated browser that receives independent security updates, and be cautious with sensitive transactions on the device. These are stopgaps, not solutions — but they are worth applying while you plan your next steps.
It is also worth noting that a phone's age affects more than just updates. Battery degradation follows its own timeline and often becomes a practical concern around the same time update support winds down, making the two issues worth thinking about together.
