Updating [[Android (operating system)|Android]] software is done over GSM where the SIM Toolkit may install automatically with new software regardless of automatic install applications.
Change in applications and menus stored on the SIM is difficult after the customer takes delivery of the [[Subscriber Identity Module|SIM]] and sometimes may be recognized as surveillance software.
To deliver updates, either the SIM must be returned and exchanged for a new one (which can be costly and inconvenient) or the application updates must be delivered [[Over-the-air programming|over-the-air (OTA)]] using specialized, optional SIM features. {{as of|October 2010}}, [[mobile network operator]]s can, for example, deliver updated STK application menus by sending a secure [[SMS]] to handsets that include a Toolbox (S@T) compliant [[Mobile browser|wireless internet browser (WIB)]]. When using a SIM card compliant to the (BIP{{what|date=December 2017}}) in a BIP-compliant handset, the updates can be delivered very quickly as well (depending upon the network connectivity available to and supported by the handset, i.e. [[GPRS]]/[[3G]] speed). It might also be possible to change the menu of STK applications based on the Wireless Internet Gateway (WIG) specification.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gemplus.com/press/archives/2004/telecom/15-06-2004-ota_saudi.html |title=Gemplus has become Gemalto |publisher=Gemplus.com |date=2006-06-02 |accessdate=2014-06-18 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411013110/http://www.gemplus.com/press/archives/2004/telecom/15-06-2004-ota_saudi.html |archivedate=April 11, 2011 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.smartcardalliance.org/industry_news/industry_news_item.cfm%3FitemID%3D357 Gemplus to Deliver SIM Card-Based Solution to Oi For First GSM Launch in Brazil - Smart Card Alliance<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925044023/http://www.smartcardalliance.org/industry_news/industry_news_item.cfm%3FitemID%3D357 |date=September 25, 2006 }}</ref> The update limitations hinder the number and frequency of STK application deployments.<ref>http://www.mygemplus.com/pss/telecom/download/GemConnect_online_sdk.pdf{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
STK has essentially no support for multimedia, only basic pictures.<ref name="autogenerated4" />
The STK technology has limited independent development support available.<ref name="autogenerated4" />
