Apps get stuck updating

Question

Level 1

10 points

Apps get stuck updating

Ever since upgrading my iPhone 6 to iOS 9 apps don't always update properly. Some times when an app update is being processed it will be downloaded and the app will get stuck in an installing or even waiting state. The only way to fix it is to shut off my phone and restart it, at which point I have to try the update again. This has been happening regularly, leaving my home screen with lots of half updated apps. Here's what my home screen looks like right now:

Notice all the groups with incomplete updates. I only just restored the phone a few weeks ago as I had to get a replacement for a battery issue. Is anyone else experiencing this problem?

iPhone 6, iOS 9.0.2

Posted on Oct 14, 2015 5:51 PM

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Answer 1

Demo

Level 10

166,494 points

Oct 14, 2015 5:55 PM in response to apolson

I find that updates go more smoothly if you do not select the Update All option of you have lots of updates. It really helps to stay on top of the updates so that you only have a few at a time to update.

Here is something that you can try, Try tapping on the circle to stop the download, then tap Update again. Try it a few times. Usually that works for me. If that doesn't work. Go to Settings>Airplane Mode>On. That will disconnect you from your WiFi connection. Give it about 30 seconds and then Turn Airplane mode off. Try updating again.

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Answer 2

apolson Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 14, 2015 6:57 PM in response to Demo

I currently have my phone setup to auto-update so the number of simultaneous updates is usually pretty low.

Unfortunately tapping the app to try to stop and restart the install does nothing. Apps are either stuck in Installing or Loading state. Regardless of that state tapping has no effect. Here's an example:

This is what the updates look like in the App Store:

Tapping the cloud download buttons starts the process over but it will just get stuck again. Additionally you can see one app above that has no download, update or open button. This app is also stuck in installing.

Switching into and out of Airplane mode had no effect. If there's any other diagnostic info that anyone thinks would be helpful that I can provide let me know.

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Answer 3

apolson Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 14, 2015 7:02 PM in response to apolson

How can I report this as a bug to Apple? I tried a support request but it's suggesting I pay for the privilege so obviously that's something different.

Ugh.. I should know better to Google this kind of thing first:

https://developer.apple.com/bug-reporting/

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Answer 4

kcollett

Level 1

9 points

Dec 1, 2015 8:55 PM in response to apolson

I'm also seeing this behavior. (I have auto update enabled, so I don't think it is a problem of too many simultaneous updates.)

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Answer 5

Cif9

Level 1

0 points

Dec 5, 2015 10:03 PM in response to apolson

HI! I had the same problem, and after googling a lot I found a solution that worked, at least it worked for me.

My Facebook app had been stuck on installing an update for at least a day.

I read an article that said I power off your phone like normal, wait a bit, then power it back on. Then I went to the app store and clicked on the app I wanted to update to restart the update, and it installed perfectly.

I'd give it a try. Hopefully this helps. Good luck!

-C

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Answer 6

ambanmba

Level 1

18 points

Dec 6, 2015 6:36 PM in response to apolson

Did you end up raising a ticket on this? Very annoying and I hope someone at Apple is aware of it and working to resolve.

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Answer 7

ambanmba

Level 1

18 points

Dec 9, 2015 4:20 PM in response to apolson

Just updated to iOS 9.2 hoping it would solve this problem - but it hasn't. Has anyone found a workaround that doesn't require turning the phone off and on?

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Answer 8

ambanmba

Level 1

18 points

Dec 9, 2015 4:43 PM in response to ambanmba

Have tried the following - with no luck:

1. Airplane mode on/off

2. Log into different iTunes Store Account (in a different country) and try downloading the stalled app from the different account

3. Drag icon into / out of a folder

4. Restart the App Store app

5. Repeatedly pause/restart the app

6. Try reconnecting via WiFi or 4G/3G

7. Try deleting the app that is stalled (won't allow me to, pressing Delete in the modal box does nothing)

8. Try killing all other apps that are running

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Answer 9

Jacobsiv

Level 1

0 points

Dec 18, 2015 11:59 AM in response to ambanmba

Had exactly the same problem with the sonos app. My fix was to reset network settings (settings - general - reset). After the reset, my sonos app was gone, and I could download it again from the cloud.

- Jacob

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Answer 10

Jan 14, 2016 2:47 PM in response to apolson

Same problem here. App update circular progress meter reaches the end, then stops. App stuck in update or "Installing...". I wasn't able to even delete the app with a press-and-hold - it warned me it was going to delete the app and its data, but pressing thru this still left the app and in the bad state.

Trying again shows the "app download from cloud" icon, and you go thru the same process - it downloads and reaches the end, but never finishes the installation and the app is unusable.

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Answer 11

Mar 31, 2016 6:00 AM in response to apolson

I'm still having this problem. Sometimes the apps look like they have been deleted or moved on their own. They end up out of their folder and at theast slot on my home screen before I have tried anything... Weird. Sometimes it doesn't even show up in the update list. So what was happening to this app???

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