Learn How to Update Your Apps on Phone or Computer

Understanding App Updates and Why They Matter

App updates are new versions of applications that developers release to improve performance, fix problems, and add new features. When you update an app, you're replacing the older version on your phone or computer with a newer one that contains improvements made by the developers since the last release.

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Updates serve several important purposes. They often fix security vulnerabilities, which are weaknesses that bad actors could use to access your personal information or damage your device. Developers discover these problems through testing and user reports, then create updates to patch them. For example, if a messaging app discovers that user passwords aren't being encrypted properly, the developers will release an update that fixes this issue.

Beyond security, updates improve how apps work. They may make an app run faster, use less battery power, or perform better when you have a slow internet connection. Updates can also introduce new features that users have requested. A photo editing app might add a new filter in one update, while another update to the same app might improve how quickly it loads images from your photo library.

Different apps release updates on different schedules. Some apps update weekly or monthly, while others update less often. The frequency depends on how actively the developers are working on improvements and what issues they've discovered. Major apps like social media platforms, email clients, and productivity tools tend to update more frequently than smaller or more specialized apps.

Practical takeaway: Regular updates keep your apps more secure, faster, and feature-rich. Setting your devices to update automatically means you won't have to remember to check for new versions manually.

How to Update Apps on iPhone and iPad

Updating apps on Apple devices is straightforward. The primary method uses the App Store, which is Apple's official platform for distributing applications. To update apps manually on an iPhone or iPad, open the App Store app by tapping its icon on your home screen. The App Store icon looks like a white background with blue, black, red, and green squares arranged in a grid pattern.

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Once the App Store is open, look at the bottom of the screen where you'll see five navigation tabs. One of these tabs is labeled "Updates" with an icon that looks like a circular arrow. Tap this tab to see all apps that have new versions waiting to be installed. The screen will show you a list of apps with available updates. Each app entry displays the app's name, icon, and version information. Some apps may show a brief description of what's new in the update.

You have two options at this point. You can update individual apps by tapping the button next to each app name—this button typically says "Update" or shows an icon you can tap. Alternatively, if multiple apps have updates waiting, you can update all of them at once by tapping "Update All" if this button appears at the top of your updates list. When you tap either option, the app begins downloading and installing the new version. You might see a progress indicator showing how far along the update is.

For those who prefer not to manually check for updates, Apple devices can be set to update apps automatically. To enable this feature, go to your device's Settings app, scroll down and tap "App Store," then look for options related to automatic updates. You can enable automatic updates for all apps or choose which apps update automatically. When automatic updates are turned on, your device will update apps whenever it's connected to WiFi and plugged into power, typically at night.

During an update, your app's old version is replaced with the new one. This process usually takes just a few seconds, but larger apps might take a minute or two. After the update completes, you can open and use the app immediately. Your app data—such as saved games, photos, or account information—remains in place after the update.

Practical takeaway: Use the "Updates" tab in the App Store to see what's new, and consider enabling automatic updates so your apps stay current without requiring your attention.

How to Update Apps on Android Devices

Android devices use the Google Play Store to obtain and update applications. To update apps on an Android phone or tablet, locate and open the Google Play Store app. This app typically appears on your home screen or in your app drawer. The Google Play Store icon looks like a colorful triangle made of smaller triangular shapes.

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Once the Play Store opens, look for your account icon or profile picture, usually located in the top right corner of the screen. Tap this icon to reveal a menu of options. From this menu, select "Manage apps and device." This action takes you to a screen where Google Play shows you information about the apps installed on your device.

On the "Manage apps and device" screen, you'll see several tabs. Click on the "Manage" tab if it isn't already selected. Below this tab, the Play Store displays a section labeled "Updates available." This section lists all apps that have newer versions ready to install. Each entry shows the app name, icon, and sometimes a brief note about what's new.

Just like on Apple devices, you can update apps individually or all at once. To update a single app, tap the "Update" button next to that app's name. To update all available apps simultaneously, look for an "Update all" button, usually found near the top of the updates list, and tap it. When you initiate an update, the Play Store begins downloading the new version to your device.

For automatic updates on Android, tap your profile icon again and select "Settings." From here, navigate to "App management settings" or a similar option. You should find a setting for automatic app updates. You can typically choose to update apps over WiFi only, or over WiFi and mobile data. Selecting "WiFi only" ensures that updates won't consume your mobile data plan. Many people prefer this option to keep their data usage under control.

The update process on Android mirrors what happens on iOS. The new version downloads, installs, and replaces the old version. You retain all your app data—contacts, messages, preferences, and any other information the app stores. After the update finishes, you can use the app immediately.

Practical takeaway: Access the Play Store's "Manage" tab regularly to review available updates, or enable automatic updates over WiFi to keep your apps current effortlessly.

How to Update Apps on Windows Computers

Windows computers can obtain apps through several methods, but the most common modern approach is through the Microsoft Store, which is similar to the App Store on iOS or the Play Store on Android. To update apps on a Windows computer, open the Microsoft Store by searching for it in your Windows search bar or finding it in your Start menu.

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Once the Microsoft Store opens, look for your account profile icon, usually located in the top right area of the window. Click on this icon to open a menu. From the menu, select an option related to viewing or managing your apps. Depending on your Windows version, this might be labeled "My library," "My apps," or something similar. This takes you to a section showing all apps you've obtained through the Store.

In your apps library, you'll typically see a section showing "Updates available" or similar language. This section lists any apps that have new versions ready to install. Next to each app, you'll find an "Update" button or similar control. Click this button to update that particular app. If you want to update multiple apps at once, look for an option to "Update all" and click it.

Updates in the Microsoft Store work similarly to mobile platforms. After you initiate an update, the Store downloads the new version. The installation happens in the background, and you'll see a progress indicator. Once the update completes, you can launch the updated app from your Start menu or from where you normally access it. Any data associated with the app remains intact.

For those who prefer automatic updates, Windows has a system setting for this. Go to your Windows Settings app, navigate to "Apps," then look for "App updates" or a similar option. You can typically enable automatic updates, and Windows will check for and install app updates according to your preferences. Some users set their computer to check for updates during times when they're less likely to be using it, such as late evening hours.

It's worth noting that Windows computers also have system updates, which are separate from app updates. System updates patch the Windows operating system itself and address security concerns at the OS level. These are typically handled through Windows Update, which you can access through Settings, and are distinct from individual app updates through the Microsoft Store.

Practical takeaway: Periodically check your Microsoft Store library for available updates, or enable automatic updates so your Windows apps stay current without manual intervention.