How to Update Instagram on Android or iPhone

Like any other app on your Android or iPhone, Instagram receives regular updates, adding new features, fixing bugs, and improving performance. Hence, installing these app updates for an optimal experience is always a good idea. Here’s how you can update the Instagram app on your Android or iPhone.

How to Update Instagram on Android

Updating the Instagram app is no different from updating any other app on your Android phone. Here are the steps you can follow.

1. Open the Play Store on your Android phone.
2. Type Instagram in the search bar at the top.
3. Tap Instagram from the search result. You might also see an Update button next to the app in the result.
4. Hit the Update button. If you see the Open button, it indicates that the app is already up to date.
   

Once updated, you can view your Instagram Reels watch history to share a funny Reel you previously missed sharing.

By default, your Android phone will automatically update Instagram to the latest build available. But if you had turned off auto-update, you can enable it again. 

1. Open the Instagram listing on the Play Store.
2. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner
3. Tick the Enable auto update option.
   

How to Update Instagram on iPhone

Updating the Instagram app on the iPhone from the iOS App Store is easy.

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Search icon in the bottom right corner.
3. Type Instagram in the search bar.
4. Hit the Update button next to Instagram.
   
5. Wait for your iPhone to download and install the update.

Unlike Android, you can’t enable automatic updates for specific apps on your iPhone. So, if you want your iPhone to update the Instagram app automatically, you must enable automatic updates for all the apps. 

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap App Store.
3. Turn on the toggle next to App Updates.
4. Enable the App Updates toggle under Cellular Data to allow automatic app updates on mobile data (Optional).
   

What to Do if Instagram Won’t Update

Although updating the Instagram app is usually quick and painless, you might run into issues occasionally. If you can’t seem to update the Instagram app on your Android or iPhone, here are a few tips that may help.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

A weak or inconsistent internet connection could prevent you from updating apps on your phone. To check the reliability of your connection, visit a website like Fast.com to run an internet speed test.

If there’s a problem, switch to a different network connection and then try to update the Instagram app again.

2. Free Up Storage Space

A lack of free storage space is another reason why Instagram may fail to update on your Android or iPhone. To overrule this possibility, you can check your phone’s storage space by heading over to Settings > Device care > Storage (on Android) or Settings > General iPhone Storage (on iPhone).

If the available storage is too low, consider freeing up your Android or iPhone storage space before attempting to update the Instagram app again.

3. Clear the Cache for the Google Play Store

Cache issues could prevent Instagram from automatically updating your Android phone. If that’s the case, clearing your phone’s existing Google Play Store cache data should help fix the problem.

4. Reinstall the App

If the issue remains, you can try uninstalling the Instagram app and then reinstalling it on your phone. On Android, long-press the Instagram app icon and select the Uninstall option. Then, select OK to confirm.

If you have an iPhone, long-press the Instagram app and select Delete from the resulting menu. Choose Delete App when the confirmation prompt appears.

Once removed, you can download and install the Instagram app from the Play Store or App Store.

Level Up Your Instagram Experience

Keeping the Instagram app up to date ensures that you’re always enjoying the best that the platform has to offer. Depending on your preference, you can update the Instagram app manually or set it to update automatically on your Android or iPhone using the steps above. And once you are done updating the app, you might want to learn how to see what someone likes on Instagram.

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