5 Reasons Update Apps with Each OS Update of iOS and Android

We often get app updates on our Android and iOS devices at the most random and inconvenient of times. A lot of us choose to simply ignore these notifications and move on to using outdated versions of important apps that offer productivity, entertainment or utility. Every OS upgrade allows more features, enhanced security and better performance for both manufacturer-developed and third-party apps. Here are five reasons why you should always keep your Android and iOS devices updated.

Protect yourself from hackers

OS upgrades almost always bring in added security, but it’s not always sufficient to just update your phone to the latest and greatest version of Android of iOS. Companies hire app development services to individually update their software to make use of the security patches and added protection measures. You do not want to be hacked by cyber criminals and stand to lose your sensitive data.

With 62% smartphone users making purchases on their mobile devices, it is important to keep your details including your credit card information and your identity safe from hackers. It is a cat and mouse game between every mobile app development company and hackers as hackers are always on the lookout for new exploits while the developers keep patching every loophole there is on your phone. Do not put yourself at risk and ensure you always keep your phone and apps updated.

Keep your files safe

iCloud, Google Drive and other online cloud storage tools allow you to upload files on your phone to the cloud for either shared usage with other devices or simply as a backup in case something happens to your device. If you do not keep your phone and its apps updated, you stand to expose your files to risk. There have been instances where a large number of celebrities lost their data like photos and videos to hackers in the past and leaked out to the public.

Hackers may also completely wipe your data after backing all of it up to their servers and ask for ransoms to give it back to you. Make sure you turn on auto updates on any iOS or Android device you use to keep your device as safe as possible from hackers. While it may not be complete protection, you still will avoid any instances of hackers making use of already patched exploits just because your device was not updated despites updates being pushed by app development companies. WannaCry is one of the more recent exploits that came out for computers and hackers made a WannaCry clone for mobile to hack Android phones in a matter of days after the Windows WannaCry exploit was released to hack Android users.

You could pass on malware to others from an infected device

Viruses can easily spread from device to device, and if you do not have your apps updated, you not only pose yourself at risk but also others. With people continuously communicating over email and other private networks, infected files can be injected into devices and transferred to others. Not having your phone and its apps updated only increases the chances of your phone being hacked and used to send viruses. Software updates from development company combined with antivirus software for Android or iOS can keep your device safe.

New and exciting features

Software updates do not necessarily just revolve around security and bug fixes. Even apps that are years old keep getting new and exciting features. Many times, these features are exclusive to updated OS versions as Android and iOS keep getting updated to allow better quality apps and more features. Some of these features are exclusive to only the latest versions of your phone’s OS and to access them you’d need to update your existing third-party apps.

The end-user experience on updated apps is much better, and unless you have a device that doesn’t receive OS updates anymore, you should always keep your phone updated to make use of all the new bells and whistles that get added.

Performance enhancements

Enhanced performance is one of the biggest advantages of updating your Android and iOS apps. Newer versions of Android and iOS often bring in a bunch of performance improvements and battery usage optimizations. Updating your apps should allow you improve upon any performance issues you may face, and they work faster and more seamlessly.

The latest version of Android (Oreo) is known to be twice as fast and restricts the resource usage of background applications, to offer you better performance. iOS 11 brought in a lot of performance features mostly focusing on the iPad as well to allow better multitasking and includes several battery-saving features to help improve the performance of your iOS devices.

If you happen to be running a device that does not receive any more OS updates, you should consider upgrading to a newer device for the latest security, performance and end-user experience features. And if you are running a device that is scheduled to receive OS updates, you should always have the latest OS and apps running on it for the best user experience.