By the DevX mobile testing team. We tested every app update method in this guide on iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and iPhone SE (3rd gen) running iOS 18 and iOS 17. We verified manual updates from the App Store, automatic updates, cellular data settings, update prioritization, and troubleshooting for stuck and failed updates. All steps confirmed working as of March 2026.
Keeping your iPhone apps updated ensures you have the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes. You can update apps manually one at a time, update everything at once, or let your iPhone handle it automatically. Here’s how.
How To Update Apps Manually
Update All Apps at Once
- Open the App Store
- Tap your profile picture (or initials) in the top right
- Scroll down to the Available Updates section
- Tap Update All to update every app with a pending update
Update a Single App
- Open the App Store
- Tap your profile picture
- Find the specific app in the Available Updates list
- Tap Update next to that app
You can also pull down on the Account page to refresh and check for new updates.
How To Enable Automatic App Updates
Let your iPhone update apps in the background so you never have to think about it:
- Go to Settings → App Store
- Under Automatic Downloads, toggle App Updates to ON
With this enabled, your iPhone will automatically download and install app updates when connected to Wi-Fi and charging. Updates typically happen overnight.
Allow Updates Over Cellular Data
By default, automatic updates only download over Wi-Fi. To allow updates over cellular:
- Go to Settings → App Store
- Under Cellular Data, toggle Automatic Downloads to ON
- You can also choose to allow downloads over 5G or limit to Wi-Fi only
Caution: Large app updates can use significant data. If you have a limited data plan, keep automatic updates on Wi-Fi only.
How To Update iOS (System Update)
App updates and iOS updates are separate. To update your iPhone’s operating system:
- Go to Settings → General → Software Update
- If an update is available, tap Download and Install
- Enter your passcode
- Tap Agree to the terms and conditions
- Wait for the download to complete, then your iPhone will restart to install
You can also enable Automatic Updates (Settings → General → Software Update → Automatic Updates) to have iOS updates download and install automatically overnight.
Fix: Apps Won’t Update or Stuck Downloading
App stuck on “Waiting…” or loading:
- Tap the app icon on your home screen — sometimes this pauses/resumes the download
- If that doesn’t work, go to App Store → your profile → find the stuck update → tap the download icon to restart it
Update fails with error message:
- Check your internet connection (try switching between Wi-Fi and cellular)
- Check available storage: Settings → General → iPhone Storage. If you’re low on space, delete unused apps or clear cache to free up room
- Sign out and back into the App Store: Settings → tap your name → Sign Out, then sign back in
- Restart your iPhone and try the update again
“Cannot connect to App Store” error:
- Check that your date and time are set correctly: Settings → General → Date & Time → Set Automatically = ON
- Reset Network Settings: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings
Check What Version of an App You Have
To see which version of an app is currently installed:
- Open the App Store
- Search for the app
- Tap on the app listing
- Scroll down to Version History — the latest version is shown at the top, and your installed version is noted if it differs
Alternatively, some apps show their version number in Settings → [App Name] or within the app’s own settings screen.
More iPhone Guides From DevX
- How To Update Apps on Android (2026)
- How To Clear Cache on iPhone (2026)
- How To Factory Reset iPhone (2026)
- How To Restart iPhone (2026)
- How To Free Up Space on Your Phone (2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to update my apps?
Yes. App updates often include security patches that protect your data, bug fixes that prevent crashes, and new features. Running outdated apps can expose you to security vulnerabilities and cause compatibility issues with newer iOS versions.
Will updating apps delete my data?
No. App updates preserve all your data, settings, and login information. The update only replaces the app’s code, not your personal data stored within it.
Why can’t I see the “Update All” button?
If all your apps are up to date, the Available Updates section won’t appear on your Account page. Pull down to refresh — if no updates appear, everything is current.
Can I go back to an older version of an app?
Not through the App Store — Apple only offers the latest version. If an update causes problems, your best option is to contact the app developer and report the issue. In rare cases, you can restore an older version from an iTunes/Finder backup that was made before the update.
