iPhone (iOS) · System
Control whether apps update themselves automatically
Separate from iOS software updates, the App Store has its own setting for automatically installing new versions of installed apps as developers release them.
How to open App Store Automatic App Updates
- Open Settings and tap App Store.
- Toggle App Updates on or off.
- Open the App Store app and check the Updates section to review or manually trigger pending updates.
What you should know
- Found in Settings > App Store > App Updates toggle.
- When enabled, apps update quietly in the background, typically over Wi-Fi.
- When disabled, updates must be installed manually from the Updates tab in the App Store app.
- Individual app updates can still be paused or managed even with the global toggle on.
Why it matters
App-level updates are released far more frequently than iOS itself, often multiple times a month across a typical app library, so this setting has a much more constant effect on the device than iOS update settings. Automatic updates keep apps patched against bugs and security issues without any effort, but they can also change an app's interface or behavior unexpectedly right before it's needed for something important. Understanding this setting, distinct from the iOS-level Automatic Updates setting, is key to controlling how much the apps on the phone change on their own over time.
Best practices
- Keep automatic app updates enabled for security-sensitive apps like banking or password managers.
- Disable it temporarily before a big event, like travel, if a critical app's stability shouldn't change unexpectedly.
- Periodically check the Updates tab manually even with auto-updates on, since not every update installs immediately.
Common problems and fixes
- An app changed its interface unexpectedly.
- Check the App Store's Updates or Purchase History to confirm an automatic update installed, and review the app's release notes.
- Updates aren't installing automatically despite the toggle being on.
- Confirm Wi-Fi is connected and Low Power Mode isn't restricting background activity, since both can delay automatic updates.
Tips and tricks
- Long-press the App Store icon and check the Updates section anytime for a manual, on-demand list.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as the iOS Automatic Updates setting?
No, this controls individual app updates within the App Store, while iOS Automatic Updates controls operating system updates.
Can automatic updates use cellular data?
Yes, if allowed under Settings > App Store > Cellular Data or Wi-Fi & Cellular Data settings.
Related settings
- Automatic UpdatesAutomatic Updates, found inside Software Update settings, controls whether iOS downloads and installs new versions on its own overnight — while charging and on Wi-Fi — without you needing to tap through it manually.
- Offload Unused AppsOffload Unused Apps is a toggle in App Store settings that automatically removes an app's binary — not its documents or data — when the iPhone is low on storage, so you can reinstall and pick up right where you left off.
More System guides for iPhone (iOS)
- Software UpdateSoftware Update keeps iOS current with the latest security fixes, features, and app compatibility. You can update wirelessly, overnight while charging, or via a computer.
- BatteryThe Battery screen shows your battery's current health and charging behavior, breaks down which apps used the most power recently, and includes Low Power Mode for stretching a low charge further.
- Update HistoryUpdate History, found on the General → About screen, lists every iOS and iPadOS version that has ever been installed on this specific device, along with the date each one was installed.
- Beta UpdatesBeta Updates lets you opt an iPhone into Apple's Developer or Public Beta program directly from Software Update settings, so it receives pre-release iOS versions ahead of the general public release.
- Rapid Security ResponsesRapid Security Responses deliver urgent security fixes between full iOS releases, installing quickly and, unlike major updates, without requiring a full device restart in most cases.
- Carrier Settings UpdateCarrier Settings Updates are small packages issued by a mobile carrier to improve network performance, enable new features like VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling, and fix connectivity bugs, independent of iOS software updates.