Why now: attackers are using security holes that updates fix, so updating your devices is the simplest way to close the door on them. (Here's what's happening.)
Tip: wherever you can, turn on automatic updates. Then your device keeps itself up to date and you won't have to remember to do this again. Each section below shows you where that switch is.
Don't worry: updating is safe. You won't lose your photos, messages or files.
Before you start, for any device: plug it into its charger and make sure it's on your home Wi-Fi. A big update can take a while, so start when you won't need the device for the next half hour or so. It may turn itself off and on again (restart) while it updates. That's normal.
Jump to your device: iPhone / iPad · Android phone · Mac · Windows PC · Google Chrome · Safari · Microsoft Edge · Firefox · Your Wi-Fi router · Two-factor sign-in
iPhone / iPad
- Plug your iPhone or iPad into its charger and connect to Wi-Fi.
- Open the Settings app (the gray gear icon).
- Tap General, then tap Software Update.
- If an update is waiting, tap Download and Install, then follow the instructions on the screen. Your device may restart.
Turn on automatic updates: Settings, then General, then Software Update, then Automatic Updates, and turn on Automatically Install. Your iPhone will then update overnight while it's charging and on Wi-Fi.
Apple's help page: Update your iPhone or iPad
Android phone
- Connect to Wi-Fi and charge your phone to at least 75%.
- If you see a notification about an update, tap it, then tap the button to update.
- If not, open Settings (the gear icon), tap System, then Software updates, and follow the steps on the screen.
- Your phone may restart while it installs. Updates can be large, so this can take some time.
Automatic updates: most Android security updates install on their own. The menus can look a little different depending on who made your phone (Samsung, Google Pixel and so on). If you can't find these words, the phone maker's or your carrier's help page will show the exact path.
Google's help page: Check & update your Android version
Mac
- If it's a laptop, plug in the charger.
- Click the Apple menu (the apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen) and choose System Settings.
- Click General in the list on the left, then click Software Update.
- If an update is available, click the button to update or restart, and type the password you use to log in to your Mac if it asks.
- Keep the Mac on and the lid open until it's done. It may restart and show a progress bar or a blank screen a few times. That's normal.
Turn on automatic updates: in Software Update, click the small i button next to Automatic Updates, turn on Download new updates when available, Install macOS updates and Install Security Responses and system files, then click Done.
Apple's help page: Update macOS on Mac
Windows PC
- Click the Start button (the Windows logo at the bottom of the screen), then click Settings (the gear icon).
- Click Windows Update. (On Windows 10, click Update & Security first, then Windows Update.)
- Click Check for Windows updates.
- If updates appear, click Download & install.
- If it asks you to restart, save anything you're working on and restart.
Automatic updates: Windows installs security updates on its own, so there's nothing to switch on. One thing to know: Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10 in October 2025, which means it no longer gets security fixes. If your computer still runs Windows 10, it's worth moving to Windows 11 or a newer computer.
Microsoft's help page: Install Windows Updates
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome.
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner (Google calls this More).
- Choose Help, then About Google Chrome. Chrome checks for an update on its own.
- Click Relaunch. If there's no Relaunch button, you already have the latest version. Your tabs will come back after it reopens.
Automatic updates: Chrome updates itself in the background whenever you close it and open it again, so there's nothing to switch on.
Google's help page: Update Google Chrome
Safari
- Safari (Apple's web browser) doesn't update on its own. It updates when you update your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
- So just follow the iPhone / iPad or Mac steps above, and Safari is updated too.
Apple's help page: Update to the latest version of Safari
Microsoft Edge
- Open Edge.
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner (Settings and more).
- Choose Help and feedback, then About Microsoft Edge. Edge checks for an update.
- If it says an update is ready, click Restart.
Automatic updates: Edge updates itself and applies the update the next time you restart it. On the same About page you can check that Download and install updates automatically is turned on.
Microsoft's help page: Microsoft Edge update settings
Firefox
- Open Firefox.
- Click the menu button (three short lines) at the right of the toolbar. On a Mac, you can instead click Firefox in the menu bar at the very top of the screen.
- Choose Help, then About Firefox. Firefox checks for updates and downloads them.
- When it's done, click Restart to update Firefox.
Automatic updates: Firefox updates itself in most cases, and the update takes effect the next time Firefox restarts.
Mozilla's help page: Update Firefox to the latest release
Your home Wi-Fi router
Your router is the box that brings the internet into your home, usually with blinking lights. It needs updates too.
- Find out who made it. Look on the router itself. There's usually a sticker on the bottom or back with the maker's name (for example Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, Eero or your internet company's name) and the model.
- Check for updates in its app or settings. Many newer routers have a phone app from the maker; open it and look for an update, often under Settings. Others are updated from the maker's website, which has instructions for your model. Turn on automatic updates if you see the option.
- If you rent your router from your internet company (it has their name on it), call them and ask: "Is my router getting security updates, and is it too old?" They often update it for you, or will swap it.
- Check that it's not too old. Makers stop sending updates to routers after some years. If the maker's website says your model is no longer supported ("end of life"), or you can't find any update from the last few years, it's worth replacing it. The FBI recommends replacing routers that no longer get updates.
Official help: FTC: How to secure your home Wi-Fi network · FBI: Criminals are exploiting old routers
Two-factor sign-in
Two-factor sign-in (sometimes called two-step verification) adds a second check when you log in, usually a code sent to your phone. That way, even if someone steals your password, it isn't enough to get into your account.
Apple Account
- On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings. On a Mac, open System Settings.
- Tap or click your name at the top, then Sign-In & Security.
- If two-factor authentication isn't on yet, turn it on and follow the instructions on the screen. Most Apple Accounts already have it on.
Apple's help page: Two-factor authentication for Apple Account
Google Account (Gmail, YouTube)
- Open your Google Account (on a computer, go to myaccount.google.com).
- Tap or click Security & sign-in.
- Under How you sign in to Google, choose Turn on 2-Step Verification.
- Follow the steps on the screen.
Google's help page: Turn on 2-Step Verification
Microsoft account (Outlook, Hotmail, Windows)
- Sign in at account.microsoft.com/security.
- Choose Manage how I sign in.
- Under Additional security, find Two-step verification and choose Turn on.
- Follow the prompts.
Microsoft's help page: How to use two-step verification with your Microsoft account
Do the same for your email and your bank. They usually offer it in their app or website under Security settings.
That's it. Thank you for taking the time. If you know someone who'd find this hard on their own, send it to them, or sit with them for ten minutes and do it together.