Update your app

An app that can update shows a prompt when a newer version is available. The words can differ from app to app. On a Mac, buttons use capital letters, such as Update Now.

Before you start

An update restarts the app, so save your work first.

Update from the app

1. Open the app. When it starts it can look for a newer version and show Looking for a newer version…
2. To look right away, choose Check for updates in the app’s menu or settings. On macOS it reads Check for Updates…
3. When a newer version is available, select Update now.
4. When the app says the update is ready, select Restart now.

You may also see:

• Restart when ready (Install and Relaunch on macOS) restarts the app after the download.
• Later (Remind Me Later on macOS) closes the prompt.
• An update that fixes a security problem says This update includes an important security fix.

When an update is required

Update required means the app can’t continue until you update. Select Update now or Update. A message titled Update to keep using has no Later button. With no Update now button, see Apps from a store or package manager.

The app keeps working if its title is This version is no longer supported and No update is available here yet. Check again later.

Apps from a store or package manager

A store or package manager updates the apps you got from it. Don’t remember how you installed it? See Download your app, or ask the app’s developer.

If the app shows one of these, update it in that store or app:

• Update on the App Store
• Update on Google Play
• Get it on Steam
• Open AltStore
• Open TestFlight
• Open and a store’s name

If it shows one of these, do what the line says, or update the way you installed the app:

• Steam installs it. Restart Steam if it hasn’t arrived.
• Windows installs it the next time starts.
• Reload the page to get it.
• Any other line saying where it installs

If it shows this line:

• Run to install it.

Run the command in a terminal (a window for typing commands) only if you installed the app with that tool and recognize the command. If not, update the way you installed the app.

Why you may not see an update yet

A developer can release an update to some people first, and a store can release in stages too. Apps stop offering a release the developer pauses. The download page waits until a release is open to everyone.

If an update doesn’t work

When an update doesn’t start, some apps restore the previous version and say The last update didn’t start, so the previous version was restored.

If an update doesn’t work table

You see	What it means and what to do
Can’t update here	Update it the way you installed it, or see Download your app.
Update not finished	Close the app and open it again. It tries again when it starts.
Paused · waiting for Wi-Fi	Connect to Wi-Fi, or select Download now.
Couldn’t download	Select Try again.

Check it worked

Choose Check for updates. The app says You’re up to date.

Still need help?

For the right contact, read Get help with an app.