How to fix Apple iPhone X apps that won’t update [Troubleshooting Guide]

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Like any other applications, Apple’s very own App Store app can also give in to random flaws. In fact, many iOS device owners were plagued by a problem wherein some apps won’t update through the App Store. This problem has already affected some users of the new iPhone X. Possible reasons as to why apps won’t update would include insufficient storage or low memory space on the device as well as network problems like when the iPhone has no Internet access.

To give you some inputs on how to deal with this problem on your iPhone X handset, I have elaborated the standard procedures or generic solutions. Read on to find out what to do if one day, you would realize that your apps are not updated simply because they won’t update in the first place. This may not be a big deal if you don’t care whether your apps are updated or not but if you’re the opposite type of user, you will always find ways to resolve the issue and get things to work as they should.

Before anything else, if you have other issues with your device, try to browse through our troubleshooting page as we’ve already addressed several issues with this device. Odds are that we’ve already published a post that tackles similar problems. Try finding issues that have similar symptoms with what you currently have and feel free to use the solutions we’ve suggested. If they don’t work for you or if you still need our help, then fill up our questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.

How to troubleshoot iPhone X with apps that won’t update

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Before you begin to troubleshoot, make sure that your iPhone has Internet access. If you’re on cellular data, try switching to and connect through Wi-Fi. Also make sure that Airplane mode is off. More importantly, you should consider heading to the Apple system status website to check and ensure that App Store services are active or available. If the service status is active yet still your apps won’t update, try these subsequent walkthroughs.

First solution: Pause and restart download app download.

There are times when the problem occurs as a minor glitch, which is often remedied by pausing and resuming app download from the Home screen. So you can try this first with these steps:

  1. Firmly press the app from the Home screen until you see the option to Resume Download, Pause Download, or Cancel Download.
  2. If the app download is paused, tap Resume Download.
  3. If the download is stuck, tap Pause Download then firmly press the app again and then tap Resume Download.

Try and see if that works. Otherwise, move on to the next applicable solution.

Second solution: Force stop and restart the App Store.

Minor app issues particularly with the App Store are usually cleared by stopping and restarting the application on your iPhone. Just like what’s recommended when any other apps are acting up. Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom to the middle of your Home screen and hold until the App Switcher shows up.
  2. Swipe left or right to locate the App Store app preview.
  3. Firmly touch and hold the App Store app, and then tap the minus (-) icon to clear or end the app.

Alternatively, you can swipe up to close the app as soon as the minus (-) icon shows up on the screen.

Third solution: Reboot your iPhone (soft reset).

It’s possible your iPhone X iOS is glitching and somehow unstable. To clear this out, restart your iPhone X. This will dump cached files and temporary that might have been corrupted and inflict minor issues to the App Store services. Here’s how:

  1. Press and hold the Side/Power button and either Volume button for a few seconds.
  2. When you see the Slide to Power off command, release the buttons.
  3. Then, drag the Power off slider to the right. Give your iPhone several seconds to power off.
  4. After about 30 seconds, press and hold the Side/Power button again until the Apple logo appears, then release.

You can also use the settings menu to shut down then restart your iPhone X. Here’s how it’s carried out:

  1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll to and tap the option to Shut Down. Doing so powers off your iPhone X.
  4. After a few seconds, press the Side/Power button again to turn it back on.

Allow your device to finish restarting then retry updating apps on the App Store.

Fourth solution: Reset network settings.

To clear out network connectivity issues, performing a network settings reset can help. Doing so will delete all your current network settings and so you can restart your Internet connection from scratch. Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll to and tap Reset.
  4. Select the option to Reset network settings. This will delete all your current network settings including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and server settings then restore the defaults.
  5. If prompted, enter your device passcode.
  6. Then tap to confirm system settings reset.

Your iPhone will reboot automatically when the reset is finished. After the restart, you will need to set up and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network to use the Internet again.

Fifth solution: Sign out and back in to your Apple ID account.

Check your Apple ID and make sure you’re logged in to the App Store with the correct Apple ID. If you already are but still cannot update apps, then try logging out of the App Store and sign in again.

  1. To do so, go to Settings-> iTunes & App Store menu.
  2. Then tap on your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
  3. Tap Sign Out then exit Settings.
  4. Open the Settings app again then tap iTunes & App Store.
  5. Tap Sign in and enter your Apple ID credentials to sign back in to your Apple or iTunes account.

Reboot your iPhone afterwards to clear and refresh the internal memory. Then try to update apps again.

Other options

If none of the above solutions worked and you still cannot update apps on your iPhone X, then you can try to install app updates through a computer instead. You can use either a Windows PC or Mac computer with later or latest OS version and has the latest iTunes software installed. Once you’re all set, follow these steps:

  1. Turn on automatic updates from your computer. Ways may vary depending on the type of computer and operating system.
  2. Connect your iPhone X to your computer using the Lightning cable.
  3. Then open iTunes.
  4. Click iTunes menu on the upper left-hand corner of the screen.
  5. Then select Preferences.
  6. Click the Downloads tab.
  7. Mark all the checkboxes then click OK.

Restart your iPhone X then check and see if all pending updates are already installed.

Seek more help

If your iPhone X still cannot update apps after performing all applicable solutions, then your remaining options would be to try an iOS restore or contact Apple Support for other recommendations and advanced solutions. Doing will so will prompt them to double check on the current status of App Store services from their system and if necessary refresh the services on their end.

Connect with us

If you need more help with the use of certain functions and features of the new Apple iPhone X smartphone, feel free to visit our Tutorial Page. There you can find a list of how-to contents, step-by-step tutorials, as well as answers to FAQs regarding iPhone X. If you have other concerns or encountered some troubles while using the phone, you can reach us through this form. Just be sure to tell us more details of the problem or device issue(s) you may have and we will be more than happy to assist you further.

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