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app store automatic updates missing

I am missing the “Automatic Updates” section in my settings for my appstore. i turned it off some time ago and ive relised how much of a pain it is to stay on top of updating everything regularly. please help. and before someone tries to convince me it is the “App Downloads” slider… it is not!!!


[Edited by Moderator]

2 replies

Your screenshot confirms it — App Updates is missing, and you’re right that App Downloads is a different setting. Apple’s current iOS 27 guide says App Updates should appear under Settings > Apps > App Store. Change settings and restrictions in the App Store on iPhone - Apple Support


I’d check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases and make sure Installing Apps is set to Allow. Then restart the iPhone and check the App Store settings again.


If Content & Privacy Restrictions is already off and App Updates is still missing, I wouldn’t start signing out of your Apple Account or resetting the phone. At that point it looks like the setting itself isn’t being displayed correctly, and I’d contact Apple Support.


→ How to manually update apps from the App Store - Apple Support

I have my phone in my native language, but basically, its under Apps --> App Installation (second option of the top ones) --> App Updates.