How to Manually and Automatically Update Apps on an iPad

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Keep your iOS apps up-to-date and working properly with this user-friendly guide

Co-authored by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: June 10, 2024 Fact Checked

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Checking For App Updates

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Enabling Automatic Updates

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Troubleshooting

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Video

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Q&A

iPad apps are constantly updating, and installing the latest versions can give you access to the newest features and best performance. You'll just need to visit the App Store to update a single app or all apps at once. If you're having trouble updating, there are a few easy ways to troubleshoot your iPad. This wikiHow will show you how to update apps manually and automatically on your iPad, iPad Air, Mini, and Pro devices.

Things You Should Know

Open the App Store and tap your Apple ID in the top-right corner. Scroll down and tap "Update" next to an app, or "Update All".
To enable automatic updates, open "Settings" → "App Store" → toggle on "App Updates".
If you can't update an app, make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi and have your iPad plugged in.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Checking For App Updates

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1
Connect your iPad to a Wi-Fi network. You'll need to have internet access to check for and download updates. If your iPad has cellular data access, you can use it to download updates, but this will count against your data usage plan.
- Open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi to find and connect to a wireless network.
2
Open the App Store. This looks like a white A with a blue background. You can usually find this on your home screen or in the App Library.
- Be sure to update your iPad to the latest version.
- If you don't see the App Store on your device, you may have parental controls enabled. If you're the device owner, you can easily turn it off. Otherwise, you'll need to contact the owner.
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This will be in the top-right corner of the screen. A pop-up menu will open.^{[1]
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You'll see a list of installed apps underneath Upcoming Automatic Updates. By default, automatic updates are turned on. If it isn't you can always enable it.
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Tap Update. This will be next to the app you need to update.
- If you want to update all available apps at once, tap Update All above the list of apps.
- When the app is finished updating, it will disappear from the list.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Enabling Automatic Updates

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1
Open the Settings app. You can turn on automatic app updates so that your device will automatically download and install any available updates for the apps on the iPad.
- Automatic updates will not occur if your iPad is in Low Power mode.
You can find this in the middle of the left panel, underneath Privacy & Security.
This will be underneath the Automatic Downloads header. When this is on, apps should automatically update as long as you're connected to Wi-Fi and have enough battery.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting

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The battery may be too low to update the apps. Use the proper cable and charging block to charge your iPad. Try updating the apps again.
Restart your iPad. Press and hold the Power button and Volume Up button until the Power slider appears. Slide the slider with your finger and wait for your iPad to turn off. Wait 30 seconds, and then turn it back on. Try downloading the updates again.
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen or double-click the Home button to bring up all open apps. Swipe up on the App Store to force-close it. Then, open the App Store again to try updating.
If the updates still aren't working, try a hard reset to clear your cache. Press and hold the Power and Volume Up (or Home) buttons until the device shuts down. Continue holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears. Once the iPad restarts, try downloading updates again from the App Store.

Community Q&A

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Question

How can I download apps on my iPad if I don't have the App Store?

Community Answer

You will never not have the App Store on a real iPad. It comes with the device and cannot be deleted. Scroll through all your pages of apps and look for it carefully. Try going to Settings > General > Restrictions, and if restrictions are enabled, disable them. If none of this helps, take your iPad to an Apple store or your wireless provider's store.

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Question

What do I do if my app won't load on my iPad mini?

Community Answer

Check to see if it needs to be updated. If it doesn't need an update and it is still not working, you may have to delete the app and reinstall it to get it working.

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Question

My Deer Hunter app will not work. How do I update?

Community Answer

One possible solution would be to delete the app and re-download it.

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