---
title: "Turn On Automatic Updates on Your Phone"
url: https://protergates.com/tips/turn-on-automatic-updates-on-your-phone/
published: 2026-11-03
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# Turn On Automatic Updates on Your Phone

> Most attacks use security holes that already have a fix. Automatic updates install those fixes for you, usually overnight. Here is where the switch is.

- URL: https://protergates.com/tips/turn-on-automatic-updates-on-your-phone/
- Section: Tips
- Author: James Anderson, Senior Technology Consultant (https://protergates.com/expertise/#james-anderson); Emily Carter, Technology Research Specialist (https://protergates.com/expertise/#emily-carter); Oliver Schmidt, Senior Software Engineer (https://protergates.com/expertise/#oliver-schmidt); Hiroshi Tanaka, Professor of Computer Science (https://protergates.com/expertise/#hiroshi-tanaka); Giorgi Beridze, Technology Solutions Architect (https://protergates.com/expertise/#giorgi-beridze)
- Published: 2026-11-03
- Last updated: 2026-11-03
- Topics: updates, iphone, android, phone security
- Reading time: 2 min
- Cite as: James Anderson, Emily Carter, Oliver Schmidt, Hiroshi Tanaka and Giorgi Beridze, "Turn On Automatic Updates on Your Phone", Protergates, November 3, 2026, https://protergates.com/tips/turn-on-automatic-updates-on-your-phone/

## The tip

Switch on automatic updates once and your phone will install security fixes for you.

**iPhone:** open **Settings**, then **General**, then **Software Update**, then **Automatic Updates**, and turn on both downloading and installing.

**Android:** open **Settings** and search for **Software update** or **System update**. Menu names vary by manufacturer, but most phones have an option to download and install updates automatically.

**Apps:** turn on automatic updates in the **App Store** settings on iPhone, or in **Google Play** under your profile, **Settings**, **Network preferences**.

## Why it matters

Most attacks on phones use security holes that the manufacturer has already fixed. The phones that get hurt are the ones that never installed the fix. Automatic updates close that gap without you having to remember.

## One more check

Look up whether your phone still receives security updates. If it does not, it will stay vulnerable no matter what settings you choose, so keep sensitive tasks like banking on a supported device.

## Frequently asked questions

**Q: Will automatic updates use my mobile data?**

A: Phones normally download large system updates over Wi-Fi and install them while charging, often overnight.

**Q: What if my phone no longer gets updates?**

A: Once a phone stops receiving security updates, newly discovered holes stay open. Avoid using it for banking and plan to replace it.

**Q: Do I also need to update apps?**

A: Yes. Turn on automatic app updates in the App Store or Google Play settings as well.