Simple Ways to Update Apps on Android

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Learn how to check for updates and update apps through the Google Play Store on Android

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 25, 2023 Tested

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Manual Updates

|

Automatic Updates

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Q&A

This wikiHow teaches you how to install app updates on your Android device by updating the apps that have new versions available, or by turning on automatic updates.

Things You Should Know

By default, apps are updated automatically through the Google Play Store over Wi-Fi.
Open the Google Play Store and go to "Settings > Auto-update Apps" to change this setting to either never update or update anytime.
To manually update your apps, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile picture, and select "My apps & games."
Once in "My apps & games," tap "Update All" to update any app listed.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Manual Updates

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1
Open the
Play Store app.
2
Tap your profile image. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.

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3
Tap My apps & games.
4
Tap the UPDATES tab at the top of the screen.
5
Tap UPDATE next to the app(s) you want to update.
- To install all available updates, tap UPDATE ALL at the top of the screen.
- If prompted, agree to app requests for permissions or to any updated terms and conditions.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Automatic Updates

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1
Open the
Play Store app.
2
Tap your profile image. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
3
Tap
Settings. It's near the bottom of the menu.
4
Tap Auto-update apps. It's near the top of the menu in the "General" section.
5
Select how to update the apps.
- Tap Auto-update apps at anytime to automatically update using your mobile data connection, which could incur data charges from your mobile carrier.
- Tap Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only to allow automatic updates only when your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network.
- To stop automatic app updates altogether, tap Do not auto-update apps.

Community Q&A

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Question

My apps won't update at all. I have WiFi and it's set to auto update but it doesn't and I can't download what I want to download. Any suggestions?

Community Answer

Go to the app store, go the page of the app you wish to update, click "update".

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Question

What happens if you don't update your apps?

Saiklone

Community Answer

In most cases, the apps won't work as intended. Many updates usually include bug patches, fixes for security flaws and so on. It will leave your phone vulnerable and is risky. Failing to/avoiding updating is not recommended unless you know what you are doing with phone security.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Claim Your Gift If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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