How do I prepare your phone?

Connect to WiFi, plug in your charger (or make sure battery is above 50 percent), and close any apps you are working in. Updates need a stable connection and power.

How do I open update settings?

iPhone: Settings then General then Software Update. Android: Settings then System then System Update (Samsung: Settings then Software Update).

How do I check for available updates?

Your phone searches for updates. If one is available, you will see the version number and a description of what it includes.

How do I download and install?

Tap "Download and Install." Enter your passcode if asked. The download may take several minutes. Your phone will restart during installation — this is normal.

How do I wait for installation to complete?

Do not try to use your phone during the restart. It may show a progress bar or Apple/Android logo. The process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes.

How do I turn on automatic updates?

iPhone: Settings then General then Software Update then Automatic Updates then turn on. Android: check System Update settings for an auto-update toggle.

TekSure — Free Tech Help for Beginners & Seniors

Software updates keep your phone secure, fix bugs, and sometimes add new features. Both Apple and Google release regular updates for their phones, and installing them is one of the most important things you can do to protect your device and your personal information.

There are two types of updates: major updates (like going from iOS 17 to iOS 18, or Android 14 to Android 15) that come once a year and add big new features, and smaller updates (like iOS 17.4.1) that come more frequently and fix security issues and bugs. Both types are important.

Before updating, make sure your phone is connected to WiFi (updates are large and can use a lot of mobile data), has at least 50 percent battery (or is plugged in), and has enough storage space (some updates need several gigabytes of free space).

On iPhone: Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. Your phone checks for available updates. If one is available, you will see a description of what it includes. Tap "Download and Install." You may need to enter your passcode. The download can take several minutes depending on your internet speed, and the installation requires your phone to restart. Do not use your phone during the installation — it will come back on when it is done.

On Android: Go to Settings, then System, then System Update (the exact path varies by phone brand — Samsung uses Settings then Software Update). Tap "Check for updates." If an update is available, tap "Download" or "Download and Install." Your phone downloads the update, then restarts to install it. The whole process can take 10 to 30 minutes.

You can set up automatic updates so your phone installs them overnight. On iPhone: Settings, then General, then Software Update, then Automatic Updates, then turn on both toggles. On Android: Settings, then System, then System Update, then look for an automatic update option (availability varies by manufacturer).

If you are running low on storage and cannot install an update, delete old photos, apps you do not use, or large message attachments to free up space.