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Jason Cipriani/CNET
I think Sen. John McCain spoke for a lot of iOS users when he quizzed Apple CEO Tim Cook about why he had to constantly update his apps. His view, and the view of many other users, is that iOS should automatically download and install any app updates when they are available.
The senator (and a lot of iOS users) will be happy to know that on iOS 7, apps will automatically update in the background. Just to be sure you realize an app has updated, the App Store will display a notification in Notification Center listing any updated apps. Hooray!
While this sounds like a great idea to ensure your apps are always up-to-date and full of the latest features, there are some downsides. Most notably, sometimes app updates break features we’ve come to know, love, and depend on. Either intentionally, or out of mistake, but still these changes can have a big impact.
Apple, realizing not all users will appreciate the auto-update feature, built in the ability to give control back to the user by disabling automatic updates.
Should you prefer the old manual method of updating apps you can turn off automatic updates by launching the Settings app, then scrolling down and selecting “iTunes & App Store.”
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET
Under the Automatic Downloads section you’ll see an Updates listing. Slide the switch from the green “on” position, to the blank “off” position to stop the App Store from updating your apps for you.
With it turned off you’ll need to launch the App Store to check for and download any updates. If for whatever reason you change your mind down the road, just come back to this same place and turn the switch back on. It’s that easy.
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