Most of the security advice you hear boils down to one habit: install updates. Updates patch the holes attackers use, and Apple, Google and Microsoft all say keeping software current is one of the best ways to protect a device. The easy way to make that happen is to let your devices do it for you. Here is where the switches are on an iPhone, an Android phone, a Windows 11 PC and a Mac.
It takes about five minutes in total. Menu names can differ slightly by model and software version, so if yours looks a little different, use the search box at the top of Settings.
iPhone or iPad
- Open Settings.
- Tap General, then Software Update.
- Tap Automatic Updates.
- Turn on Automatically Install. If you would rather choose when to install, turn on Automatically Download instead (it appears only when Automatically Install is off).
With Automatically Install on, Apple says the phone installs the update overnight while it is charging and connected to Wi-Fi, and you get a notification before it happens. Apple also lets you receive system file updates on their own: on the same screen, turn off Automatically Install under the device updates heading, then turn on Automatically Install under System Files. That gets you smaller fixes without changing your iOS version.
Android phone
Google’s help page says most system updates and security patches install automatically, and you get a notification when one is ready. To see where you stand, or to install one yourself:
- Open Settings.
- Tap System, then Software updates. On some Pixel phones this is labeled “System update.”
- Follow the on-screen steps.
To see your current version, go to Settings > About phone > Android version. That screen shows your Android version, your Android security update and your Google Play system update. Google recommends being on Wi-Fi and charged to at least 75% before you install. On Pixel phones the update installs in the background and takes effect at the next restart. Other brands usually restart during the install.
The page is written for Pixel phones, so Samsung and other makers may word their menus differently. The overall path, Settings to software update, is a good place to start looking.
Windows 11 PC
- Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Turn on Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.
- Optionally, select Check for updates, install what appears and restart if asked.
Windows installs security updates on its own either way. The toggle in step 2 is mainly for non-security improvements and new features, which otherwise arrive on a slower schedule. Microsoft notes it can mean more restarts each month. Windows respects your active hours, and you can schedule a restart for a time that suits you. If a work or school computer shows this setting grayed out, your administrator controls it.
Mac
- Open System Settings.
- Click General in the sidebar (you may need to scroll), then Software Update.
- Click the Info button next to Automatic Updates.
- Turn on the options you want, then click Done.
The panel offers “Download new updates when available,” “Install macOS updates” and “Install Security Responses and system files.” If you turn on only one thing, make it the last one, since it covers urgent security fixes. On a laptop, plug in the power adapter, because Apple says updates download automatically only when it is connected. App updates from the App Store are handled separately: open the App Store to check them.
A few habits that make this work
- Charge it overnight. iPhone installs wait for charging and Wi-Fi, so a nightly charger habit is what makes updates happen.
- Restart when asked. Many updates only take effect after a restart. If you keep seeing the same reminder, do it before bed.
- Back up first if you are nervous. Updates rarely go wrong, but a recent backup removes the worry. Our guide to backing up your phone takes about ten minutes.
- Update your router and old devices, too. Phones and computers are the easy part. If a device no longer gets updates from its maker, consider replacing it.
The catch
Automatic updates are not a complete shield. A new update can occasionally cause a bug, and the companies’ own pages say little about how long to wait. If you rely on a work app that is picky about versions, check with your IT team first. For nearly everyone else, the risk of running outdated software is the bigger one.
More on Contoh
- How to Back Up Your Phone Properly (iPhone and Android)
- How to Turn On Stolen Device Protection on Your iPhone
- How to Set Up a Passkey for Your Google Account