8 Easy Ways to Update Apps on Your Android Phone
Updating the apps on your Android phone is crucial to maintaining the security, performance, and stability of your device. Additionally, updating apps ensures that you have access to the latest features and improvements.
Fortunately, updating apps on Android is a straightforward process. In this article, we will explore eight different ways to update apps on your Android phone. You can read more on the difference between Google Play Store and Galaxy Play Store before you begin with any update.
1. Update Multiple Apps Manually
The Google Play Store is the main source for installing and updating apps on Android. To update multiple apps on your phone, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your phone.
- Tap on the profile picture icon at the top and select “Manage apps & devices.”
- Tap on “Updates available.” Here, you will see a list of apps that need to be updated. Tap on the “Update all” button at the top to install all available updates.
2. Update One App
If you want to update a specific app, such as WhatsApp, Twitter, or Reddit, simply open the Play Store app and search for the app's name. If an update is available, you will see an “Update” button next to the app's name. Tap on it to install the update. Alternatively, you can follow the steps mentioned above to reach the Play Store's “Manage apps & devices” page and update the desired app from there.
3. Enable Automatic Updates for All Apps
Manually updating apps can be time-consuming and may cause you to miss out on important bug fixes and new features. To simplify the process, you can enable automatic updates for all Android apps. Here's how:
- Launch the Play Store app on your phone.
- Tap on the profile picture icon and select “Settings” from the menu.
- Go to “Network preference” and then “Auto-update apps.”
- Choose the “Over Wi-Fi” option to update apps only when connected to Wi-Fi, or select “Over any network” to allow updates using both Wi-Fi and mobile data.
4. Enable Auto-Update for One App
If you prefer to manually update most apps but want to enable automatic updates for a specific app, you can do so in the Play Store. Follow these steps:
- Open the Play Store on your phone.
- Search for the desired app and tap on it to view its listing.
- Tap on the three-dot icon at the top and check the “Enable auto-update” option.
- Repeat these steps for any other apps you want to update automatically.
5. Update Apps Using Galaxy Store
If you own a Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet, you can update Samsung apps directly from Samsung's Galaxy Store instead of the Play Store. Here's how:
- Open the Galaxy Store on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
- Tap on the three-bar icon at the top and select “Updates” from the menu.
- You will see a list of available updates for Samsung apps. Tap on the circular arrow next to the app you want to update or press the “Update all” button to install all available updates.
6. Enable Auto-Update in Galaxy Store
Similar to the Play Store, you can enable automatic updates in the Galaxy Store on your Samsung Galaxy phone. This will ensure that apps update automatically without your intervention. Here's how:
- Launch the Galaxy Store app on your phone.
- Tap on the three-bar icon and select the “Settings” icon in the menu.
- Press the “Auto update apps” option and choose either “Using Wi-Fi only” or “Using Wi-Fi or mobile data” depending on your preference.
7. Update System Apps on Android
System apps on Android typically update automatically in the background, regardless of whether auto-update is enabled or not. There is no manual way to update these apps from the Play Store. However, you can force an update by uninstalling the existing updates. Here's how:
- Open the “Settings” app on your phone and go to “Apps.”
- Tap on the three-dot icon at the top and select “Show system apps.” On Samsung Galaxy phones, enable the toggle for “Show system apps” using the Sort icon.
- Find the system app you want to update and tap on it.
- Tap on the three-dot icon on the App info screen and select “Uninstall updates” from the menu.
- Wait for a few minutes to allow the app to update itself.
8. Update Apps Using APK
APKs (Android Package Kits) can be used to update Android apps. To update an app using an APK file, follow these steps:
- Open a browser on your phone and visit APKMirror.com.
- Use the website's search function to find the app you want to update.
- Tap on the latest APK version and then tap on the Download icon next to the preferred variant.
- The downloaded APK file will be in your Downloads folder. Open the Files app, navigate to the Downloads folder, and tap on the APK file to install it. This will update the existing app.
Updating apps on your Android phone is a crucial task to ensure the best user experience. By following these eight methods, you can easily keep all your apps up to date and enjoy the latest features and improvements.

Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
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