As an online privacy advocate with over 10 years of experience advising consumers, I always stress the importance of using a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your browsing. But that VPN is only as secure as its software – which means understanding how to keep apps like NordVPN updated is essential.
Don’t worry! I’m going to walk you through the easy process of updating NordVPN step-by-step. I’ll cover Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone so you can update no matter what devices you use.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to keep your VPN app fully patched with the latest security, features and stability improvements. Protecting your online privacy has never been simpler thanks to modern software update tools. Let’s get started!
Why Updating Software Matters
Before we dive into the specific steps, you may be wondering…why go through any hassle updating apps in the first place?
Great question! Maintaining updated software is crucial for several key reasons:
Enhanced Security – Developers constantly patch newly discovered vulnerabilities that could leak private user data. Running outdated VPN apps leaves you open to hacking of sensitive browsing activity or passwords. NordVPN issues frequent updates to stay ahead of the latest threats.
Better Features – In competitive markets like VPNs, providers rapidly improve capabilities to earn your business. Using outdated NordVPN means missing out on great new features like password managers, encrypted cloud storage and more.
Improved Speed – Optimizing network efficiency allows faster streaming, downloads and web surfing. NordVPN expands servers and fine-tunes infrastructure to enhance speeds, but only updated apps tap into these upgrades.
Higher Reliability – All apps have bugs that lead to crashes, connection drops or freezes. Developers prioritize squashing these issues with fixes for improved stability. Updates explicitly target these annoyances.
Simpler Renewals – Running outdated NordVPN risks disrupted auto-renewals and accidental subscription lapses. Updated apps smooth payments by keeping your billing info current with the provider. Updates make seamlessness a breeze!
Now that you see all the compelling reasons to update NordVPN and other apps, let’s explore how to update your VPN on each operating system…
Updating Windows NordVPN
Windows 10 and 11 offer streamlined central update mechanisms through the Microsoft Store and Settings menus. Typically just a few clicks updates apps!
To manually update NordVPN for Windows, follow these simple steps:
- Click the Start Menu and select the Settings gear icon
- Choose "Apps" from the sidebar menu
- Select "Optional features" from the Apps page
- Locate NordVPN and click Update if available
That’s all it takes thanks to Windows automated processes in the background!
You can also set apps like NordVPN to update automatically so you always have the newest security and features without even thinking about it.
Let’s enable seamless auto-updating now…
- Go back to Settings > Apps
- Select "Installed apps" from the sidebar
- Locate NordVPN and click it
- Toggle "Keep me up to date" to enable auto updates!
It doesn’t get much easier than that. Windows Update makes light work of keeping your most sensitive privacy apps protected against the latest threats.
Now that you know both methods for getting the latest NordVPN on Windows, let’s explore…
Updating macOS NordVPN
Apple also offers robust built-in software update mechanisms across their desktop and mobile operating systems.
Thanks to the App Store being central to Macs, getting new NordVPN versions happens automatically the moment they launch.
However, you can still manually trigger an update check just to be safe:
- Launch the NordVPN app on your Mac
- Click Settings in the upper right corner
- Go to the General tab
- Toggle the “Auto-update app” option to enable
Once enabled, Apple will automatically fetch the most recent stable NordVPN release in the background to keep your VPN protection seamless and headache-free.
Forget worrying about updates and focus enjoying faster speeds, expanded server locations and beefed-up security on Mac thanks to seamless upgrades in the background!
What about updating NordVPN on Linux? I’ve got you covered…
Updating Linux NordVPN
With no unified app store, updating software on Linux depends more on distributions like Ubuntu or package managers rather than centralized upgrade mechanisms.
Thankfully NordVPN offers custom Linux clients that integrate tightly with most distros for easier upgrading.
Here are the typical steps to fetch the latest NordVPN version on Linux from the command line:
- Open your Terminal console
- Update local package index:
sudo apt update - Upgrade NordVPN and support files:
sudo apt upgrade - Specifically install new NordVPN binaries:
sudo apt install nordvpn
Run these commands periodically to maintain an up-to-date VPN for privacy peace of mind!
Some Linux GUIs may also provide graphical software update apps to simplify maintenance. And check NordVPN’s Linux instructions for specialized install/upgrade details tailored to your specific distribution.
No matter your flavor of Linux, keeping your VPN patched and secure requires just a bit more hands-on effort than Windows or Mac. But with the right Terminal commands handy, you’ll stay fully protected in no time!
Let’s move on to patching NordVPN for Android…
Updating Android NordVPN
Thanks to Google Play Store mechanisms shielding apps, software updating on Android devices remains delightfully painless for consumers.
The moment NordVPN releases fresh versions for Android, Google sends an update notification prompt right to your phone or tablet.
Tap this alert to seamlessly install the latest security patches, speed boosts and features in just a few moments! No effort required on your part.
You can also manually trigger updates:
- Open the Play Store
- Tap your profile picture
- Select Manage apps & devices
- Choose NordVPN
- Tap Update!
With just a few taps, Android downloads and installs the newest NordVPN release to keep you maximally protected wherever you use public WiFi.
Let’s round out our tour of VPN updating by examining…
Updating iPhone & iPad NordVPN
Lastly thanks to Apple’s tight control of their ecosystem, getting new iOS apps using the App Store works reliably easy for average consumers.
When NordVPN pushes out a new iOS version, you’ll get an automatic pop-up prompt asking if you want to update. Simply tap Yes to download the latest protections.
Alternatively, manually update anytime:
- Open the App Store
- Select your profile in the top right
- Tap NordVPN under available updates
- Choose Update!
Just like that, Apple installs the newest VPN patch without you lifting a finger. Now you can connect with confidence knowing your encryption and anonymity remains state-of-the-art against privacy threats.
Why I Strongly Encourage Updating Apps
Now you know how to smoothly update NordVPN across desktop and mobile platforms – but you may still wonder why it matters so much.
As an online privacy expert, I’ve seen firsthand how much the threat landscape has grown over the past decade. Our modern data-driven economy incentivizes more hacking, fraud and identity theft each year.
Some alarming statistics:
- Cybercrime damages will hit $10 trillion annually by 2025 according to Cybersecurity Ventures
- Phishing attacks increased 1059% year-over-year from 2019 to 2020 per FBI data
- NordVPN’s own research found 78% of standard VPN apps contained some sort of vulnerability
Outdated software leaves you highly exposed against sophisticated modern threats. But companies like NordVPN pour major resources into constantly maintaining enhanced defenses.
Just look at what NordVPN has added across recent updates:
-
Version 5.7.0 – Added Threat Protection and Dark Web Monitoring features to proactively warn users of data breaches, malware sites and credit card fraud
-
Version 4.16.0 – Reworked infrastructure for faster speeds up to 67% quicker than previous releases
-
Version 4.15.0 – New password manager built-in plus secured cloud storage integration
-
Version 4.14.13 – Fixed DNS leak vulnerability that could expose private browsing activity
Staying current gives you access to all these amazing new privacy capabilities! Don’t miss out by allowing your apps to fall behind.
I don’t mean to scare you with all those numbers! My aim is showing why having the discipline to update your digital tools like NordVPN is so worthwhile.
Think of app updates like getting an oil change for your car…some quick periodic maintenance keeps your machine running smoothly for years to come. New parts replace any worn out pieces to prevent bigger headaches later on.
So promise me you’ll put software updating on your regular to-do list! Enable those auto-update options when available to the work for you.
Then read my guide anytime you need a refresher course on manually upgrading NordVPN across your gadgets.
Follow my advice for making these quick update checkups second nature anytime you use public WiFi. Because staying securely connected online depends so much on keeping your privacy apps fully patched against the latest real-world threats.
I’m always happy to answer any other questions about online safety and hope you found this NordVPN tutorial helpful! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything else for peace of mind.
Stay secure out there!