Do you know how to update apps on your Android phone? An app update is a new version that the app maker sends out to fix problems, close safety gaps, and add small improvements. If you skip updates, your apps can slow down, crash, or stop working. The good news is that updating apps on Android is easy and takes only a few minutes.
In this guide, you will learn how to update apps on Android one by one, how to update all apps at once, how to turn on auto updates, and what to do when an app will not update. You will also learn why updates matter and how often to check for them.
What Does It Mean to Update an App
An app is a small program on your phone, such as a chat app, a map app, or a game. App makers keep working on their apps after they release them. When they fix a bug, which is a small mistake in the program, they send out a new version. When they find a safety problem, they send out a fix for that too. That new version is called an update.
Updating an app does not delete the app. It does not delete your account, your chats, or your photos in most cases. It simply replaces the old version with the newer, better version. Most updates are free, and most of them are small, so they do not take long to download.
Some updates add new features. Some only fix problems in the background, so you may notice no change. Even then, the update may have fixed a safety problem that keeps your phone safer.
How to Update Apps on Android One by One
To update one app, or to choose which apps get updated, follow these steps. They work on most Android phones that use the Google Play Store, the official app store on Android phones.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your phone.
- Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Tap Manage apps and device.
- Tap Updates available. This shows a list of apps that have a new version ready.
- Find the app you want to update and tap Update next to it.
- Wait for the download to finish. The button will change to Open when the update is done.
Updating one app at a time suits a slow connection or a single important app, such as your banking app. It also helps when storage is low, because you can update the most important apps first.
If you do not see the app in Updates available, it may already be up to date. On the app page, an Open button means you already have the newest version.
How to Update All Apps at Once
If many apps need updates, updating them one by one takes too long. You can update them all at once with one button.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your phone.
- Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Tap Manage apps and device.
- Tap Updates available.
- Tap Update all at the top of the list.
- Wait while your phone downloads and installs the updates. Keep your phone charged and connected to Wi-Fi if you can.
Updating all apps at once can take a while with many apps or a slow connection. Your phone works through the list one app at a time, and large apps such as games take longer than small ones.
If your phone runs out of space, it may stop some updates. Free up space first, then try again. Our guide on how to clear cache on Android explains how to free up space safely.
How to Turn On Auto Updates
Auto updates mean your phone updates your apps by itself, without you checking each time. This is the easiest way to stay up to date for most people.
Here is how to turn on auto updates in the Google Play Store:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your phone.
- Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Network preferences, then tap Auto-update apps.
- Choose Over Wi-Fi only to save mobile data. Updates will then only download on Wi-Fi.
- Choose Over any network if you want updates on mobile data too. This helps without Wi-Fi, but it can use up your data plan.
Over Wi-Fi only suits most people, because updates can be large. You can change this setting at any time.
You may want to turn auto updates off for a single app if a new version changes something you liked or causes a problem. Open the app page in the Play Store, tap the three dots menu, and turn off Enable auto update for that app. The rest will still update as normal.
Why You Should Keep Your Apps Updated
Many people ignore updates because their apps seem fine. But updates do more than add new features. Here are the main reasons to keep apps updated.
First, safety. A safety problem is a weak spot that a bad actor could use to get at your data. Updates close that weak spot, so staying updated is one of the simplest ways to protect your phone.
Second, bug fixes. If an app crashes, freezes, or drains your battery fast, an update may already fix it. If you skip updates, you keep the old problems.
Third, new features and better speed. Updates often make apps run faster, use less battery, and add useful new tools. You miss these if you never update.
Fourth, working well with your phone. Apps are made to work with the newest Android version, so an old app version may not work well after a system update. Keeping apps updated helps everything work together.
How to Update Apps You Did Not Get From the Play Store
Most Android apps come from the Google Play Store and update through it. But some people install apps from a file on their phone. The Play Store may not update those apps for you.
For those apps, check inside the app itself first. Many apps have an update check in settings. Only download a newer version from a source you trust. Never download an update from a random link in a message or comment. Fake updates are a common way to spread harmful software.
If you are unsure how installing apps from files works, our step by step guide on how to install APK on Android explains the process in plain words and the safety checks to follow. If you can get the app from the Play Store, use that version, because its updates are checked and easy to manage.
What to Do If an App Will Not Update
Sometimes an update fails. Try these fixes in order. Most problems are fixed by one of the first few steps.
- Check your internet connection. Open a website to see if it works. If not, switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data and try again.
- Check your free storage. Updates need free space. Open Settings, tap Storage, and see how much is free. If space is very low, delete old videos or unused apps.
- Restart your phone. A restart closes stuck tasks and often fixes a failed download right away.
- Check the Play Store itself. Tap your profile picture, tap Manage apps and device, and look at pending downloads. If one download is stuck, pause it and try again, or cancel it and start fresh.
- Clear the Play Store cache. Cache is temporary data that helps apps load faster. If it gets old or broken, it can block downloads. Open Settings, tap Apps, find Google Play Store, tap Storage and cache, then tap Clear cache. This will not delete your apps or account.
- Check your Android system update in Settings under System. An old system version can sometimes block app updates.
If none of these steps work, wait a few hours and try again. Sometimes the app maker pauses an update to fix a new problem. If the problem lasts for days, check the app page in the Play Store for news.
How Often Should You Check for App Updates
If auto updates are on, you do not need to check at all. If they are off, check once a week in Manage apps and device under Updates available. That is enough for most people.
Check more often for apps that matter most, such as your banking app, chat app, and browser. These handle private data, so their safety updates matter more. Update any app right away if it starts to crash or act strangely.
Do not delay a safety update. If an app says an update is required, install it before you keep using the app. That usually means the old version is no longer safe or supported.
Conclusion
Learning how to update apps is a small habit that makes a big difference. Open the Play Store, check Updates available, and update one app or all apps at once. Turn on auto updates over Wi-Fi if you want your phone to handle it for you. Keep important apps updated first, free up space when updates fail, and restart your phone if a download gets stuck. Updated apps are safer, faster, and less likely to crash. Set a weekly reminder if auto updates are off, and your phone will stay in good shape with very little effort.
FAQs
How do I update apps on Android
Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile picture, tap Manage apps and device, then tap Updates available. Tap Update next to one app, or tap Update all. Wait for the downloads to finish.
How do I turn on auto updates for apps
Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile picture, tap Settings, then tap Network preferences and Auto-update apps. Choose Over Wi-Fi only to save mobile data, or Over any network. Your phone will then update apps by itself.
Why will my app not update
The most common reasons are a weak connection, low free storage, or a stuck download. Check your internet, free up space, restart your phone, and try again. If that fails, clear the Play Store cache in Settings under Apps and retry.
Do app updates delete my data
In most cases, no. An update replaces the old version with a newer one, and your account and main data stay in place. Still, keep important chats and photos backed up, because a rare failed update could cause trouble.
Should I update all apps at once
Yes, for most people it is fine and saves time. Use Wi-Fi, and make sure your phone has enough free space and battery. If storage is low, update the most important apps first, free up space, then update the rest.
How often should I update my apps
Once a week is enough if auto updates are off. If they are on, you do not need to check at all. Update banking, browser, and chat apps as soon as an update appears, and any app right away if it crashes.