iPhone automatic App Updates not working

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.

You don't seem to have understood, or I misunderstood.

Since I did the above, it has been updating the apps on its own.

I didn't need to press update all at the end, just to check if it stops again after updating 5-6 apps, as it did before.

The problem was caused by a "stuck" app that could not update. After I deleted it, everything worked again. I suspect others will have an app like this, even if not the same as mine.

I’ve been looking in to this issue with a very well known MDM provider, in my role as a systems engineer supporting schools.

A large local authority in the UK was getting frustrated because their MDM reported app updates were available, but the iPads were not installing them when commanded.

The issue was, and still is that even though a new version of a particular app has been made available on the App Store, the app developer has to apply a tag to the previous versions to tell the devices that it “needs-update” and that’s typically a staged process across the globe.

What this means in the context of this thread is that automatic updates will not happen until the app developer applies a “needs-update” flag to their app in your region, but you can manually check for updates in the App Store to shortcut that process which makes it appear as though your iPhone or iPad is ignoring available updates.

The reality is that automatic updates rely on the app developer, not the device OS. Apple could certainly make this more obvious, but I don’t think they can do anything about it without overwhelming servers when every single iPhone and iPad in the world decides to update Instagram at the same time!!

Well I was never informed by an Apple employee on this here.

I just attempted it, I turned off this “offload unused apps” in the setting which you provided a great walkthrough.

Do you know if this applies for the general system update as well since I have to reload and see for updates while it’s not automatic?

I have automatic download turned on, but the list of manual updates is very often present. If the oldest waiting app on the list of manual updates is around 7 days, then yes, this is related to the functionality of the App Store for developers: deployment in phases, which takes seven days. The first day limits the number of installs or updates to 10%. More details about the feature on this page:

Release a version update in phases - Update your app - App Store Connect - Help - Apple Developer

Yes still going on with the same issue here as all of you.

Sadly I even had a whole 2 hour chat with an Apple employee.

I was appalled to have a 2 hour chat of pointless nonsense I’ve already done.

They just telll you the same as the forum is written.

They say you have to turn off “security responses & systems files.

• does not work I’ve tried and it failed.
• i questioned why do I need to turn off my security response ?

the employee also pushed around telling me to turn the phone off and restart then last but not least telling me to update manually ?

So now I’m here with y’all on this forum trying to figure it out.

[Edited by Moderator]

Dr. Bamboozle wrote:

Lastly, he stated that apps could take up to 6 weeks. to update automatically, once a new version is released to the App Store by the developer. I don't believe this to be true.

Believe it or not, this is the only honest answer you've got that could have saved a lot useless troubleshooting.

It's nearly impossible for Apple to handle all the required bandwidth necessary to auto update all the apps inside all the devices around the world instantly.

Even Google is using the same tactic with the Google Play Store, because the volume of data and bandwidth required is even bigger in their case.

I don't think it's root cause of the issue. The real issue is that iOS doesn't even refresh automatically list of apps that CAN be updated so it DOESN'T EVEN INFORM me that an update CAN be done. I have to refresh it manually to even know that an update is available. Even if the developer has not enforced an update using the "needs-update" tag, EITHER way, the app should appear as available for update on the App Store and it does not until I do it manually. Besides, that's why I use the "Automatic Updates" option to ALWAYS have the LATEST versions of the apps and I don't care if the developer has set the update as required or optional. If Apple understands "automatic updates" as updating ONLY developer-required updates, and I'm left waiting up to 6 weeks (!!!) for all other updates, then it's not an automatic update process for me and Apple should add an "Always force update to the newest version of the app" option to App Store. Currently, it works tragically.

What? Of course there is, it’s called ‘update all’ and it appears right above the list of apps that need updating…

I have also been facing this issue for long time and it is unacceptable in my opinion fora premium and expensive device like iPad. Can Apple staff please respond with an answer and hopefully a solution?

furthermore, to make things worse, there is not even an option to update all apps at once, and one has to manually click update for each of the apps needing update.

I’ve had this issue for all my iPhone 12 Pro life. I assumed if I upgraded to the iPhone 14 Pro Max it would go away.

Sadly till this day Dec 29th 2023 I have the issue.

Apps won’t auto update nor will it tell me I have one unless I refresh or load up manually. This is the same as the system general update too. It’s tedious, I have everything turned on to auto update and I get nothing.

I have to manually refresh and load the page and update everything myself. It’s tedious because other iPhone users I talk to don’t have the issue?

Sadly no I don’t belive it will be.

Ive had this issue since my iPhone 12 Pro Max. I even upgraded last year to the 14 pro max and still having the issue.

I have to refresh the update page for general updates as well as app updates even after “automatically turned on”

Dec 29,2023

I had tons of apps that I discovered by accident had not updated. So many things lately have gone wrong with IOS updates. Maybe more that I have not noticed. It leaves me wondering if the same thing happens with android devices. I've had an iphone for years but this is frustrating.

I have answer for you: the apple does this on purpose so you keep thinking going to App Store over and over and hopefully one day you just finally buy their advertised stuff nobody otherwise cares about on the front page.😂

also Apple never ever ever fixed that new AirPods stop music when you receive text message on a freaking silent mode or do not disturb. It literally stop playing with every and each text.

i don’t understand how they don’t have their **** together with stuff that should be already functional

I have also had this same issue for years. What the **** is the use for having auto update if it doesn’t work???? This is one of my major grapes with apple, they’ve never fixed this issue and I know it’s not just me especially since it happens on every single iPhone I have and I always have the newest phone! Shame on you, Apple