Apps Not Updating: What to Do on Android and iPhone

Apps on your phone not updating? Let's see how to fix on Android and iPhone.

Quick fix (TL;DR)

1. Check Wi-Fi connection
2. Free device storage (at least 1-2 GB)
3. Clear Play Store cache (Android) or force close App Store (iPhone)
4. Restart phone

On Android: Play Store not updating

Step 1 — Check connection and settings

Open Play Store → Profile → Settings → Network preferences → Auto-update apps:

• Verify it's set to "Over any network" or "Over Wi-Fi only"
• If "Don't auto-update", enable it

Step 2 — Clear Play Store cache

Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Storage → Clear cache. Repeat for Google Play Services (clear cache only, not data).

Step 3 — Check storage

You need at least 1-2 GB free. Free space if needed.

Step 4 — Update manually

Play Store → Profile → Manage apps and device → Updates available → Update all.

Step 5 — Check Google account

Profile → Switch account → re-login with main account.

On iPhone: App Store not updating

Step 1 — Check settings

Settings → App Store:

• Enable App Updates
• Verify cellular downloads allowed if not always on Wi-Fi

Step 2 — Force close App Store

Double swipe up → swipe App Store up. Reopen.

Step 3 — Verify Apple ID

Settings → [your name] → verify Apple ID is active. If you see access requests, complete them.

Step 4 — Update manually

App Store → tap your profile (top right) → scroll to Available Updates → "Update All".

Step 5 — Apple ID country change

If you moved or have regional issues, in Settings → [name] → Media & Purchases → View Account → Country/Region verify it's correct.

Common mistakes to avoid

• ❌ Don't install updated APKs from unofficial sources: security risk
• ❌ Don't disable Play Services: blocks entire Google ecosystem
• ❌ Don't delete Apple/Google account without backup: lose purchases and app data
• ❌ Don't use lesser-known "alternative stores": often unsafe

When an app is really broken

Sometimes an app update introduces bugs. If new app version is unstable:

• Android: in Play Store settings, if update is optional, you can wait for next patch
• iPhone: contact developer via App Store