What Happens To Your iPhone If You Don’t Update Your Device? A Tech Expert Reveals

Missing Out On Key Security Features

Although you may be able to get away with not updating your device for six months or even a year, if you go too long you will miss out on key important security features that keep your phone protected against viruses and malware. And if you haven’t updated your phone in three years, you’re not only missing out on security updates, but also platform features and big security bugs that Apple has had fixed. 

Never updating your software also leaves you more vulnerable to getting your phone hacked. Certain apps you use may also require that you have the latest iOS software updated so that they run most efficiently. You may begin coming across bugs and performance issues. In the past, for example, Apple released iOS 15.1 to fix an issue in which users were receiving erroneous reports about their storage space. Then, iOS 15.2 addressed a bug concerning overexposed ProRAW photographs and other errors. These fixes are only possibly if you make sure you’re continually updating your software. 

To check for updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If you see that you’re not up to date, plug in your device and let your phone do what it does best: fix issues with software updates.