How to update Instagram: A step-by-step guide

If you are using Instagram on your phone and experiencing issues with the app or running slowly then it might be a sign that the app needs an update. Instagram constantly rolls out new features and bug fixes and if you don’t update the app regularly then your app will not only experience performance issues but also be vulnerable to security threats.

While smartphone apps often update on their own, there may be times when you might want to update the app manually. If you have disabled the automatic updates feature on your device even then you will need to update your app manually. When it comes to updating Instagram on your phone, the process is the same as any other app or game on your device.

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The easiest way to update Instagram on Android is to go to the Google Play Store while on iPhone, you can use the Apple App Store. However, on Android, you can also update the app using an APK. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to update the Instagram app on Android and iOS.

How to update Instagram on an Android smartphone

How can I update Instagram? If this question is bothering you and you have an Android device then you can update your Instagram app by following these simple steps.

Step 1: Go to the Google Play Store on your Android smartphone.

Step 2: Click on your profile icon at the top-right corner.

Step 3: Select Manage apps and devices and then click on Updates available.

Step 4: Now, you will see a list of apps with available updates. Check if Instagram is listed among them.

Step 5: If an update is available then tap on the Update button next to the app.

Step 6: Alternatively, you can hit “Update all” to update all apps at once.

How do you update Instagram on an iPhone

Even though both these operating systems on mobile devices are different by nature, the process of updating apps is similar. Here are the steps to update your Instagram app on iPhone or any iOS device:

Step 1: Open the Apple App Store on your iPhone.

Step 2: Click on your profile icon at the top-right corner.

Step 3: Now, scroll down a little to see a list of apps available with the latest updates

Step 4: Check if Instagram is included and tap Update next to the app.

Step 5: You can also click on the “Update All” option at the top to update all apps at once.

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While we saw how to update the Instagram app on Android and iOS (iPhone), there are times when you might want to disable automatic app updates on your device. While automatic updates are the new normal in the smartphone world that allows developers to roll out the latest version of their apps and services to as many users as soon as possible, you don’t necessarily have to follow it. There are ways to disable automatic updates on the Google Play Store as well as the Apple App Store.

How to turn off automatic updates on the Google Play Store

On Android, it is possible to turn off automatic updates for all applications. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Open the Google Play Store on your smartphone.

Step 2: Tap on your profile icon at the top right-hand corner.

Step 3: Go to Settings and expand the network preferences section.

Step 4: Tap on Auto-update apps and select Don’t auto-update apps.

Step 5: Click OK.

How to disable automatic app updates on Apple App Store

Here is a step-by-step guide to turn off automatic app updates on iOS:

Step 1: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Scroll down to the App Store option and click on it.

Step 3: Under Automatic Downloads, toggle off App Updates.

With the above steps, you have disabled automatic app updates on both Android as well as iOS devices. By disabling automatic updates, you will suddenly have several apps ready for update on your mobile device. There are times when Instagram and other apps might not always automatically update and if it doesn’t, you will have to go to either Google Play Store or Apple App Store to manually update them.

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In order to avoid this hassle, some smartphone users prefer to turn off automatic updates altogether and manually update their apps. By following the steps mentioned above, you will have turned off automatic updates and will be able to manually update the apps later. Let us know how often you check your App Store for updates.