How Often Should You Update Your Devices?

Keeping devices up to date is one of the simplest ways to improve security, performance, and reliability, yet it’s often ignored until something goes wrong. Whether you’re an individual user or responsible for technology within a business, understanding how often to update and when to replace devices can prevent avoidable issues and downtime.

Software & Operating System Updates

Software updates should be treated as routine maintenance. Operating systems and applications are updated regularly to fix security vulnerabilities, resolve bugs, and maintain compatibility with new software and services.

Updates should either be installed as soon as they are released or, at the very least, checked weekly if managed manually. Devices that fall several months behind on updates are far more likely to experience security risks, performance problems, and unexpected errors.

Phones & Tablets

Phones and tablets are used daily for email, cloud services, and business applications, making them critical to keep current. Operating system updates should be installed promptly, with apps updated regularly or set to update automatically.

Most mobile devices should be replaced every three to five years for business use, depending on manufacturer support. Once a device no longer receives security updates, it should no longer be relied on for business use, even if it still appears to function normally.

Laptops & Desktop Computers

Laptops and desktops form the core of most work environments. Keeping operating systems updated on a monthly basis helps maintain stability and security, while drivers and firmware should be reviewed every few months to avoid compatibility issues.

In general, business-use computers should be refreshed every three to four years, while lightly used machines may last closer to five or six years. As software becomes more demanding, older hardware often struggles to keep up, leading to slower performance and reduced productivity.

Network Equipment

Network devices such as routers and Wi-Fi systems are often overlooked once installed, but they play a key role in both performance and security. Firmware should be checked and updated several times a year, with immediate action taken if a security advisory is released.

Most network hardware has a useful lifespan of four to seven years. Beyond this, performance limitations and lack of security support can become a serious risk.

Printers & Peripherals

Printers, scanners, and other peripherals still require periodic attention. Drivers and firmware should be updated annually, and devices should be replaced when support ends or reliability declines. Unsupported peripherals can cause wider compatibility issues across systems.

A Simple Rule to Follow

If a device no longer receives security updates, struggles with everyday tasks, or causes repeated problems, it’s time to replace it — not when it finally stops working. Proactive updates and planned refresh cycles are far more cost-effective than reacting to failures after they occur.