Learn how to check for available updates for the apps installed on your iPhone. Keep your apps running smoothly and resolve minor app related issues by regularly updating them.
Step 1:
From your home screen, tap App Store.
Step 2:
Choose the profile symbol from the top right corner.
Step 3:
If an update is available, it will be shown at the bottom of the screen.
Step 4:
To install the update, choose the application and follow the on-screen instructions.
1. Find "iTunes & App Store"
Press Settings.
Press iTunes & App Store.
2. Turn automatic update of apps on or off
Press the indicator next to "Updates" to turn the function on or off.
If you turn on automatic update, your apps are automatically updated via Wi-Fi.
3. Turn automatic update of apps via mobile network on or off
Press the indicator next to "Use Mobile Data" to turn the function on or off.
If you turn on automatic update of apps via mobile network, your apps are automatically updated via the mobile network when no Wi-Fi networks are within range.
4. Return to the home screen
Slide your finger upwards starting from the bottom of the screen to return to the home screen.
- Your iPhone's apps should update automatically, but you can check for updates manually in the App Store.
- If your iPhone apps won't update, make sure that you're connected to Wi-Fi and logged into your Apple ID.
- You can also turn automatic app updates off through the Settings app.
Keeping your iPhone apps up-to-date is incredibly important. Not only will it make sure that you've got all the latest features that your apps have to offer, but it also lets the developers patch up security flaws that can leave you at risk.
By default, any app you download onto your iPhone should update automatically. But if you prefer to manage your updates manually, doing so is straightforward.
Here's how to manually update your iPhone apps, how to turn off automatic updates, and some tips on what to do if your apps won't accept updates.
You'll manage app updates in the same place that you originally download them from: the App Store.
1. Open the App Store on your iPhone and tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
Your Apple ID icon will be in the top-right corner. William Antonelli/Business Insider2. Scroll down until you see a list of apps. The ones that say Update next to them can be updated, while the ones that say Open have already been updated.
3. Tap Update next to each app you want to update, and the download/installation process will begin.
Try to update the app from the App Store's update queue. Dave Johnson/Business InsiderHow to turn automatic app updates on or off
If you want to enable or disable automatic app updates, you can do it in the Settings app.
1. Open your iPhone's Settings app and scroll down to tap App Store.
2. Under the Automatic Downloads header, tap the App Updates switch to turn them on or off. When it's green and flipped to the right, automatic updates are on.
How to fix iPhone apps that won't update
Occasionally, your apps might not update automatically or manually. If you run into this issue, try these troubleshooting tips.
Make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi
Some apps won't update if you're using cellular data. You should wait until you're in a location where you have a Wi-Fi signal and try to install the update.
To check that you're connected to Wi-Fi, open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi. If you're connected, you'll see a network name with a checkmark next to it.
Pause and restart the update
When an app is updating, you'll see its icon gray out, and you won't be able to open it. Usually this goes away within a few minutes, but sometimes updates get "stuck," and they'll never leave this grayed-out state.
To fix this, try tapping the app's icon to pause the update, then tap it again to restart the update. If that doesn't work, tap and hold the icon until you see a menu appear. Select Pause Download, then do it again and choose Resume Download.
See if you can pause and restart the app update by tapping it. Dave Johnson/Business InsiderRestart your iPhone
Sometimes, all it takes to get an update working again is to restart your phone.
Turn off your iPhone and then turn it back on again — if you're not sure how to do this, check out our article on how to restart or force-restart any iPhone model.
Uninstall and reinstall the app
If nothing else has worked, you might need to delete the app and reinstall it from the App Store.
If it's a paid app, don't worry — you won't need to pay for it a second time. The App Store keeps track of every app you've ever installed, and allows you to reinstall them with a tap.
When you reinstall the app, you'll automatically get the latest version, which includes the update.
The cloud icon indicates that you've downloaded the app before, and won't have to pay again. Dave Johnson/Business InsiderChange the payment method on your iPhone
If you don't have a valid payment method connected to your Apple ID account, you won't be able to download new apps (even free ones) or install new updates.
You can add or remove payment methods from your iPhone through the Apple ID menu. For more details, check out our video on how to remove payment methods.
If any of your payment methods are expired or declined, remove them and then add another. Once you have a working payment method entered, try to update your app again.
Factory reset your iPhone
If all else fails, it might be to time reset your iPhone to its factory default settings. This will erase all the data on your phone, but will almost certainly fix any software bugs you're running into.
For more details on how to factory reset your iPhone — and how to make sure that you don't lose data that you need — check out our article on how to safely perform a factory reset.
Jennifer is a writer and editor from Brooklyn, New York, who spends her time traveling, drinking iced coffee, and watching way too much TV. She has bylines in Vanity Fair, Glamour, Decider, Mic, and many more. You can find her on Twitter at @jenniferlstill.
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William Antonelli
Tech Reporter for Insider Reviews
William Antonelli (he/she/they) is a writer, editor, and organizer based in New York City. As a founding member of the Reference team, he helped grow Tech Reference (now part of Insider Reviews) from humble beginnings into a juggernaut that attracts over 20 million visits a month. Outside of Insider, his writing has appeared in publications like Polygon, The Outline, Kotaku, and more. He's also a go-to source for tech analysis on channels like Newsy, Cheddar, and NewsNation. You can find him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher, or reach him by email at .
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Dave Johnson
Freelance Writer
Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.
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