My TikTok App Won’t Update. What Should I Do?

TikTok, like most other social media platforms, regularly updates the app’s features and functions. The software is designed to automatically update the app version you have on your phone — but the process doesn’t always work flawlessly. All sorts of issues could prevent the app from being updated when it’s supposed to be.

TikTok users are also able to manually update the app installed on their device, but once again, a tech problem could prevent the process from completing properly.

What can cause those difficulties, and how can you resolve them? Let’s find out.

Why Won’t My TikTok Update Automatically?

Although the app is programmed to receive and install updates as soon as TikTok pushes them out, your phone may be blocking them.

The first step is to check your device settings to make sure that automatic updates are allowed.

• iOS devices don’t allow you to control the process for individual apps, so you have to make sure that automatic updates are enabled for all of your apps. Open your iPhone’s Settings and then go to Apps > App Store. Look for the “App Updates” toggle switch on the menu and confirm that it’s set to the “on” position (to the right).
• On an Android device, open the Google Play app and tap on your profile photo. Then go to Settings > Manage apps >Manage. Click the TikTok link, and when the “Details” page opens, tap the three-dot “More” icon. Make sure the “Enable auto update” toggle switch is turned on.

If that doesn’t solve your problem, keep reading. The same issues that can prevent you from manually updating your TikTok app may also be preventing automatic updates.

Why Won’t My TikTok Update Manually?

When TikTok releases new app updates, there’s an outside chance that you may not have access to all of the features and functions you’re accustomed to. Updating the app often restores full access, and it’s easy to do.

On iOS devices, open the App Store, click on your personal icon in the upper-right corner, scroll down to TikTok, and tap “Update.” On Androids, open the Google Play Store, tap your account icon at the top of the screen, and then choose “Manage apps & device.” Under the “Overview” tab, find TikTok and click “Update.”

The update doesn’t work? Here’s what could be going on.

Connection Issues

Without a strong and stable Internet connection, your phone won’t be able to receive the update from TikTok. Try moving closer to your router or modem, using a different network, or switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data to improve your connection.

App or Phone Issues

There are several possibilities here.

• App or Phone Glitch: First, try logging off of TikTok and then back on again, and if that doesn’t help, turning your phone off and back on again.
• Memory Issues: Your phone may not have enough free memory, or the TikTok cache may be almost full. Go to “Settings and privacy” from the popup, scroll down to “Free up space,” and hit the buttons to clear your TikTok cache and downloads. Clear your phone cache from the device settings, and remove any large files or programs that you’re no longer using.

Still no luck? Your best bet is to uninstall your current TikTok app (be sure to save all of your TikTok video drafts to your phone’s camera reel first, because they’ll disappear). Then reinstall the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. That’s a last resort, but it should always get you back up and surfing your feed again quickly.