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Understanding App Updates and Why They Matter

Apps are programs you install on your phone, tablet, or computer to do specific tasks. Whether you use them for messaging, banking, social media, photos, or work, apps need regular updates to keep working well. An update is a new version of an app that fixes problems, adds features, or improves how the app runs.

According to security research from 2023, outdated apps are responsible for a significant portion of device vulnerabilities. When app makers find problems in their code, they release updates to patch those issues. Without these updates, your device and personal information become more vulnerable to problems.

Updates serve several purposes. Security updates protect your data by closing holes that hackers could exploit. Performance updates make apps run faster and use less battery power. Feature updates add new tools or change how an app works. Bug fixes address annoying problems like crashes or freezing.

Different devices update apps differently. On smartphones and tablets, most apps update through app stores—Google Play Store for Android devices and the Apple App Store for iPhones and iPads. On computers, some apps update automatically in the background, while others require you to manually check for updates.

Practical takeaway: Set aside time each month to check which apps on your devices have available updates. Note which apps you use regularly versus rarely. Apps you use frequently should be prioritized for updates since you interact with them more often.

How to Update Apps on iPhones and iPads

Apple devices make app updates straightforward through the App Store. If you have an iPhone or iPad, the App Store is where you originally obtained your apps, and it's also where updates appear.

To check for updates manually, open the App Store and look at the bottom of the screen. You'll see several tabs including one labeled "Apps." Tap this tab, then look for a section showing apps with available updates. The App Store displays which apps have new versions ready to install, along with what's new in each update (called "release notes"). This section lists changes and improvements made in the new version.

You can update apps one at a time by tapping the "Update" button next to each app name. Alternatively, if you see an "Update All" button, you can update multiple apps simultaneously. Many people prefer the "Update All" option to save time, especially when many apps have pending updates.

For hands-off updating, you can enable automatic updates. Go to your device's Settings app, scroll down to find "App Store," and tap it. Look for an option labeled "App Updates" and toggle on "Automatic Updates." With this setting enabled, your device will update apps in the background whenever a new version becomes available. This happens most efficiently when your device is plugged in and connected to WiFi, so your battery doesn't drain and your data plan isn't affected.

You can also update your entire operating system (called iOS on iPhones) the same way. Major iOS updates appear in the Settings app under "General" and then "Software Update," while app updates come through the App Store.

Practical takeaway: Enable automatic app updates in your iPhone or iPad settings. If you prefer to control updates yourself, set a recurring phone reminder for the first Saturday of each month to check the App Store for updates.

How to Update Apps on Android Phones and Tablets

Android devices use the Google Play Store to manage app updates. The process differs slightly from Apple devices but remains user-friendly once you know where to look.

Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device. At the top right corner of the screen, you'll see your profile icon (usually a circular image or initial). Tap it to open a menu, then select "Manage apps and device." This screen shows you all your installed apps and which ones have updates available.

The interface displays three main sections: "Installed," "Library," and "Updates." The "Updates" section specifically shows apps waiting for new versions. You can update apps individually by tapping each one and selecting "Update," or tap "Update all" at the top to install all pending updates at once.

For automatic updates, you have options. In the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon again, select "Settings," then look for "Network preferences." Choose "Auto-update apps." You can select to update only over WiFi (recommended to save data), or allow updates over WiFi and mobile data. Most users select WiFi-only to avoid unexpected data charges.

Android also receives system updates separately from app updates. These larger updates improve your device's operating system. You'll find system updates in your device's Settings app under "About phone" (or "About device" depending on your phone maker) and then "System update." Check this section periodically for major OS updates, which may require more time and battery power than regular app updates.

Different phone makers like Samsung, Google, and others may customize where these settings appear, but the basic steps remain similar across most Android devices.

Practical takeaway: Save your Google Play Store profile icon location in your memory or take a screenshot of the path to "Manage apps and device." Check this section monthly, and turn on automatic updates for WiFi-only to maintain security without surprising data charges.

How to Update Apps on Windows and Mac Computers

Computer apps update differently depending on whether you're using Windows or Mac, and whether your apps came from app stores or were installed directly.

On Windows computers, the Microsoft Store hosts many modern apps. Open the Microsoft Store, select your profile icon at the top right, and choose "App settings." This shows you options for automatic updates. You can enable "Update apps automatically" so your computer installs new versions in the background. For apps not in the Microsoft Store (many older programs), you typically need to check for updates within each app's menu. Look for a "Help" or "Settings" menu option and find "Check for updates."

Mac computers also offer an App Store for updating apps purchased through Apple's system. Open the App Store app, click "Updates" in the top menu, and you'll see all available updates. You can update individual apps or select "Update All" to install everything at once. You can also enable automatic updates by opening System Settings, clicking "General," then "Software Update," and toggling on automatic app updates.

For traditional computer programs on both Windows and Mac, checking for updates happens through the application itself. Most modern software checks for updates automatically in the background and notifies you when new versions are available. You simply accept the update prompt and follow the installation steps, which usually takes only a few minutes.

Some programs allow you to schedule updates for specific times so they don't interrupt your work. For example, productivity software might update overnight when you're not using the computer. Check individual app settings to see if this option is available.

It's worth noting that operating system updates (Windows or macOS updates) happen separately from individual app updates. These system updates are crucial for security and should be installed promptly once available.

Practical takeaway: Enable automatic updates in your computer's app store settings. For non-store apps, set a calendar reminder to check within each application's settings menu once per quarter for updates.

What to Do Before, During, and After Updating

Preparing your device for updates prevents problems and lost work. Before beginning any major update process, back up your important files. On phones and tablets, most backup happens automatically through cloud storage (iCloud for Apple devices, Google Drive for Android), but you can verify this in settings.

Charge your device to at least 50% battery before starting updates. Larger updates can drain significant battery power, and if your device runs out of power mid-update, it could cause serious problems. Plug your device into power before beginning.

Connect to a stable WiFi network rather than mobile data. Updates can be large files, sometimes 100 MB or more. WiFi transfers data faster and more reliably than mobile networks, and you won't use your monthly data allowance.

Close all open apps before updating. This gives your device's full processing power to the update and prevents app conflicts. On phones, swipe up from the bottom (iPhone) or use your back button (Android) to close background apps. On computers, close all programs except the update installer.

During updates, don't force quit the process or unplug your device, even if it seems to be taking a long time. Updates often take 15-30 minutes. The progress bar or percentage indicator shows how far along the process is. Many people find it helpful