The newest iPhone update brings security patches, performance fixes, and new features to your device
Apple releases iPhone updates several times a year, and the most recent one includes changes to how your phone handles security, runs apps, and connects to networks. The update is called iOS, and it installs automatically on most iPhones if you leave them plugged in overnight — or you can install it manually through Settings > General > Software Update. Not every change is visible: some updates fix vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit, while others make your phone run faster or add features you can actually see and use.
Which update you have depends on when your phone was made and whether you installed the latest version. Older iPhones stop receiving updates after five to seven years, which is one reason security experts recommend upgrading eventually — not because the phone stops working, but because it stops receiving the patches that protect your data.
Key Takeaways
- iOS updates install automatically if your phone is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi, or you can start one manually in Settings > General > Software Update.
- Security patches in updates close holes that hackers could use to access your photos, messages, or passwords, even if you never notice the change.
- Performance updates make apps launch faster, improve battery life, or fix bugs that cause crashes — these are the changes you will notice when ready.
- iPhones stop receiving updates after five to seven years depending on the model, which is when security becomes a real concern if you keep using the phone.
- You can check which iOS version you have in Settings > General > About, and see what changed by reading Apple's release notes before installing.
Security patches that close vulnerabilities
Every iOS update includes fixes for security problems that Apple or outside researchers discovered. These are not features — they are repairs to code that could let someone access your phone without your permission. A vulnerability might let a hacker read your text messages through a malicious link, or install tracking software if you visit a compromised website. You will not see these fixes happen, but they are often the most important reason to update.
Apple publishes a security document with every update that lists which vulnerabilities were fixed. The document is technical and long, but it tells you whether the fix matters to how you actually use your phone. If a vulnerability required you to click a link in an email from someone you know, and you never click links in emails, the risk to you was lower — but the patch still protects you if your behavior changes or if someone tricks you.
Older iPhones that no longer receive updates become riskier over time, not because they suddenly break, but because new vulnerabilities are discovered and never patched. This is why security experts recommend upgrading after five to seven years: not because the phone is slow, but because the protection stops.
Performance improvements and bug fixes
Updates also make your phone work better. An update might make apps open faster, improve how long your battery lasts, or fix a bug that causes your phone to freeze when you use a specific app. These changes are visible — you will notice your phone feels snappier, or that your battery lasts longer through the day. Performance updates are often smaller than security updates, but they affect your daily experience.
Sometimes an update introduces a new bug instead of fixing one. If your phone starts crashing after an update, or an app stops working, Apple usually releases a follow-up update within days to fix it. You can check Apple's release notes before installing to see if other users reported problems, though most updates are stable.
New features you can actually use
Major iOS updates — usually released once a year in September — add features that change how your phone works. Recent updates have added the ability to lock apps so they require Face ID to open, improved focus modes that silence notifications based on what you are doing, and changes to how Siri understands what you ask. These features are optional: you can ignore them and use your phone exactly as before, or explore them if they sound useful.
Not every iPhone gets every feature. Newer phones get features that older phones cannot run because they lack the processing power or the hardware sensors required. For example, a feature that uses the lidar sensor on iPhone Pro models will not work on a standard iPhone. Apple lists which iPhones support each feature in the release notes.
How to check your current iOS version
Open Settings, tap General, then tap About. Look for the line that says "Software Version" — that number is your iOS version. If you see a number like 17.3.1, you are running iOS 17 with update 3.1 installed. The higher the number, the more recent your update.
You can also see how much storage the update will use and whether your phone has enough space. Updates usually require between 1 and 5 gigabytes of free space temporarily during installation. If your phone is full, you may need to delete photos or apps before the update will install.
When to update and when to wait
Security updates should install as soon as they are available — these are the patches that close vulnerabilities, and waiting puts your data at risk. Major updates (like going from iOS 16 to iOS 17) can wait a week or two if you want to let other users find bugs first, but security updates are worth installing when ready.
If your phone is working well and you are not having problems, there is no reason to delay. Updates install in the background and do not erase your data or settings. The only time to hesitate is if you rely on a specific app that might not work with the new iOS version yet — but this is rare, and most apps update within days of a new iOS release.
What happens if your iPhone is too old to update
iPhones stop receiving updates after five to seven years. An iPhone 12 released in 2020 will likely receive updates until 2027 or 2028. An iPhone 8 released in 2017 stopped receiving updates in 2021. Once your phone stops receiving updates, you can still use it, but you will not get security patches for new vulnerabilities that are discovered.
This does not mean your phone is broken or useless. It means the risk of a security problem increases over time. If you use your old iPhone only for Wi-Fi at home and never enter passwords or credit card numbers, the risk is lower. If you use it to check email or access banking apps, the risk is higher. At some point, upgrading becomes the safer choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will an iOS update slow down my phone?
No. Updates sometimes feel slower when ready after installation because your phone is indexing files in the background, but this passes within a few hours. After that, updates usually make your phone faster or keep it the same speed. If your phone feels slow weeks after an update, the update is not the cause — your storage is probably full or a specific app is using too much power.
Can I undo an iOS update if I do not like it?
No. Once you install an update, you cannot go back to the previous version. This is why reading release notes before installing a major update can help — you can see what changed and decide whether you want it. If a major update causes real problems, Apple sometimes releases a follow-up update quickly to fix them.
Do I have to update my iPhone?
No, but you should. Security updates close vulnerabilities that could expose your data, and waiting puts you at risk. Your phone will remind you to update, but you can dismiss the reminder. Eventually, your phone will update automatically if you leave it plugged in overnight, because Apple wants all phones to be protected.
What if an app stops working after I update?
The app developer needs to update their app to work with the new iOS version. This usually happens within days. Check the App Store to see if an update is available for the app. If no update exists after a week, the app may no longer be maintained, and you may need to find a replacement.
How much storage does an iOS update use?
Updates typically need 1 to 5 gigabytes of free space during installation. Your phone will tell you if there is not enough space. If you are full, delete photos, videos, or apps you do not use, then try the update again. After installation completes, the temporary space is freed up.