App Updates (automatic) - how often?

[bilbo--baggins]

As far as I can tell, having used most generations of iPhone, and all generations of iOS, I don’t think I have ever had auto app updates working as I would have expected. Usually I go into the App Store, tell it to refresh, have several days worth of updates appear, and I manually tell it to update all. This is despite having always had Automatic Downloads: App Updates turned on, and for my devices to always be connected to a reliable wifi network.

I’m just wondering what other people see - does auto update only happen once a week or once a month, or do others find that apps update daily automatically?

 

[steve62388]

Hasn’t worked for me in years either. Similar problem on macOS. I always end up having to manually update.

 

[phessler]

Does not work for me either. Always have to manually update.

 

[ecatomb]

I know I have some update, but it isn't every day... Maybe every 2-3 days ?
It seems that having Wi-Fi enable and charging iPhone help.

 

[Vlad Soare]

Works for me. I can see just one app that I could update manually, and a lot of other apps which are listed as "recently updated".
But I have no idea how often it runs.

 

[mrochester]

I believe updates are deliberately staggered so even though when you refresh you see an app that was ‘updated 3 days ago’ that just means that app update has not yet been pushed to you yet. You can manually override this as you have done.

If you leave it long enough the app will automatically update when it comes around to your turn to receive the update.

You will also find that some apps are updated immediately for you, some apps you wait for days. This is all part of the staggering of the release where I believe you get put in a random bucket as to when you get the update pushed to you.

IIRC, it’s app developers themselves who make use of an API to stagger this release so that they can control the release of new software in a controlled manner.

Here’s the wording from Apple’s documentation…

appStoreVersionPhasedReleases handles your process of releasing app updates to customers in stages. Use this resource to set up your process for an app update. This resource is not available for the first version of an app, only for subsequent releases.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

I think it eventually happens but I am not sure how long it takes. I always go ahead and manually do it.

 

[w5jck]

It does work eventually. In my case, it usually waits until the iPad or iPhone has been idle for a while and is plugged into a charger. But like almost everything Apple these days, it is a bit flaky and unpredictable, so I usually end up doing the updates manually.

 

[cynics]

Apples automatic updates are on a weekly basis (this is why the oldest app you see is 7 days old, 8 days old were updated). This is the way it is for MacOS, prior to OS X Lion this was clearly defined in the App Store Preference pane and you could even adjust it.



It will update automatically in less than 7 days but only by a couple and I don't know the reason or variables iOS uses to decide to do this. Might be something to do with app usage, if its in the background, other apps updating, version number increase, not sure....

Even updating apps once a week is a bit much. Lets face it apps that are updating more than every 7 days are just implementing ways you can give them money. Here is Credit Karma.... 4 updates in a week. Since I don't open it more than once a week me updating it would be a waste of resources.



I went from the pre 21.40 frivolous update version straight to the latest and greatest most up to date frivolous version. Yaaayyy * Win cash (....seriously....wtf...)

I'm sure there are circumstances you'd want to update a particular app more often. And admittedly every so often I find myself bored, on the toilet, in a waiting room etc whatever and I update my apps just for something to do. RARELY can I spot a difference in the app though unless its a major revision.