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iOS and Android Updates: Keeping Your App Current
Quick answer
Apps stay current when yearly iOS and Android releases are treated as planned work. Both platforms ship a major update every year, with betas months ahead. Test sign-in, payments and notifications on those betas. Google Play requires apps to target a recent Android version, and from August 31, 2026, that means Android 16.
Every year, Apple and Google release new versions of their phone software. New features arrive, old ones change and privacy rules tighten. Apps that aren't tested in time can break on launch day, show confusing permission prompts or miss store deadlines that block updates. A simple yearly calendar turns these releases from surprises into routine work.
Key Takeaways
- Apple and Google release major phone software updates every year.
- Beta versions arrive months before release, giving time to test.
- Google Play sets a yearly deadline for apps to target a recent Android version.
- Each release can change privacy rules and permission prompts.
- Decide which older versions to support, and review that choice yearly.
- A yearly calendar turns platform updates into planned work.
Published: October 24, 2026 | Reading Time: ~9 minutes | Category: App Maintenance
This guide covers how to keep an app current with iOS and Android: the yearly release cycles, testing betas, store deadlines, privacy and permission changes, choosing which older versions to support, device testing and a month-by-month plan. Put plainly: plan for the release calendar, and test before your users find the problems.
Release dates and store requirements change. Check Apple's and Google's current announcements each year.
In This Playbook
- The yearly release cycles
- Testing betas
- Store deadlines
- Privacy and permission changes
- Which older versions to support
- Device testing
- Framework and library updates
- A yearly calendar
- Who handles it
- What should we measure after each app release?
- The first three months
The yearly release cycles
Apple. New iPhone software is usually previewed in June, tested in public betas over the summer and released in September.
Google. Google now ships its major Android release in the first half of the year, with a smaller update later.
Both add yearly changes. New features, removed features and stricter privacy rules.
Phones update quickly. Many users install new versions within weeks.
Testing betas
Start early. Test your app on beta versions as soon as they're available.
Focus on key flows. Sign-in, ordering, payments, notifications and anything using the camera or location.
Fix before release. Ship updates before the new version reaches most users.
Watch for late changes. Betas change before final release, so retest near launch.
Store deadlines
Google Play's yearly deadline. New apps and updates must target a recent Android version. From August 31, 2026, that means Android 16 (API level 36), as covered in Google Play review and policy basics.
Apple's build requirements. Apple periodically requires apps to be built with recent versions of its tools to submit updates.
Miss a deadline, lose updates. Falling behind can block bug fixes and new features.
Distribution rules change too. Google's developer verification rollout is covered in Play Store vs direct distribution.
Privacy and permission changes
New prompts. Releases often change how apps ask for location, photos, notifications or tracking.
Tighter limits. Background location, clipboard access and similar features get stricter.
Update your explanations. Make sure prompts and in-app messages still make sense.
Review data use. Keep privacy details and data collection aligned, as covered in cross-platform security considerations.
Which older versions to support
Check your users. Analytics show which versions your users run.
Set a minimum. Supporting very old versions adds testing and limits features.
Review yearly. Raise the minimum as old versions fade.
Tell users. Give notice before dropping support for a version.
Device testing
Real devices. A mix of current, older and popular phones for your audience.
Screen sizes. Small phones, large phones and tablets if you support them.
Android variety. Different makers customize Android, so test on several brands.
Automated tests. Run key flows on every build.
On-device AI. Apps that run models on the device need retesting with each release, as in iPad + industry AI.
Framework and library updates
Update with the platforms. Frameworks and libraries release updates to support new versions.
Cross-platform apps. React Native and similar frameworks need regular upgrades, as covered in React Native maintenance.
Replace abandoned libraries. Before they block an update.
A yearly calendar
January to March. Plan the year, review minimum supported versions and update libraries.
April to June. Test the new major Android release and Apple's June preview betas.
July and August. Fix issues from betas and meet Google Play's August 31 deadline.
September. Be ready for the new iPhone software release, then monitor crashes closely.
October to December. Test smaller updates, clean up and plan next year.
Who handles it
In-house or partner. Small teams often use a maintenance partner.
Put it in the contract. Platform updates and store deadlines should be in scope, as covered in maintenance contracts.
Respond fast to launch-day issues. As covered in app maintenance response times.
Budget for it. Yearly update work is part of the cost after launch.
What should we measure after each app release?
Crash-free users after each release. The clearest sign of readiness.
Time to compatible update. From a new release to your fix being live.
Store deadlines met. Before they block updates.
Users on supported versions. Share of users your app fully supports.
Permission opt-in rates. Before and after prompt changes.
The first three months
Days 1–30: check where you stand
Confirm your app meets current store requirements, check which versions your users run and list libraries that need updates. Note the next release dates and deadlines.
Days 31–60: set the calendar
Build a yearly calendar for betas, releases and deadlines. Set your minimum supported versions and add automated tests for key flows.
Days 61–90: test and update
Update libraries, test on a range of real devices and fix issues. Agree who handles launch-day problems and how fast.
How does Astra keep iPhone and Android apps current?
Astra Results Marketing keeps iPhone and Android apps current with a yearly plan. We test betas early, meet Google Play and Apple requirements, update frameworks and libraries, review privacy prompts and test on real devices.
We monitor crashes after every release and respond fast to launch-day issues. Engagements begin with an app health review through our app maintenance team.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
How often do iOS and Android get major updates?
Each releases a major update every year. Apple usually releases new iPhone software in September after summer betas, and Google ships its major Android release in the first half of the year.
When should we test new versions?
As soon as betas are available. Focus on key flows such as sign-in, payments and notifications, and retest near the final release.
What is Google Play's yearly deadline?
New apps and updates must target a recent Android version. From August 31, 2026, that's Android 16 (API level 36).
Do new releases affect permissions?
Often. Releases can change how apps ask for location, photos, notifications or tracking, so review prompts and explanations each year.
How many older versions should we support?
Check which versions your users run, set a minimum that covers most of them and review it yearly, giving notice before dropping support.
Who should handle yearly updates?
Your team or a maintenance partner, with platform updates and store deadlines written into the maintenance agreement.
Ready to stop being surprised by phone software updates? Astra Results Marketing keeps apps current with a yearly plan for betas, releases, store deadlines and privacy changes, tested on real devices and monitored after every release. ▸ CALL (786) 321-2866 · ▸ REQUEST YOUR CONSULTATION
