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#230 Spring Cleaning: Keep Apps and Devices Up to Date

April 30, 2014

It’s important to keep apps and operating systems up to date so that your devices are free from bugs and security vulnerabilities.  Here are some brief instructions on how to update your operating system and apps on Android and iOS devices.

It’s important to keep apps and operating systems up to date so that your devices are free from bugs and security vulnerabilities.  Here are some brief instructions on how to update your operating system and apps on Android and iOS devices.  

Operating System Updates

System updates can be time consuming. Depending on how large the update is, system updates could take up to 30 minutes or a full hour.

IMPORTANT: Please back up your devices before applying an operating system update! Staying up to date is important, but its always a good idea to have backups available of your files.  Here are instructions on how to backup iOS devices and Android devices.

Android

  • Open your applications folder and tap Settings
  • Tap About Phone (sometimes labeled Device Info)
  • Tap System Updates (sometimes labeled Software Update)*
  • If an update is available, tap Download and Install

*Some devices may have a software update option listed on the first page of Settings.

iOS

  • Launch the Settings app
  • Tap General
  • Tap Software Update
  • If an update is available, tap Download and Install

App Updates

Updating apps eliminates bugs and security vulnerabilities.  Here are some instructions on how to update your apps manually or through an auto update feature.

Android

  • Launch the Google Play store
  • Tap the Play Store logo in the top left
  • Tap “My apps”
  • Either choose apps one by one and update individually or tap Update All in the top right  

Alternatively, you can enable auto updating for Android apps so you no longer have to periodically check the Google Play store.  Here is how to enable auto updating on Android:

  • Launch the Google Play store
  • Tap the Play Store logo in the top left
  • Tap Settings
  • Under the section labeled “General”, tap “Auto update apps” and choose either update at any time or update over Wi-Fi only depending on what suits your data plan 

iOS

  • Launch App Store
  • Tap on the Updates tab
  • Either tap Update next to each app individually or tap Update All in the top left

You can also enable auto updating for iOS apps so you no longer have to check the App Store.  Here is how to enable auto updating on iOS:

  • Launch the Settings app
  • Tap the tab labeled “iTunes & App Store” (you may have to scroll down)
  • Under the Automatic Downloads section, touch the toggle to the right of Updates to automatically download updates for the apps you have installed

 

For more information, please see this article or these support articles for updating on iOS and Android.