Where to find app updates on Android
Android apps update through the Google Play Store, which is the official app marketplace on most Android phones. You can check for updates in two ways: let Android update apps automatically in the background, or open the Play Store and check manually whenever you want. Most people use a mix of both — automatic updates for apps they trust, and manual checks for apps they use less often.
The Play Store is built into your phone. If you don't see it on your home screen, swipe up from the bottom to see all your apps, then look for the colorful triangle icon labeled "Play Store". Tap it to open.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, then tap "Manage apps and device" to see which apps have updates waiting.
- You can update all apps at once by tapping "Update all" or update individual apps one at a time by tapping each one.
- Automatic updates can be turned on in Play Store settings under "Network preferences", so you don't have to check manually.
- Some apps update only on Wi-Fi by default to save mobile data, but you can change this in settings if you want updates over cellular.
How to manually check for updates right now
Open the Google Play Store. In the top right corner, you'll see a circle with your profile picture or initial inside it. Tap that circle.
A menu will drop down. Tap "Manage apps and device". You'll see three tabs at the top: "Manage", "Manage all", and "Updates available". Tap the "Updates available" tab. This shows every app on your phone that has a newer version waiting to install.
To update a single app, find it in the list and tap the blue "Update" button next to its name. To update everything at once, tap "Update all" at the top. The Play Store will download and install each update. This usually takes a few minutes depending on how many apps need updating and how fast your internet is.
Setting up automatic updates so you don't have to check
Automatic updates mean the Play Store downloads and installs new versions of your apps without you doing anything. This is the easiest approach for most people, though it does use some data and battery in the background.
Open the Play Store and tap your profile icon in the top right. Tap "Settings". Scroll down and tap "Network preferences". You'll see two options: "Auto-update apps" and "Add-ons for Google Play Protect".
Tap "Auto-update apps". You'll see three choices. "Don't auto-update apps" means nothing updates unless you do it manually. "Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only" means apps update automatically, but only when you're connected to Wi-Fi — this saves mobile data. "Auto-update apps over any network" means apps update over Wi-Fi or cellular data whenever a new version is available.
Most people choose "Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only" because it keeps apps current without using up their monthly data limit. If you have unlimited data and want the newest versions as soon as they're released, choose "Auto-update apps over any network".
What happens when an app is updating
When an app updates, the Play Store downloads the new version and installs it on your phone. During installation, you might see a progress bar or a spinning circle. The app is temporarily unavailable while this happens, usually for less than a minute.
You don't need to do anything while an update is installing. You can keep using your phone normally. If you're using the app that's updating, it will close and reopen with the new version once the installation finishes.
If an update fails — which is rare but can happen if your internet cuts out — the Play Store will try again automatically. You can also tap "Retry" if you see an error message.
Why apps update and what changes
App updates fix bugs, add new features, and patch security problems. A security patch is a fix for a weakness that someone could exploit to steal your data or take control of the app. These updates are important to install as soon as they're available.
When you open an app after it updates, you might notice small changes — a button moved to a different spot, a new menu option, or a faster way to do something you do often. Sometimes updates are so small you won't notice anything different at all.
Occasionally an update changes how an app works in a way you don't like. You can't undo an update and go back to the old version through the Play Store, but you can uninstall the app and reinstall it if the new version is truly broken. Most of the time, updates make apps work better, not worse.
Checking for updates on apps that don't use the Play Store
Most Android apps come from the Google Play Store, but some don't. If you installed an app from a website, an email link, or a different app store, it won't show up in the Play Store's update list.
For these apps, open the app itself and look for a menu or settings option — usually three dots or lines in a corner. Look for text that says "Check for updates", "About", or "Settings". If the app has an update available, it will tell you there.
Some apps that don't use the Play Store never update automatically. You'll need to check them manually every so often, or uninstall them and reinstall the newest version from wherever you got them originally.
Troubleshooting when updates won't install
If an update keeps failing, first check that you have enough storage space on your phone. Go to Settings, then "Storage" or "Device care", and look at how much free space you have. If you're below 1 GB free, delete some photos, videos, or apps you don't use, then try updating again.
If storage isn't the problem, try restarting your phone. Power it off completely, wait 10 seconds, then power it back on. This clears temporary files that might be blocking the update.
If the update still won't install, make sure you're connected to a strong Wi-Fi network or have a good cellular signal. Move closer to your router if you're on Wi-Fi. If you're on cellular data and the update keeps failing, switch to Wi-Fi and try again.
If none of that works, open the Play Store, find the app, and tap "Uninstall". Then tap "Install" to download and install the app fresh. This is slower than a regular update but usually fixes problems that updates can't solve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off updates for a specific app?
The Play Store doesn't have a built-in way to block updates for one app while updating others. If you don't want a particular app to update, turn off automatic updates entirely, then manually update only the apps you want. Alternatively, you can uninstall the app if you're not using it.
Will updating an app delete my data or settings?
No. Updates install the new version on top of the old one, so your saved data, login information, and settings stay exactly as they were. The only exception is if an update changes how the app stores data, but the app itself handles that conversion automatically.
Do I need Wi-Fi to update apps, or can I use mobile data?
You can use either. By default, automatic updates only happen on Wi-Fi to save your mobile data. If you want automatic updates over cellular, open Play Store settings, go to "Network preferences", and choose "Auto-update apps over any network". For manual updates, you can use Wi-Fi or mobile data.
What if an app update makes it worse or breaks something?
This is rare, but if an update causes problems, you can uninstall the app and reinstall it. This gives you the latest version fresh. If that doesn't help, you can leave a review in the Play Store describing the problem — developers read these and often release a fix quickly.
How often do apps usually update?
It varies widely. Some apps update weekly or monthly with new features or bug fixes. Others update only a few times a year. Security-focused apps and popular social media apps tend to update more frequently than niche or older apps.