Thing is, aside from all those user-facing snazzy interface changes, updates also introduce plenty of under-the-hood optimisations. These include performance improvements, and more importantly – security and privacy updates. Let’s start by taking a look at the things you miss out on when you stick to an older version of Android or if your phone reaches the end of its software support life.
Why update your Android phone
Security and privacy enhancements
One of the most common ways for malicious apps to gain access to your private data is through permissions, which, ironically, are mostly granted by users themselves. Until Android 10, apps were given lifetime access to things like the mic or the internal storage after user consent.
Android 11 changed this by introducing an “Only this time” permission in the permissions dialogue. If the user selects this option, the app is granted temporary one-time permission. Android 12 further enforced privacy by introducing dedicated privacy indicators for when an app accesses your mic and camera. Then, Android 13 expanded upon this with built-in controls to stop apps from using Wi-Fi permissions to collect your location data.
Privacy Indicators on Android 12
You can see what we are trying to get at here. The older your Android version is, the more important security features you miss out on. But it doesn’t end there. The Android system isn’t infallible, just like any other OS, and bad actors often find new vulnerabilities to exploit when older ones are patched. It’s really a cat-and-mouse game where Google plugs exploitable vulnerabilities, bad actors find their way around them, and Google patches things up again. These patches are rolled out through monthly security updates, making such updates just as important as full-fledged Android version upgrades.
Performance enhancements
Android 12 saw some of the most notable performance improvements to the platform in a long time, with Google claiming it “reduced the CPU time needed for core system services by 22%.” This helps apps launch faster and the system run smoother. Obviously, some Android versions bring more significant performance enhancement than others. But the one thing you can be certain of is that there’s rarely any regression – unless of course if the OEM messes things up on their end, which sadly is often seen on budget phones. Still, the advantages usually outweigh the disadvantages.
User interface tweaks
While “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is mostly a well-grounded saying, many Android users will actually disagree with it when it comes to the OS. Google likes making frequent changes to the Android interface and they are great at instilling a sense of newness when things go stale. For example, Android 12’s brand new Material You design, which switches system and app colours based on the current wallpaper, was received quite well by users.
Android 12/13 extracts colours from the wallpaper and presents them to the user to apply (Image credit: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express)
How to update your Android phone
If your current Android phone was released in the past two to three years then there’s a good chance it’s well within its software support life. Gone are the days when Android phones were treated to just a couple of updates at best – OEMs like Samsung are now closing in on Apple by promising up to 5 years of security updates and 4 Android system updates. Still, even if you reckon your phone has hit the end of the road, there’s no harm in checking. Just make sure your phone’s connected to the Wi-Fi and has sufficient battery before updating.
How to update your Samsung phone
Often regarded as the kings of Android updates and often beating Google at its own game, Samsung devices have different update methods based on the model and One UI version:
Settings > Software update > Download and install
Settings > About device > Software update > Update now
Settings > About device > Software update > Download and install
Settings > Software update > Download updates manually
Normally, you will receive notifications whenever there’s a new update available (be it any device), but you can check manually if you suspect your phone’s not on the latest version.
How to update your Xiaomi phone
Xiaomi has started promising up to 3 years of Android updates and 4 years of security updates for some of its newer phones. You can check for the latest available MIUI version by navigating to:
Settings > About phone > MIUI version > Check for updates
Xiaomi is yet to announce its Android 13-based MIUI skin
Xiaomi also offers the option to download and install updates automatically. On the update page you just opened, tap the three-dot menu at the top-right corner, hit Settings, and turn on ‘Download automatically’ and ‘Install automatically’ options.
How to update your OnePlus phone
OnePlus is currently rolling out the slightly controversial OxygenOS 13 for eligible devices. You can check for the latest software version by heading over to:
Settings > System > System Updates
How to update your Oppo and Vivo phone
To check if there’s a ColorOS/FuntouchOS system update available for your device, go to:
Settings > Software update
How to update your Realme phone
On Realme UI 3.0, you need to head to Settings > About device, then click ‘Up to date.’
On Realme UI 1.0 and 2.0 you need to head to Settings > Software update.
How to update your Motorola phone
Open the Settings app, scroll down to the bottom, tap ‘System updates,’ and then tap ‘Check for updates.’
Motorola also gives users the option to sit back and relax and let the device handle updates on its own. For that, head to Settings, scroll down to the bottom, tap ‘System updates,’ and toggle ‘Smart updates.’
(Image credits: Mika Baumeister/Unsplash) 
Privacy Indicators on Android 12
Android 12/13 extracts colours from the wallpaper and presents them to the user to apply (Image credit: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express)
Xiaomi is yet to announce its Android 13-based MIUI skin
Share
