How to update the apps on your phone
Short answer
On an iPhone, open the App Store, tap your picture or initials at the top right and choose Update All. On an Android phone, open the Google Play Store, tap your picture at the top right, choose Manage apps & device and then Update all. Turn on automatic updates and your phone will keep apps up to date by itself.
Before you start
0 of 4 done. Ticking just helps you keep track; nothing is saved or sent.
Steps
Menu names change a little between versions and phone makers. If you can't see an option, use the search box in Settings.
On an iPhone or iPad
Open the App Store
It is the blue icon with a white A.
Tap your picture or initials
It is at the top right of the screen.
Scroll down to see waiting updates
Pull the screen down to refresh the list. Apps with updates are listed with an Update button.
Tap Update All, or Update next to a single app
You can carry on using your phone while they install.
Turn on automatic updates
Open Settings and tap App Store. On newer versions of iOS, you'll find it under Settings, then Apps, then App Store. Turn on App Updates.
On an Android phone or tablet
Open the Google Play Store
It is the coloured triangle icon.
Tap your picture or initial
It is at the top right of the screen.
Tap Manage apps & device
You'll see how many updates are available.
Tap Update all
To update one app at a time, tap See details and then Update next to the app.
Turn on automatic updates
Tap your picture again, then Settings, then Network preferences, then Auto-update apps. Choose Over Wi-Fi only if you want to save mobile data.
Samsung phones also have the Galaxy Store, which updates some Samsung apps separately. Open it and look for Updates in its menu.
Update the phone's own software too
Some app updates need a newer version of your phone's software. On an iPhone, look in Settings, then General, then Software Update. On Android, search Settings for "software update" or "system update".
If this happens
An update says Waiting or Pending
Check you're on Wi-Fi, then wait a few minutes. Other updates may be queued first. If it doesn't move, restart the phone and try again.
It says there isn't enough storage
Delete photos, videos or apps you no longer need, then try again. Start with the largest items.
The App Store keeps asking for a password
Enter your Apple Account password. If you've forgotten it, use the Forgot password option rather than creating a new account.
An app says it needs a newer version of iOS or Android
Update your phone's software first. If your phone is too old for the latest version, the app may no longer update on it.
An app stops working after an update
Restart the phone. If it still won't open, check for another update to that app, as fixes often follow quickly.
Things to be careful about
Only update apps from the App Store or Google Play. Ignore texts, emails or website pop-ups saying an app needs updating through a link. They are a common trick.
Don't delete and reinstall an app just to update it. Updating keeps your information, but deleting an app can remove things saved only in that app, such as chats or notes.
Never share your passcode or account password. Nobody genuine needs it to update your apps for you.
Before deleting any app to fix a problem, check its information is backed up. For example, messaging apps often have their own backup setting, and anything not backed up may be lost for good.
Still stuck?
If your apps still won't update, the team at SmarterBox Limited, which runs SmarterBoxDIY, can talk you through it. Tell them your phone model and the message you see.
Get expert helpSmarterBoxDIY is operated by SmarterBox Limited (company no. 16160532). This guide is general information; menus and options vary by manufacturer and software version.