Your phone shows a small notification: "Software update available." Your computer pops up a message asking to restart and install. You click "remind me later," because you're busy, or you're not sure what the update will do, or you just don't want to deal with it right now.
You're not alone. About half of all device users click "remind me later" when update notifications appear (Kaspersky, 2021). But those updates matter more than they might seem. This article explains what software updates actually do, in everyday language, and why they're worth a few minutes of your time.
Key Takeaways
- Attackers exploit known software weaknesses within a median of 5 days of a patch being released. Most computers take 32 days to apply it (Verizon DBIR, 2025).
- Software updates mostly fix security gaps, not change how your device works. Your photos, contacts, and files stay exactly where they are.
- Turning on automatic updates is the single easiest thing you can do to keep your device protected. It handles updates while you sleep.
What Is a Software Update, Exactly?
A software update is a set of changes that your device's manufacturer sends to fix problems, close security gaps, or occasionally add small improvements. Think of it like a building that discovers a broken lock on a side door. The update is the locksmith coming to fix it.
Most updates are small and invisible. They run in the background, change a few lines of code that most people will never see, and make no noticeable difference to how your device looks or feels. The apps on your screen stay the same. Your photos, saved passwords, and settings don't move. The main thing that changes is the security of the system underneath.
Three things software updates typically do:
- Patch security weaknesses. Researchers or companies discover gaps in how software works that could let someone unauthorized access your device. The update closes that gap before it can be used against you.
- Fix bugs. Sometimes a program behaves unexpectedly: a button doesn't work, an app crashes, a feature stops loading. Updates fix these issues.
- Add minor improvements. Occasionally an update brings a small new feature or changes how something looks, but this is less common than people expect.
Something worth knowing: The word "patch" in technology means exactly the same thing it means in everyday life: a repair applied to cover a hole or weakness. When you hear "security patch," someone found a hole and fixed it. That's it.
Why Do Updates Matter for Security?
When a weakness in software is discovered, two things happen at roughly the same time. The company that makes the software starts building a fix. And people who look for ways to break into computers start looking for ways to use that weakness before the fix arrives.
In 2025, vulnerability exploitation accounted for 20% of all confirmed data breaches, a 34% increase from the year before (Verizon DBIR, 2025). More striking: once a known weakness is made public, attackers tend to start exploiting it within a median of 5 days. But the median time for computers to receive and apply the fix is 32 days (Verizon DBIR, 2025). That 27-day gap is when the risk is highest.
This doesn't mean your device will definitely be targeted. Most people never experience a direct attack. But outdated software is one of the most common ways breaches happen, and it's also one of the easiest to prevent. A 2019 study by Ponemon Institute found that 60% of breach victims were compromised through known vulnerabilities where a patch already existed but hadn't been applied (Ponemon Institute / ServiceNow, 2019).
Updating doesn't guarantee complete protection. But it removes one of the most common entry points that bad actors rely on.
What Happens to My Files and Settings When I Update?
Nothing. Your files stay where they are. Your photos don't move. Your saved contacts, bookmarks, email, and apps remain exactly as you left them. Updates change the underlying software that runs your device, not the personal things stored on it.
The one exception worth knowing: very large operating system updates (the kind that happen once a year or so, like a major new version of Windows or iPhone software) can occasionally change the look of a few settings menus or move where something is located. Even then, nothing is deleted, and the changes are usually minor. Think of it like a store rearranging its aisles. The products are still there. They're just in a slightly different spot.
If you're ever unsure after an update, a quick search for what changed, or a call to someone you trust, will tell you where to find whatever seems to have moved.
Our finding: The most common concern we hear from families helping older adults with technology is that updates will "break something" or erase important information. In practice, updates almost never affect personal files. The hesitation is understandable, but the risk of not updating outweighs the risk of updating.
Why Do People Delay Updates (and Is That Reasonable)?
Most people delay updates for reasons that make complete sense. In a large international survey, the top reasons were: too busy or in the middle of something (30%), not wanting to stop using the device (26%), not wanting to close open apps (25%), and wanting to wait to see if the update causes any problems for others first (51%) (Kaspersky / Savanta, 2021).
These are reasonable instincts. Updates do occasionally cause minor issues, and the concern isn't unfounded. But those issues are usually temporary and fixed quickly. The risk of running outdated software for weeks, especially software with a known security weakness, is generally higher than the small risk of a post-update inconvenience.
The best middle ground: don't dismiss the notification entirely. Set a specific time to let the update run, even if it's not right now. Many updates take less than five minutes. Phone updates often install overnight on their own.
What Are Automatic Updates and Should I Turn Them On?
Automatic updates are exactly what they sound like: your device checks for and installs updates on its own, without you needing to do anything. They typically run overnight or when the device is plugged in and not in use. You'll rarely notice them happening.
Turning on automatic updates is the simplest, most effective way to keep your device current without thinking about it. Your phone, computer, and apps can all be set to update automatically. The setting is usually found in your device's Settings menu under a section called "Software Update," "System Update," or "General."
How to find the setting:
- iPhone: Settings → General → Software Update → Automatic Updates (turn on both toggles)
- Android phone: Settings → System → Software Update → Auto-download or Auto-update
- Windows computer: Settings → Windows Update → Advanced Options → Automatic Updates
- Mac: System Settings → General → Software Update → Automatic Updates
If you're not sure how to find it on your specific device, a trusted tech advisor can walk you through it in a few minutes. It's a one-time change that runs quietly in the background from then on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will updating my phone delete my photos or contacts?
No. Photos, contacts, messages, and app data are not affected by software updates. Updates change the underlying software that runs your device, not the personal information stored on it. If you want extra peace of mind, you can back up your phone before a large update, but for routine updates this isn't necessary. More than 87% of iPhone users were running the latest iOS version within months of its release, with no widespread reports of data loss (Business of Apps, 2025).
What if something stops working after an update?
This occasionally happens with minor features or apps, but it's usually temporary. The app maker or device maker typically releases a follow-up fix within days. If something specific stops working after an update, a quick search for the issue will usually show whether other users experienced the same thing and what the fix is. For hands-on help, a tech advisor can diagnose what changed and walk you through the solution. See how ClearGuide connects you with trusted tech support.
Do I need to update apps as well as my operating system?
Yes, both matter. Your operating system (the main software that runs your phone or computer) is one layer. Individual apps, like your email, your browser, and your banking app, are another. Each can have its own vulnerabilities. Most phones can be set to auto-update apps as well, which handles both without any extra effort. The setting is usually in the App Store or Google Play Store under "Automatic Updates."
What's the difference between a software update and a backup?
They're completely different things. A software update changes the instructions that run your device: it fixes problems and improves security. A backup copies your personal files (photos, contacts, documents) to a safe location so they can be restored if something goes wrong. Updates don't replace backups, and backups don't replace updates. Both are worth doing. See our guide to staying safe and organized online for more on protecting your information.
How long do software updates take?
Most routine updates take between two and ten minutes. Larger updates, the kind that come once a year and involve a major new version, can take 20 to 45 minutes. If you're worried about timing, the safest approach is to start an update when you're done using the device for the day. Many devices finish updates automatically overnight when plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.
The Bottom Line
A software update is not a mystery. It's a repair. Someone found a weakness in the software that runs your device, built a fix, and is sending it to you. Accepting the update closes the gap. Declining or postponing it leaves the gap open longer.
Your files, photos, and settings don't change. What changes is the security of the system underneath them.
The simplest action you can take today: turn on automatic updates on your phone and computer. It's a one-time change that protects you going forward without requiring any further attention.
- If you're not sure where to find the setting, a trusted tech advisor can help
- If you're concerned about a specific update or something that changed after one ran, describe it and we'll connect you with someone who can explain it
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