How to update applications on Android: methods and features

The mobile device industry, among which gadgets based on the Android operating system occupy a leading position, is particularly affected by new trends in information technology. That is why progress in this area does not stop for a second, which becomes the reason for the appearance of various new products in both hardware and software fields. And if the average user is not faced with the acquisition of a new gadget so often, then the abundance of software innovations makes one constantly attract attention. And given that even the programs preinstalled in the smartphone are at least 10, then a request to update applications on Android, as a rule, can appear every day in the status bar.

Of course, a considerable part of users do not even think about this, for the sake of convenience, they simply turn off these same notifications, because the smartphone or tablet continues to perform the tasks required of them. Some even use devices with activated automatic updates. However, everything can change at the moment when the next update, in addition to fixing errors, changes the design of the application, makes changes to the algorithms of its operation, or even deprives certain functions. And for many, the question is a logical question; Do I need to update applications on Android? Will it bring tangible benefits? "There is no definite answer. It all depends on the current device, the features of its use, as well as the technical knowledge of the owner. In any case, some technical nuances will not hurt to consider.





How to update applications on Android




Types of Updates

In Android, as in most operating systems, updates are delimited by the interaction factor: with or without a user. The ability to configure updates and notifications about them in devices is present.

Automatic update

The device manages the entire process of updating applications on its own, downloading installation files when there is access to the Internet, and then performing the update procedure. All that the user sees is a brief notification about the updated application.

Manual with notification

Assumes a ban on the automatic download of updated programs. At the same time, through notifications in the status bar, he regularly informs the user that the update is available and ready for download.

Manual without notice

In this mode, the device will stop transmitting and sending program status requests to Google Play servers and updating applications on Android, as a result, it will not be able to do it on its own. This will save the user not only from updates, but also from notifications of their availability. The rule will be followed by all software installed on the gadget, except for the Google client itself. It is part of it called "Google Play Services" that is constantly loaded into memory, and at the same time in the background it constantly keeps in touch with the server, and is updated if necessary.





Update Setup

To adjust the settings responsible for updating applications, you need to open the "Play Market" interface, call the main menu by clicking on its icon in the upper left or by swap on the left side of the screen, go down to the "Settings" line and go to the section, and then to "Auto-update applications "(one of the first items in the configuration menu). From the three proposed to select the desired add-in:

  • "Never".
  • "Always" (use with caution, since the device in this case will also use mobile Internet for updates).
  • "Only via Wi-Fi" (the gadget will only apply for updates when connected to any Wi-Fi network).
Configure Updates




Set up notifications

Regardless of the installed update parameters, the user will receive informational messages about the readiness of the update or the final results. The function is quite annoying, so many tend to turn it off. In most cases, this is done from the application store settings menu. The necessary option is located next to the update settings item.

Set up notifications




Everything is quite simple and no problems should arise.

How to update applications on Android manually

If you still need to update, you can do this from the main menu of the "Market". The very first section of the application store - "My applications and games" - allows you to update applications on Android, as well as delete unnecessary ones. The first page displays a list of all installed and in need of updating programs, the update process is launched by the "Update" button.

Section "My applications and games"




Application Update Features

It's no secret that the updated versions of many applications are very ambiguous, no matter how hard they try to convince user developers of the opposite. New features or an updated design do not justify unstable operation or increased consumption of device resources. Therefore, owners of gadgets are often forced to resort to the help of third-party resources to install an old version of the application that completely suits them, which is impossible to do in the Play Market.

You should not exclude such a notorious feature of the Android OS as frivolous handling of the system memory of the device. Experienced users who are able to interact with the software of the devices somehow learned how to deal with this problem, but how to be inexperienced users who are increasingly observing a system message about a lack of free space, and how to update applications on Android when the system itself blocks all update attempts? The use of standard OS tools gives only a temporary effect, the use of third-party applications that clean up system trash also sooner or later becomes ineffective. A complete solution to the problem through obtaining root access and certain manipulations with system files is not only a deprivation of the factory warranty, but also in the hands of an inexperienced user can disrupt the device. And to decide whether to update applications on Android in the conditions of constant lack of memory is necessary selectively.

Typical memory shortage situation




This mainly concerns owners of budget devices, as well as users of older models of gadgets with memory less than 16 GB. But since the share of such devices is very impressive, many people have to decide how to update the application via Android with enviable regularity.




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