Why cant i update my apps on my iphone

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Why cant i update my apps on my iphone

The issue of Apps Not Updating or being unable to Update Apps on iPhone has been reported by users. You should be able to fix this problem using troubleshooting steps as provided below.

Why cant i update my apps on my iphone

Apps Not Updating on iPhone

It is a good practice to make sure that you are using the latest version of Apps on your iPhone and iPad.

If Apps are not automatically updating, the problem could be due to a variety of reasons, ranging from Lack of Storage Space, Software glitches to App Updates being blocked via Restrictions Passcode.

You should be able to fix this problem using any of the methods as listed below.

1. Enable Automatic Downloads for App Updates

Make sure iPhone is set to automatically download App updates by going to Settings > App Store > on the next screen, make sure the toggle next to App Updates is set to ON position.

Why cant i update my apps on my iphone

Note: Enable Automatic Downloads under “Cellular Data” section, only if you are on Unlimited Data Plan.

2. Disable Restrictions on Installing Apps

iPhone won’t be able to Update Apps, if there is restriction placed on Installation of Apps on your device.

Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store PurchasesInstalling Apps and select the Allow option.

Why cant i update my apps on my iphone

After this, see if you are able to Update Apps on your device.

3. Restart iPhone

Sometimes, the problem of Apps not updating on iPhone is due to unexplained technical glitches. This can be often fixed by restarting your device.

Go to Settings > General > scroll down to bottom of the screen and tap on Shut Down. On the next screen, use the slider to Power OFF iPhone.

Why cant i update my apps on my iphone

After iPhone is completely Powered OFF, Restart your device and see try to Update Apps.

4. Check Date and Time Settings

Incorrect Date and Time settings can have an impact on the process of App Updates. Hence, make sure that your iPhone is set to Automatically Update its Date and Time.

Go to Settings GeneralDate & Time > make sure the toggle next to Set Automatically is set to ON position.

Why cant i update my apps on my iphone

Wait for Date and Time to appear on this screen and make sure it is correct.

5. Check Your App Store Account

A common reason for Apps not updating on iPhone is due to Apps being linked to another Apple ID, which may or may not belong to you.

Open the App Store on your iPhone and tap on the Account icon located at top-right corner.

Why cant i update my apps on my iphone

On the Account screen, tap on Purchased tab.

Why cant i update my apps on my iphone

On the Purchased screen, make sure that the Apps that are not updating are listed.

If those Apps are not listed on “Purchased” screen, they are associated with another Apple ID and you need to login to the App Store using your “Other Apple ID” to Update those Apps.

6. Sign Out of App Store and Sign Back In

Sometimes, the problem is due to App Store being unable to recognizing your Apple ID.

Open App Store and tap on the Account icon located at top-right corner.

Why cant i update my apps on my iphone

On the Account screen, scroll down to bottom and tap on Sign Out. After you are signed out, wait for 30 seconds > Restart iPhone and Sign in to the App Store.

6. Check Storage Space on iPhone

Your iPhone needs to have enough storage space to handle App updates. Hence, make sure that enough storage space is available on your device.

Go to SettingsGeneral > iPhone Storage > On the next screen, you will see the amount of Storage Space Used and Available on your device.

Why cant i update my apps on my iphone

If you have less than 1 GB available, lack of storage space is likely to be the reason for Apps not updating on your iPhone.

The solution in this case is to create storage space on your iPhone by using steps as provided in this guide: How to Free Up Storage Space on iPhone.

7. Delete and Reinstall Apps

If above methods did not help, delete the App from your iPhone and reinstall its latest version from the App Store.

On the Home Screen, tap and hold on the App that you want to delete and select Delete App option.

Why cant i update my apps on my iphone

Open App Store, search for the deleted App and Install the App back on your iPhone.

8. Reset All Settings

Sometimes, the problem is due to corrupted settings on your iPhone.

Go to Settings > General > Reset > tap on Reset All Settings

Why cant i update my apps on my iphone

When prompted, enter your Passcode and tap on Reset All Settings option in the pop-up that appears.

After iPhone restarts, connect to your WiFi Network and try to Update Apps.

Keeping your iPhone apps up-to-date is incredibly important. Not only will it make sure that you've got all the latest features that your apps have to offer, but it also lets the developers patch up security flaws that can leave you at risk.

By default, any app you download onto your iPhone should update automatically. But if you prefer to manage your updates manually, doing so is straightforward.

Here's how to manually update your iPhone apps, how to turn off automatic updates, and some tips on what to do if your apps won't accept updates.

You'll manage app updates in the same place that you originally download them from: the App Store.

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone and tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.

Your Apple ID icon will be in the top-right corner. William Antonelli/Business Insider

2. Scroll down until you see a list of apps. The ones that say Update next to them can be updated, while the ones that say Open have already been updated. 

3. Tap Update next to each app you want to update, and the download/installation process will begin.

Try to update the app from the App Store's update queue. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

If you want to enable or disable automatic app updates, you can do it in the Settings app.

1. Open your iPhone's Settings app and scroll down to tap App Store.

2. Under the Automatic Downloads header, tap the App Updates switch to turn them on or off. When it's green and flipped to the right, automatic updates are on.

Occasionally, your apps might not update automatically or manually. If you run into this issue, try these troubleshooting tips.

Make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi

Some apps won't update if you're using cellular data. You should wait until you're in a location where you have a Wi-Fi signal and try to install the update. 

To check that you're connected to Wi-Fi, open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi. If you're connected, you'll see a network name with a checkmark next to it.

Pause and restart the update

When an app is updating, you'll see its icon gray out, and you won't be able to open it. Usually this goes away within a few minutes, but sometimes updates get "stuck," and they'll never leave this grayed-out state.

To fix this, try tapping the app's icon to pause the update, then tap it again to restart the update. If that doesn't work, tap and hold the icon until you see a menu appear. Select Pause Download, then do it again and choose Resume Download.

See if you can pause and restart the app update by tapping it. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

Restart your iPhone

Sometimes, all it takes to get an update working again is to restart your phone. 

Turn off your iPhone and then turn it back on again — if you're not sure how to do this, check out our article on how to restart or force-restart any iPhone model.

Uninstall and reinstall the app

If nothing else has worked, you might need to delete the app and reinstall it from the App Store. 

If it's a paid app, don't worry — you won't need to pay for it a second time. The App Store keeps track of every app you've ever installed, and allows you to reinstall them with a tap. 

When you reinstall the app, you'll automatically get the latest version, which includes the update. 

The cloud icon indicates that you've downloaded the app before, and won't have to pay again. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

Change the payment method on your iPhone

If you don't have a valid payment method connected to your Apple ID account, you won't be able to download new apps (even free ones) or install new updates.

You can add or remove payment methods from your iPhone through the Apple ID menu. For more details, check out our video on how to remove payment methods.

If any of your payment methods are expired or declined, remove them and then add another. Once you have a working payment method entered, try to update your app again.

Factory reset your iPhone

If all else fails, it might be to time reset your iPhone to its factory default settings. This will erase all the data on your phone, but will almost certainly fix any software bugs you're running into. 

For more details on how to factory reset your iPhone — and how to make sure that you don't lose data that you need — check out our article on how to safely perform a factory reset.