How do I allow automatic updates?

You can update your Android apps and the Play Store app one at a time, all together, or automatically. Updating your apps to the latest version gives you access to the latest features and improves app security and stability.

Important:

  • If Google determines that an app update fixes a critical security vulnerability, we may make certain app updates. These updates can occur regardless of update settings in the app or on your device. For more information, read the Google Play Terms of Service.
  • If you use Google Play on a Chromebook, find out about app updates here.

How do I allow automatic updates?

How to update an Android app

  1. Open the Google Play Store app .
  2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
  3. Tap Manage apps & device. Apps with an update available are labeled "Update available."
  4. Tap Update.

How to update the Google Play Store

How to update all Android apps automatically

Note: If an account on your device has a sign-in error, apps may not update automatically.

How to update individual Android apps automatically

  1. Open the Google Play Store app .
  2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
  3. Tap Manage apps & device.
  4. Tap Manage, then find the app you want to update automatically.
  5. To open the app's "Details" page, tap the app.
  6. On the app's "Details" page, tap More
    How do I allow automatic updates?
    .
  7. Turn on Enable auto update.

When updates are available, the app updates automatically. To turn off automatic updates, turn off Enable auto update.

Tips:

  • When some apps get updated, they require new permissions. You may get a notification that asks whether you accept the new permissions.
  • To update an app, you may need to restart your device.
  • To search for a specific app, tap Manage apps & devices
    How do I allow automatic updates?
     Manage.
  • If the app has an update available, the "Update" button appears on the app's "Details" page.

Was this helpful?

How can we improve it?

  • You can turn on automatic updates on your iPhone to make sure your operating system and apps always have the latest features and security standards. 
  • To turn on automatic updates for iOS on your iPhone, go to the General section of the Settings app.
  • To turn on automatic updates for apps on your iPhone, visit the iTunes & App Store section of the Settings app.   
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. 

Automatic updates are an essential part of keeping your iPhone healthy, safe, and secure. 

Apple and other software developers routinely release updates that fix bugs, resolve security issues, and introduce new features. Automatic updates should be turned on so your iPhone always stays up to date, without any effort on your part. 

The good news is that automatic updates should already be turned on by default — unless you turned this feature off at some point in the past. Here's how to turn it back on.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)

How to turn on automatic updates on your iPhone for iOS 

The most important update to turn on is the one for your iPhone's entire operating system. 

1. Start the Settings app.

2. Tap "General."

3. Tap "Software Update."

The controls for automatic updates are found in the General section of Settings. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

4. Tap "Automatic Updates."

Ensure Automatic Updates are turned on to keep your phone safe and secure. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

5. Turn on Automatic Updates by swiping the button to the right. 

How to turn on automatic updates on your iPhone for apps

It's also a very good idea to ensure that your apps can get updated automatically as well, both to make sure you have the latest features and capabilities, as well as to ensure your apps are secure and working properly.

1. Start the Settings app.

2. Tap "iTunes & App Store."

3. In the Automatic Downloads section, turn on "App Updates" by swiping the button to the right. 

It's a good idea to allow apps to perform automatic updates. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

  • How to turn off automatic updates on your iPhone to save data and battery

  • How to check your data usage on an iPhone, and manage each app's data

  • How to sync your iPhone and iPad with your email, photos, text messages, and more

  • 'Why won't my iPhone charge?': How to diagnose and fix common iPhone charging problems

  • How you can easily delete all the photos on your iPhone at once

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.

Read more Read less

Insider Inc. receives a commission when you buy through our links.

Should automatic updates be turned on?

It's generally better to keep auto-updates on so that you can get a timely security fix in case there's a vulnerability found in an app you're using—but whether you should enable or disable auto-updates comes down to personal preference.

Where is set up automatic updates?

Recommended Windows Update Configuration for Patch Management.
Click Start, and then click Run..
Type gpedit.msc , and then click Ok..
Expand Computer Configuration ▸ Administrative Templates ▸ Windows Components ▸ Windows Update..
Select Configure Automatic Updates, choose Disabled, and click Ok..