Why are apps updated so frequently?

[Mildredop]

I don't know if it's the same in the world of iOS, but every time I go into the Play Store and check on "My apps", there's updates to be downloaded. I only have about 30 apps on my phone, but every day or two, there's more updates.

My Mac doesn't need updating anything like as frequently, and back in the 90s, my PC never had any updates. I loaded the software and that was that.

So why so many updates? Is it because programmers aren't very good these days? And why do Google allow it? They should limit the number of updates to an app each year.

 

[EmaDaCuz]

That's one of the things that make me hate Android. Everytime I switch on the WiFi, a bunch of apps start update... and while updating, the system is unusable, lags everywhere. I care about security, so I update all the time, but this behaviour is ridiculous.

 

[MRU]

There are so many variables in the amount of Android device hardware and much more older versions of Android in circulation that inevitably developers may find bug fix a, creates bug b requiring another quick fix.

At least Google allow developers to post these new revised versions far quicker as you don't submit it to google for testing - but essentially that then makes users your testers.

 

[Mildredop]

That's one of the things that make me hate Android. Everytime I switch on the WiFi, a bunch of apps start update... and while updating, the system is unusable, lags everywhere. I care about security, so I update all the time, but this behaviour is ridiculous.

My phone doesn't do that - maybe that's a setting you can turn off? My apps only update when I allow them to. And I've have to say, my phone doesn't become unusable and laggy at all.

But it's still annoying!

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developers may find bug fix a, creates bug b requiring another quick fix.

So it is because the developers are a bit slap-dash and release apps too early rather than fully testing?

 

[MRU]

Why are apps updated so frequently?

So it is because the developers are a bit slap-dash and release apps too early rather than fully testing?

Not really slap dash that's unfair - but you have to consider how many android devices there are out there with different cpu tech. Different ram. Different gpu. Different resolution. Different OS's (not just Android version, but manufacturer versions & even then carrier versions of those manufacturer versions).

It's likely WHY Google don't bother acting like big brother and test apps for approval like Apple do - because they know it's a near impossible task at this stage.

Unless a developer has hundreds & hundreds of phones to test their app on - it's nigh on impossible to guarantee a little change / fix will work exactly the same amongst all those variable handsets across the board, or that a fix for one device won't break something along the chain.

Often the only way a developer can discover if a certain phone isn't playing nice is from user feedback.

I have 4 apps on the App Store and can not guarantee they all work as they do for me and my client.

 

[apolloa]

It's nothing unusual at all really, if Google make an update and it changes permissions then the apps need to be updated, when they change the way an app warns you of the permissions it wants to use for instance, all your apps need to be updated to reflect this.
Then you have constant app improvements and changes being made, games in particular are updated a lot, some bug fixes but mostly with extra features or levels etc.

You can then also have full control in Android over your updates, you can individually select weather an app auto updates or not.

On a side note the iPad 3 in our house also seems to have apps that update a lot, I guess it depends on the apps you have, not the platform your device runs on?

 

[Technarchy]

Why?

Mostly big fixes and security enhancement, along with handset optimizations in some cases.

 

[OrangeInc]

Apps are updated frequently due to bug fixes and addition of new features. It's done incrementally instead of one big update because it's easier to fix new bugs in a small update than a big one. Additionally, there are 3 update options in the play store settings. Update automatically (Data + Wi-Fi), update automatically (Wi-Fi only), and update manually.

 

[gotluck]

That's one of the things that make me hate Android. Everytime I switch on the WiFi, a bunch of apps start update... and while updating, the system is unusable, lags everywhere. I care about security, so I update all the time, but this behaviour is ridiculous.

Yea I don't recommend having automatic updates turned on, manual works best for me

Fwiw I disable them on iOS too

Especially because some updates can be downgrades, like mxplayer on android for audio codecs the other day and situations like transmit on iOS. Sucks to have to keep up with that though.

 

[ozaz]

Additionally, there are 3 update options in the play store settings. Update automatically (Data + Wi-Fi), update automatically (Wi-Fi only), and update manually.

I wish there were an additional option to update automatically only when device is charging.

(similar to the way Photos has an option to auto backup only when charging)

 

[kdarling]

Apps are updated frequently due to bug fixes and addition of new features. It's done incrementally instead of one big update because it's easier to fix new bugs in a small update than a big one.

I think it's more about this. Developers update more frequently in the Google Play Store because they can do it easily.

I wish there were an additional option to update automatically only when device is charging.

I'd like that, too. Hmm. I wonder if there's already an app that can be set to turn the update option on/off in the background.

 

[Lloydbm41]

I don't know if it's the same in the world of iOS, but every time I go into the Play Store and check on "My apps", there's updates to be downloaded. I only have about 30 apps on my phone, but every day or two, there's more updates.

My Mac doesn't need updating anything like as frequently, and back in the 90s, my PC never had any updates. I loaded the software and that was that.

So why so many updates? Is it because programmers aren't very good these days? And why do Google allow it? They should limit the number of updates to an app each year.

So, you would rather not get updates and bug fixes for apps, because developers work to quickly? This is probably the first time I've read something like this.

BTW, you do realize developers are updating apps on Android at record pace because Material Design on Android 5 was just released? If you want something that rarely sees updates, maybe you should get a Blackberry.

 

[mi7chy]

It's been more frequent lately for apps to adapt to Lollipop and the new material design. You can turn off auto updates and notifications in Google Play settings which is what I've done.

 

[TimelessOne]

I don't know if it's the same in the world of iOS, but every time I go into the Play Store and check on "My apps", there's updates to be downloaded. I only have about 30 apps on my phone, but every day or two, there's more updates.

My Mac doesn't need updating anything like as frequently, and back in the 90s, my PC never had any updates. I loaded the software and that was that.

So why so many updates? Is it because programmers aren't very good these days? And why do Google allow it? They should limit the number of updates to an app each year.

No it is because apple process is a pain to go threw. You have a minimum of 1 week lag assuming no stupid rejection. This made worse if a massive issue is found after wards. Where I work we would of loved to put out an update to fix some bugs in a new feature. Bugs that have been a thorn to deal with support wise for 3 months by but due to Apple annoying an painful system it was put off and lived with it. Heck we put out some bugs we would love to do a quick fix on as one minor feature we forgot to fix some odd dev code in there.

If you limit updates you will see bugs last longer and do major features.

As in terms of fixing items it is easier to do in small updates as it limits possibility of what is causing the problem. There is only so much testing you can do and what odd ball stuff users do.
Things you never count on in testing users will do and be odd cases. Problem is those more often than not are the show stoppers and must fix items.

Google is run by engineers who understand it is easier on development to have small by more frequent updates. Android release time from submission to release is measured in hours compare ot apple which is breaking a week all the time.

 

[hiddenmarkov]

My Mac doesn't need updating anything like as frequently.

what mac apps are you using has to be considered as this is a different model.

In my case, with a jaded bias I will admit, I see less updating on paid applications as its usually in their best interest to let my year long payment run out and introduce the new software the following year. It fixes known issues, has user requested features added. All for the low cost of a reduced priced upgrade of course. And once the new version is out....well you know the old version barring something dangerous (security vulnerability) is not getting any attention anymore.

IOS side you by and large pay your money upfront and get life long support. Its in their best interest to keep a product fresh with updates as they won't have last years users ponying up cash yearly. They need last years owners saying app gets great support in the reviews section to entice new owners to pony up some cash. this a feature I look for anyway.


Its a different model the take away. I tbh like it. I pay my money once and as long as company stays viable I see updates for life. I don't mind for example notability's (note taking app that has reached out my cold dead hands to take away from me status lol...even today its one of few who realize some ios users are left handed and addresses that well imo) upgrades that are frequent. For what I paid I am amazed I get this level of service to tbh. I wished I got it on my 29.99 a year mac apps that push the limits of being leeches in some cases.

 

[TimelessOne]

what mac apps are you using has to be considered as this is a different model.

In my case, with a jaded bias I will admit, I see less updating on paid applications as its usually in their best interest to let my year long payment run out and introduce the new software the following year. It fixes known issues, has user requested features added. All for the low cost of a reduced priced upgrade of course. And once the new version is out....well you know the old version barring something dangerous (security vulnerability) is not getting any attention anymore.

IOS side you by and large pay your money upfront and get life long support. Its in their best interest to keep a product fresh with updates as they won't have last years users ponying up cash yearly. They need last years owners saying app gets great support in the reviews section to entice new owners to pony up some cash. this a feature I look for anyway.


Its a different model the take away. I tbh like it. I pay my money once and as long as company stays viable I see updates for life. I don't mind for example notability's (note taking app that has reached out my cold dead hands to take away from me status lol...even today its one of few who realize some ios users are left handed and addresses that well imo) upgrades that are frequent. For what I paid I am amazed I get this level of service to tbh. I wished I got it on my 29.99 a year mac apps that push the limits of being leeches in some cases.

Minus the fact a lot those app you will find stop supporting old apps and moved on to a new project and completely drop the old app.

 

[mrex]

So why so many updates? Is it because programmers aren't very good these days? And why do Google allow it? They should limit the number of updates to an app each year.

lollipop updates

and possible bug fixes/tweaks - i would hate that if the app had unupdated and having bugs... this is also a reason why apps on android doesnt crash much - they are fixed soon if there is any problem...

 

[Technarchy]

No it is because apple process is a pain to go threw.

From a user perspective, there is no insight what goes on behind the scenes with apps getting approved or rejected. This is more of a developer concern.

And truth be told there were apps constantly being updated on my iOS devices. Sometimes a couple of times a week for the same app.

App updates is not a bad thing. Generally the more often, the better too.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Does it not give a brief description as to why the app is being updated?

 

[Technarchy]

Does it not give a brief description as to why the app is being updated?

9 times out of 10, it will just say bug fixes.

 

[VFC]

Recently, just about all my apps on my iPad3 were updated after iOS 7 was released. Since then, there have been three incremental iOS 7 updates with most of the apps getting updates as well.

So in the past three+ months, my iPad OS and apps have received more updates than my Android tablet, and far more than my Windows 8 tablet.

 

[TimelessOne]

From a user perspective, there is no insight what goes on behind the scenes with apps getting approved or rejected. This is more of a developer concern.

And truth be told there were apps constantly being updated on my iOS devices. Sometimes a couple of times a week for the same app.

App updates is not a bad thing. Generally the more often, the better too.

You are right users do not get it but developers on the other had is a different story. It leads to a entirely different level of problems to the user. The user gets the joys of living with bugs a lot longer.
In terms of development support apple is one of the worst and the hardest to deal with.

If given a choice most would not deal with them but we do not get a choice iOS is way to popular but dealing with Apple and the app store bs is more of a necessary evil.

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9 times out of 10, it will just say bug fixes.

Most of the time that is fairly true. Heck we just released an update to Apple app store that we had a long list of updates on the what's new in the app. Our apple store description of what is new is a few new feature and a generic cover on the feature that had a majority of bug fixes and the other bugs fixes.

Bug fixes covers most of it.

 

[bobenhaus]

That's one of the things that make me hate Android. Everytime I switch on the WiFi, a bunch of apps start update... and while updating, the system is unusable, lags everywhere. I care about security, so I update all the time, but this behaviour is ridiculous.

Well better start hating iOS as well because apps are updated just as much.

 

[TacticalDesire]

That's one of the things that make me hate Android. Everytime I switch on the WiFi, a bunch of apps start update... and while updating, the system is unusable, lags everywhere. I care about security, so I update all the time, but this behaviour is ridiculous.

You can turn off automatic updates...

 

[Lloydbm41]

Well better start hating iOS as well because apps are updated just as much.

Pretty much. I have had 15 apps updated in the last week on iOS and 18 on Android. Not much of a difference in my eyes and many of those were the same app getting updated on both platforms almost simultaneously.