Is my old phone still safe to use?

Concerns & risks

You were trying to save money by keeping your old phone, but it's six years old.

Unsupported phones miss security fixes.

Causes & evidence

Once a device stops getting updates, new vulnerabilities aren't patched. See software updates.

What to do

1. Check if it still gets updates.
2. If not, plan to upgrade.
3. Avoid sensitive tasks meanwhile.

Common mistakes: Common mistakes: not checking update status. Once support ends, security risks grow. Trade-in programs can help pay for an upgrade. Wipe data properly before giving it away. Check the manufacturer's support page to see whether your model still gets security updates. Phones that no longer receive updates may have unpatched weaknesses, so be extra careful with banking and email on them. If you keep it as a spare, use it for simple things like music or as a camera. When you're ready to move on, back up, sign out of accounts and do a factory reset. Running the latest apps also matters.

Speed Man tip: Back up before switching.

Wrap-up: Check updates. Upgrade if unsupported. Back up.