Understanding OS Upgrades

by Bob Cohen

Every year or so, your phone or computer may suddenly announce that a big new software upgrade is available.

Apple might introduce a new version of iOS for the iPhone or macOS for the Mac. Microsoft regularly releases new versions and major feature updates for Windows 11.

Then comes the question I hear all the time:

Should I install it?

Before answering that, it helps to understand what is actually happening. A major operating system upgrade is much more than downloading a few new features. You are replacing or changing a large part of the software that controls your device.

Fortunately, the process is usually much less dramatic than it sounds.

First, What Is the Operating System?

The operating system is the basic software that runs your device.

On an iPhone, it is iOS. On a Mac, it is macOS. Most Windows computers run Windows 11 today. Android and Samsung phones use Android, developed by Google.

Think of the operating system as your device's manager.

It controls things like:

• What appears on your screen

• How files are stored

• How your keyboard, camera, printer, and other hardware work

• How apps communicate with the device

• Security and passwords

• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections

Your apps, such as Gmail, Zoom, Microsoft Word, Facebook, or your banking app, sit on top of that operating system.

That is why changing the operating system can potentially affect almost everything else on the device.

An Update and an Upgrade Are Not Quite the Same Thing

We tend to call everything an “update,” but there is an important difference.

A normal update is usually smaller. It might:

• Fix a security problem.

• Repair a bug

• Improve performance

• Make a small change to an existing feature.

A major operating system upgrade is different.

It may introduce:

• A new design

• New menus or settings

• New features

• New security technology

• Changes to how apps work with the device

• Changes underneath the surface that you never actually see

Apple itself distinguishes between smaller updates and major upgrades. Microsoft similarly delivers monthly Windows updates while also releasing larger feature versions.

What Happens When You Press Install?

This is where things get interesting.

Your computer or phone doesn't simply erase the old operating system and hope the new one works.

The process usually happens in several stages:

• The device downloads a large package of new software.

• It checks that the software is legitimate.

• It checks that your device is compatible.

• The device restarts.

• The new operating system replaces or changes many of the files that make the device work.

• The system reconnects the new software with your existing apps, settings, and personal information.

• The device restarts again and finishes setting everything up.

In most cases, your personal information stays right where it was.

That usually includes:

• Photos

• Contacts

• Documents

• Email accounts

• Wi-Fi settings

• Apps

• Passwords

• Many of your personal settings

That is why an upgrade can make your device feel somewhat new without actually replacing the phone or computer.

Your Apps Have to Come Along for the Ride

Here is one of the most important parts of an operating system upgrade.

The companies that make your apps know a new operating system is coming.

Before Apple, Google (Android), and Microsoft release the new operating system to the public, they give developers early versions and technical information so they can test their apps.

For example:

• Zoom tests Zoom.

• Microsoft tests Office.

• Adobe tests Photoshop.

• Banks test their banking apps.

• Printer manufacturers test their drivers and software.

• Thousands of smaller app developers do the same thing.

When developers find problems, they update their apps so they work properly with the new operating system.

Ideally, by the time you install the new operating system, your important apps are ready.

But “ideally” is the important word.

Occasionally, an older app, printer, scanner, or other device hasn't been updated yet. That is one reason some people prefer not to install a major operating system upgrade on the very first day.

Why Doesn't Everyone Get the Upgrade at Once?

You may hear that a new operating system has been released, check your computer, and discover that you don't see it yet.

That doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong.

Companies sometimes roll upgrades out gradually.

Microsoft, for example, may temporarily prevent an upgrade from being offered to computers that have hardware, drivers, or software known to have compatibility problems. Microsoft calls these safeguard holds.

A safeguard hold might happen because of:

• A printer driver that is not ready

• A graphics driver problem

• A particular piece of hardware

• An older app with a known conflict

• Another compatibility issue Microsoft has identified

In other words, Windows may wait rather than give you an upgrade that could cause trouble.

That's actually a good thing.

What About Older Devices?

Every operating system has minimum hardware requirements.

Eventually, older phones and computers reach the point where they can't install the newest major operating system.

That doesn't necessarily mean the device suddenly stops working.

Instead, several things usually happen gradually:

• Your current operating system keeps working.

• Security updates may continue for some time.

• Newer apps may eventually require a newer operating system.

• Browsers may eventually stop receiving updates.

• Some new features may no longer be available on the older device.

You may eventually see a message such as:

“This app requires a newer version of iOS.”

So an operating system becoming too old is usually gradual, not sudden.

Why Major Upgrades Sometimes Cause Problems

Despite months of testing, millions of people installing new software on millions of different devices will occasionally uncover problems nobody anticipated.

You might hear reports of:

• An app crashing

• A printer temporarily not working

• Bluetooth behaving strangely

• A computer running slowly

• Battery life seeming worse.

• A menu or setting moving somewhere unfamiliar

• An older accessory no longer working correctly.

Some of these problems are actual bugs.

Others are temporary.

For example, after a major upgrade, a device may spend time:

• Reorganizing files

• Updating search indexes

• Analyzing photos

• Rebuilding caches

• Performing other housekeeping jobs in the background

That can temporarily use more battery or make the device feel slower.

Over the following days and weeks, Apple, Microsoft, app developers, and hardware manufacturers typically release additional updates to correct problems they discover.

Should You Upgrade on the First Day?

For most people, being first offers little advantage.

If you enjoy experimenting with new technology, installing the upgrade immediately can be fun.

But if you depend on your computer or phone every day, waiting a short time is perfectly reasonable.

I especially would not install a major operating system upgrade right before:

• An important Zoom meeting

• A trip

• A class or presentation

• A work deadline

• A day when you need your printer or scanner

• Any event where you depend heavily on the device

You don't want to discover the next morning that an important app or accessory suddenly needs an update.

Before You Install a Major Upgrade

There are three things I recommend.

1. Make sure you have a backup

Major upgrades are normally very reliable, but your photos and documents are too important to rely on “normally.”

Before upgrading, back up your important information.

2. Update your apps

Install available app updates first.

Those updates may include changes designed specifically for the new operating system.

3. Give yourself some time

Do not start a major upgrade five minutes before you need the device.

A good approach is to:

• Plug the device into power.

• Use a reliable Internet connection.

• Make sure you have enough free storage space.

• Allow enough time for the installation to finish.

• Avoid interrupting the device while it is upgrading.

Why It Matters

Major operating system upgrades are one reason the same device can keep improving years after you buy it.

A major upgrade may give you:

• New security protections

• Better accessibility features

• New ways to connect with other devices

• Improved versions of built-in apps

• New privacy controls

• Features that did not exist when you originally bought the device

But you don't need to treat every upgrade announcement as an emergency.

There is a big difference between keeping your device reasonably up to date and feeling that you must install every major new version the moment it appears.

My approach is simple:

• Keep your device updated.

• Keep your device backed up.

• Keep your apps updated.

• But don't feel that you have to be first.

When that big “Upgrade Available” message appears, you'll know what is happening behind the scenes, and you can make the decision instead of simply wondering whether you should press the button.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a major operating system upgrade erase my photos and files?

Normally, no. Major upgrades are designed to preserve your apps, documents, photos, accounts, and settings.

However, there is always a small possibility that something can go wrong, which is why having a current backup is important.

What happens if I don't install the new operating system?

You can keep using your current version for a while.

Over the long term, though:

• Older operating systems eventually stop receiving security updates.

• Newer app versions may stop supporting them.

• Some new features may no longer be available.

You usually don't need to panic, but you also don't want to stay on an unsupported operating system forever.

How long should I wait before installing a major upgrade?

There isn't one perfect answer.

If you depend heavily on your device and don't need the new features immediately, waiting a week or two after a major release can give Apple, Microsoft, app developers, and hardware manufacturers time to identify and fix early problems.

Security updates are different. I generally recommend installing those promptly.