Engadget Outlines Why Phone Apps Should Not Be Left Unupdated

Automatic updates are available through a quick toggle in Apple's App Store under Settings > Apps > App Store > App Updates, and in Google Play Store by tapping a profile picture and going to Settings > Network Preferences > Auto-update apps, according to Engadget. The report advises against relying fully on automatic updates. Updates can get stuck or fail, as can happen when Android Auto must be updated manually, and they do not necessarily reach a device as soon as they are available. Engadget recommends pairing automatic updates with occasional manual checks.

New features are the most obvious change when an app updates. Buttons move, features are added and libraries expand, and users can be surprised by a favorite app's new look. Social media apps change constantly, while shopping or utility apps may change only once or twice a year. Skipping updates can mean missing tools such as leaving notes on Spotify songs, smarter playback options in a podcast app, new courses in Duolingo and fresh tracks in the Nintendo Music app, Engadget reported.

Updates can also have drawbacks. Engadget said app updates can remove functionality or break what once worked, and users may simply prefer an older setup. Developers of active apps should be quick to fix widespread issues, and users tend to acclimate after using a new version for a while.

Security is the biggest reason to update apps even when users do not feel like it, according to the report. App security flaws are not as critical as operating system vulnerabilities, but they could expose a device or information within an app to attack. The concern is greater on Android than iPhone because iOS isolates apps more strictly. Still, Engadget noted historical attacks that abused iPhone apps, such as making calls without permission, and an exploit discovered earlier in 2026 in Zoom's apps that allowed someone to take control of other people's devices. Not every older app is terribly vulnerable, but users cannot know when one they use might become the next target. The longer a security issue is known, the more time attackers have to craft an exploit, while installing the latest patches means a device will not be in their sights once they figure out how to cause damage.

Updates can also bring performance enhancements, bug fixes and better compatibility. Developers may simplify code to streamline performance, fix crashes or make an app easier on battery, and they may find ways to perform the same tasks with less stress on hardware. These changes can be small but make the experience smoother. Operating system compatibility is another reason, though it arises less often. Developers need to make sure apps run properly when a new version of Android or iOS arrives; updating the OS without updating apps can cause trouble. Engadget cited Uber's addition of Live Activities to its iOS app as an example: users would not see them until they installed the latest version.

In some cases, apps may refuse to run until the latest version is installed. Engadget said this can happen at an inopportune time, such as just after boarding a plane without internet access for a while. Regular updating can help avoid a favorite app failing during a camping trip with no signal.