Manage app updates on a Samsung Galaxy device

Keeping your apps updated is the best way to make sure you always have the latest features and the best performance. You can manage how apps are updated on your Samsung Galaxy device through the Google Play Store and Galaxy Store. Follow the steps below to set automatic update preferences and turn off Play Store notifications.
A Galaxy phoe displaying the app Updates menu with an Update all option in the top right corner.
A Galaxy phoe displaying the app Updates menu with an Update all option in the top right corner.

Manage app updates on a Samsung Galaxy device

Note
  • A Samsung account is required to access the Galaxy Store.
  • A Google account is required to access the Play Store.
  • Some menu paths may vary depending on the Play Store version, device model, and software version.

Update Play Store apps

The Play Store is like a supermarket for apps; you can find all apps developed and published through Google.

  1. Open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, and then tap Manage apps & device.
  2. Tap Updates available.
  3. From here, you can either tap Update next to individual apps, or tap Update all to install all available updates.
    Pending downloads screen in the Play Store

In some rare cases in Android 10 or 11, a manual update may fail to complete. Here are additional steps you can take to resolve the issue:

  1. Navigate to and open Settings, then tap Apps, and then tap Google Play Store.
  2. Tap Storage, and then tap Clear data.
    Clear data highlighted
  3. Read the information, and then tap Delete.
  4. Doing this will clear some of your Play Store settings like parental controls, auto-update preferences, etc. Please recheck these settings after following these steps.
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Manage automatic updates in the Play Store

You can choose how apps downloaded from the Google Play Store are updated on your device.

Set automatic update preferences for all apps

  1. Open the Play Store app, and then tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
  2. Tap Settings, and then tap Network preferences.
  3. Tap Auto-update apps.
  4. Select Update over Wi-Fi only to allow app updates only over Wi-Fi.
    Auto-update apps menu with the Update over Wi-Fi only option selected.
  5. Select Don’t auto-update apps to turn off automatic updates for all apps.

Turn off automatic updates for specific apps

  1. Open the Play Store app, and then tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
  2. Tap Manage apps & device.
  3. Tap the Manage tab.
  4. Select the app you want to manage.
  5. Tap the More options icon (three dots).
    App detail screen with the More options icon highlighted in the top right.
  6. Turn off Enable auto update.
    Enable auto update turned off.
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Turn off Play Store notifications

If you do not want to receive Play Store notifications, turn off notification permissions for the app.

  1. Open Settings, then tap Apps.
  2. Tap Google Play Store.
    List of apps with Google Play Store highlighted.
  3. Tap Notifications.
  4. Tap the switch to turn off Allow notifications.
    Notifications screen with the toggle for Allow notifications turned off.
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Update Galaxy Store apps

The Galaxy Store contains exclusive content made just for Samsung devices. You will need to update these apps separately from your Play Store apps.

  1. Open the Galaxy Store, then tap Menu (the three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner, and then tap Updates.
  2. From here, you can either tap the circling arrow next to individual apps to update one at a time, or tap Update all to install all available updates.
    Updates screen from the Galaxy Store
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Manage automatic updates in the Galaxy Store

When apps update automatically, you won't have to give updating them a second thought. Follow the steps below to turn on automatic updates in the Galaxy Store.

  1. Open the Galaxy Store, and then tap Menu (the three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner.
  2. Tap the Settings icon (it looks like a gear), and then tap Auto update apps.
  3. Select your desired setting.
    Using Wi-Fi only selected in the Auto update apps prompt.  
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Turn off Galaxy Store notifications

Galaxy Store notifications cannot be turned off. However, you can turn off Notification categories for individual alert types.

  1. Open Settings, then tap Apps.
  2. Tap Galaxy Store.
  3. Tap Notifications, and then tap Notification categories.
  4. Tap the switch next to the category you want to turn off.

 

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Uninstall app updates

Note
This option is only available for some preinstalled apps.

If an app updates, but you like the old version better, you can uninstall the update to revert to the previous version.

  1. Navigate to and open Settings, and then tap Apps.
  2. Find and tap the app you want to revert, and then tap More options (the three vertical dots) in the upper right corner.
  3. Tap Uninstall updates.
    Uninstall updates highlighted in App info settings
  4. Tap OK if prompted.
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