Keeping your Android apps up to date ensures you get the latest features, bug fixes, and security updates.
Whether you prefer automatic updates or like to manage updates manually, this guide will walk you through the different methods of updating your Android apps.
How to Automatically Update Android Apps
Automatic updates are a convenient way to ensure your apps are always up to date, without having to remember to check for updates. Here’s how to set up automatic updates for your Android apps:
- Tap the Google Play S tore app.
- Tap your profile picture in the top right corner to open the menu.
- Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
- Tap “Network Preferences”.
- Tap “Auto-update apps”.
- Select one of the options indicat ing how you want your apps to be automatically updated.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
By following these steps, your apps will be automatically updated based on the network preference you selected, ensuring that you always have the latest versions of each one running on your device.
How to make only certain Android apps update automatically
If you prefer only specific apps to be updated automatically, you can manage automatic updates on a per-app basis. Here’s how:
- Launch the Google Play Store app.
- Use the search bar to find the app you want to update automatically.
- Tap the app to open its detailed page.
- Tap the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of the app page.
- Check the box next to “Enable automatic updating”.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Repeat these steps for each app you want to set to auto-update. This way, you can ensure that only the apps you select will be updated automatically.
How to Manually Update Android Apps
If you prefer to have complete control over when your apps are updated, you can manually check for and install updates. Here’s how:
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Tap your profile picture in the top right corner to open the menu.
- Select “Manage apps and device”, then “Manage”, you will see a list of your installed apps.
- Apps with available updates will be listed once you tap “Available Updates”.
- To update all apps at once, tap “Update All.”
- To update individual apps, tap the “Update” button next to a specific app.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
By manually updating your apps, you can ensure that you stay informed of each update and decide when the right time is to install them.
You’ll also want to make sure your operating system has the latest patches, so take a look at how to update Android for a step-by-step guide on how to do this. If you’re also planning on upgrading your device itself, our chart of the best Android phones should prove invaluable.