Do I need to update my apps?

 

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Do I need to update my apps?

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What's coming up?

In this course, you will learn why it’s important for your apps to be up-to-date, how to make sure that happens, and how to check that your data is used wisely during updates.

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Why update an app?

When an app is first created, it may contain minor computer bugs (problems) which result in it not working properly. Updates usually fix those bugs.

In many instances, updates can also add more features to an app.

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App updates on Apple devices

An iPhone or iPad usually updates its apps automatically, but you can change this if you want to. Let's see how to do this on an Apple device in the video on the next slide.

Click Continue below and then, on the next slide, click the play button on the video to watch it. You can also click anywhere on the video to pause or restart it.

How to update apps on an iPhone or iPad

This demonstration video is approximately 2 minutes and 44 seconds in duration. It demonstrates how to update an app on an iPhone or iPad. There is text and animation on stage throughout the video.

Once the video starts, the intro panel fades and we see the screen is split into two parts. On the left-hand side is an animation of an iPhone. On the right-hand side, there is text displayed, which is the script for the voiceover track.

Voiceover: "Let's check if the Apple device is automatically receiving updates. First, tap on the Settings icon."

The left-hand panel zooms in a little closer and highlights the Settings icon on the screen with a green circle. We watch as the Settings icon is tapped to open up the iPhone's settings options.

Voiceover: "Scroll down to the App Store icon. It looks like a white A in a blue box."

The left-hand panel shows the Settings options being scrolled down until the App Store option becomes visible. This option is then highlighted with a green circle.

Voiceover: "Tap on the App Store. You will see two options under the title AUTOMATIC DOWNLOADS."

The left-hand panel shows the App Store options page appear, displaying the AUTOMATIC DOWNLOADS options.

Voiceover: "Tap the switch next to App Updates."

The left-hand panel shows that the 'Updates' button is not switched on, so it is tapped to turn this feature on. The little switch next to the word 'Updates' becomes green, indicating this feature is now enabled.

Voiceover: "This lets your Apple device automatically check if apps are up to date, and update them if they aren't. Be sure to check the switch next to Automatic Downloads under the MOBILE DATA section too. If this is on, apps will be downloaded and updated using mobile data. This can be expensive, so it's usually best to leave it turned off. It also means that updates will only happen when you're connected to Wi-Fi. "

The left-hand panel shows the 'Automatic Downloads' option under MOBILE DATA is currently switched off, so we leave it switched off. We return to the Home screen by tapping on the Home button. The screen zooms in a little and highlights a red circle with a 3 in it on the App Store app icon. This indicates there are 3 updates available.

Voiceover: "If you have automatic updates switched off and updates for some apps are available, a number will appear next to the App Store icon. To get the updates, tap the App Store icon."

The left-hand panel shows a green circle highlighting the App Store icon and we watch as the icon is tapped to open the App Store. A green circle highlights the profile icon in the top right-hand corner of the App Store page.

Voiceover: "When the App Store opens, tap the user profile icon at the top right to see the options."

The left-hand panel shows the profile icon being tapped and the Account options page opens. We scroll down the page to find the Update All option.

Voiceover: "Scroll down the list and tap on Update All to update all the apps at once. The apps will start updating themselves, and you can return to the Home screen and continue to use your phone as normal."

The left-hand panel shows the Update All being tapped and the 3 apps needing to be updated start to automatically download their updates with each one's progress indicated by a spherical blue progress bar. Once the updates are complete, each app shows an Open button indicating they are up to date and ready to use. We return to the Home screen which now shows the App Store icon is no longer showing the red circle and number.

Video ends.

App updates on an Android device

Apps on Android phones and tablets usually update automatically, but you can change this if you want to. The steps vary between Android models but are very similar, so of your device is a little different, you should be able to follow along.

Let's watch a short video on how to change the update settings on an Android device, and how to check if apps need updating.

On the next slide, click the play button on the video to watch it. You can also click anywhere on the video to pause or restart it.

How to update apps on an Android smartphone or tablet

This demonstration video is approximately 2 minutes and 37 seconds in duration. It demonstrates how to update an app on an Android device. There is text and animation on stage throughout the video.

Once the video starts, the intro panel fades and we see the screen is split into two parts. On the left-hand side is an animation of a typical Android smartphone, such as a Samsung. On the right-hand side, there is text displayed, which is the script for the voiceover track.

Voiceover: "It's simple to change the update settings on an Android smartphone. First, let's check if the Android phone is automatically receiving updates."

The left-hand panel zooms in a little to highlight the Play Store app icon, which it highlights with a green circle.

Voiceover: "Tap on the Play Store icon to open Google Play."

The left-hand panel shows the Play Store icon being tapped and the Google Play home page appears.

Voiceover: "Next, tap the hamburger menu. It looks like three lines."

The left-hand panel zooms to the top left corner of the page and highlights the three stacked lines icon, also known as a hamburger menu. The icon is tapped to open a new panel, that slides into position from the left-hand side of the page.

Voiceover: "A panel of navigation shortcuts will appear."

The left-hand panel scrolls down the list of options on the shortcuts panel until the 'Settings' option comes into view. The Settings option is highlighted with a green circle.

Voiceover: "Scroll down to 'Settings' and tap on it."

The left-hand panel shows the Settings option being tapped and a new list of options opens.

Voiceover: "This is where all of your settings for Google Play are kept."

The left-hand panel zooms in to near the top of the list and highlights the 'Auto-update apps' option.

Voiceover: "Tap on 'Auto-update apps'."

The left-hand panel shows the Auto-update apps option being tapped and a pop-up panel appears showing three options to choose from. The Auto-update apps option is currently set to 'Do not auto-update apps'.

Voiceover: "Select 'Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only'. This means that app updates will not use your mobile data plan."

The left-hand panel highlights the Wi-Fi option and we watch it being tapped to select it. The page refreshes and we note that Auto-update apps has been correctly set to update over Wi-Fi only. We return to the phone's Home screen.

Voiceover: "If you have automatic updates switched off, you will get a notification on your phone when updates are available. To get the updates, go to the Play Store."

The left-hand panel zooms in to show the Play Store icon and highlights it with a green circle. We see it being tapped, and the Google Play home page appear. We zoom up to the top left-hand corner of the page and the hamburger menu icon is highlighted.

Voiceover: "Tap the hamburger menu to access the navigation shortcuts."

The left-hand panel shows the hamburger menu being tapped and the shortcuts options displayed.

Voiceover: "Next, tap My apps & games."

The left-hand panel shows the My apps & games option being tapped. A new panel opens up showing your installed apps that require updating at the top of the list.

Voiceover: "You will see all the apps you have installed with updates available. Tap the 'Update' button next to the apps you want to update."

The left-hand panel shows there are individual Update buttons alongside each app, so you can update them one at a time if you wish.

Voiceover: "Or tap 'Update All' to update all your apps at once."

The left-hand panel scrolls up a little to highlight the 'Update All' button at the top of the list. We watch that button being tapped to update all the apps. We watch the progress of the apps as they are updated.

Voiceover: "The apps will start updating themselves, and you can return to the home screen and use your phone as normal."

Video ends.

Using Wi-Fi for Apple app updates

You can save your phone’s mobile data allowance by ensuring apps update only when you’re on a Wi-Fi network.

On an iPhone or iPad:

  • Open the Settings app.
  • Scroll down and choose App Store from the menu.
  • Make sure the button alongside Automatic Downloads in the Mobile Data section is switched off.
An iPhone showing the App Store settings screen with the 'Automatic downloads' button switched off

Using Wi-Fi for Android app updates

You can save your phone’s mobile data allowance by ensuring apps update only when you’re on a Wi-Fi network. The steps vary between Android models, but are similar enough that you should still be able to follow along.

On an Android phone:

  • Open the Play Store app.
  • Tap your Google profile icon in the top right of the Search bar.
  • Choose Settings from the drop-down menu.
  • Choose General, then Auto-update apps to see more options.
  • Ensure Auto-update apps is set to Over Wi-Fi only.
An Android smartphone Auto-update app setting showing it is set to Over Wi-Fi only

Congratulations!

You’ve completed the Do I need to update my apps? activity. You've learned that updating apps is a good idea, but that your phone or tablet can usually look after that for you.

Next up, we'll see how much of your data will be used by apps in the Will an app use my mobile data? activity.

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