If your business mobile phone starts glitching, freezing, or refusing to update, you’re not alone. Updates are intended to enhance security and performance, but they don’t always go as planned. One snag can knock out essential apps, delay your team, or leave handsets stuck in the middle of a process.
Now, while it’s tempting to reboot and hope for the best, most update errors need more than a quick fix. But that’s where this guide comes in.
We’ve compiled the most common mobile operating system (OS) update issues affecting business phones, along with the best ways to resolve them. There’s no jargon or guesswork on this page: just clear steps you can follow (and a friendly voice at the end of the line if things still aren’t behaving). If your updates are really getting you down, we also provide a Business Mobile Phone Repair Service. But for now, just keep reading, and let’s get you back up and running.
Why Updates Matter & What Can Go Wrong
Most businesses now rely on mobile devices to access files, run apps like Microsoft Teams, or manage client comms on the move.
Keeping those devices up to date is key to:
- Protecting sensitive business data
- Ensuring compatibility with the latest apps
- Preventing known bugs or vulnerabilities
In their Device Security Guidelines, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre suggests keeping devices and software up to date. Keeping your OS up to date helps reduce the risk of mobile threats and data breaches. This is crucial since staff often use their phones for both work and personal reasons.
But the process isn’t always smooth. Updates can get stuck halfway through, drain battery life, or suddenly stop your key apps from working.
Here’s how to sort it out, with no jargon, just real fixes that work.
Common Mobile OS Update Problems (& How to Spot Them)
Even the most stable update can go sideways. If your business phones are acting up post-update, here’s what might be happening:
- Failed installations: The update starts… then crashes. You may see an error code. Or the phone may endlessly restart. Either way, it’s not updating.
- Software bugs & glitches: Your apps suddenly crash. The screen freezes. Maybe your battery life plummets. These bugs usually appear immediately after the update.
- Compatibility issues: Some updates break compatibility with older business apps or even the device itself if it’s ageing. In times like these, something as simple as your timesheet app not opening can be frustrating.
We’ve seen these issues crop up everywhere, from letting agents in Poole to accountants in Salisbury. The good news? In most cases, they’re easily fixed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Mobile OS Update Problems at Work
If your business phone is playing up after a system update, don’t panic. Here’s how to get things back on track, fast.
Problem #1 | Failed Installations
What to do when the update won’t install or gets stuck:
- Restart the phone: This is a simple solution that often works. A full power-off and restart can clear stalled update processes.
- Check your internet connection: Updates need a stable Wi-Fi signal. If the office Wi-Fi is patchy, try switching to a different network or using a temporary tethering connection.
- Look for error codes: Devices like Samsung and Pixel often show a short code (e.g. Microsoft’s 0x800f0831). A quick web search or call to our team can help decode what’s gone wrong.
- Free up storage: Delete unused apps or move photos to cloud storage. We recommend leaving at least 2 GB of free space before starting an update.
Problem #2 | Software Bugs or Glitches After Update
What to do if apps crash, battery drains or the phone runs slow:
- Do a soft reset: This isn’t the same as a complete factory reset. You just need to hold down the power button and restart. Doing so can clear minor post-update issues.
- Update the apps: After a system update, some apps may require their own updates to function correctly. Head to the app store and tap ‘Update All’.
- Check for more updates: Manufacturers often release minor updates to address early bugs. Go to Settings → System → Updates to check.
Problem #3 | Compatibility Problems
What to do if your core business apps won’t work after an update:
- Check for app updates first: Business tools like Sage or Microsoft Teams often need patching after an OS upgrade.
- Check if your phone is still supported: Older phones may no longer be compatible with the latest OS. You can usually check this on the manufacturer’s website or get in touch with our team, and we’ll look it up for you.
Problem #4 | Storage-Related Issues
What to do if updates fail due to lack of space:
- Delete unnecessary files & apps: Clear out photos, videos, and downloads you no longer need. We always recommend backing up any much-beloved memories!
- Use cloud or external storage: Services like OneDrive or Google Drive are handy for freeing up local space. On some phones, you can also add an SD card to expand storage.
- Avoid updating while low on battery or space: Running low on either can trigger update failures.
Problem #5 | Stuck in a Boot Loop or Restart Cycle
What to do if the phone keeps restarting after an update:
- Try safe mode: Booting into Safe Mode can help isolate whether a third-party app is triggering the reboot. If the phone stays stable in Safe Mode, you’ve likely found the culprit.
- Clear system cache (Android only): On some devices, you can access Recovery Mode and wipe the cache partition. This won’t delete personal data, but it can resolve OS conflicts that may have occurred during the update.
- Charge to 100%: Some update loops are caused by unstable power during the installation process. Let the phone fully charge, then restart from there.
When to Call in Help
Sometimes, it’s quicker to pick up the phone than dig through settings for the hundredth time.
Here’s when we recommend speaking to an expert:
- Persistent update errors that don’t go away after a restart or patch
- Key business apps won’t open or sync after updating
- You’re unsure whether the manufacturer still supports a device
- You need advice on which handsets to replace or upgrade
At Town & Country Communications, we actively help local businesses keep their devices secure, stable, and in sync, even when updates cause issues.
Need a Hand with That Update?
Minor issues can escalate quickly unless you address them just as fast. The good thing is that most mobile OS update problems can be sorted out with a few quick checks. But when the basics don’t cut it – apps stop syncing, updates keep failing, or a handset just won’t behave – it’s time to bring in someone who knows your system. That’s where we come in.
At Town & Country Communications, we help businesses in Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire get their phones back on track. Best of all, we do it without the technical faff. Whether it’s a stubborn update or advice on upgrading your setup, you’ll speak to someone who gets how your team works. Often, it’ll be one of us Butlers! So, do you want fewer mobile headaches in future?
Give us a call on 01202 514444 or send us a message, and we’ll get it sorted fast.
