Have you ever installed an app update only to find that it breaks the app or introduces new bugs? If so, you may be wondering how to remove the update and revert to the previous version. Fortunately, it is possible to do this on both Android and iOS devices. In this article, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to remove an update on an app without jeopardizing your data. Removing an app update can be a useful troubleshooting step if you are experiencing problems with an app after it has been updated. It can also be helpful if you simply prefer the older version of the app.
On Android devices, the process of removing an app update is relatively simple. First, open the Google Play Store and tap on the menu icon in the top-left corner. Then, select “My apps & games” from the menu. On the “My apps & games” page, find the app that you want to remove the update for and tap on it. On the app’s page, tap on the “Uninstall” button. A pop-up window will appear asking you if you want to uninstall the app. Tap on the “OK” button to confirm. Once the app has been uninstalled, you can reinstall it from the Google Play Store. When you reinstall the app, it will be the version that was available before the update was installed.
On iOS devices, the process of removing an app update is a bit more complicated. First, you need to open the Settings app. Then, tap on “General” and then “iPhone Storage.” On the “iPhone Storage” page, find the app that you want to remove the update for and tap on it. On the app’s page, tap on the “App Store” section. In the “App Store” section, tap on the “Update” button. A pop-up window will appear asking you if you want to update the app. Tap on the “Cancel” button to cancel the update. Once the update has been canceled, you can tap on the “App Store” button to open the App Store. In the App Store, you can search for the app that you want to remove the update for and tap on it. On the app’s page, tap on the “Update” button. A pop-up window will appear asking you if you want to update the app. Tap on the “Cancel” button to cancel the update. Once the update has been canceled, you can tap on the “Install” button to install the previous version of the app.
Identifying the App Update
Before attempting to remove an app update, it is crucial to identify the specific update you wish to remove. Here are the steps to locate and identify the app update:
1. **Check the App Listing**: Visit the app’s listing in the app store (e.g., Google Play Store or Apple App Store). Scroll down to the “Updates” section and locate the latest update. Note the date and time of the update.
2. **View App Information**: Open the app’s settings on your device. Under the “App Info” or “App Details” section, locate the “Recent Changes” or “Update History” section. Here, you will find a list of all the recent app updates, including their release dates.
3. **Check App Version**: If the methods above do not provide the necessary information, you can manually check the app’s current version. Go to the app’s settings and look for the “Version” or “Build Number” section. This will indicate the version of the app currently installed on your device.
Once you have identified the app update you want to remove, proceed to the next step.
Accessing the App Store or Google Play Store
To remove an update on an app, you will need to access the app store on your device. This will vary depending on the type of device you have.
Apple Devices
For Apple devices, open the App Store app. Tap on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen. Select “Purchased” from the menu that appears. Find the app you want to remove the update for and tap on it. Scroll down and tap on “Version History.” You will see a list of all the updates that have been released for the app. Tap on the “Uninstall” button next to the update you want to remove.
Android Devices
For Android devices, open the Google Play Store app. Tap on the menu icon in the top left corner of the screen. Select “My apps & games” from the menu that appears. Find the app you want to remove the update for and tap on it. Tap on the “Uninstall” button. You will be asked to confirm that you want to uninstall the update. Tap on “OK” to confirm.
| Device | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Apple | Open the App Store app, tap on your profile picture, select “Purchased,” find the app, tap on “Version History,” and tap on “Uninstall” next to the update you want to remove. |
| Android | Open the Google Play Store app, tap on the menu icon, select “My apps & games,” find the app, tap on “Uninstall,” and tap on “OK” to confirm. |
Locating the App in the App Store
To remove an update on an app, you must first locate it in the App Store. There are two ways to do this:
- Search for the app: Open the App Store and tap the search bar at the top of the screen. Enter the name of the app you want to find and tap the Search button.
- Browse the App Store: Open the App Store and tap the Browse tab at the bottom of the screen. You can then browse through the different app categories and subcategories to find the app you want.
Once you have found the app, tap on it to open its page.
Viewing the App’s Update History
To view the app’s update history, scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap the Version History link. This will open a list of all the updates that have been released for the app.
Locate the update you want to remove and tap the Show More button next to it. This will open a page with more information about the update, including the release date, version number, and a list of changes.
To remove the update, tap the Remove Update button at the bottom of the page. You will be prompted to confirm your choice. Once you tap the Confirm button, the update will be removed from your device.
| Platform | Steps |
|---|---|
| iOS |
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| Android |
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Finding the App Update
To locate the app update, you’ll need to navigate to the app store on your device. Once you’re in the app store, you can typically find a section dedicated to updates. In this section, you should see a list of all apps that have pending updates. Find the app you want to remove the update on, and tap on it to view its details.
Searching for the App Update
If you can’t find the app update in the dedicated updates section, you can try searching for it manually. To do this, simply enter the name of the app into the search bar in the app store. Once you’ve found the app, tap on it to view its details.
Checking the App Info
Once you’re on the app’s details page, you can check to see if an update is available. You should see a section called “Version” or “Update”. If there’s an update available, it will be listed here.
Looking for the Uninstall Button
If you’ve found the app update, you should now be able to uninstall it. Look for a button that says “Uninstall” or “Remove Update”. Tap on this button to remove the update.
Removing the App Update on iOS
The App Store provides users with a straightforward way to remove updates for apps installed on their iOS devices. This feature is particularly useful when an update introduces unexpected issues or performance problems, allowing users to revert to a previous working version. Here are the detailed steps to remove an app update on iOS:
1. Launch the App Store
To begin, tap on the App Store icon on your iOS device’s home screen to open the official Apple app store.
2. Tap on Your Profile
In the top-right corner of the App Store’s main interface, you will see your profile icon or avatar. Tap on it to access your account settings and related options.
3. Select Purchased
Once you’re in your profile, locate and tap on the “Purchased” option. This will show a list of all apps you have downloaded from the App Store, both free and paid.
4. Find the App
Scroll through the list of purchased apps and locate the app for which you want to remove the update. Once you find it, tap on it to view its details.
5. Tap on the “Update History” Button
On the app’s details page, you will see an “Update History” button near the bottom of the screen. Tap on it to view a list of all updates released for this app. Each update entry will include the date, version number, and a brief changelog highlighting the changes introduced.
To remove an update, locate the entry for the update you wish to revert from. On the right-hand side of the entry, you’ll see a “Revert” button. Tap on this button to confirm your decision and begin the process of rolling back the app to the previous version.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to roll back to a previous, working version of an app | Users may lose new features or bug fixes included in the update |
Removing the App Update on Android
To remove an app update on an Android device, follow these steps:
1. Open the Google Play Store
Launch the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
2. Tap on the menu icon
In the top-left corner of the Play Store window, tap on the three horizontal lines icon to open the menu.
3. Select “My Apps & Games”
From the menu that appears, select “My Apps & Games”.
4. Find the app you want to remove the update for
Scroll through the list of installed apps and find the one you want to remove the update for.
5. Tap on the app
Once you have found the app, tap on it to open its details page.
6. Tap on the “Uninstall Updates” button
On the app’s details page, scroll down and find the “Uninstall Updates” button. Tap on this button to remove the update for the app.
| Device Model | Android Version |
|---|---|
| Google Pixel 3 | Android 12 |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 | Android 11 |
| OnePlus 9 | Android 11 |
Uninstalling the App Update
To remove an app update, follow these steps:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Apps & notifications.
3. Tap App info.
4. Tap the app you want to remove the update from.
5. Tap Uninstall updates.
6. Tap OK.
Reinstalling the App after Removing the Update
Once you have uninstalled the app update, you can reinstall the app from the Google Play Store. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Tap the search bar.
- Enter the name of the app you want to reinstall.
- Tap the Install button.
- Tap the Open button.
- The app will now be reinstalled on your device.
- Note: If you have any data associated with the app, it may be lost when you uninstall the update. Be sure to back up any important data before uninstalling the update.
Troubleshooting for Failed Removal
If you encounter difficulties when trying to remove an update from an app, consider the following troubleshooting tips:
1. Check your internet connection
A stable internet connection is crucial for successful app updates. Ensure that you have a reliable connection before attempting to remove the update.
2. Close all open apps
Background apps can interfere with the update removal process. Close all other apps running on your device before proceeding.
3. Clear your device’s cache
Clearing the cache can resolve minor software glitches. Navigate to your device’s Settings > Storage > Cached data and tap “Clear cache.”
4. Restart your device
Restarting your device can often rectify temporary issues. After the restart, try removing the app update again.
5. Check for app compatibility
Ensure that the app version you’re trying to remove is compatible with your device’s operating system. Incompatible app updates may fail to remove.
6. Contact the app developer
If the problem persists, reach out to the app developer for assistance. They may provide specific instructions or troubleshooting steps for their app.
7. Factory reset your device
As a last resort, you can perform a factory reset to erase all data and settings from your device. This should resolve any underlying issues that may be preventing the update removal.
8. Hardware problems
In rare cases, hardware problems such as faulty storage or memory issues can hinder app update removal. Consider consulting a professional technician for hardware-related troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting Tip Description 1. Check internet connection Ensure a stable internet connection for successful update removal. 2. Close all open apps Background apps can interfere with the update removal process. Close all other apps before proceeding. 3. Clear device cache Clearing the cache can resolve minor software glitches that may hinder update removal. 4. Restart device Restarting your device can often rectify temporary issues and allow for successful update removal. 5. Check app compatibility Ensure that the app version you’re trying to remove is compatible with your device’s operating system to avoid failed update removals. 6. Contact app developer Seek assistance from the app developer if you encounter persistent issues with update removal. They may provide specific troubleshooting steps or instructions. 7. Factory reset device As a last resort, perform a factory reset to erase all data and settings from your device, which should resolve underlying issues that may prevent update removal. However, this action will erase all stored data, so proceed with caution. 8. Hardware problems In rare cases, hardware issues such as faulty storage or memory components can hinder update removal. Consider consulting a professional technician for hardware-related troubleshooting to resolve these issues. Benefits of Removing an App Update
Removing an app update can offer several benefits, including:
- Improved Performance: Updates can sometimes introduce bugs or compatibility issues that can slow down your app or cause crashes. Rolling back to a previous version can resolve these issues and restore optimal performance.
- Reverting Unwanted Features: App updates often include new features that may not be desirable or useful to all users. Removing an update allows you to revert to a version without these unwanted features.
- Stability and Security: In some cases, app updates may introduce new security vulnerabilities or incompatibilities with the operating system. Rolling back to a previous version can mitigate these risks and ensure the app’s stability and security.
- Preserving Settings and Data: Removing an app update typically does not affect your app’s settings or data. This means you can revert to a previous version without losing any important information or customization.
- Saving Storage Space: App updates often include additional features and content that can take up valuable storage space on your device. Removing an update can free up space for other apps, files, or media.
- Battery Optimization: Some app updates may introduce changes that affect battery usage. Rolling back to a previous version can improve battery life by reverting to a more efficient configuration.
- Troubleshooting Issues: If you encounter problems with an app after an update, removing the update can help isolate the issue. By reverting to a previous version, you can determine if the problem is related to the update or other factors.
- Compatibility with Other Apps: Occasionally, app updates may introduce compatibility issues with other apps or software on your device. Removing the update can restore compatibility and allow you to use all your apps seamlessly.
- Reverting to a Previous User Interface: Some app updates may introduce changes to the user interface (UI) that may not be preferable to all users. Removing the update allows you to revert to a familiar and more comfortable UI.
How to Remove an Update on an App
Uninstalling an app update can be helpful if you’re experiencing issues or want to revert to an older version. Here are the steps on how to remove an app update on different devices:
For Android Devices:
- Go to “Settings” > “Apps” > “App Info.”
- Select the app you want to remove the update for.
- Tap on the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
- Select “Uninstall Updates.”
- Confirm your action by tapping “OK.”
For iOS Devices:
- Go to “Settings” > “General” > “iPhone Storage.”
- Select the app you want to remove the update for.
- Tap on “Offload App.” This will remove the app and its data from your device.
- Reinstall the app from the App Store. This will install the older version without the update.
Note: Removing an app update may cause you to lose any data or settings associated with the updated version.
People Also Ask About How to Remove an Update on an App
Can I remove a specific update on an app?
No, it’s not possible to remove a specific update on an app. You can only remove the most recent update, which will revert the app to the previous version.
What happens if I remove an app update?
Removing an app update may cause you to lose any data or settings associated with the updated version. It is recommended to back up your app data before removing an update.
How do I prevent an app from updating automatically?
To prevent an app from updating automatically on Android, go to “Settings” > “Apps” > “App Info.” Then, select the app you want to disable auto-updates for and tap on the “Auto-update” option. You can choose to disable auto-updates or set it to update only over Wi-Fi.
On iOS, go to “Settings” > “App Store.” Under “Automatic Downloads,” you can disable auto-updates for apps or set them to update only over Wi-Fi.
