Top 9 Fixes for Google Play Store Doesn't Auto-Update Apps

To make it easier for us, Google has added an automatic app update feature to the Google Play Store. With it, apps should automatically update in the background. However, the feature disappointed many Android users as the automatic update didn’t seem to work for them. If you are facing the same issue, check 9 Solutions to Fix Google Play Store Won’t Update Apps Automatically.

The auto update feature is pretty cool if it works properly. You don’t need to open the Play Store repeatedly to check for available updates.

Let’s check the solutions to fix the problem of automatically updating the Play Store.

1. Restart the phone

Before trying the following fixes, we strongly recommend that you restart your phone or tablet. This should fix any temporary issues causing the auto update not working issue.

2. Use the correct settings for automatic update.

Here’s how to automatically update Android apps:

Step 1: Launch Google Play Store on your phone or tablet. Tap the three bar icon at the top. Select Settings.

2nd step: Tap Auto-update apps. Select On any network or On Wi-Fi only. If you choose the former, apps will be updated using mobile data when Wi-Fi is not available.

Point: Find out how to fix Play Store not working on mobile data.

3. Check the necessary conditions for the automatic update

Once you have enabled the auto update setting as shown above, it is expected that apps will update automatically as soon as the new update is received on Play Store. However, this is not the case. Your phone or tablet must meet certain automatic update requirements, as shown below.

Other than that, Play Store only checks for app updates once a day. It then puts the available updates in a queue. They will then be updated when the conditions below are met.

• The device must be connected to a working internet connection – mobile data or Wi-Fi depending on the settings defined in solution 2.
• The device must be inactive and charging. In other words, you shouldn’t be doing anything on your phone.
• Applications that need to be updated should not be running in the foreground.

Once the above conditions are met, it is ready to be automatically updated.

4. Disable battery optimization

In addition to the above requirements, there should be no constraints or restrictions on the battery used by Play Store. To do this, you will need to turn off the Optimize battery usage feature.

Here are the steps:

Step 1: Open Settings on your phone and go to Apps & notifications or Apps.

2nd step: Tap Google Play Store under All apps.

Step 3: Tap Battery. You will see the option to Optimize battery or Optimize battery usage. If it says “Optimize battery usage,” tap it.

Step 4: Tap the Unoptimized drop-down list at the top and select All.

Step 5: Search for Google Play Store. Activate the toggle next to it, if available. You can also tap it and select Don’t optimize.

5. Disable battery saving mode

When power saving or battery saving mode is on, it limits background activities on your phone which could affect automatic updates on Play Store. You will need to disable it by going to Settings> Battery. While you’re at it, check to see if the power saving mode is programmed to activate automatically. Disable that too.

Point: You should also turn off any other battery optimizations or adaptive battery modes in Settings> Battery.

6. Check the available storage

Your phone should have enough free storage space to update apps automatically. If your Android phone or tablet is running out of storage, you should free up some space. To check the available storage space, go to Settings> Storage.

7. Clear cache and data

You also need to clear the cache and data for Google Play Store and Google Play Services. Deleting data will not delete any application or associated data. Only the Play Store settings would be reset to default values. Find out in detail what happens when wiping app data on Android phones.

For that, proceed as following:

Step 1: Open settings and go to apps.

2nd step: Tap Google Play Store.

Step 3: Tap Storage then Clear cache. Then click on the Clear data button.

Step 4: Repeat the steps for Google Play services. Restart the phone.

8. Uninstall updates from Play Store

You cannot completely uninstall Play Store from your phone. However, you can remove recent updates.

To do this, go to Settings> Applications> Play Store. Tap the three-dot icon at the top and select Uninstall updates. Wait a minute or two, and the Play Store should automatically update in the background. If that doesn’t happen, learn how to manually update Google Play Store.

9. Reset app preferences

Finally, try to reset the app preferences on your phone. This will not delete any personal data. It will only restore settings like permissions, restrictions, etc. to their default values. So if there was a setting that was preventing apps from updating automatically, that should be fixed. You will have to set all the parameters again. Find out in detail what is happening by resetting the app preferences.

To reset app preferences, go to Settings> System (or General management)> Reset> Reset app preferences (or Reset all settings).

It’s time to verify the Google account

We expect the above fixes to resolve your issue. But if the problem persists, you should take a look at your Google account. Have you recently changed your Google Account password or made any account changes? It could also be responsible for the malfunction of the automatic update. If your device experiences a connection error, the apps won’t update automatically. Remove the Google account from the phone and sign in again.