How and Why to Keep Your Apps Up to Date

Apps on your phone or computer regularly release updates. These can feel like an interruption, but keeping your apps up to date is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your devices running well and staying secure.

Why Updates Matter

Developers release updates for a few reasons:

• Bug fixes. If something was broken or acting strangely, an update often fixes it.
• Security patches. Hackers look for weaknesses in software. Updates close those gaps before they can be exploited.
• New features. Sometimes updates add useful new tools or improve how the app looks and works.

Store menu names can change between versions and phones. If the labels on your screen are different from the ones below, look for something similar.

How to Update Apps on an iPhone

1. Open the App Store.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
3. Scroll down to see a list of apps waiting for updates.
4. Tap Update All or update them one by one. The apps should start updating, and the downloads may take a while.

How to Update Apps on an Android Phone

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
3. Tap Manage apps and device.
4. Tap Update all if updates are available. The apps with updates should begin downloading.

How to Update Apps on a Windows Computer

Apps from the Microsoft Store update themselves automatically by default. For other programs like a web browser, look for a Help menu and an option like “Check for Updates.”

Watch Out for Fake Update Pop-ups

Some websites and pop-up messages say your phone, computer or app is out of date and urge you to download something right away. Fake update messages are a common way for scammers to trick people. Real app updates come through the app’s own update menu or the official app store. System updates come through your device’s own settings. If you see a warning like this, close it and check for updates in one of those places instead.

Turning On Automatic Updates

Both iPhone and Android let you switch on automatic updates so you never have to do this manually. Look in your phone settings under the App Store or Play Store section and enable automatic downloads. Your phone will update apps in the background, usually overnight when connected to Wi-Fi.

If an update keeps failing, the app store will not load, or your device is too old to receive updates, stop trying the same steps. Contact the device maker or the app store’s support pages for help.

Spending two minutes updating your apps each week can prevent a lot of headaches down the road.

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Last updated: October 9, 2026