App Store Updates

Client Notes

Last week, I struggled to restore Shirley's new iPhone, whose passcode she'd forgotten. It turned out to be a sign that remembering it required just a little more thought about what passcode she would have set. As a result, our setup process turned out to be successful!

Another challenge involved Molly's email setup on her PC, a system with which I rarely involve myself. After almost giving up, I realized that deleting some specific cookies in her web browser would enable Outlook to add the account. Hopefully, her Mac will become her desktop experience, too.

Refresh App Store Updates on iPhone+iPad

On iPhone and iPad, there are a number of ways to reach the list of updates, which are currently tucked in the Account section. You can reach this by tapping your profile in the top right corner.

However, an easier approach is to long-press the App Store icon and choose Updates from the Quick Action menu. (See the animation above.)

Even if the App Store is set not to update apps automatically, it will still periodically check for updates. Yet, it doesn't look very often and you can't choose when.

Therefore, when you get there, it's important to swipe down on the list to refresh it. You'll likely find more available.

Refresh App Store Updates on Mac

On Mac, Updates is the eighth section on the sidebar of the App Store window and you can get there quickly with Command+8. You'll also find these in the Store menu.

Like iPhone and iPad, the Mac checks for App Store updates periodically, but there's no way to set the periodicity and there are often unknown updates available.

To reveal them, reload the page. You'll find Reload Page in the Store menu as well, with shortcut Command+R. Be patient as the check won't be instantaneous, but there's no visual feedback that it's happening.

Surprised how much this matches your web browser experience? The App Store, much like the iTunes Store, is effectively a glorified webpage.

Peruse App Release Notes

Over the years, many developers have become lax about how much information they share with their users about changes in each update. It's become quite common for them to simply report "bug fixes and performance improvements."

I'm one to want to know what bugs have been fixed, but I guess I'm in the minority. So, I'm grateful that some developers, including favorites 1Password and YNAB, remain quite transparent and provide sufficient detail in their release notes.

Earlier this year, I reminded myself how much I have enjoyed devouring release notes over the years. Being in-the-know about new features and changes consistently enables me to be a greater resource to my clients.

Therefore, I changed my tune and decided to disable automatic App Store updates on my iPhone, where most of my App Store apps are installed. Instead, I open the Updates panel at least once a day to see what's available, read release notes, and then install.