iPad doesn't auto-update apps - why?

Hi elfuzzilito. Are updates enabled in Settings > iTunes and App Store?

Are you able to update an app manually?

Have you left it charging, sleeping, and on WiFi? More than once? I find that updates may take a few days, even if they are available.

Hi, I am also having the same issues with Auto Update not working but on my iPhone which is running iOS 10.3.2. I've read through this post and can answer Yes to all your questions above. I still don't get auto updates unless I manually go into the App Store app and select Update All. It's really annoying.

Same issue here on my iPad Air 2 iOS 10.3.2. Can leave it charging with wifi access and nothing. Unlock it and they might start updating or I have to click update all. Just had 52 waiting, basically every app on the iPad. My iPhone is fine

Hi Grubsy4. First, we need to realize that iOS devices are not like Androids, which grab all updates immediately. Apple stages the background updates according to some logic of their own. However, it sounds like you haven't gotten any updates for a while. You could try updating one manually, and see if it breaks the logjam. Or just give in and update all.

Interesting, it had done 32 / 52 and then stopped. I unlocked it just now and the next 20 have started. It's as if it doesn't like updating while it's locked. I've had the issue for at least a year. Just never looked for a solution

Yes, auto updates are enabled.

Yes, I can update manually, it just won't update automatically.

Yes, have left it charging, sleeping, and on WiFi. No luck.

Also did a full reset with an apple rep over chat.

No change.

I am having the same issue. iOS 10.3.3 iPad Air.

It just will not background update the apps. All the settings suggested herein have been followed, to no avail.

As others have noted I have to manually 'update all' and, as with other, frequently have to do this multiple times to get all the updates.

Neither my wife's or my iPhone (6S) has this issue.

This has been going on for at least a year and through multiple iOS updates.

Obviously this in not an uncommon problem and it is annoying that Apple hasn't addressed it.

It may not be the case anymore, but a few version back, the wi-fi network turned automatically off in sleep mode to save battery, regardless of whether the device was plugged in or not. Your apps would automatically update over cellular.I just noticed my iPhone SE doesn't automatically update apps either, but I also have turned off automatic updates over cellular data.

This problem still exists in IOS 11. The strange thing is the auto-updates worked for a few weeks after the update. I actually have a couple of suspicions:

1. Slow internet / failure to communicate with the update server (happens coz of the crappy internet in my area)

2. Might be a setting that affects the update checking somehow. Problem is I tinkered with so much of the settings that backtracking which one is going to be hard.

3. Might be an installed app's behavior (be it network or background process) that's causing the updates to get backed up.

I sort of ruled out #1 since the Internet at my office is faster and more stable.

This is happening to me, too, and it is incredibly frustrating!!! Now that they've taken apps out of iTunes, I have to manually update everything via the App Store app on my phone because it's NOT autoupdating even though ALL the settings to supposedly make it auto update are turned on. What the heck!?! Bad form, Apple! Please fix this ASAP. What a waste of time to have to keep checking the app store and manually doing something that should be happening anyway. Android looks more and more appealing every day 😟

Me too. I’ve had this problem for at least a year. Even changing my iPad to a Pro hasn’t cured the problem. There seem to be a lot of people with this problem, but no solutions. Not good enough Apple.

Same here. They ignore their customers problems and think they are god even when they are wrong it’s ‘as designed’

Well frankly I had enough of them. Apple died with Steve, it’ll only go down from here.

I can confirm on my end that this may be network-related. I live in a country with crappy, intermittent internet. So it just so happens that when I'm at home or using free wifi, updates don't get triggered even though it is configured to do so freely. When I'm at the office with at least 20Mbps broadband, most of the updates go through. Of course, this isn't a guarantee as iOS has a very high bar in checking for network reliability. If there's even a slightest hitch in speed at the office, it also doesn't update here either.

Try settings> iTunes and App Store> automatic downloads> updates> on.

Turn on Automatic Downloads for iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store purchases - Apple Support