Apps Not Updating in Google Play Store: Issues & Solutions
As everything needs maintenance, mobile devices also demand maintenance of applications and software for a longer run and reduced downtime. App updates on Android devices bring several benefits to enterprises. You can keep your devices updated with the latest releases by developers to fix new vulnerabilities and threats.
New updates sometimes also come up with bug fixes encountered in the older version, so it helps improve user experience and productivity by improving the interface or features. This article will discuss some common issues related to apps not updating in Play Store and ways to troubleshoot these issues.
1. Apps Not Updating in Play Store: Issues & Solutions
1.1Check Your Issue
First, it is necessary to identify why the app is not updating. Three possibilities for such issue can be:
App updates are unable to complete
- It usually occurs due to frequent disconnections or poor internet service. Apps will not update if the device is continuously facing internet problems. Provide another internet source to enable app updates.
- It also occurs if the device storage space is full and needs more space to download and install the updates. You need to free up the required space in the device to continue the app updates.
- App permissions also sometimes become a reason for the failure of app updates. So, ensure that the app permissions are set to 'allow' for installing updates.
- Corrupted data in existing apps can hinder the app update process. Clearing the cache can start updating the app.
The app won't update automatically
- It usually happens when the device feature 'auto-update' is disabled. Turn on auto-update to enable devices to update apps when any update is available.
- Auto-update may not be enabled for mobile data and only for Wi-Fi. So, it will not update when the device is connected to a mobile network to save data consumption. You can enable it from settings to update apps automatically on mobile data.
- If all these terms are enabled, and you still face the same issue, your device will be in power-saving mode. Auto-app updates never trigger on power saving mode. Disable and charge your phone to install app updates successfully.
The Google Play Store app cannot be opened at all
- This issue arises if your Google account needs to be accurately configured on your device or if you have internet problems.
- If Google Play Store needs to update, the apps will also sometimes give errors in the opening.
- Sometimes, your update causes compatibility issues with the devices, and the app does not run on the device. Removing new updates can also run the app.
1.2Troubleshooting Solutions
- Check your network connection
Checking the network connection helps you ensure that the issue is not due to internet service and that the device is getting adequate services to install app updates. You can check the network connection by following the below instructions: - To check the Wi-Fi Connection
On your Android, click the Home icon and select the Settings icon from the menu. Click on the 'Network' tab and select 'Connections'.
Tap 'Wi-Fi,' and you will see 'Connected' after the network you are connected to. - To check the Cellular Network
From the device 'Settings,' open the 'About Device' tab and select the 'Status' option. You can see the cellular connection details with some additional information about your phone. - Check your storage space
Storage space is a key parameter that can cause the app not to update in the Play Store issue. So, it is essential to check app storage if you find an error in updating the apps.
Mostly, an error message displays the reason that the phone has no storage space to continue updates. You can check your phone storage space by following these instructions:
Open the Settings app on your device and find the 'Device Maintenance' or 'Device Care' option on your devices.
Scroll down to select the 'Storage' option and click on it. It will display the total and remaining storage space available. Below, you can also find detailed information about specific types of files consuming space. - Check your OS updates
It is necessary to update your device's OS before updating the apps working on it. It will help you streamline the installation of app updates. To check available updates, follow these guidelines:
Open the Settings app and click on System to select 'System Updates.' Here, you can check your update status.
To check security and Google Play System updates, go to the Settings app and open the 'Security and Privacy' tab. In the system and updates tab, you can check for available updates. - Reopen Google Play Store
Sometimes, issues are resolved by closing the Google Play Store and reopening it. Minor glitches in the app update process are removed by doing this. Close the Google Play Store once on the device, and then you can open it from the menu or using the recent apps list. - Restart your device
Restarting the device removes temporary files that might contain bugs and reset specific settings, enabling the device to perform routine procedures. Thus resolving the app updates issue and starting it again.
Press the power off button and choose any option from restart or shut down. Selecting restart will automatically turn your device on once it is powered off. - Check if the app's available for your device
Compatibility of apps with your OS and device models is also essential. Check the app compatibility conditions and verify if it supports your device. You can verify it from the app's listing on Google Play Store. - Uninstall and reinstall the app
Sometimes, apps need to be fixed. It can be resolved by uninstalling and reinstalling the app on your device.
Go to the Settings app and open Apps or Apps Manager. Select the disturbing app and uninstall it. You can go to the Google Play Store to install it again. - Delete and reinstall the Play Store app
App update errors might occur due to some general issues with the files stored on your device. Deleting the app file entirely from the device and again installing it can remove the app update error.
Open your phones file manager and delete the app file from it. Go to the device 'Settings' tab and open the app manager to select and uninstall the app. After removal, go to the Google Play Store and download the app again. - Clear the cache and data of the Google Play Store
Clearing cache from the Google Play Store also helps resolve issues due to temporary files in the app folder.
Open device settings and tap on apps. Then select Google Play Store and select 'Storage.' Click on the clear data or clear cache option to remove them. - Re-login your Google account
Errors may occur due to account issues. Logging out and in again, refresh the settings and authentications, and resolve issues with app updates. - Clear cache and data from Google Play Services
App update issues are sometimes resolved by clearing the cache from Google Play Services. Open the 'Settings' app and click the 'Apps' tab. Then select Google Play Services and click on Storage. Tap on Clear Cache or Manage space to clear the cache and data. - Turn off battery saver mode
App updates do not proceed when the power-safe mode is powered on. Turn off power safe mode to enable manual or auto update of apps. Open the device 'Settings' and select the battery option. Toggle off power safe mode and initial app updates again. - Update apps via browser instead
You can also update apps using a web browser like Google Chrome. Open the Play Store website on Chrome and log in with your Google account to update the apps. - Get Google Support
After performing all the above actions, the issue persists on your device; you can contact the Google Support team to resolve this issue. Visit the Google Play Help Center or contact the support team.
2. Managed Devices Didn't Receive App Updates
Issue
Business managers allow IT teams to incorporate an MDM solution and manage corporate devices available in bulk, ensuring compliance and high-security features. MDM provides a Managed Google Play Store to distribute apps on all managed devices smoothly. But sometimes, they may find out the managed devices do not receive app updates successfully.
Solution
To automatically update apps, please ensure the devices meet the following criteria:
- Managed devices are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.
- The device is charged enough to complete the updates.
- None of the managed devices is actively used.
- The specific app to update is not running in the background.
- Users can manage networks and update settings on their devices to manage app updates accordingly. However, IT teams can control their devices to override their selected settings and ensure devices are updated timely.
3. Google Play App Update Settings
Let's discuss some essential settings related to app updates provided by the Google Play Store:
3.1App download preference
Setting app download preference enables you to specify the circumstances for downloading.
1. If you want to conserve your mobile data, you can allow auto-update of apps only on Wi-Fi.
2.If you have excess mobile data, you can select the Wi-Fi or mobile data option so auto-update can be configured anytime when updates are available.
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android phone and click on the profile icon from the extreme right corner of the screen.
- Click 'Settings' and select 'Network Preferences' to access the auto-update apps feature.
- Select any of the options you want to prefer from two options, i.e., Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi & mobile data.
3.2App auto-update configurations
You can manage auto-update settings for all apps and individual apps, too.
All apps: Enabling auto-update of all apps will allow the device to configure new updates on the devices when available automatically.
Individual app: Enabling auto-update of specific apps will allow the device to configure new updates automatically for only the selected apps.
Open the Google Play Store app and click on the profile icon to select Manage Apps and Devices.
Then tap 'Manage' and select the app you want to auto-update.
Open the details and tap more. Then, turn on 'Enable auto update' for that specific app.
3.3Manually update apps in Google Play
Google Play allows users to control app updates when required to ensure work continuity at official hours and update apps at night.
All apps: You can enable the update of all apps with a single click to ensure they are updated. You can easily update all apps in one go by selecting the update all option in the 'Manage apps and device' tab.
Individual app: Google Play Store allows you to update individual apps to quickly update a required app and save time by keeping other apps pending for later.
Open Google Play Store and tap the profile icon to select 'Manage apps and device.' Here, you will see the apps with updates labeled as 'update available.' You can click on the update button to initiate it.
Conclusion
Maintenance of mobile devices and apps is mandatory for efficient working and security. You need to customize Play Store settings and manage other mobile features required to update apps; otherwise, app updates will not configure smoothly. Some common reasons for the app not updating on the Android device can be the internet connection issue, storage space capacity issue, or Play Store settings issue. Businesses need to utilize Managed Google Play using MDM solutions that provide remote support to manage apps on a fleet of devices.
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