Method 4 — Manually Update Sideloaded Apps via APK
Apps you installed via APK file — from F-Droid, Amazon Appstore, the developer's website, or APKMirror — don't receive automatic Play Store updates. You need to update them manually by downloading the new APK and installing it over the existing app. Installing a new APK over an existing app preserves all your data and settings — it's an update, not a reinstall. Your login details, preferences, and saved data all remain intact. The process is identical to the original installation.
1
Check if an update is available for your sideloaded app
Go to the source where you originally installed the app — the developer's website, APKMirror, F-Droid, or whichever repository you used. Compare the version number shown there against the version on your phone (Settings → Apps → tap the app → scroll down to see version number). If the website shows a higher version number, an update is available.
2
Download the new APK from the same trusted source
Download the latest APK from the same source you originally used — if you got it from the developer's official website, go back there. If from APKMirror, download from APKMirror. Never change your download source mid-stream — downloading from a different, unfamiliar site for an update introduces security risk.
3
Tap the downloaded APK file to install it
Open your Files app → Downloads → tap the newly downloaded APK. Android will show an installation screen. If it shows "Do you want to install an update to [App Name]?" Tap "Install" to proceed.
4
Grant install permission if prompted and complete the update
If Android asks for "Install unknown apps" permission for your browser or file manager, grant it, then go back and tap Install. The update will install in seconds. Tap "Open" to launch the updated app. Delete the APK file from Downloads afterwards to free up storage.
How to Update System Apps and Google Apps
Google core apps — Chrome, Gmail, Google Maps, Google Photos, Phone, Messages, Google Pay — are updated through the Play Store just like regular apps, even though they come pre-installed. They appear in the "Updates available" list and update through the same "Update all" process. However, some deeply embedded system components update through a different route. Google Play Services and Android System WebView update silently in the background and don't appear as manual update options — they're managed entirely by Google and update automatically to ensure all other apps on your phone continue working correctly.
1
Update Google apps through the Play Store normally
Go to Play Store → Profile → Manage apps and device → Updates available. Google apps like Chrome, Maps, Gmail, and Photos appear here and update through the standard Update all or individual Update process. There is nothing different about updating these compared to any other app.
2
Update your phone's system apps (Phone, Messages, Contacts)
The Phone, Messages, and Contacts apps on stock Android are Google apps that update through the Play Store. On Samsung, Xiaomi, and other manufacturer phones, the equivalent Samsung/MIUI versions update through those manufacturers' own app stores (Galaxy Store, GetApps) — check there if they don't appear in the Play Store update list.
3
Update Android System WebView and Google Play Services if needed
If you want to manually check these — search "Android System WebView" in the Play Store. If an update is available, you'll see the Update button. Same for Google Play Services — search it in Play Store. These usually update automatically, but manual checking is useful if apps are crashing or behaving unexpectedly after an Android update.
How to Update Apps on Different Android Brands
The Play Store steps are essentially the same on all Android phones, but some manufacturers have slight variations in the Play Store interface or add their own update mechanisms:
SamsungSamsung Galaxy Phones
Play Store updates work normally. Additionally, Samsung has Galaxy Store for Samsung-exclusive apps — open Galaxy Store → tap the three-line menu → Updates to update Samsung-specific apps separately. Samsung also pushes system updates through Settings → Software update → Download and install.
Xiaomi/Redmi/POCOXiaomi Devices
Standard Play Store for most apps. Xiaomi's GetApps store handles MIUI/HyperOS system apps and some Xiaomi-specific apps — open GetApps → Me → My Apps → Update. System updates come through Settings → About phone → System update.
OnePlusOnePlus Phones
All apps update through Google Play Store normally — OnePlus uses near-stock Android with no separate app store. OxygenOS system updates come through Settings → System → System Updates. OEM updates occasionally update OPlus Store apps automatically.
Huawei/HonorHuawei Devices (no Play Store)
Huawei devices without Google services use AppGallery instead of Play Store — open AppGallery → Me → My Apps → All → Update all. For apps not on AppGallery, use APKMirror or the developer's website and update manually via APK as described in Method 4.
Google PixelGoogle Pixel Phones
Pure stock Android — all apps update exclusively through Google Play Store. No secondary app store. Pixel Update Bulletins come through Settings → System → System update. The cleanest, most straightforward update experience of any Android phone.
Realme/OPPO/VivoRealme, OPPO, Vivo
Play Store handles all standard app updates. These manufacturers also have their own app stores (Realme App Market, OPPO App Market) for manufacturer apps — update those separately through the respective store app. System updates through Settings → Software update.
❓ Play Store shows "Update pending" but the update never starts — how do I fix it?
This usually means the Play Store itself needs refreshing. Force stop the Play Store: Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Force stop. Then clear its cache: Storage → Clear cache. Reopen Play Store and try updating again. If still stuck, check your internet connection and available storage — updates fail silently if you have less than a few hundred MB free.
❓ An app update keeps failing with an error — what do I do?
Try these in order: 1) Clear Play Store cache (Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Storage → Clear cache). 2) Clear Google Play Services cache the same way. 3) Check storage space — updates need temporary space to download. 4) Try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa. 5) Uninstall the app's existing updates (Settings → Apps → find app → three-dot menu → Uninstall updates) then update fresh from Play Store.
❓ The "Update all" button is missing from my Play Store — where did it go?
Google periodically updates the Play Store interface and the location of buttons changes. If "Update all" isn't visible on the Updates available screen, look for it at the top of the updates list or as a checkbox that selects all apps followed by an Update button. If there are no updates available, the button won't appear at all. Try pulling down to refresh the updates list.
❓ An app updated automatically and broke something — how do I go back to the old version?
The Play Store doesn't offer official rollback. Your options: find the previous APK version on APKMirror (search the app name and look for older versions in the version history) and install it over the current version. After rolling back, disable auto-updates for that specific app: Play Store → find the app → three-dot menu → "Disable auto update" so it won't update again without your approval.
❓ How do I update apps without Wi-Fi using mobile data?
Play Store restricts large app updates to Wi-Fi by default to protect your data allowance. To update on mobile data: Play Store → Profile → Settings → Network preferences → App download preference → select "Over any network." Warning: large app updates (games especially) can be 500MB to several GB — monitor your data usage carefully if you have a limited plan.
Don't Update Apps on Low Storage
App updates need temporary space to download and unpack before replacing the old version. If your phone has less than 500MB of free internal storage, updates will fail with a generic error that doesn't explain why. Always ensure you have at least 1GB free before triggering bulk updates. If you're consistently running low on storage, see the previous guide on moving apps and media to SD card — or use Google Files to clear cache and junk files to make room.
The Smart Weekly App Update Routine
Every Sunday morning (or whichever day works for you): Open Play Store → Profile → Manage apps → Updates available. Scan the list quickly — any app with a concerning update (big version jump, feature removal mentioned) — tap it to read "What's new" first. For everything else, tap "Update all" and let it run. Takes five minutes. Keeps every app current, secure, and running at its best. This one habit prevents the majority of app crashes, compatibility problems, and security vulnerabilities on Android.
Manual App Update Checklist
- Connect to Wi-Fi before updating to avoid mobile data charges
- Ensure at least 1GB free internal storage before bulk updates
- Open Play Store → Profile → Manage apps → Updates available weekly
- Read "What's new" for major apps before updating (especially productivity tools)
- Tap "Update all" for routine weekly updates
- Update sideloaded apps by downloading new APK from the same original source
- Check Galaxy Store / GetApps / AppGallery for manufacturer-specific app updates
- Force stop and clear Play Store cache if updates are stuck or failing
- After any Android system update — update all apps to ensure compatibility
Updating apps on Android manually is one of the simplest and most impactful maintenance tasks you can do for your phone. It takes five minutes a week, keeps your apps secure and performing well, and gives you the peace of mind of knowing nothing important has been silently left behind on an old version. The Play Store's "Update all" handles 95% of cases in one tap. In-app update prompts handle the rest automatically. And for the occasional sideloaded app or stubborn update, you now have every tool to handle it manually. Build the habit, do it weekly, and your Android will stay fast, stable, and secure for as long as you own it.
