What happens if you don’t update apps?

There’s nothing wrong with skipping an app update every once in a while: maybe your phone is low on storage or you’re worried that an update will change a feature you love. Updating apps is entirely optional, as Android and iOS give you options for managing automatic updates, but you risk missing out on important security and interface features when you decide not to download a newer version of a given app. If you ignore software updates for too long, your device and personal information may be vulnerable to security risks.

Additionally, newer versions of an app may affect your user experience, especially when they involve changes to the user interface. In the case of the most meticulous users, it is useful to regularly refer to the update notes, which can be found in the pages of an application on the Play Store or on the iOS App Store. If the notes indicate minor changes, you can ignore them for now. But if it mentions security fixes or major interface features, it might be time to update those apps.

There are approximately 324 million smartphone users in the United States in 2026, representing a multitude of digital footprints and potential targets for cybercrime if users don’t take the security of their devices seriously. Security and privacy are crucial to keeping your device and information safe; therefore, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency recommends installing updates as soon as you become aware of them. Not keeping an app updated is one of the common mistakes that could cost you all your data, so instead of delaying the next patch, take this extra security measure to protect your data, especially in apps that manage your login information, messages, photos, videos, or other sensitive information.

More than just keeping apps up to date, this is also an essential security measure to keep your firmware up to date. Organizations such as the Google Threat Intelligence Group and the Australian Computer Society have flagged outdated operating systems as vulnerable targets for malware, such as the Coruna exploit kit, which affected older iPhone models, and the Rafel RAT malware, which attacked outdated Android devices. If you have been affected or someone you know is at risk of falling victim to these attacks, it may be helpful to plan what steps to take in the event of a hack.

Sometimes an old version of an application simply stops working for several reasons. This is especially true for applications that rely heavily on online servers, such as social media platforms, messaging services, streaming applications, and cloud-based games. These types of apps usually provide several small updates, which may seem inconvenient, but it’s one of many steps developers take to keep your app running smoothly.

However, if they remain outdated, these apps will eventually stop working because the older version may not support the latest features, content, or technical requirements. If you notice frequent app crashes or a slow interface, the next best step might be to press the “Update” button, which may be prompted at startup and won’t disappear until you finish downloading.

However, if an update requires a newer version of Android or iOS that your phone can’t support, you may have fewer options. This problem can be solved by freeing up storage space or using a web version. More importantly, if your phone can no longer support additional security updates or if several essential apps can no longer run on your system, that’s a sign that it’s time to buy a new phone.