How important is regular rebooting after updates?

hannes

Hey folks,
so I sometimes ...forget to reboot my phone for a month or two.
I realize that for OS updates to take full effect, it is probably necessary to do so.

I was wondering how big the risk of not rebooting regularly realistically is when I forget to do so.
I know it probably depends on my specific threat model, but I'm thinking in a general sense for a "regular" everyday user like me.

Thanks in advance! :)

nandohyphen1

hannes you might find Auto Reboot useful in this case. Settings > System > System Updates > Auto Reboot. This will automatically reboot the device after an update is installed. I'd just recommend your battery level isn't super low as I'm not saying this will happen, but people have had their phone bootloop after it Auto Rebooted and the battery was almost dead. But this function might be just what you are looking for

nandohyphen1

hannes so I sometimes ...forget to reboot my phone for a month or two.

I don't know how you could forget. The notification is always there in the notification drawer and it can't be cleared. You are bound to see it. Just tap 'Reboot' and your good to go.

Novalissoide

hannes Settings > About phone > Build number

Could you share that number with us?🕵🏾‍♂️

schklom

nandohyphen1

The notification is always there in the notification drawer

Not necessarily, e.g. if OP uses a secondary profile as main

hannes

nandohyphen1
Sorry for the delayed response, good question - I have never actually (consciously) seen that notification.
Just rebooted and the thing I do keep getting sometimes is "The latest update passed verification but installation failed". Might need to pay more attention to it, I guess. :P
I kind of only look at notifications when they pop up really and I guess a phone is different to me from a regular computer, somehow where I always consciously make sure to stay updated. My phone is kind of just there

dhhdjbd

i think you need to reboot to have the update, and if you do not it is the same as not having the update is it not?

nandohyphen1

dhhdjbd you are correct. The phone isn't running the latest update until the phone is rebooted. So unless you reboot the phone, you are on an old release and not updated

nandohyphen1

schklom Not necessarily, e.g. if OP uses a secondary profile as main

Right! Didn't think of that. Good call. ;)

hannes

Novalissoide The last time I rebooted was about 10ish days ago. Just checked and it says 2025091000, which is quite odd :p

definitely turned on automatic reboot for now.

Rebooted right after, Build number is now at 2026021200, so seems quite recent :)

hannes

nandohyphen1 That would be a nice excuse - but I just use Owner

nandohyphen1

hannes - I have never actually (consciously) seen that notification.

hannes I kind of only look at notifications when they pop up really

Maybe do this? On a system updater notification in the notification drawer, (either an already up to date one or any notification from system updater) press and hold it. In the top right of it, go to Settings. Turn the sound to Default and set a noticeable notification sound. Maybe this will help you notice updates more

hannes

On the same note, I am still on stable channel - I there any real downside to enabling Security preview releases?

tango

hannes

If you trust the GrapheneOS team (which i do) you should enable security preview releases.

Johnnyloans

hannes

No downsides. You get a lot of security exploit fixes. Only downside is if you absolutely hate closed source software and I guess do not trust the GOS devs. GOS devs get the security fixes but cannot disclose it in open source for a while until companies can roll out updates.

DeletedUser639

I am on the latest 2026030200, you are behind, somewhat..

mmobder

tango If you trust the GrapheneOS team (which i do) you should enable security preview releases.

If one doesn't, there should be no gos for them, isn't it?
For me it's kinda interesting, as those are theoretically no different from regular updates and there is no LTS version that could address specific needs.

tango

mmobder

Obviously everyone is free to choose, however installing GrapheneOS in the first place one has already placed their trust in the project, so if the team recommend security preview releases its a no brainer for me.