How to update the Play Store and apps on Android

You can update your Android apps and the Play Store app one at a time, all together or automatically. Updating your apps to the latest version gives you access to the latest features and improves app security and stability.

Important:

If Google determines that an app update fixes a critical security vulnerability, we may make certain app updates. These updates can occur regardless of update settings in the app or on your device. For more information, read the Google Play Terms of Service.
If you use Google Play on a Chromebook, find out about app updates here.

How to update an Android app

Open the Google Play Store app .
At the top right, tap the profile icon.
Tap Manage apps and device Manage.
Tap the app that you want to update.
- Tip: Apps with an update available are labelled, 'Update available'.
Tap Update.

How to update the Google Play Store

Open the Google Play Store app .
At the top right, tap the profile icon.
Tap Settings About Update Play Store.
You'll get a message that tells you if the Play Store is up to date. Tap Got it.
- If an update is available, it will automatically download and install in a few minutes.

How to update all Android apps automatically

Open the Google Play Store app .
At the top right, tap the profile icon.
Tap Settings Network preferences Auto-update apps.
Select an option:
- Over any network to update apps using either Wi-Fi or mobile data.
- Over Wi-Fi only to update apps only when connected to Wi-Fi.

Note: If an account on your device has a sign-in error, apps may not update automatically.

Update apps with limited amount of mobile data

Important: This option is available to a limited group.

Open the Play Store app .
At the top right, tap the profile icon.
Tap Settings Network preferences Auto-update apps.
Tap Update with limited amount of mobile data.

How it works

Google Play can use a limited portion of your monthly mobile data to automatically update your apps. Google Play prioritises app updates using several factors, like apps with new features or apps that we think you’ll use the most. Google Play always tries to update apps over Wi-Fi first.

How much mobile data this setting uses

When this setting is on, Google Play picks a budget based on several factors. For example:

If you updated apps manually over mobile data in the last 30 days, Google Play uses that total amount of mobile data as the budget.
If you don't update apps over mobile data, Google Play uses the average amount of mobile data that most people use in your country/region that still allows you to auto-update your most frequently used apps.

All information is used in accordance with Google’s Privacy Policy.

If you clear Play Store data, your settings and previous budget will be reset.

How to update individual Android apps automatically

Open the Google Play Store app .
At the top right, tap the profile icon.
Tap Manage apps and device.
Tap Manage, then find the app that you want to update automatically.
To open the app's 'Details' page, tap the app.
On the app's 'Details' page, tap More .
Turn on Enable auto-update.

When updates are available, the app updates automatically. To turn off automatic updates, turn off Enable auto-update.

Tips:

When some apps get updated, they require new permissions. You may get a notification that asks whether you accept the new permissions.
To update an app, you may need to restart your device.
To search for a specific app, tap Manage apps and devices Manage.
If the app has an update available, the 'Update' button appears on the app's 'Details' page.