How to set automatic updates on iphone

If you or someone you know frequently gets behind on installing app updates on an iPhone or iPad, you may appreciate a feature in iOS Settings that allows the App Store to automatically update apps on the device.

Just as it sounds, Automatic Updates for apps will periodically discover and find available updates for any installed iOS app on an iPhone or iPad, and then download and install those app updates automatically. This takes user involvement out of the updating process, as apps will just update themselves whenever updates become available. Automatic app updates in iOS is a great setting for people who want to maintain the latest versions of apps on their devices, but who routinely fall behind on manually launching the App Store to install updates directly themselves.

For automatic app updates to work in iOS, the iPhone or iPad must be on a newer version of iOS system software, and the device must have an active internet connection, as without internet access the updates won’t be checked or downloaded.

How to Enable Automatic App Updates in iOS

This setting to enable the automatic updating of iOS apps is the same on iPhone and iPad:

1. Open the “Settings” app on the iPhone or iPad


2. Go to “iTunes & App Store”


3. Under the ‘Automatic Downloads’ section, look for “Updates” and toggle that switch to the ON position


4. Exit out of Settings as usual

Now Automatic Updates for iOS apps has been enabled, and whenever updates are found in the App Store they will automatically install themselves onto the iPhone or iPad that has the setting enabled.

The process is all handled in the background and aside from seeing the update indicators on app icons themselves, it’s rather seamless and most users won’t even notice the updates are happening behind the scenes.

Once you have this feature enabled, you’ll pretty much never see the looming numerical red badge on the iOS App Store icon, which are used to indicate the amount of apps that are awaiting updates. Instead the updates just install themselves when possible, all automated and easy.

Of course you an also choose to disable the automatic app updates feature of iOS and then just manually update all iOS apps on the device, or even just update apps independently on an individual basis, how you handle iOS App Store updates is up to you and how you use the iPhone or iPad.

Note this does not apply to installing iOS system software updates, though another similar feature allows you to automatically install iOS system software updates as they arrive to an iPhone or iPad, which can be just as useful for some users.

And of course while this applies to the iPhone and iPad, Mac users aren’t left in the dust. Mac users can enable automatic app updates as well as other automatic software updates, so if you find this feature useful on one Apple device you may well find it useful on your others as well.

Do you have any tips or tricks for automatically installing app updates in iOS? Do you have any particular thoughts or opinions on the feature? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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This article explains how to enable automatic updates for your iPhone and iPad, so your devices can patch apps automatically, install the latest version of apps and games, and sync new purchases across all your devices from a single download. These instructions apply to iPadOS 14, PadOS 13, and iOS 14 through iOS 9.

How to Turn On the Automatic App Updates Feature

The automatic app update feature eliminates the need to download dozens of updates on each of your devices.

After the automatic app update feature is turned on, your iOS devices download updates to any apps as they become available.

1. Open the Settings app.

   
   

2. Tap App Store in the Settings sidebar in iPadOS 13 and iOS 13 and later, or select iTunes & App Store in the sidebar in iOS 12 through iOS 9.

   
   

3. In the Automatic Downloads section, turn on the toggle switch next to App Updates in iPadOS 13 or iOS 13 and later or next to Updates in iOS 12 through iOS 9.

   
   

With App Updates turned on, the updates occur behind the scene automatically. You no longer need to update each app on each device manually.

If your iPhone or an iPad connects to a data network, there's an option to use cellular data to download automatic updates. Some apps, especially games, could use a good chunk of your monthly data allotment. Even with an unlimited plan, cellular downloads may slow down your device for other services. Use with caution.

Automatic Downloads Section

The Automatic Downloads section also includes an On/Off slider for Apps. It works differently from the App Updates feature. When you turn on Apps, downloading a new app to any of your devices automatically downloads it to your other devices that use the same Apple ID and have the feature turned on. It does not check for updates to those apps.

In iOS 12 through iOS 9, the Automatic Downloads section also includes On/Off sliders for Music and Books & Audiobooks. Turning them on syncs your new music or book downloads across your devices. In iPad 13 and iOS 13 and later, those two settings moved to the Music and Books settings, respectively.

Automatic syncing of music and books across your devices may not be the best choice if you are a couple or family sharing the same Apple ID, especially if you have different tastes in books and music. Synchronizing music to all devices can quickly fill the storage space.

However, if you are the only one using that Apple ID or if you have the storage space to spare, these settings can save time downloading each new purchase to each device.

How to Turn On Face ID or Touch ID for Downloads

Another time-saving feature is the ability to use Face ID or Touch ID to download apps from the App Store.

To turn on this setting, open the Settings app, choose Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter your passcode when prompted, and then tap the iTunes & App Store toggle switch to the On position.

Flip the switch next to iPad Unlock (or iPhone Unlock) to use your Touch ID or Face ID to unlock the device.

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