How-To

How to Update Apps on iPhone

By Brian Burgess

Published June 6, 2022

Apps on your iPhone typically update automatically. However, that’s not always the case. Here’s how to update apps on iPhone.

Want to see the latest features and bug fixes in your favorite iPhone apps? If you do, it’s time to update.

If an app is still in active development, expect changes like these on a regular basis. The only want to get them on your phone, however, is through an update. Your iPhone apps should automatically update, but only if background updates are working.

If your iPhone apps stop updating, you’ll miss out on new features and security patches. To get around this problem, we’ll show you how to update apps on iPhone below.

How to Update Apps on iPhone Manually

Any apps you download to your iPhone should update automatically. If you prefer to (or need to) update them manually, the process is straightforward to follow.

To update apps on iPhone manually:

1. If app updates are available, a notification will display on the App Store icon.
2. Tap the App Store icon and then tap your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Scroll down to the Available Updates section, where you can update all apps or just the ones with the Update button next to them.
4. When an app updates, you’ll see a circular progress icon next to it while the download and installation occur.
5. Scroll down further, and you’ll find the Updated Recently section. These apps have already been updated and display an Open button next to them.

It’s important to note that if you don’t regularly update your apps, it could take a while for a large batch of updates to install. Still, if you’re on a limited data plan and have no Wi-Fi, you might want to wait to manually update them when you have a solid Wi-Fi connection.

Enable Automatic Updates on iPhone

If you want to turn on automatic updates (or disable them) on your iPhone, you can via the Settings app.

To enable or disable automatic updates on iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone’s Home Screen.
2. Scroll down the list and tap App Store.
3. Under the Automatic Downloads section, toggle the App Updates switch.
4. If you want apps to download on a cellular connection, turn on the Automatic Downloads switch under Cellular Data.
5. Under the Cellular Data section, you can also have your phone only allow apps under 200 MB to download automatically.
6. You can also tap App Downloads and always select to download apps regardless of their size or ask when on a cellular connection.

How to Fix Apps Not Updating on iPhone

If your apps aren’t updating for any reason, there are some things you can do to remedy the situation.

Check Your Wi-Fi

1. Ensure you’re connected to Wi-Fi.
2. Open Settings > Wi-Fi and make sure the Wi-Fi switch is toggled to the On
3. You should also see the Wi-Fi network name with a checkmark next to it. If not, toggle off the Wi-Fi switch and try to establish the connection again.

Restart you iPhone

Sometimes, to get an app unstuck from an update, restart your iPhone. To do this, hold the Power and Volume Up buttons on an iPhone X or higher until you get the screen with slide to power off option.

Keep it shut down for a minute or two and restart the phone by holding the Power button. After that, your app updates should work.

Hold the Power button for a couple of seconds until you get the slide to power off option on an iPhone older than an iPhone X. Again, leave it off for a minute or two and try updating your apps again.

Reinstall the App

If the restart didn’t fix the app updating problem, you can uninstall and reinstall it. If it’s a paid app, no worries. You won’t need to pay for it again. Instead, Apple keeps track of all the apps you’ve purchased with your Apple ID.

To reinstall an iPhone app:

1. Long-press the app until the menu appears and tap Remove app.
2. When the verification message appears, tap Delete App from the menu.

Now that the app is uninstalled from your iPhone go back to the App Store to download and install it again. When you re-download the app, it will be the latest version, and you won’t need to update it.

Updating Apps on iPhone

Using the steps above will give you control over how apps update on your iPhone. For example, you can manually update them or have them automatically update in the background. If an app doesn’t update for some reason, try one of the troubleshooting steps shown above.

Of course, if all else fails, you can factory reset your iPhone, but that’s a measure of last resort. Typically, restarting your phone will do the trick, and you can download apps without an issue.

Speaking of apps, check out this list of modern apps that covers all types of categories. If you use your phone for many pictures, learn how to lock photos on your iPhone.