Fix for iPhone Apps Not Updating: Troubleshooting Guide

Step 1: Restart Your iPhone/iPad

Begin troubleshooting by simply restarting your device. This can resolve minor system glitches that may prevent app updates.

Pro Tip: If your device doesn’t respond, you may need to force restart it by holding the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously.

Step 2: Verify App Store Purchase Settings

Ensure that your App Store purchase settings allow for app updates.

Step 1 – Open your iPhone Settings, then navigate to Screen Time.

Step 2 – Access the Content & Privacy Restrictions settings.

Step 3 – If restrictions are enabled, select iTunes and App Store Purchases.

Step 4 – Ensure that options such as Installing Apps, Deleting Apps, and In-app Purchases are set to Allow.

Step 5 – Toggle the Require Password setting to Don’t Require.

Retry updating the app now from the App Store.

Step 3: Update the App Manually

If the App Store isn’t cooperating, you can manually search for the app and execute an update.

Step 1 – Open the App Store and search for the app directly using the search box.

Step 2 – Find the app in the search results and tap Update.

Confirm the update with Face ID or Touch ID as required.

Step 4: Cancel the Update Process and Restart

If you face issues during the update, canceling the process might help.

Step 1 – Start an update in the App Store.

Step 2 – Go to the App Library and find the app being updated.

Step 3 – Hold the app icon and tap Pause Download.

Step 4 – After pausing, tap Cancel Download.

Step 5 – Return to the App Store and attempt the update again.

This should allow you to update successfully and resolve any temporary issues.

Step 5: Close the App and Retry the Update

If the app remains open during the update, it may lead to conflicts. Close the app completely and then attempt to update it from the App Store again.

Step 6: Ensure Sufficient Storage Space

Having enough storage space is crucial for successful app updates. Follow these steps to check and free up space:

Step 1 – Go to the Settings, then tap on General.

Step 2 – Open iPhone Storage.

Step 3 – Review the free space available on your device.

If space is low, consider removing unneeded files or apps.

Step 7: Update Your iOS

If you’ve tried all the above fixes with no success, ensure your device is running the latest iOS version.

Step 1 – In Settings, navigate to General.

Step 2 – Tap Software Update to check if an update is available.

Step 3 – If an update is available, press Install Now and follow the prompts.

Allow your device to reboot as the update installs. This should resolve any app update issues you were experiencing.

What should I do if apps still won’t update?

How much storage is needed to update an app?