Update Windows, macOS, iPhone, or Android to pass security check

TL;DR — If your device fails the security check, the most common cause is that the operating system is below the minimum supported version or missing recent security patches. Open your device's built-in update screen, install all available system and security updates, restart, then run the security check again. Reading time: ~5 min

Goal

When you finish, your device is running the latest available operating system and security updates for its model, and the security check shows the device as compliant (passing) instead of blocked or at risk.

Prerequisites

• Your device and its passcode, password, or PIN
• An internet connection that can download updates
• Power connected, or battery charged to at least 50%
• Enough free storage for updates:
  • Windows: at least 10 GB free
  • macOS: at least 20 GB free
  • iPhone/iPad: at least 10 GB free
  • Android: at least 5 GB free
• Permission to install system updates on the device
• If this is a work-managed device, your company login for the device management app or portal
• Optional, for version checks:
  • Windows: no extra tools needed
  • macOS: no extra tools needed
  • iPhone/iPad: no extra tools needed
  • Android: no extra tools needed

Steps

Step 1: Check which device type you have

Use the matching path below:

What you should see when this succeeds: the screen shows your current operating system version, such as Windows 11 24H2, macOS 15, iOS 18, or Android 15.

Step 2: Install all available system updates

Pick the section for your device.

Windows 11 or Windows 10

Open:

Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates

Then click these buttons if they appear, in this order:

Download and install
Install all
Restart now
Check for updates

Keep repeating until Windows Update shows:

You're up to date

What you should see when this succeeds: Windows Update shows no pending updates and no restart required.

macOS

Open:

Apple menu → System Settings → General → Software Update

Then click:

Update Now

or, if offered:

Upgrade Now

If you see "More Info", open it and install all items listed for macOS and security updates.

What you should see when this succeeds: Software Update says your Mac is up to date.

iPhone or iPad

Open:

Settings → General → Software Update

Tap:

Update Now

or, if shown:

Download and Install
Install Now

If both a major version and a security update are offered, install the newest available update for your device.

What you should see when this succeeds: the Software Update screen says iOS or iPadOS is up to date.

Android

Because Android menus vary by manufacturer, use your Settings app and search for:

Software update

Then open the matching screen, often one of these:

Settings → Security and privacy → System and updates → Software update
Settings → System → Software update
Settings → About phone → Software information → Check for updates

Tap:

Check for updates
Download and install
Restart

Also install Play system updates if present:

Settings → Security and privacy → System and updates → Google Play system update

What you should see when this succeeds: both the device update screen and Google Play system update screen show the device is up to date.

Step 3: Restart the device

Use the normal restart action for your device.

Windows: Start → Power → Restart
macOS: Apple menu → Restart
iPhone/iPad: Settings → General → Shut Down, then power on again
Android: Hold power button → Restart

What you should see when this succeeds: the device turns off and returns to the sign-in screen.

Step 4: Sync the device with your work security system

If your company uses a device management app or work portal, open it after restart and trigger a sync.

Common places to look:

Managed device app → Settings → Sync
Work portal app → Devices → This device → Check status
Company access page in your browser → Sign in again

If your device is Windows and managed by work, also try:

Settings → Accounts → Access work or school → your work account → Info → Sync

If your device is macOS and managed by work, open the management app your company installed and click:

Sync
Check status
Refresh

What you should see when this succeeds: the app or portal shows a recent check-in time, current status, or a green/compliant indicator.

Step 5: Run the security check again

Return to the app, browser page, VPN client, or sign-in flow that originally blocked you, then start the check again.

Typical actions:

Close the blocked window
Open it again
Click Retry
Click Check again
Sign in again

What you should see when this succeeds: the previous error is gone, and access continues without the device-update warning.

Verify it works

Use the check that matches where you saw the problem.

• If the block happened in a browser sign-in flow: repeat the sign-in and confirm you are not redirected back to a device compliance warning.
• If the block happened in a work portal or device app: the device status should show one of these words:

Compliant
Secure
Pass
Healthy

• If the block happened in a VPN or desktop app: connect again and confirm the app reaches:

Connected
Signed in
Access granted

You can also verify the operating system itself is current by reopening the update screen used in Step 2. The expected result is:

You're up to date
Your Mac is up to date
iOS is up to date
Android security update: Up to date

Common pitfalls

The device was updated, but not restarted

Mistake: installing updates and immediately retrying the security check without a reboot.

Symptom: the update screen shows installed updates, but the security check still reports the old version.

Fix: restart the device once, sign in again, then rerun the check.

Only app updates were installed, not system updates

Mistake: updating apps in the App Store, Play Store, or Microsoft Store instead of the operating system.

Symptom: all apps are current, but the device still fails with an OS version or security patch warning.

Fix: go back to the exact system update path in Step 2 and install OS and security updates there.

A second update was waiting after the first restart

Mistake: stopping after one update cycle.

Symptom: the device version increased, but the security check still says the device is below minimum requirements.

Fix: open the update screen again and repeat "Check for updates" until it says fully up to date.

The work management app has stale status

Mistake: the device updated correctly, but the management app has not synced yet.

Symptom: Settings says the device is current, but the work portal still shows an old check-in time or non-compliant status.

Fix: open the management app or work account screen and use "Sync", then wait 5-15 minutes and retry.

Not enough free storage blocked the update

Mistake: starting the update with too little free space.

Symptom: the update download fails, pauses, or rolls back after restart.

Fix: delete large files or unused apps until you have the free space listed in Prerequisites, then run Step 2 again.

The device is too old for the required version

Mistake: trying to pass a policy that requires a newer operating system than the hardware supports.

Symptom: the update screen says the device is up to date, but the security check still says the version is unsupported.

Fix: compare your device version in Step 1 with the minimum version in the security warning; if your device cannot install that version, use a newer device or ask your company for a supported one.

This article was written by an AI system and published pending human review. Verify anything you intend to act on.