How to Turn On Automatic App Updates on iPhone and Android in Australia

App updates do more than add new features. They fix bugs, close security holes and keep apps working smoothly with the latest version of your phone software. Leaving updates to chance means you can miss those fixes for weeks. Turning on automatic updates solves that problem quietly in the background, so your apps stay current without you having to check the store every few days. This guide shows how to switch the setting on for both iPhone and Android, and how to deal with updates that get stuck.

Before you start, connect to Wi-Fi if you can. Automatic updates can use a lot of mobile data, especially for large apps, so most people set updates to Wi-Fi only. You will also need enough free storage on your phone, since an update cannot install if there is no room for it.

Step 1: Turn on automatic updates on iPhone

Open Settings on your iPhone and tap App Store. Look for the section called Automatic Downloads and switch on App Updates. With this on, your iPhone will download and install app updates on its own when it is connected to Wi-Fi and charging, in most cases.

While you are there, check the setting for automatic downloads over mobile data if you see it. Most people leave this off or set it to ask each time, so a large update does not eat into a mobile data allowance. If you have unlimited mobile data and prefer updates at any time, you can allow it, but Wi-Fi only is the safer choice for most plans in Australia.

If you want your phone software itself to update automatically too, go back to Settings, tap General, then Software Update, then Automatic Updates, and switch on the options there. App updates and phone software updates are separate settings, so turning on one does not automatically turn on the other.

Step 2: Turn on automatic updates on Android

On an Android phone, open the Google Play Store and tap your profile picture in the top corner. Tap Settings, then Network Preferences, then Auto-update apps. You will usually see three choices: over any network, over Wi-Fi only, or do not auto-update apps.

Choose over Wi-Fi only for most situations. This keeps updates off your mobile data while still keeping apps current whenever you are on Wi-Fi at home or at work. If you have a large mobile data allowance and want updates everywhere, you can choose over any network, but check your plan first so a big update does not use up your allowance early in the month.

Some Android phones from Samsung and other makers also have their own app store, such as the Galaxy Store. If you install apps from there, open that store's settings as well and look for a similar auto-update option, so apps from both stores stay current.

Step 3: Check that updates are actually happening

Automatic updates work in the background, so it is easy to assume they are working when they are not. After a few days, open the App Store on iPhone or the Play Store on Android and check whether your apps show as up to date. If nothing has updated, check that you have free storage, a stable Wi-Fi connection, and that the phone has been charged and idle for a while. Phones often wait for a quiet moment, such as overnight while charging, before installing updates. Also check that Low Power Mode on iPhone or Battery Saver on Android is not blocking background activity.

Step 4: Fix updates that get stuck

Sometimes an update starts and then stalls. The first fix is simple: pause the update and start it again. In the App Store or Play Store, find the app, tap to pause the download if that option appears, then tap to resume it. A fresh attempt often clears a temporary network glitch.

If that does not work, check your storage. Delete a few large videos, unused apps or old downloads to free up space, then try the update again. Updates need room not just for the new version but also for the installation process itself, so a phone that is almost full will struggle.

Restarting the phone is another reliable fix. A restart clears temporary faults in the store app and the network connection, and it often lets a stuck update finish on the next attempt. If the problem affects only one app, try deleting that app and reinstalling it from the store, but only if you are sure your data for that app is saved in your account or backed up, since deleting an app can remove its local data.

Step 5: Keep control without turning updates off

Some people worry that automatic updates will change an app they like. That can happen from time to time, but turning updates off entirely leaves security fixes uninstalled, which is a bigger risk for most people. A better balance is to keep automatic updates on and check the update notes for apps you care about. If an update causes a problem, you can report it through the store listing and wait for a follow up fix, which usually arrives quickly for popular apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do automatic updates use my mobile data?

They can, depending on your setting. On both iPhone and Android you can choose Wi-Fi only, which is the best choice for most people in Australia. Check the setting in the App Store or Play Store if you are unsure, and change it to Wi-Fi only if you want to protect your mobile data allowance.

Will automatic updates slow down my phone?

Updates may briefly use the processor and network while they install, usually when the phone is idle or charging. Once installed, they should not slow the phone down on their own. If a phone feels slow after an update, restarting it and freeing up storage usually helps.

Can I turn off automatic updates for just one app?

On most phones there is no simple switch for a single app, though you can manage updates manually by turning automatic updates off and updating apps one by one. For most people this is more work than it is worth, and keeping automatic updates on is the safer choice for security.