How to Turn On the Automatic App Updates Feature
The automatic app update feature eliminates the need to download dozens of updates on each of your devices. After the automatic app update feature is turned on, your iOS devices download updates to any apps as they become available. With App Updates turned on, the updates occur behind the scene automatically. You no longer need to update each app on each device manually.
Automatic Downloads Section
The Automatic Downloads section also includes an On/Off slider for Apps. It works differently from the App Updates feature. When you turn on Apps, downloading a new app to any of your devices automatically downloads it to your other devices that use the same Apple ID and have the feature turned on. It does not check for updates to those apps. In iOS 12 through iOS 9, the Automatic Downloads section also includes On/Off sliders for Music and Books & Audiobooks. Turning them on syncs your new music or book downloads across your devices. In iPad 13 and iOS 13 and later, those two settings moved to the Music and Books settings, respectively. Automatic syncing of music and books across your devices may not be the best choice if you are a couple or family sharing the same Apple ID, especially if you have different tastes in books and music. Synchronizing music to all devices can quickly fill the storage space. However, if you are the only one using that Apple ID or if you have the storage space to spare, these settings can save time downloading each new purchase to each device.
How to Turn On Face ID or Touch ID for Downloads
Another time-saving feature is the ability to use Face ID or Touch ID to download apps from the App Store. To turn on this setting, open the Settings app, choose Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter your passcode when prompted, and then tap the iTunes & App Store toggle switch to the On position. Flip the switch next to iPad Unlock (or iPhone Unlock) to use your Touch ID or Face ID to unlock the device.
