How do I update my apps?

Keeping your apps up-to-date is an important part of maintaining your phone or computer’s security and getting the latest features. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to update apps on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac devices.

Why You Should Keep Your Apps Updated

There are several key reasons why it’s important to regularly update your apps:

• Security updates – App developers frequently release patches to fix bugs and vulnerabilities. Out of date apps are more vulnerable to security risks like data breaches.
• New features – App updates often add new features, improvements, and UI changes. Keeping apps updated allows you to take advantage of the latest innovations.
• Performance improvements – Updates include under-the-hood improvements that enhance overall speed and reliability.
• Compatibility – Many apps require more recent versions of iOS, Android, Windows, or macOS to continue functioning properly.

Neglecting to update apps can lead to crashes, glitches, security holes, loss of functionality, and substandard performance. It’s recommended to enable automatic updates whenever possible and periodically check for updates to ensure none are missed.

How to Update iOS Apps

Updating apps on iPhone and iPad is straightforward with automatic updates enabled by default. Here are instructions to update iOS apps manually and automatically:

Enable Automatic Updates

1. Go to Settings > [your name] > iTunes & App Store.
2. Turn on App Updates by toggling the switch on (green).

This will automatically download and install new app versions when available. You’ll see a notification when updates are completed. Most apps can update automatically this way.

Update Apps Manually

1. Open the App Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right.
3. Scroll down to see pending app updates and release notes.
4. Tap Update next to each app to manually install the latest version.

Updating individually allows more control and lets you read update details first. System updates for iOS still need to be installed manually.

Update iPad and iPhone Apps From Mac

You can also update iOS apps from your Mac using the App Store app with these steps:

1. Click App Store in your Mac’s dock.
2. Click Update tabs at the top of the App Store window.
3. Review pending iPad and iPhone app updates.
4. Click Update All or Update next to individual apps.

This will remotely trigger updates on your connected iOS devices. Apps will download in the background and install automatically once finished.

Updating Android Apps

Google Play Store offers comprehensive controls for managing Android app updates. You can configure auto updates or selectively update apps:

Enable Auto Updates

1. Open the Play Store app.
2. Tap the hamburger menu in the top left corner.
3. Go to Settings.
4. Turn on Auto-update apps at any time or Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only.

This will automatically download and install app updates when available over WiFi or mobile data. You can disable auto updates at any time.

Manually Update Apps

1. Open the Play Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Go to Manage apps & devices > Overview.
4. Scroll through your apps and choose Update on any with pending updates.

You can also tap Update all to manually fetch the latest version of every app at once. Specific auto update choices can be configured per app.

Set Per-App Auto Update Settings

1. Open the Play Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Go to Manage apps & devices > See all apps.
4. Select an app.
5. Tap Enable auto update.

Repeat this for other apps to customize auto update settings. You can disable auto updates for specific apps.

Update Android from Your Computer

Installing and updating Android apps without a phone is also possible through the Google Play website:

1. Go to play.google.com on your PC or Mac.
2. Sign in to your Google account.
3. Browse apps or go to My Apps to see installed apps.
4. Click Update next to apps to remotely update them.

The app will automatically update on your phone the next time the Google Play Store app is opened.

Updating Windows Apps

Windows 10 and Windows 11 provide multiple options for keeping store and desktop apps up-to-date:

Enable Automatic App Updates

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Click Advanced options.
3. Toggle on the “Automatically update apps” setting.

This will update Microsoft Store apps automatically in the background when new versions are released.

Manually Update Microsoft Store Apps

1. Open the Microsoft Store app.
2. Click the profile icon at the top right.
3. Select Downloads and updates.
4. Click Get updates next to apps to manually update.

You can also click Update all to fetch the latest version of every app. Desktop app updates need to be initiated separately.

Update Traditional Desktop Apps

Most third-party desktop applications on Windows have their own built-in update mechanisms. Common ways to update traditional desktop apps include:

• Opening the app and checking for an Update option in the menu
• Looking for update notifications when the app launches
• Going to the software vendor’s website and downloading updates
• Updating the app through a client like Adobe Creative Cloud

Check your desktop apps periodically for available updates. Some may have auto update options as well.

Updating macOS Apps

Keeping Mac apps up-to-date requires checking both the App Store for automatic updates and traditional desktop apps manually:

Automatically Update App Store Apps

1. Click the Apple logo menu.
2. Go to System Preferences > Software Update.
3. Check “Automatically keep my Mac up to date.”

This will update App Store apps in the background when new versions are available. You can disable auto updates anytime.

Manually Update macOS Apps

1. Open the App Store app.
2. Click Updates in the toolbar.
3. Click Update next to apps or Update All.

Updates will download and install automatically. You can also view the Updates tab to see pending app updates.

Update Desktop Apps

Most third-party desktop applications need to be updated manually on macOS as well. Common ways to update traditional Mac desktop apps include:

• Opening the app and checking for an Update option in the menu
• Looking for update notifications when an app is opened
• Visiting the software vendor’s website to download updates
• Using an integrated update tool like the Adobe Creative Cloud app

Check for available updates periodically to keep desktop apps secure. Some may offer automatic update options too.

Tips for Updating Apps

Here are some additional tips for smoothly updating your applications:

• Enable auto updates whenever possible for convenience.
• Updates are often large, so use WiFi for downloading.
• Don’t ignore update prompts as they may relate to security or compatibility.
• Back up your device before updating in case of issues.
• If an app fails to update, uninstall and reinstall it.
• Check app permissions after major updates in case they changed.
• For desktop apps, close the app fully before updating.
• If an update causes problems, see if you can revert to the previous version.

Keeping your portfolio of mobile and desktop apps fully updated is one of the best ways to enhance performance, boost security, fix bugs, and access the latest features. Make app updates part of your regular device maintenance routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my apps need constant updates?

Frequent app updates are necessary to deliver new features, security patches, performance improvements, and compatibility fixes. Developers release updates to address problems and refine the user experience. Letting apps fall too far behind risks bugs, crashes, and vulnerability to malware.

Do app updates use a lot of data?

App updates can consume a significant amount of data depending on update size. iOS and Android system updates often exceed 1 GB. When possible use WiFi for downloading updates to avoid mobile data overages. Some apps allow pre-downloading updates before installation.

Will updating apps cause me to lose data?

In most cases updating apps will not cause data loss. However, it’s still smart to backup your device before updating just in case. Some major app version changes may affect stored data if the app’s structure changes significantly.

Why do some apps update automatically while others require manual updates?

Mobile apps from the official iOS and Android stores can typically update automatically in the background when new versions are detected. Desktop apps and third-party mobile apps usually need manual updates initiated by the user due to differences in how they are distributed and installed.

If an app update isn’t working, what should I do?

First, try restarting your device and attempting the update again. If issues persist, uninstall and reinstall the app fully. As a last resort, check if the app vendor offers the previous version for installation to rollback a problematic update.

Should I update apps if my device is already running slowly?

Yes, it’s still worth updating apps even if your device is showing performance problems. App updates often contain speed improvements that could help alleviate slowness issues. Outdated apps are more likely to experience crashes and sluggishness.

Conclusion

Maintaining up-to-date apps is vital for performance, security, avoiding glitches, and accessing the latest features. Take advantage of automatic update options when available. Get in the habit of routinely checking for updates to ensure your apps are current. Consistently updating mobile and desktop apps helps your devices run smoothly and remain protected.