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Doug Lerner2 Author

Level 4

1,370 points

iPad doesn't auto-update apps - why?

My iPad Air v1 running iOS 9.3.5 doesn't update apps. It didn't before the upgrade to iOS 9.3.5 either.

It is a cellular version, but out of data contract, so I just use it on wi-fi. At home it's always connected to wi-fi.

In Settings > General, Background App Refresh is turned on, as are all the switches for all the individual apps.

But it seems apps never auto-update. I just notice that the App Store icon has a number indicating apps need to be updated (which is basically every day) and I need to go in and touch Update All. Even then, sometimes it stops before finishing the update for all pending apps and I need to touch Update All again.

Any clues why this happens and how to fix it? App auto-update works just fine on my iPhone.

Thanks,

doug

iPad Air, iOS 9.3.5, i5, 512 GB SSD, 16 GB RAM

Posted on Sep 2, 2016 8:14 PM

25 replies

Doug Lerner2 Author

Level 4

1,370 points

Sep 2, 2016 10:06 PM in response to bobseufert

Hi. Yes, that setting was also on. Why do they have two settings which appear to be for the same purpose? Anyway, it was on. All four Automatic Downloads settings were on there: Music, Apps, Books & Audiobooks, and Updates.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks,

doug

bobseufert

Level 6

15,874 points

Sep 2, 2016 11:26 PM in response to Doug Lerner2

You're welcome. Since the setting is on all I can think of is to try the basic trouble shooting steps. Start simple with a reset working your way up to a restore. Or wait till IOS10

Sep 3, 2016 7:31 AM in response to Doug Lerner2

HI. Regarding the two settings, Background app refresh applies to content, i.e. weather, messages, etc., not to the program code. The iTunes updates setting enables app refresh. Not sure why it isn't working for you though.

Da Gopha

Level 5

6,485 points

Sep 21, 2016 6:21 AM in response to Doug Lerner2

Also having this issue. I have to open the App Store to get it to register there are updates. The updates can be downloaded manually, but they no longer seem to be updating automatically.

On iOS 10 - once I've opened the App Store, some of the apps download and autoupdate themselves, and some don't. Even when plugged in and on WiFi.

Not sure what's changed in iOS 10 to cause this...

Cheers,

Gopha

Sep 21, 2016 6:47 AM in response to Da Gopha

Hi. Sometimes this happens because there are new T&C to be accepted. They were changed again a couple of days after iOS 10. Once you've done one manually, the rest should come automatically. But auto update is not instantaneous. It works to its own schedule, so patience is required.

Da Gopha

Level 5

6,485 points

Sep 21, 2016 10:27 AM in response to Diana.McCall

Thanks, I'll give that a try and see how it goes...

Oct 17, 2016 6:40 PM in response to Doug Lerner2

I have this same issue with an iPad Air running 10.0.2. I never had this issue before iOS 10. I worked with Apple Support over Twitter, but their suggestions didn't work.

My apps only update when I unlock/open my iPad. It doesn't matter if it is on wifi or plugged in they won't update in the background like they used to.