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    7 min read 6 stepsMay 8, 2026Verified May 2026

    How to Turn On Automatic App Updates (iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows)

    App updates fix security problems and add new features. Learn how to turn on automatic updates on any device so your apps stay current without extra effort.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Phone & Tablet
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    7 min read
    Steps
    6
    Topics covered
    app updates
    automatic updates
    iphone
    android
    mac
    windows
    app store
    google play

    In this guide (6 steps):

    1. 1.Turn on automatic app updates on iPhone
    2. 2.Set iPhone updates to Wi-Fi only (optional)
    3. 3.Turn on automatic app updates on Android
    4. 4.Check for and install app updates manually (all phones)
    5. 5.Turn on automatic app updates on a Mac
    6. 6.Update apps on Windows through the Microsoft Store
    1

    Turn on automatic app updates on iPhone

    ~37s
    Open the Settings app (the gray gear icon on your home screen). Scroll down until you see "App Store" and tap it. You will see a section called "Automatic Downloads." Look for the row labeled "App Updates" and make sure the toggle next to it is green (switched to the right). That is all you need to do. From this point on, your iPhone will download and install app updates in the background, usually overnight while your phone is charging and connected to Wi-Fi.

    Quick Tip

    On this same screen, you can also turn on "App Downloads" if you want apps you buy on one Apple device to automatically appear on your other Apple devices.

    2

    Set iPhone updates to Wi-Fi only (optional)

    ~37s
    If you have a limited data plan on your iPhone, you can tell it to only download updates when connected to Wi-Fi, not when using your cellular (phone) data. On the same App Store settings screen from Step 1, look for "Automatic Downloads" and tap it. You will see an option for "Only Download on Wi-Fi." Turn that toggle on. Updates will still happen automatically. They will wait until your phone connects to your home Wi-Fi before downloading.

    Quick Tip

    Most people on unlimited data plans do not need to worry about this. If you are unsure whether you have unlimited data, call your phone carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) or check your monthly bill.

    3

    Turn on automatic app updates on Android

    ~56s
    Open the Google Play Store app (the colorful triangle icon). In the top-right corner of the screen, tap your profile picture or the initial of your name. A menu appears — tap "Settings." On the next screen, tap "Network preferences." Then tap "Auto-update apps." You will see three choices: "Over any network" (updates using Wi-Fi or cell data), "Over Wi-Fi only" (recommended for most people), or "Don't auto-update apps" (not recommended). Tap "Over Wi-Fi only" or "Over any network" depending on your preference, then tap "Done." Your Android phone will now keep apps updated automatically.

    Quick Tip

    The exact menu layout may look slightly different depending on which Android phone you have (Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, etc.) and which version of Android is installed. If you cannot find "Network preferences," look for "Auto-update apps" directly under Settings.

    Warning

    If you use a Samsung phone, Samsung also has its own app store called Galaxy Store with a separate auto-update setting. Open the Galaxy Store app, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom-right corner, tap Settings, and turn on "Auto update apps."

    4

    Check for and install app updates manually (all phones)

    ~41s
    Even with automatic updates turned on, you can check for waiting updates at any time. On iPhone: open the App Store, tap your profile picture in the top-right corner, and scroll down to see "Available Updates." Tap "Update All" to install everything at once, or tap "Update" next to a single app. On Android: open the Google Play Store, tap your profile picture in the top-right corner, tap "Manage apps and device," and then tap "Updates available." Tap "Update all" to install everything at once.

    Quick Tip

    If you have not updated apps in a long time, there may be dozens of updates waiting. Let your phone sit on Wi-Fi for a few minutes after tapping "Update all". It will work through the list on its own.

    5

    Turn on automatic app updates on a Mac

    ~50s
    On a Mac computer, apps from the App Store (such as Pages, Numbers, GarageBand, or many third-party apps) update through the App Store. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen, then click "App Store." In the App Store window, click "Preferences" in the top menu bar (on older Macs) or go to App StoreSettings. Look for a checkbox labeled "Automatic Updates" or "Install app updates" and make sure it is checked. From now on, your Mac will install app updates in the background. Note: apps you downloaded directly from a company's website (not from the App Store) update on their own schedule. You will usually see a notification inside the app itself when an update is ready.

    Quick Tip

    Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Office, and Zoom all update themselves independently. Chrome and Firefox update silently in the background. Office and Zoom show a notification or update prompt when you open them.

    6

    Update apps on Windows through the Microsoft Store

    ~50s
    On a Windows computer, apps installed from the Microsoft Store (such as Netflix, Spotify, or Photos) update through that store. Click the Start button (the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner), search for "Microsoft Store," and open it. Click the "Library" icon in the bottom-left corner of the Store window. You will see a list of your apps and a button labeled "Get updates." Click it to check for updates and install any that are waiting. To turn on automatic updates: click the profile icon in the top-right corner of the Store, click "App settings," and make sure "App updates" is turned on. Note: apps like Google Chrome, Zoom, and Adobe that were not installed through the Microsoft Store update themselves separately.

    Quick Tip

    Windows itself (the operating system) is updated separately through Windows Update, not through the Microsoft Store. Go to SettingsWindows UpdateCheck for updates to make sure your computer's core software is current.

    You Did It!

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    App updates are improvements that the companies behind your apps send out regularly. These updates do three important things: they fix bugs (small problems that make apps crash or behave strangely), they patch security holes (which means they close gaps that criminals could use to break into your device), and they add new features.

    If you do not update your apps, you may run into situations where an app stops working, shows error messages, or becomes vulnerable to attackers who know about the unfixed security problems.

    Why updates matter for safety

    Security researchers discover weaknesses in apps all the time. When a weakness is found, the app company releases an update to fix it. If you have automatic updates turned on, your phone or computer installs the fix without you having to do anything. If you do not have automatic updates turned on, your device may have known security holes sitting open for weeks or months.

    This is especially important for banking apps, email apps, and any app where you store personal information.

    Do updates cost money?

    No. App updates are free. The only cost is a small amount of data (internet usage) to download them. If you are on a limited data plan, you can set updates to download only over Wi-Fi — instructions for that are in the steps below.

    How long does an update take?

    Most app updates are small — under 100 megabytes — and take less than a minute on a home Wi-Fi connection. Larger updates (like a major overhaul to a big app) might take 2–5 minutes. Your apps keep working normally during the download. The update installs when you close and reopen the app.

    This guide covers four devices:

    - iPhone (iOS) - Android phones and tablets - Mac computers (macOS) - Windows computers

    You only need to follow the section that applies to your device.

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    app updates
    automatic updates
    iphone
    android
    mac
    windows
    app store
    google play
    security patches
    software updates

    Official Resources

    Apple Support — iPhoneGoogle Help — AndroidSamsung Support

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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