How to Update Apps on Android

If an app looks different from the instructions you have seen, or it is not working as expected, an update may help. Learning how to update apps on Android is straightforward, and you can usually do it from the Google Play Store in just a few taps.

Updates can add features, improve performance, and fix security problems. The steps below cover checking for updates, turning on automatic updates, and what to do if an app will not update. Samsung phones use the same Play Store for apps downloaded there, although some Samsung apps are updated separately through Galaxy Store.

Step 1: Open the Google Play Store

The Google Play Store is the official app store on most Android phones. It is where you can find updates for apps you downloaded from Google Play.

1. Find the Play Store app on your Home screen or in your app list.
2. Tap to open it.
3. Check that you are signed in to the Google Account you used to download your apps.
4. Tap your profile picture or initial in the top-right corner.

If you cannot see the Play Store icon, swipe up from the Home screen to open your full app list and look again. Some Android devices, particularly those sold in certain regions, may use a different app store.

Tip: If you have more than one Google Account on your phone, check the profile menu. Your apps may be associated with a different account from the one currently selected.

Step 2: Check for available app updates

You can see which apps have updates waiting and install them individually or together.

1. In the Play Store, tap your profile picture or initial.
2. Tap Manage apps & device.
3. Under Updates available, tap See details if that option appears.
4. Review the list of apps with updates.
5. Tap Update next to an individual app, or tap Update all to install every available update.

Your phone will download and install the updates. You can continue using the phone while many apps update, although an app may need to close or restart before its new version is ready.

Good to know: Some apps update in stages or do not show an update to every user at the same time. If an app is not listed, it may already be up to date or its update may not yet be available for your device.

Step 3: Turn on automatic app updates

If you would rather not check manually, you can let the Play Store update apps automatically. You can choose whether updates happen over any network or only when connected to Wi-Fi.

1. Open the Play Store.
2. Tap your profile picture or initial.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Network preferences.
5. Tap Auto-update apps.
6. Choose Over Wi-Fi only or Over any network.
7. Tap Done, if shown.

Over Wi-Fi only is a good choice if you have a limited mobile data allowance. Over any network allows updates using mobile data as well as Wi-Fi, which may use part of your data plan.

Step 4: Update one app directly

If you are having trouble with a particular app, you can go straight to its Play Store page. This is also useful if you want to check whether an update is available without reviewing every app.

1. Open the Play Store.
2. Tap the search bar at the top.
3. Type the name of the app.
4. Tap the correct app in the search results.
5. If an Update button appears, tap it.
6. If the button says Open, the Play Store does not currently show an update for that app.

Check the app’s name and developer before tapping an option. Some search results may look similar to the app you already use.

Step 5: Update Samsung apps using Galaxy Store

Samsung Galaxy phones can get some apps from the Galaxy Store as well as the Google Play Store. Samsung’s own apps, themes, and other downloads may have updates there.

1. Open the Galaxy Store app.
2. Tap Menu. Depending on your version, this may appear as a menu icon at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap Updates.
4. Review the available updates.
5. Tap the update button beside an app, or choose the option to update all available apps if shown.

The Galaxy Store layout can vary between Samsung models and software versions. If you do not see Updates, look for it in the store’s menu or search Settings for “Galaxy Store.”

Careful: Update apps through the store where you originally downloaded them. Avoid websites or pop-up messages that ask you to install an unfamiliar update file.

Step 6: Check whether an app updated successfully

After an update, you can return to the app’s Play Store page to confirm its status. The button should normally change from Update to Open once the update has finished.

1. Open the Play Store.
2. Search for the app you updated.
3. Open its store page.
4. Check whether the button says Open rather than Update.
5. Tap Open to launch the app.

If an app still behaves unexpectedly, close it and open it again. You can also restart your phone and check whether another update is available.

Troubleshooting: If an Android app will not update

Updates sometimes pause or fail. Try these simple checks before changing more advanced settings.

• Check your connection. Switch to a reliable Wi-Fi network if the download is slow or keeps stopping.
• Check available storage. Open Settings and search for Storage. If your phone is nearly full, remove downloads or apps you no longer need.
• Restart your phone. A restart can clear a temporary problem with the Play Store or the app.
• Check the date and time. In Settings, search for Date and time and make sure automatic time is enabled, if available.
• Try again later. The Play Store may have a temporary service problem, or the update may not be available for your device yet.

If the Play Store itself is not working, open Settings, tap Apps, find Google Play Store, then look for Storage or Storage & cache and choose Clear cache if available. Clearing the cache removes temporary files; do not choose Clear storage unless you understand that it resets the app’s local settings.

Menu names vary between Android versions and manufacturers. On Samsung phones, some app and storage controls may be arranged differently. If you cannot find a setting, use the search field in Settings to look for its name.

For more help, visit the official Google Play help page for updating Android apps.

Keep your apps up to date

Checking for updates every so often helps your apps stay current. Turn on automatic updates if that suits your data plan, and use the manual steps whenever you want to check a particular app.