A Complete Guide to Updating Android Apps from Google Play Store

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

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: June 26, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Updating Apps in the Google Play Store
|
• Setting Automatic Updates
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips

|Show more |Show less

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.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Updating Apps in the Google Play Store

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1. 
   1
   Open the Google Play Store app

   

   . 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. 
   2
   Tap your profile image. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
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3. 
   3
   Tap Manage apps & device. It's under the "Play Points" section.
4. 
   4
   Tap Update all. 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.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Setting Automatic Updates

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1. 
   1
   Open the Google Play Store app

   

   . Tap the app icon that looks like a Play icon in red, yellow, green, and blue colors.
2. 
   2
   Tap your profile image. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
3. 
   3
   Tap

   

   Settings. It's near the bottom of the menu next to an icon of a gear.
4. 
   4
   Tap Network Preferences. It's the second option on the menu and tapping it will expand the menu.
5. 
   5
   Tap Auto-update apps. Another window with more options will appear.
6. 
   6
   Select how to update the apps. 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. 
   7
   Tap OK. This saves and applies your changes as the window closes.
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Community Q&A

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• 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

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  Not Helpful 7 Helpful 8
• 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 3 Helpful 3

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Video

Tips

• If an updated app acts buggy, you sadly don't have the option to revert the update in the Google Play Store. You can, however, get an APK of the older version to use temporarily.
  Thanks

  Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
• Some other apps, including apps in Beta, don't update automatically or reliably. In this case, you can simply update them manually.
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  Helpful 1 Not Helpful 5

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