Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. Guides

How to update apps on Android

Simon Chandler
By

We all need apps to run properly for us, regardless of which apps we have on our phones and how often we use them. That’s why keeping them updated is vitally important since without installing new versions, our apps may stop working or may end up posing a security threat. Fortunately, this article explains how to update apps on Android. It covers how to update apps on Android individually and how to update them automatically.

Looking for some interesting new apps? Check out our article on the best Android apps available now.

Recommended Videos

How to manually update apps on Android

Let’s say you’re aware that some of your apps have just had new versions released, but you don’t think your Android phone has them installed. Well, you can install new app updates by doing the following:

Step 1: Open the Google Play Store.

Related

Step 2: Tap the Menu button in the top-left corner of the screen (it’s on the left of the search bar and looks like three horizontal lines on top of each other).

Step 3: Tap My Apps & Games. The updates tab will open by default; it will display any apps that have updates available.

Step 4: Tap Update.

Well done, your apps have now been updated. If there aren’t any updates available for any of your apps, you’ll see No Updates Available under the Updates tab in the My Apps & Games menu.

Automatic updates

Assuming that you have neither the time nor the inclination to manually update apps, you can choose to update them automatically. Automatic updates should be turned on by default, but in case they aren’t, here’s what you can do.

Step 1: Open the Google Play Store.

Step 2: Tap the Menu button in the top-left corner of the screen (it’s on the left of the search bar and looks like three horizontal lines on top of each other).

Step 3: Tap Settings.

Step 4: Tap Auto-Update Apps, and then choose one of the available options (Over Wi-Fi Only is recommended). Finally, tap Done.

Your apps will now update automatically as and when new versions are released by developers.

However, assuming you don’t want to automatically update all of your apps, you can instead opt to update only specific apps (like those you use most often). Make sure that you have auto-update apps turned off (follow the steps above, but then tap Don’t Auto-Update apps at the end), and then do the following:

Step 1: Open the Google Play Store.

Step 2: Enter the name of the app you want to auto-update in the Search for Apps & Games bar. Search for it, and once it appears, tap on it.

Step 3: Tap the More button in the top-right corner of the screen. Tap Enable Auto-Update.

Repeat this process for as many apps as you’d like to auto-update.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Simon Chandler
Simon Chandler
Mobile Writer
Simon Chandler is a journalist based in London, UK. He covers technology and finance, contributing to such titles as Digital…
Samsung’s newest Android tablet is a perfect iPad alternative
A render of the front of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2024.

Samsung has just launched a refreshed Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) for the U.S. exclusively through Amazon. This comes after Samsung recently launched the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) internationally.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) is the latest entry in Samsung’s midrange tablet lineup that made its debut in 2020. This newest iteration has the same overall design, S Pen integration, screen, and just 4GB RAM. However, it now has a new Exynos processor and comes with Android 14 right out of the box.

Read more
Android phones finally have their own version of AirTags
Renders of Chipolo's new Point trackers that work with Google's Find My Device network.

Google's new Find My Device tracking service will soon launch with an important third-party provider. Chipolo has announced two new trackers for the service: the Chipolo One Point item tracker and the Chipolo Card Point wallet finder.

By offering these trackers, Chipolo will be among the first companies in the market to provide trackers that work with Google's new tracking network. Google announced its new Find My Device network last year. In short, it's Google's answer to Apple's Find My network. Find My Device can use other nearby Android devices to track your lost phone, item tracker, etc. — just like how Find My uses iPhones and other Apple devices to locate lost iPhones and AirTags.

Read more
Can you take a picture of the solar eclipse with your phone? Here’s how to do it
can you take a picture of the solar eclipse with your phone jongsun lee f pszo jee8 unsplash

There will be a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, in various states across the U.S. and provinces in Canada. This rare event can produce breathtaking images and videos using a smartphone.

However,  simply pointing your phone, such as an iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S24, at the sky won't be enough to capture the beauty of this phenomenon. Here are steps to capture the total solar eclipse with your smartphone.
Where can you see the total solar eclipse?
A total solar eclipse is an astronomical event where the moon covers the entire sun. The upcoming event is scheduled for April 8 and will only be visible from a narrow path of areas that will experience totality.

Read more