Outdated apps can run slowly, lose features and miss security fixes. Turning on automatic app updates means your phone handles it all in the background, so you always have the latest version without thinking about it. Here is how to switch it on for Android and iPhone in under two minutes.
What you need before you start
You need a phone signed in to your Google account (Android) or Apple account (iPhone), a Wi-Fi connection for the first round of updates, and a little free storage space. Plug the phone in or make sure the battery is above 20 percent, since some phones pause large downloads on low battery. No extra app is needed: the setting lives inside the Play Store on Android and the Settings app on iPhone.
How to turn on auto-updates on Android
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Tap your profile icon at the top right corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Under Network preferences, tap Auto-update apps.
- Choose Over Wi-Fi only if you want to save mobile data, or Over any network if you want updates even on mobile data.
That is it. From now on, installed apps will update automatically whenever a new version is available and your chosen network condition is met.
How to turn on auto-updates on iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap App Store.
- Under Automatic Downloads, switch on App Updates.
- Optionally, switch on Automatic Downloads for apps you buy on other Apple devices.
Your iPhone will now download app updates automatically in the background, usually while charging and connected to Wi-Fi.
Tips and common problems
Pick Wi-Fi only if data is tight: app updates can be large, and "Over any network" on Android can eat through a mobile plan quickly. Updates not starting? Check that you are connected to the internet, that the phone has free storage, and that the Play Store or App Store itself is up to date. Want to update just one app? Open its page in the Play Store or App Store and tap Update manually; auto-update settings do not block manual updates. Still on an old version? Restart the phone and check again: pending updates sometimes need a fresh connection to kick off.
Takeaway: Two toggles, once, and your apps stay current, secure and full-featured for good. Set it to Wi-Fi only if you watch your data, and let the phone do the rest.
Sources: NewsBytes