Where to find updates depends on your device and how you installed the app

The place you check for updates is almost always the place you got the app in the first place. On an iPhone, that's the App Store. On Android, it's Google Play. On Windows, it's either the Microsoft Store (if you installed from there) or the app's own menu. On Mac, it's the App Store or the app's menu. If you sideloaded an app—installed it from somewhere other than an official store—you'll check for updates inside that app itself, usually under Settings or About.

Most apps update automatically by default, so you may not need to do anything. But if you've turned off automatic updates, or if you want to check right now instead of waiting, the steps are straightforward and take less than a minute.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone apps update through the App Store; tap your profile icon, scroll to pending updates, and tap Update next to the app you want.
  • Android apps update through Google Play; open the app, tap your profile icon, select Manage apps and device, and tap Update next to each app.
  • Windows apps installed from the Microsoft Store update through Settings > Apps > Installed apps, or through the Store itself.
  • Mac apps from the App Store update through the App Store app; apps installed elsewhere usually have an update option in their own menu under Settings or About.
  • Most devices are set to update automatically, so manual checking is only necessary if you've disabled that feature.

Checking for updates on iPhone

Open the App Store app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Scroll down until you see "Available Updates"—this section shows every app with a newer version waiting. Tap "Update" next to any app you want to update now, or tap "Update All" to update everything at once.

If you see no updates listed, all your apps are current. The App Store will show you when each app was last updated and what changed in the new version if you tap the app name. Updates usually take a few seconds to a few minutes depending on app size and your internet speed.

Checking for updates on Android

Open Google Play and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Manage apps and device." You'll see three tabs: "Manage," "Installed," and "Updates available." Tap the "Updates available" tab to see which apps have newer versions. Tap "Update" next to the app you want, or tap "Update all" to update everything.

If the "Updates available" tab shows a number in a circle—like a small red badge—that number tells you how many apps need updating. You can also tap "Manage" to see all your installed apps and update them from there if you prefer.

Checking for updates on Windows

If you installed an app from the Microsoft Store, open Settings and go to Apps > Installed apps. Scroll through the list to find the app, tap the three dots next to it, and select "Update." Alternatively, open the Microsoft Store app itself, tap your profile icon in the top right, and select "App settings." Scroll down to "Update settings" and toggle on "Update apps automatically" if it's off, or tap "Get updates" to check right now.

If you installed an app from somewhere else—directly from a website or a third-party installer—that app usually has its own update mechanism. Open the app, look in Settings or Help, and find an option like "Check for updates" or "About." Some Windows apps will notify you automatically when an update is available.

Checking for updates on Mac

If you installed the app from the Mac App Store, open the App Store app, click "Updates" in the top menu bar, and you'll see all available updates. Click "Update" next to the app you want, or click "Update All" to update everything at once. Your Mac may ask for your password to confirm.

If you installed the app directly—by downloading it from a website or dragging it into Applications—open the app and look in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click the app's name (like "Safari" or "Adobe Reader"), then look for "Check for Updates" or "About [App Name]." Some apps check automatically and will notify you when an update is ready.

What happens when you update an app

When you tap or click Update, the new version downloads and installs automatically. You don't need to do anything else—the app closes and reopens with the new version, usually in seconds. You'll stay logged in and won't lose any saved data or settings. The app may ask you to accept new permissions the first time you open it after a major update, but this is normal.

If an update is very large, it may take longer on a slow internet connection. Updating over Wi-Fi is faster than cellular data. You can usually keep using your phone or computer while an app updates in the background, though the app itself will be unavailable until the update finishes.

Why automatic updates are usually the better choice

By default, most devices are set to update apps automatically. On iPhone, this happens when your phone is plugged in and on Wi-Fi. On Android, it depends on your settings, but many phones update automatically over Wi-Fi. On Windows and Mac, automatic updates are typically on by default. Automatic updates mean you don't have to remember to check, and you get security fixes as soon as they're available.

The only reason to turn off automatic updates is if you have very limited data or storage space, or if a recent update broke something you rely on. In those cases, you can turn automatic updates back on in your device's settings once the problem is fixed. Most people should leave automatic updates on and only manually check if they're waiting for a specific feature or fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will updating an app delete my data or log me out?

No. Updates preserve all your saved data, settings, and login information. You'll stay logged in and won't lose anything. The app straightforward installs a newer version on top of the old one.

What if an update breaks something I use?

If an update causes problems, you can usually downgrade to the previous version. On iPhone, delete the app and reinstall it from the App Store (you'll get the current version). On Android, open Google Play, find the app, tap the three dots, and select "Uninstall updates" to go back to the factory version. Contact the app maker through their support page if the problem persists.

Can I update just one app instead of all of them?

Yes. On iPhone, tap "Update" next to a single app instead of "Update All." On Android, tap "Update" next to one app in the Updates available tab. On Windows and Mac, you can update individual apps from their settings or the app store. You don't have to update everything at once.

Why does my phone say an app needs an update but I can't find it in the store?

This usually means the app was installed from a source other than the official store—a website, email link, or third-party installer. Check inside the app itself under Settings or About for an update option. If there's no update option in the app, contact the app maker to ask how to get the latest version.

Do I need Wi-Fi to update apps?

Not always. Small updates read fine over cellular data. Large updates—usually over 100 MB—may require Wi-Fi on iPhone and some Android phones to prevent using too much data. You can usually change this in your device's settings if you want to allow cellular updates.