Some bugs were critical and could be exploited

Some of the bugs fixed this month were pretty serious, like ones that let hackers run code on your phone or take control without you doing anything.
One major zero-day flaw in Qualcomm chips was already being used in targeted attacks.
So, updating isn't just good practice: it's essential.

How to install the latest security patch

Go to Settings > About phone > Android version > Security update and check that the security patch level reads 2026-03-05.
Update over the air if it's available for your device, or through Google Play system updates.
Don't sideload random files; waiting for the official update is safer for your data and privacy.