A Complete Guide to Updating Android Apps from Google Play Store

Download Article
Update automatically or manually to the newest version of an app with our easy guide
Download Article

This wikiHow article teaches you how to install app updates on your Android device by updating the apps that have new versions available, or by turning on automatic updates.

Quick Steps

  1. Open the Google Play Store app.
  2. Tap your profile icon.
  3. Tap Manage apps & device .
  4. Tap Update all .
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Updating Apps in the Google Play Store

Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Tap the app icon that looks like a Play icon in red, yellow, green, and blue colors.
    • Do this if you want to update your apps manually. This works if your apps aren't updating automatically.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-2-Version-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-2-Version-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-2-Version-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-2-Version-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-3-Version-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-3-Version-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-3-Version-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-3-Version-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's under the "Play Points" section.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-4-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-4-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-4-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-4-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's under the "Updates Available" header next to a 2x2 grid icon.
    • This will say "All apps up to date" if there are no updates available.
    • Tap See details if you want to see more information about which apps have an update or if you want to update each app individually. [1]
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Setting Automatic Updates

Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-5-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-5-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-5-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-5-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Tap the app icon that looks like a Play icon in red, yellow, green, and blue colors.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-6-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-6-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-6-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-6-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-7-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-7-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-7-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-7-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's near the bottom of the menu next to an icon of a gear.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-8-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-8-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-8-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-8-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's the second option on the menu and tapping it will expand the menu.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-9-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-9-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-9-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-9-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Another window with more options will appear.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-10-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-10-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-10-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-10-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Tap to choose an option and it will fill to indicate that it is selected.
    • Tap Over any network to automatically update using your mobile data connection, which could incur data charges from your mobile carrier.
    • Tap Over Wi-Fi only to allow automatic updates only when your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network.
    • To stop automatic app updates altogether, tap Don't auto-update apps .
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-11-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-11-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-11-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Apps-on-Android-Step-11-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This saves and applies your changes as the window closes. [2]
    8. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    My apps won't update at all. I have WiFi and it's set to auto update but it doesn't and I can't download what I want to download. Any suggestions?
    Community Answer
    Go to the app store, go the page of the app you wish to update, click "update".
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 7
  • Question
    What happens if you don't update your apps?
    Saiklone
    Community Answer
    In most cases, the apps won't work as intended. Many updates usually include bug patches, fixes for security flaws and so on. It will leave your phone vulnerable and is risky. Failing to/avoiding updating is not recommended unless you know what you are doing with phone security.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Add Widgets on Android
      How to
      Find Your Phone Number on Android
      How to
      Hide Apps on Android
      How to
      Increase Your Android Device’s Maximum Volume Steps
      The Ultimate Guide to Hiding Caller ID on Android
      How to Add an App Back to Home Screen: Tips for Finding Apps
      How to Combine Photos on Android: 3 Ways to Create Collages and Grids
      3 Ways to Unlock an Android Tablet
      How to
      Turn Off Your Android Phone Without the Power Button
      How to
      Check the RAM on Android
      How to
      Connect Android Phone to Computer
      How to Add & Use Discord Soundboard Sounds: Step-by-Step Tutorial
      How to
      Change Number of Rings on Android
      How to
      Disable Parental Controls on Android
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/113412?hl=en
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/113412?hl=en

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 112,970 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Ligo Wilson

        Aug 27, 2018

        "it is very helpful for common people do this!"
        Rated this article:
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement