How to fix apps not updating on Android smartphone

The android operating system automatically installs the updates of the applications and OS whenever your smartphone is connected to the internet. However, sometimes you may face issues in updating your apps. There can multiple reasons that might be preventing the Play Store to update your apps. Perform the following steps in the sequence. In most cases, your problem will get solved in the first three steps.

Step 1. Check your network

Having a stable internet connection is a requirement for Play Store to update apps on your smartphone. If you are facing a problem in updating your apps, wait for your internet to get stable or switch to a better connection.

Step 2. Check Your Phone’s Storage

While updating apps, your smartphone fetches new files from the Play Store. If your phone’s storage is full, it will prevent the updated files to download. Thus, before you update your apps, check that your smartphone has sufficient storage available: Settings > Storage.

Step 3. Clear Cache of the Play Store app 

Sometimes, the temporary files in the form of cache hinder the changes in the settings to occur if the updates demand them. Thus, you should Force Stop the Play Store app and clear the cache data before updating your apps. Follow these steps.

1. Open Settings on your smartphone.
2. Go to the All Apps section.
3. Search for Google Play Store and tap on it.
4. Tap on the Force Stop option.
5. Now, go to Storage > Clear Cache > Clear Data.

Step 4. Uninstall & Re-install Play Store Updates

Although rare, the Play Store update can also be preventing the updates of your apps. Thus, try uninstalling the updates of the Google Play Store. Follow these steps.

6. Open Settings on your smartphone.
7. Go to the All Apps section.
8. Search for Google Play Store and select it.
9. Tap on the three dots located at the top-right corner.
10. Tap on the Uninstall Updates button.
11. Tap OK.

Your Play Store will get back to the factory version and soon will automatically be updated.

In case none of the above steps works, you should remove your Google Account and then add it back to your smartphone. This solves the issues related to your Google account that might be hindering the apps from getting updated.

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