How to update apps on Apple TV
Apps on Apple TV update automatically by default, but you can also update them manually whenever you want. The automatic updates happen in the background when your Apple TV is idle and plugged in—usually overnight. If you need an update right now, or if you want to check which apps have updates waiting, you can go into the App Store on your Apple TV and update them yourself in a few steps.
The process is straightforward: open the App Store, find the app you want to update, and select the update button. Some apps update silently without any action from you. Others sit in a queue waiting for you to approve them. Understanding how your Apple TV handles updates—and how to take control when you need to—keeps your apps running smoothly and gives you access to new features and security fixes.
Key Takeaways
- Apple TV updates apps automatically when your device is idle and plugged in, so most updates happen without you doing anything.
- You can manually update any app by opening the App Store, navigating to the app, and selecting the update button.
- Pending updates appear in the App Store with an "Update" label, and you can see how many apps have updates waiting by checking the Updates tab.
- Automatic updates can be turned off in Settings if you prefer to control when each app updates, though this requires you to remember to update manually.
- Apps that update automatically do not require you to restart Apple TV or do anything else—the update installs in the background.
Turn on automatic updates (the default setting)
Automatic updates are already turned on when you first set up Apple TV, so most people never need to change this setting. When automatic updates are on, your Apple TV downloads and installs app updates whenever the device is plugged in and not in use—typically at night or when you are not watching.
If you have turned off automatic updates in the past and want to turn them back on, go to Settings on your Apple TV home screen. Select Apps, then App Updates, and toggle Automatic Updates to on. The switch will turn green when it is active. After this, your apps will update on their own schedule without any action from you.
Manually update a single app right now
If you want to update an app when ready instead of waiting for the automatic schedule, you can do it from the App Store. Press the Apple TV remote's menu button to go to the home screen, then open the App Store.
Navigate to the app you want to update. You can search for it by name, or browse through categories. When you find the app, select it to open its detail page. If an update is available, you will see an Update button where the "Get" or "Open" button would normally be. Select Update, and the app will begin downloading and installing. You do not need to wait for it to finish—you can return to your home screen and use other apps while the update runs in the background.
Update all pending apps at once
If multiple apps have updates waiting, you can update them all together instead of going through each one individually. Open the App Store and look for the Updates tab at the bottom of the screen. This tab shows a badge with the number of apps that have updates available.
Select the Updates tab to see the full list of apps waiting to be updated. You will see an Update All button at the top of the list. Select it, and all pending updates will read and install at the same time. Your Apple TV will handle the installation in the background, and you can continue using other apps while the updates run.
Turn off automatic updates if you prefer manual control
Some people prefer to decide exactly when apps update, especially if they are concerned about storage space or want to avoid updates that might change how an app works. If you want to turn off automatic updates and update apps only when you choose to, you can change this in Settings.
Go to Settings on your home screen, select Apps, then App Updates. Toggle Automatic Updates to off. The switch will turn gray. From that point on, updates will not install automatically. Instead, they will wait in the App Store with an Update button next to them. You will need to manually update each app using the steps described above, or use the Update All button in the Updates tab.
Keep in mind that turning off automatic updates means you are responsible for remembering to check for and install updates yourself. Apps may run slower or have security issues if they are not kept current, so most people benefit from leaving automatic updates on.
What to do if an update fails or gets stuck
Occasionally an app update will not complete, or the read will stall. The first step is to restart your Apple TV. Unplug the device from power, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Once it has restarted, go back to the App Store and try updating the app again.
If the update still does not work, check that your Apple TV is connected to the internet and has enough storage space available. You can see how much storage you have left by going to Settings, selecting AirPlay and HomeKit, then About. If storage is very low, delete an app you do not use to free up space, then try the update again. If the problem continues after restarting and freeing up space, the issue may be temporary—try again in a few hours or the next day.
Storage and update size considerations
App updates vary in size. Some are just a few megabytes, while others can be 100 MB or larger. Your Apple TV needs enough free storage space to read and install an update before it can complete. If your device is running low on storage, an update may fail or take much longer than usual.
You can see which apps are using the most storage by going to Settings, selecting Apps, then Manage Storage. This screen shows each installed app and how much space it takes up. If you are running out of room, removing apps you no longer use will free up space for updates and new content. After you delete an app, its update will have room to install the next time one becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to do anything after an app updates?
No. Once an app finishes updating, it is ready to use when ready. You do not need to restart Apple TV, close and reopen the app, or take any other action. The update installs silently in the background.
Can I use Apple TV while apps are updating?
Yes. Updates run in the background, so you can watch shows, play games, or use other apps while updates are downloading and installing. You will not notice any interruption.
Why is an app not updating even though I selected update?
The most common reason is that your Apple TV does not have enough free storage space. Check your available storage in Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > About. If storage is low, delete an app you do not use and try again. Also make sure your internet connection is stable—a weak or interrupted connection can pause an update.
What happens if I unplug Apple TV during an app update?
Unplugging during an update can interrupt the installation and leave the app in an incomplete state. If this happens, plug the device back in and restart it. Then go to the App Store and update the app again. The system will usually resume or restart the update automatically.
Can I schedule updates for a specific time?
Apple TV does not have a built-in scheduling feature for updates. Automatic updates happen whenever your device is idle and plugged in, typically at night. If you want more control over timing, turn off automatic updates and update apps manually whenever you choose.