iPhone Problems

How to Fix iPhone Apps Not Updating on iOS 17

by Jenefey Aaron   Updated on 2023-10-25 / Update for  iPhone Fix

Getting apps updated on your iPhone seems to be a very easy work and obviously anybody could do it with their eyes shut. But in some rare situations, the question arises—why won't my iPhone 15/14/13 apps update? And now it's a rocket science to find some solutions and you need to scratch your head to get your apps updated! If you are dealing with such issue, you'll be glad that you have visited this page. Below the best and all possible solutions are listed for iPhone apps not updating issue.

Part 1: Why Won't My Apps Update on iPhone

Though there may be several reasons as to why your iPhone apps are not updating, it is necessary to find the exact reason to get some specific solutions for it. We have listed few of reasons for you below:

  • Not enough space: In most of the cases, updating requires ample amount of space. So if your iPhone has ran out of space, the apps won't be left with any in order to get updated. Therefore, there are chances that there is not enough space in your iPhone and hence the updating is not taking place or sometimes you may face iPhone apps not fully updating issue too.
  • Poor Internet connection: It is intuitively obvious that for updating anything, not only apps, Internet is the first thing you require. It may happen that your Internet connection is way too slow and hence the iPhone apps are not able to update. Check for your Internet connectivity. 
  • App Store Server Issue: May be there is no issue with your iPhone memory space or with your Internet connectivity. May be the issue is with the App Store Server. In this case too, iPhone apps won't get updated putting you in trouble.
  • Software Glitch: A small software glitch can also do wonders and put you in dilemma. Yes, that's true. Your updating of apps may hamper due to any software glitch and you need to find and solve it.

Part 2: How to Fix iPhone App Not Updating

Free Up iPhone Storage

Your iPhone apps won't update? The first thing that should come to your mind is—there's not enough space in your iPhone! And so you need to make some space so that the apps get updated with no further delay. You check your free space in Setting >> General >>iPhone Storage. Simply free up some space by deleting the unwanted things from your iPhone or just back up your data of iCloud or your PC.

available space

Sign out and Back in App Store

Many a times, if apps not updating correctly, you just need to sign out and again sign in to your App Store. Sounds simple, right? Sometimes, simple steps can solve big problems instantly. To do so, go to Setting >> iTunes & App Store >> Apple ID menu >> Sign Out. To sign in again tap Apple ID menu once again and sign in with the help of your Apple ID.

sign out app store

Turn Off Airplane Mode

It may happen that you have by mistakenly turned on your iPhone's Airplane mode and it is just unnoticed by you. To off your Airplane mode, go to Settings >> Airplane mode. Here you have to toggle the switch to turn off the mode. To crosscheck if Airplane mode is off, simply check if an airplane icon is seen on your status bar. If no, then you have successfully turned off the Airplane mode.

airplane mode

Turn Off Restrictions

It is necessary that you turn off the Restrictions feature. This is because Restrictions gives the advantage of disabling few features of iPhone to people, that is, corporate IT administrators or parents. And one such feature is to download any app. Therefore, if you are not able to update anything, the Restrictions feature might be on. To turn off Restrictions feature, go to Setting >> General >> Restrictions. Now provide your passcode if asked for. Toggle the switch to turn off the feature.

turn off restrictions

Set Date and Time Automatically

If you are yet dealing with iPhone apps won't update frozen issue, you now need to check your device's date and time settings. These settings many a times impact the updating process of apps to some extent. Though the reason behind this are simple to explain; however, fundamentally iPhone does various checks while connecting to Apple server for updating or downloading apps. And one such check is of date and time. In case your date and time settings are not on, go to Setting >> General >> Date & Time. Here, turn Set Automatically feature on.

set automatically date and time

Clear App Store Cache

The ability of App Store to save a record of the app history in your iPhone may give you problems with updating your apps. This history is saved in cache memory. To clear the App Store Cache, go to App Store app. Now click any icon present at the end of the app for 10 times. This will clear the cache and take you to the first tab.

clear cache

Restart App Store

Simply restarting App Store can also does wonders same like restarting your iPhone. Just close your App Store. Now open the App Store again and try updating apps in usual way. If you are lucky enough, your problem may get solved with this solution.

Restart Your iPhone

A simple medicine to all of your iPhone's illnesses is restarting it. Sometimes, simple and easy solutions do great wonders and you get out of the problem. Simply restart your iPhone to get your apps updated. To restart your iPhone long press the sleep/wake button until you see a slider asking for turning off iPhone. Turn off the device. To turn on the iPhone again, press the sleep/wake button till the Apple logo is displayed on screen. Let go the button and wait till the device starts normally.

restart iPhone

Check Internet Connection

There is a probability that your device is not connected to Internet. To turn On your Wi-Fi, go to Settings >> Wi-Fi. Here simply turn on the Wi-Fi by tapping on the Wi-Fi button. If this also doesn't helps, try resetting your network settings. TO do so, go to Settings >> General >> Reset >> Reset Network Settings.

reset network settings

Check Apple ID

It is possible that you must have downloaded the app with one Apple ID and trying to update it with some other Apple ID. To answer your why won't my apps update on my iPhone question, sign out Apple ID. Now again sign back in from your iPhone's iTunes & App Store.

sign in to itunes store from iphone

Uninstall and Reinstall App

If none of the above solutions have given you success, try uninstalling the app and again reinstall it. Many a times, a fresh restart is all that is needed. To uninstall the app, tap on the app icon till it starts wiggling. Tap on the "X" icon on the top left side of the icon. Now confirm deleting the app. Reinstall the updated version of app from App Store.

reinstall app

Update App from iTunes

If any of the app is not updating on your iPhone, try updating it the other way—from iTunes. On your computer, go to iTunes >> Apps >> Updates. Click on the app icon you wish to update.

update app from itunes

Fix App Not Updating without Data Loss

If none of the solutions work, maybe there is some issue with your iPhone iOS and you need to fix it. In this situation, Tenorshare ReiBoot is the best solution to repair your iPhone iOS. The Fix All iOS Stuck function will remove all the error in your iOS and allow you to update all apps with ease.

  • First connect your PC wherein you have to download and install Tenorshare ReiBoot. Once the device is connected, click on Fix All iOS Stuck option.

    ios stuck
  • Now download the latest firmware and click on Start Repair. Congratulations! The software will automatically detect the latest firmware package, click "Download" to proceed.

    download firmware
  • Once the firmware is downloaded successfully, click "Start Repair" to repair operating system and fix app stuck issue completely.

    repair iphone system

Restore iPhone to Factory Settings

Finally, if you are still stuck with "why won't my apps update in the app store" issue, it is high time to perform a factory reset. Deleting all data along with the glitches will surely solve the problem of updating apps. To reset your iPhone, go to Settings >> General >> Reset >> Erase All Content and Settings.

reset iphone

Summary

In the above article, we have discussed best 14 ways to fix iPhone apps won't update issue. Feel free to share your feedback by commenting below.