How to Update an App on Android

To update an app on Android, open the Google Play Store, find the app, and tap Update if an update is available. You can also update every eligible Android app at once or let the Play Store install future updates automatically.

How do I update an Android app?

The Google Play Store is the official update source for most Android apps. Before starting, connect the device to a reliable network and make sure the battery has enough charge to finish the installation.

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap the profile picture or account icon in the upper corner.
3. Select Manage apps & device.
4. Open the section showing available updates or apps with updates.
5. Find the app you want to update.
6. Tap Update beside the app. If needed, open the app’s Play Store page and tap Update there.
7. Keep the device connected while the update downloads and installs.

If the button says Open instead of Update, the Play Store does not currently offer an update for that app on that device. The newest version available to one person may differ from the version offered to another because developers can release updates gradually or limit them by device compatibility.

How do I update all Android apps at once?

The Play Store can install all pending updates for eligible apps. A pending update is an update that the Play Store has detected but has not installed yet.

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap the profile picture or account icon.
3. Select Manage apps & device.
4. Look for the updates section under the apps overview.
5. Tap Update all.
6. Leave the Play Store open or let it continue in the background while the updates finish.

Some apps may remain in the pending list. Android may install updates one at a time, and an app that is currently running may need to close before its update can finish. If one app fails while the others update, retry that app separately to see a more specific message.

How do I turn automatic Android app updates on or off?

Automatic updates let the Google Play Store install eligible app updates without requiring you to start each one. The Play Store also lets you choose which network connections it may use.

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap the profile picture or account icon.
3. Select Settings.
4. Open Network preferences.
5. Select Auto-update apps.
6. Choose the available option that matches your preference, such as updating over any network, updating only over Wi-Fi, or not updating apps automatically.
7. Confirm the selection if the Play Store asks you to do so.

Updating over any network may use mobile data. Choosing Wi-Fi only can delay updates until the device joins Wi-Fi. To control one app separately, open its Play Store page, open the additional-options menu, and change the Enable auto update setting if that option appears.

How do I update an app without the Google Play Store?

An app installed through another official app store should normally be updated through that same store. Open the store that originally provided the app, find its updates or app-management area, and install the available update there.

For an app supplied directly by an employer, school, government agency, or other organization, use the organization’s approved device-management tool or instructions. A managed device may install the update automatically or require an administrator to approve it.

• Confirm which official source originally installed the app.
• Use the update feature within that source.
• Follow instructions provided through the organization’s established support channel.
• Do not download an update from an unfamiliar file-sharing page or an unofficial APK site.

An APK is an Android application package used to install an app. Installing an APK from an unverified source can expose the device or account data to harmful software, and a separately installed copy may not receive normal updates.

What should I do if an Android app will not update?

If an Android app will not update, first read the message shown by the Play Store or other official source. Then check these common causes one at a time:

• Connection: Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data if permitted, turn off airplane mode, and retry after the connection becomes stable.
• Storage: Check the device’s storage settings. Remove unneeded downloads or other files if there is not enough free space for the download and installation.
• Account: Confirm that the Play Store is using the Google account associated with the app. If the store reports an account problem, resolve that prompt before retrying.
• Pending downloads: Let other downloads finish, or pause them and update the needed app separately.
• Device compatibility: The current app release may not support the device or its installed Android version. The Play Store normally indicates when an app is unavailable for the device.
• No update offered: The developer may be releasing the update gradually, or the installed version may already be the newest one available to that device.

Restarting the device can clear a stalled download. You can also reopen the Play Store and retry the update. Avoid uninstalling an app unless you know whether its local data is backed up, because removal can erase information stored only on the device.

How do I check the app version after updating?

To confirm that an Android app update completed, check the installed version in Android settings or on the app’s Play Store page.

1. Open the device’s Settings app.
2. Select Apps or the similarly named app-management section.
3. Choose the app from the installed-app list.
4. Look for App details or version information. The version may appear at the bottom of the information screen.
5. Return to the Google Play Store and find the same app.
6. Confirm that the main button says Open rather than Update.

The version number identifies the installed release. If the Play Store still shows Update, the installation did not finish or another eligible update is available. Reopen the updates list, wait for other downloads to complete, and try again.