Level 1

47 points

iPhone automatic App Updates not working

It seems like ages now that I have had to have been manually updating apps despite having the automatic update option turned on. I have made several attempts to resolve this with the apple help desk, but they seem unable to work out what the issue is.

I wondered if anyone else has had this problem and resolved it.

Things Ive tried with Apple support :

1) Log out of App Store log back in. Restart Phone

2) check for latest IOS update

3) Make sure payment option is a valid card

4) Make sure I can manually update apps

5) Check for VPS on phone

6) Check Time Zone

The latest solution from Apple was to Delete the app and re-install the app.... REALLY !!! of course this will update it to the latest version, but you can't be expected to that every time.

Yesterday ( 07/09/2023) I had 38 apps that had not updated a few of them over 5 days old !!!

Do auto updates happen at a particular time. ? Does the phone need to be charging ? Auto update is set for Wifi only

Any help would be appreciated but im resigned to manually updating apps at the moment. Which seems wrong !!!!

iPhone 13, iOS 16

Posted on Sep 8, 2023 7:41 AM

Top-ranking reply

BundasTm

Level 1

18 points

Posted on Jun 15, 2024 4:22 PM

I think I have found the solution.

There was an application that for some reason could not update (picturethis).

There were 60-70 applications in the list waiting for an update, but clicking on update all always started only 5-6 updates, and the other updates always stopped. Another update all, again 5-6 updated.

I also saw that there were always some apps that updated today, yesterday, or previous days that actually updated automatically.

Even if I managed to manually update all of them, that one app always stayed in the list, unable to update.

After I deleted that app, everything was updated to update all at once.

Then I put that one app back and everything works as it should.

I hope this information helps others.

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65 replies

cayl144

Level 1

14 points

May 24, 2024 10:19 PM in response to stocksy

I’ve had the same problem for years and years now! It is very irritating. I’ll go into my apps and have 60 apps or more that need to be updated. I’ve been dealing with it so long I’m just use to manually updating them. Although I shouldn’t have to and I’ll forget sometimes for weeks to update apps because honestly I shouldn’t have to. My phone does my automatic system updates but never updates any apps on its own even though I have it marked to do it!

Jun 5, 2024 5:51 PM in response to communities_user_05

well yeah obviously we ain’t dumb, but they promote “auto updates, as well as auto software updates”

That’s a lie, I have to physically update with that “update all” button rather having them do it by themselves “automatically”

Jun 16, 2024 1:45 AM in response to BundasTm

It's not a solution. You still have to press "Update all" to update all apps. And it should work without taping anything! The issue is still there and Apple seems not working on it. People really have to attack official support about it.

Jun 16, 2024 9:14 AM in response to BundasTm

I don't have any "stuck" apps that cannot update and apps are not updating properly so I don't think it's the issue.

You will also have to wait for the new updates to see if applications will actually update automatically for you, which they most certainly WILL NOT. But I hope it will work for you, let us know in 2-3 weeks.

Jun 18, 2024 4:49 AM in response to BundasTm

and if you manually refresh the list of applications, don't new ones appear to update? This is how it works for us, and it shouldn't. Also let's check later, give it 2-3 weeks to check if ALL apps are updating properly

Jun 23, 2024 3:34 AM in response to stocksy

Facing same issue. After the recent update it has now become even more frustrating!! It doesn’t even show you if there’s an update available. I have to tap on each application and then check if there exists any update.

FRUSTATING.

Jul 8, 2024 6:18 AM in response to MacPhil76

That’s ridiculous. There’s no submission by the app developer that will help and if there is, that’s absurd. If there’s an update that’s showing available by the developer, then they already requested an update is needed.

jengelz

Level 1

41 points

Dec 2, 2023 6:50 PM in response to stocksy

I’ve had this issue for way too long and finally decided to search if anybody else was experiencing it.

Do better, Apple!!!!

Dec 5, 2023 4:54 AM in response to jengelz

I definitely hate this issue. Good thing we’re into iPhone 16 pre release stage. Soon it will be fixed with an all new Apple product lmao

Dec 31, 2023 10:38 AM in response to stocksy

Same issue here. New iPad Pro charging on Wi-Fi but over 100 apps not updating.

FoxFifth

Level 10

478,035 points

Jan 3, 2024 11:43 AM in response to pioel

I have never had Offload Unused Apps turned on.

My automatic updates on 2 accounts (mine and my wife's) and 4 devices stopped in November 2023.

Jan 5, 2024 9:44 AM in response to stocksy

The issue is still not solved. Everytime I go to App Store I see not updated apps. I have to refresh it manually and tap on "Update all". Automatic updates option is on!

Jan 23, 2024 9:00 AM in response to stocksy

Just had to manually update my apps today in 2024. It’s been like this since I switched to Apple a few years ago

Jan 25, 2024 9:11 AM in response to stocksy

How do we get this escalated so someone will look into this? Are there Admins who monitor these threads?

FoxFifth

Level 10

478,035 points

Jan 25, 2024 9:13 AM in response to Dr. Bamboozle

Dr. Bamboozle wrote:

How do we get this escalated so someone will look into this? Are there Admins who monitor these threads?

See: Contact - Official Apple Support

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iPhone automatic App Updates not working