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How Do You Update Instagram on Android? The Definitive Guide

Keeping your Instagram app up-to-date on your Android device is crucial for a smooth, feature-rich, and secure user experience. The good news? It’s a straightforward process. You primarily have two reliable methods: updating through the Google Play Store or enabling automatic updates. Let’s break down each method step-by-step.

Method 1: Updating Through the Google Play Store

This is the most common and recommended method for manually updating your Instagram app. Here’s how it’s done:

Open the Google Play Store: Locate the Play Store icon on your Android device’s home screen or app drawer. It typically resembles a colorful triangle.
Search for Instagram: Tap the search bar at the top of the screen and type “Instagram”.
Locate the Instagram App: From the search results, identify the official Instagram app. Be sure it’s the one published by Instagram.
Check for an “Update” Button: If an update is available, you will see an “Update” button instead of an “Open” button. If you only see “Open,” you already have the latest version installed.
Tap “Update”: If the “Update” button is present, tap it. The download and installation process will begin automatically. The progress will be displayed on the button.
Wait for the Installation: Allow the update to download and install completely. This may take a few minutes depending on your internet speed and the size of the update.
Open Instagram: Once the installation is complete, the “Update” button will change to an “Open” button. Tap “Open” to launch the updated Instagram app.

Method 2: Enabling Automatic Updates

This method ensures that your Instagram app, along with other apps on your device, is automatically updated in the background. It’s a “set it and forget it” approach.

Open the Google Play Store: Again, locate and open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
Tap Your Profile Icon: In the top right corner of the Play Store screen, tap your profile icon (usually your Google account profile picture or initial).
Open Settings: From the menu that appears, select “Settings“.
Tap “Network preferences”: Within the Settings menu, find and tap on “Network preferences“.
Tap “Auto-update apps”: A new window will pop up where you have to tap on the option called “Auto-update apps“.
Choose Your Preferred Update Method: You will be presented with a few options:
- Over Wi-Fi only: This is the recommended option to avoid using your mobile data. Updates will only download when you are connected to a Wi-Fi network.
- Over any network: This option will allow updates to download over both Wi-Fi and mobile data. Be aware that this may consume your mobile data allowance.
- Don’t auto-update apps: This option disables automatic updates altogether. You’ll have to manually update each app.
Select Your Choice: Choose the option that best suits your needs and preferences. We recommend “Over Wi-Fi only“.

With automatic updates enabled, the Google Play Store will automatically check for and install updates for your apps, including Instagram, in the background whenever you’re connected to Wi-Fi (or any network, depending on your selection).

Troubleshooting Update Issues

Sometimes, updating Instagram on Android might not go as smoothly as planned. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:

Insufficient Storage: If your device is running low on storage space, the update may fail to download or install. Try deleting unnecessary files, photos, videos, or apps to free up space.
Poor Internet Connection: A slow or unstable internet connection can interrupt the download process. Ensure you have a strong Wi-Fi signal or stable mobile data connection.
Google Play Store Errors: Sometimes, the Google Play Store itself may encounter errors. Try clearing the Play Store’s cache and data:
1. Go to Settings > Apps (or Applications Manager).
2. Find and select Google Play Store.
3. Tap “Storage“.
4. Tap “Clear Cache” and then “Clear Data“.
5. Restart your device.
Incompatible Device: Older Android devices may not be compatible with the latest version of Instagram. In this case, you may need to upgrade your device to continue using the newest features.
Update Paused: Google Play might pause the update because of many factors like the phone battery, you can check it on your Google Play Store > Manage apps & device > Manage > Check if Instagram app has an update pending or paused.

Why Keeping Instagram Updated is Important

Access to New Features: Instagram regularly introduces new features and improvements. Updating the app ensures you can take advantage of these new functionalities.
Bug Fixes: Updates often include bug fixes that address glitches and issues in the app.
Security Enhancements: Updates typically incorporate security patches that protect your account from vulnerabilities and threats.
Improved Performance: Updates can improve the overall performance and stability of the app, making it faster and more responsive.
Compatibility: Updating ensures compatibility with the latest Android operating system and other apps on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Updating Instagram on Android

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to help further clarify the process of updating Instagram on Android:

1. How often should I update Instagram?

It is best to update Instagram as soon as a new update becomes available in the Google Play Store. This ensures you have the latest features, bug fixes, and security enhancements. Instagram typically releases updates every few weeks.

2. Will updating Instagram delete my photos or posts?

No. Updating the Instagram app will not delete your photos, posts, or any other data associated with your account. All your data is stored on Instagram’s servers, not locally on your device.

3. What if the “Update” button doesn’t appear in the Google Play Store?

If you don’t see an “Update” button, it means you likely have the latest version of Instagram installed. You can also try clearing the Google Play Store cache and data (as described above) and then restarting your device.

4. Can I update Instagram without a Wi-Fi connection?

Yes, you can update Instagram using your mobile data connection. However, it’s generally recommended to use Wi-Fi to avoid consuming your mobile data allowance, especially since updates can be large.

5. My Instagram app keeps crashing after the update. What should I do?

If your Instagram app crashes after an update, try the following:

Restart your device.
Clear the Instagram app’s cache and data (Settings > Apps > Instagram > Storage > Clear Cache/Clear Data).
Uninstall and reinstall the Instagram app from the Google Play Store.

6. Is there a way to install an older version of Instagram?

It’s generally not recommended or possible to install an older version of Instagram officially through the Google Play Store. Older versions may have security vulnerabilities and may not be compatible with Instagram’s servers.

7. I don’t have the Google Play Store on my Android device. How can I update Instagram?

If your Android device doesn’t have the Google Play Store, it may be a modified or custom ROM. In this case, you can download the Instagram APK file from a trusted source (like APKMirror) and install it manually. Be extremely cautious when downloading APK files from third-party sources, as they may contain malware.

8. How do I know what version of Instagram I have installed?

Open the Instagram app, go to your profile, tap the three lines in the top right corner, select “Settings,” then “About,” and finally “App updates”. You should see the app version number listed.

9. Can I update Instagram on multiple Android devices at once?

Yes, if you have multiple Android devices logged into the same Google account and automatic updates are enabled, the Google Play Store will attempt to update Instagram on all devices simultaneously (if they are connected to Wi-Fi or using mobile data, depending on your settings).

10. Does updating Instagram require a lot of storage space?

The amount of storage space required for an Instagram update can vary depending on the size of the update and the version of the app you are updating from. However, it’s generally a good idea to have at least a few hundred megabytes of free storage space available.

11. How do I stop Instagram from automatically updating?

If you want to prevent Instagram from automatically updating, follow the steps for enabling automatic updates in reverse. In the “Auto-update apps” settings, select “Don’t auto-update apps“.

12. What are the benefits of enabling auto-update for my apps?

Enabling auto-updates offers several benefits:

Always have the latest features: Automatically receive new features and improvements as soon as they are released.
Improved security: Get the latest security patches to protect your device from vulnerabilities.
Bug fixes: Benefit from bug fixes that address glitches and issues in the app.
Convenience: Eliminates the need to manually check for and install updates.

By following these steps and FAQs, you can keep your Instagram app on Android up-to-date, ensuring you enjoy a seamless and secure experience. Embrace the updates, embrace the new features, and keep your Instagram game strong!