Windows Phone 8.1 Tip: Check for App Updates Manually

Windows Phone 8.1 users know that apps and games can easily be set to be updated manually, but there might be times when you’ll want to get the latest and greatest right away. Microsoft makes manually checking for updates easy in 8.1. Here’s how to do it.

Manually Check Windows Phone Apps for Updates

Launch the Store app from the Start screen or from the app list. Then bring up the Settings menu by taping the “…” icon at the lower-right corner and then Settings.

Next scroll down and under App Updates tap the “Check for Updates” button. A couple of settings to note here is that if you want auto updates, make sure that option is turned on. Of course turn it off if you want to disable automatic updates for some reason.

Also, I definitely recommend to only get updates over Wi-Fi. Especially if you have a limited data plan. A lot of those games you love so much require very large updates, and that can use a large portion of your data plan.

Note: If you have automatic updates enabled, but what to keep track of which apps have been updated, go to Downloads (shown in the first set of screenshots above) and swipe to the right for History. That will give you a list of the current version of the apps you have running on your phone.

More on Windows Phone 8.1

Have you received the Windows Phone 8.1 update from your carrier yet? If not, make sure to check out our article: How to Get Windows Phone 8.1 Update Now.

If you are new to Windows Phone 8.1 make sure to check out these other tutorials on using the updates mobile OS.

It’s also worth noting that Microsoft announced the new Windows Phone 8.1 update 1 is just around the corner as well. It will improve on existing Windows Phone 8.1 features as well as introduce new ones. Some of the new features include live folders, an improve Xbox Music (which is long overdue), improvements to Internet Explorer, enhanced privacy and security, and the digital assistant Cortana will be available in several more countries.