How to update apps
Updating apps on your mobile device is important to ensure their security and proper functioning. New versions of an app often include bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features.
However, many people don't know how to update apps or why they should do it. In this article, we'll explain how to update apps on your Android or iOS device and why it's important to do so regularly.
Why is it important to update apps?
New versions of apps often include important security fixes that protect your device from malware and other threats. Additionally, developers may introduce performance improvements and new features that enhance the user experience.
If you don't regularly update your apps, you could miss out on these important security fixes and new features. Additionally, some old versions of apps may not be compatible with your device's operating system, causing stability and performance issues.
How to update apps on Android
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android device
- Tap the menu icon in the top left corner (three horizontal lines)
- Select "My apps & games" from the menu
- All apps that require an update will appear in the "Updates available" section
- Tap the "Update all" button to update all apps at once or tap the update button next to each app you want to update individually.
How to update apps on iOS
- Open the App Store on your iOS device
- Tap the "Updates" icon at the bottom of the screen
- All apps that require an update will appear in this section
- Tap the "Update all" button to update all apps at once or tap the update button next to each app you want to update individually.
Now that you know how to update your apps, be sure to do so regularly to ensure the security and proper functioning of your mobile device. Additionally, you may discover new features and performance improvements that make using your favorite applications even better.
Checking App Store settings
Before updating your apps, it's important to make sure that your app store settings are correct. This will help you avoid issues during the updating process and ensure that your apps are downloaded correctly.
Step 1: Checking internet connection
Make sure you're connected to a stable Wi-Fi network or have a good data connection in order to access the app store. A slow or unstable connection can cause issues during app download or update.
Step 2: Verify App Store settings on iOS
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
- Tap on "iTunes & App Store".
- Make sure "Updates" is turned on.
- Tap "Apple ID" and verify that you're signed in with the correct account.
- Make sure your credit card or payment method associated with your account is valid and up to date.
Step 3: Verify App Store settings on Android
- Open Google Play Store on your Android device.
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top left corner to open the side menu.
- Tap "Settings".
- Make sure "Auto-update apps" is turned on.
- Verify that you're signed in with the correct account.
- Make sure your credit card or payment method associated with your account is valid and up to date.
Following these simple steps will help ensure that your app store settings are correct and ready for updating your apps. This way, you can enjoy the latest features and improvements of your favorite applications without any issues.
Manual App Updates
If you prefer to update your applications manually, you can do so by following these simple steps:
- Step 1: Open Google Play Store on your Android device.
- Step 2: Tap the menu icon in the top left corner of the screen.
- Step 3: Select "My apps & games" from the drop-down menu. A list of all installed apps on your device that require an update will be displayed.
- Step 4: Tap the "Update All" button to update all apps at once, or tap the "Update" button next to each individual app to update them separately.
- Step 5: Wait for the updating process to complete. Depending on the app size and your internet connection speed, this may take a few minutes.
Remember that it's important to keep your applications up to date to ensure maximum security and optimal performance. Regularly update your apps to make sure you always have access to the latest features and improvements.
Setting Up Automatic Updates
To avoid having to manually check if there are updates available for your apps, you can set up automatic updates. This way, apps will be updated automatically when a new version is available.
How to Set Up Automatic Updates on Android
- Open Google Play Store
- Tap the three lines icon in the top left corner of the screen to open the side menu
- Select "Settings"
- Scroll down to the "App update" section
- Tap "Update apps automatically"
- Choose whether you want to enable automatic updates only when connected to a Wi-Fi network or also when connected to mobile data
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device
- Scroll down and tap "iTunes & App Store"
- In "Automatic Downloads", turn on "App Updates"
- Check for a stable internet connection
- Clear the app store cache
- Completely uninstall and reinstall the app from the store
- Close other apps running on the device to free up resources
- Contact the developer of the app if it continues not to work after updating
Now your apps will update automatically without you having to do anything!
How to set up automatic app updates on iOS
Also on iOS, now your apps will update automatically without you having to do anything!
Remember that automatic updates can consume mobile data, so if you have a limited plan it may be better to enable them only when connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Troubleshooting app updates
Although updating apps is a simple process, there can be some issues that occur during the process. Here are some of the most common problems and solutions:
The app won't update
If the app won't update, the first thing to do is check for a stable internet connection. If the connection is good, try closing and reopening the app store and attempting to update the app again.
If this doesn't work, try clearing the app store cache. To do this, go to Settings > General > Storage Management (on iOS) or Settings > Apps > Storage (on Android) and select the app store. Then tap "Clear cache". Restart the device and try updating the app again.
The app update fails
If the app update fails, there may be an issue with the previous version of the app. Try completely uninstalling the app and reinstalling it from the store. This should resolve the issue.
The update takes a long time
If the update is taking a long time, it may be because there are many files to download. In this case, make sure you have a stable and fast internet connection.
In addition, you can try closing other apps running on the device to free up resources and speed up the update process.
The app doesn't work after updating
If the app doesn't work properly after updating, try uninstalling it and reinstalling it from the store. If this doesn't solve the problem, contact the developer of the app to report the issue.
Conclusion
Updating apps is an important process to ensure that your apps are always performing at their best and have all the latest features. However, problems can occur during the update process. By following the above tips, you will be able to solve most common issues and keep your apps up-to-date.
Remember to regularly check for updates on your apps to ensure they are functioning properly and keeping up with the latest technological trends.

Michael Anderson - Software Engineer
My name is Michael Anderson, and I work as a computer engineer in Midland, Texas.
My passion is sharing my knowledge in various areas, and my purpose is to make education accessible to everyone. I believe it is essential to explain complex concepts in a simple and interesting way.
With GlobalHowTo, I aim to motivate and enrich the minds of those who want to learn.





