Finding an app malfunctioning on your iPhone, you decide to update it in order to fix the problem and help the app run smoothly. But much to your surprise, the app failed to update. The same issue gripped other apps well, leaving you vexed, annoyed, and frustrated with a burning question of why the app updating is ill-functioning on your iPhone. Relax! You are not alone to have complained that the apps are not updating on iPhone/iPad after the iOS 18/iPadOS 18 software update. Read on to put an end to this issue and force the apps to update.
Fix App Updating Issue on iPhone and iPad After iOS 18/iPadOS 18 Software Update
From the below-par internet to the clogged-up storage to the miscellaneous software glitch to an out-of-the-blue bug to a wicked configuration, there could be multiple reasons why your apps failed to update – point blank.
1. Check Your Storage
If your device is cluttered with space, it could be the main reason why apps are not updating on your iPhone.
- On your iPhone, open the Settings app -> General -> iPhone Storage -> Now, check the storage status, and clean up all the useless files, photos, and videos to recover the needed storage on your device.
- Once you have cleaned up your device, restart it.
- And after your device has restarted, try updating apps to check if the problem is gone.
2. Check Your Internet Connection
If your internet connection is below par, make sure to fix it beforehand.
- Go to the Settings app on your iPhone, tap on Cellular, and turn it off. If your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network, turn it off.
- Now, wait for a few seconds and turn on Cellular or Wi-Fi. Next, try updating apps to find out if you have gotten the better of the problem.
3. Try Updating One App At a Time
Are you trying to update all apps at once on your iPhone? If you are nodding in the affirmative, there is a decent chance that the devil is hidden in this “Update All” button. Instead of going through this route, try updating one app at a time (Apple Store -> Your profile -> Scroll down to find the app in question -> hit the Update button).
4. Remove App Downloads Restriction
Modern iOS versions ask for your permission to download apps larger than 200MB when using cellular data. If you have a ton of cellular data at your disposal, remove the app downloads restriction.
- On your iPhone, go to the Settings app -> App Store -> App Downloads -> Always Allow.
5. Disable Low Data Mode
Though there is no doubt that the “Low Data Mode” is a savior for limited bandwidth, it comes at the cost of a sluggish cellular experience.
- Therefore, dive into the Settings app on your iPhone -> Cellular -> Cellular Data Options -> Data Mode -> Now, choose Standard.
6. Disable Low Power Mode
Believe me, this noted power-saving mode has been my villain-in-chief on a number of occasions as it is well-known for throttling features.
- On your iOS device, launch the Settings app -> Battery -> Disable the switch next to Low Power Mode.
7. Force Reset Your iPhone/iPad
Force reset is endowed with the great skill of cleaning up the temporary files and flushing out the memory, which often does an amazing job of troubleshooting frustrating issues. Hence, you try to force resetting your iDevice.
8. Enable Auto-App Update
No luck as yet? Should the manual app update continue to ill-function, why not go for the auto-app update? It’s pretty straightforward and works like a charm.
- On your iOS/iPadOS device, open the Settings app -> App Store -> Automatic Downloads -> Ensure that the switch for App Updates is turned on.
9. Check the App Store Status
If the App Store is down or faced with an outage, it may affect the performance and also prevent updating or downloading apps.
- Therefore, go to the Apple System Status webpage and check if the App Store is working as usual.
10. Delete and Reinstall the Problematic Apps
Are you unable to update specific apps on your iOS device? The problem could be with those apps – and not the system software. Before going for the kill, back up those apps and then delete them all. After that, open the App Store and reinstall those apps.
11. Sign Out of Apple ID and Sign Back In
Should the problem persist, I would recommend you sign out of Apple ID and sign back in.
- Head over to the Settings app on your iPhone -> Apple ID banner -> Sign Out -> Now, make sure to keep a copy of all the important data, and hit Sign Out to confirm the action.
- Now, restart your iPhone and then sign in using your Apple ID and password.
12. Update the Software
However, if nothing has worked in fixing the app updating issue on your iPhone, there is a high chance that a software bug could be at the heart of this annoying iOS 18 issue.
- Head over to the Settings app -> General -> Software Update to update your device.
13. Factory Reset Your Device
For a handful of users, factory reset has worked in resolving the app updating problem. Thus, we should try this radical but effective iOS solution. For folks who are unversed with the factory reset, it erases the custom settings and resets everything to the factory default without harming any media and data.
- On your device, fire up the Settings app -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad -> Reset -> Reset All Settings and confirm.
Now, kickstart the process of updating apps to check if you have sorted out the issue. Hopefully, the victory has eventually come your way. Rejoice!
