To update Instagram on iPhone, open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and tap Update next to Instagram. On Android, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile > Manage apps & device > Updates available, and update Instagram. Always update through the official store — never from a link or an APK sent to you.
Keeping Instagram up to date is one of the simplest and most overlooked bits of app hygiene. New versions do not just add features — they fix crashes, plug security holes, and clear up the glitches that make the app freeze or misbehave. As of 2026 there are only two safe places to get an update: Apple’s App Store and Google Play. This guide covers both, shows how to switch on automatic updates so you never fall behind, and troubleshoots an update that refuses to install.
Update Instagram on iPhone
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Scroll down to Available Updates. If Instagram is listed, tap Update next to it — or Update All.
- Alternatively, search Instagram in the App Store. If the button says Update (not Open), tap it.
Update Instagram on Android
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Choose Manage apps & device, then Updates available (or “See details”).
- Find Instagram and tap Update — or Update all.
- Or search Instagram in Play; if it offers Update, tap it.
iPhone vs Android at a glance
| Step | iPhone (App Store) | Android (Play Store) |
|---|---|---|
| Where updates live | Profile icon > Available Updates | Profile icon > Manage apps & device > Updates |
| Enable auto-update | Settings > App Store > App Updates | Play Store > Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps |
| Wi-Fi-only option | Turn off “Mobile Data” for updates | Choose “Over Wi-Fi only” |
| Check version | App Store listing / Instagram Settings > About | Play listing / Instagram Settings > About |
Turn on automatic updates (recommended)
The easiest way to stay current — and secure — is to let your phone update apps for you.
- iPhone: open Settings > App Store and toggle on App Updates. Leave “Mobile Data” off if you prefer updates only on Wi-Fi.
- Android: open the Play Store > Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps, and pick Over Wi-Fi only to avoid using mobile data.
With auto-updates on, you will quietly receive each new build — including security patches — without lifting a finger.
When Instagram won’t update
If the update stalls, hangs, or errors out, work through these in order:
- Check your storage. A low-space phone cannot install updates. Free some room — our guide on clearing the Instagram cache is a fast way to reclaim gigabytes.
- Switch to a stronger connection. Move to reliable Wi-Fi; large updates fail on weak signals.
- Restart your phone. A reboot clears a surprising number of stuck downloads.
- Confirm the right store account. Being signed into a different Apple ID or Google account can hide the update.
- Pause and resume the download, or delete and reinstall Instagram from the official store as a last resort (you will need to log back in).
Keep update data usage under control
Instagram updates can be large, so if you are on a limited mobile plan it pays to steer them onto Wi-Fi. The auto-update settings above let you choose “over Wi-Fi only” on both platforms, which means updates wait quietly until you are on a network that will not eat your data allowance. If you would rather stay hands-on, leave auto-update off and simply run the manual steps every week or two when you are on Wi-Fi. Either way, avoid the temptation to disable updates entirely to save data — skipping them for months is how you end up on a buggy, insecure old build. A middle path many people like is auto-updating over Wi-Fi while checking manually if they hear a specific fix has shipped.
How to check which version you are on
If you are troubleshooting and want to know whether you are actually behind, you can see your installed version in two places. In the app, open your profile menu, go to Settings and activity, and scroll to About — the version number is listed there. You can also open the store listing (App Store or Play Store): if the main button reads Open, you are current; if it reads Update, a newer build is waiting. Comparing your version against the one shown in the store tells you at a glance whether an update is available. Most of the time you will not need to check manually — with auto-updates on, you are simply always current.
What a new version actually brings
It is easy to think of updates as cosmetic, but each release is usually a mix of four things:
| Type of change | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Security patches | Fixes for flaws that could expose your account — the most important reason to update |
| Bug fixes | Repairs for crashes, freezes, blank feeds and failed uploads |
| Performance tweaks | Faster loading and lower battery/data use |
| New features | New editing tools, stickers, layouts and settings |
The first two are the ones that matter for safety, and they are exactly the parts you cannot see. That is why “I like the app how it is, so I skip updates” is a risky habit: you are not just declining new stickers, you are declining the fixes that keep the old bugs and security holes from biting you.
Only update from the official stores
This is where safety meets updates. The only legitimate sources are the Apple App Store and Google Play. Treat every other route as a threat:
- “Update Instagram” links in DMs, emails or texts are a classic phishing lure — they lead to fake login pages or malware, not a real update.
- APK files from random websites can be tampered with; a modified “Instagram” app can steal your password the moment you sign in.
- “Instagram Pro / Plus / Gold” mods promising extra features (see who viewed your profile, download anyone’s media, hide your activity) are not official and routinely harvest credentials. Instagram does not have these features, so no mod can genuinely deliver them.
If a message pressures you to “update now or lose your account”, it is a scam. Real updates never arrive by link. For more on spotting these tricks, see our Instagram safety and privacy guide, and if you ever get locked out, our honest walkthrough of how to contact Instagram support.
Why staying current matters
Beyond new stickers and layout tweaks, updates carry the security fixes that keep your account safe and the bug fixes that stop crashes and failed uploads. Running an old version means living with problems that newer builds have already solved. Pair regular updates with a strong, unique password and two-factor authentication, and you have covered the basics of account safety. Menus and buttons shift over time, so exact wording may differ on your device — and Instagram may change this in future updates.
Frequently asked questions
How do I update Instagram on my iPhone?
Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, scroll to pending updates, and tap Update next to Instagram (or Update All). You can also search "Instagram" in the App Store; if it shows Update instead of Open, tap it.
How do I update Instagram on Android?
Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, choose Manage apps & device, then Updates available, and update Instagram — or search Instagram in Play and tap Update if available.
Should I turn on automatic updates?
Yes. Auto-updates keep you on the latest, most secure version without thinking about it. On iPhone enable it in Settings > App Store; on Android in Play Store > Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps (Wi-Fi only is a good choice).
Why won't Instagram update?
Common causes are low storage, a weak connection, a paused download, or being signed into the wrong app-store account. Free up space, switch to Wi-Fi, restart the phone, then retry from the App Store or Play Store.
Is it safe to update Instagram from a link someone sent me?
No. Only ever update through the official Apple App Store or Google Play Store. "Update Instagram" links in DMs, emails or random websites, or APK files from unknown sites, are a common way to install malware or fake apps.
Do I need to update Instagram for security reasons?
Yes. Updates fix bugs and patch security flaws as well as adding features. Running an old version leaves you exposed to issues that newer builds have already fixed, so keeping the app current is part of staying safe.