Wondering why your Discord app is acting buggy or missing features your friends have? Chances are you simply need to update to the latest version. Don‘t worry – I‘ll show you how to upgrade Discord super easily in just a few steps.
Whether you use Discord on desktop or your smartphone, keeping the software current is important. Updates don‘t just activate new functions, but also fix issues, improve performance and enhance security.
In this guide you‘ll learn:
- Why updating Discord regularly matters
- How Discord handles update rollouts
- Step-by-step instructions for updating on desktop
- Simple steps to update mobile Discord
- Troubleshooting in case updates don‘t work right
Let‘s get your copy of Discord refreshed!
Why Updates Are Essential for Smooth Sailing
Discord pushes software updates every week or two. This allows continuous refinement and additions. But what specifically is better about updated Discord compared to outdated builds?
Fixing Annoying Bugs
Ever dealt with messages failing to send, crashing during voice chats or other obnoxious issues? Software bugs inevitably crop up with extensive use – updating squashes them.
In fact, checking Discord‘s update logs show dozens of past "bug fix" improvements. Here‘s a snapshot:
Date | Listed Bug Fixes |
---|---|
Jan 15, 2023 | Fixed message triplet issue, resolved crashing in multiple platforms |
Dec 13, 2022 | Patched message drafts failing to save properly |
Nov 29, 2022 | Resolved black screening during video calls |
You get the idea – updates = goodbye bugs!
Bolstering Security
Being an internet-based chat platform handling personal data, security is paramount for Discord. Updates frequently address discovered vulnerabilities that could endanger users if left unpatched.
Some past examples include strengthening protection against phishing attacks, eliminating information leakage risks and hardening the app against various injection threats.
Maintaining the latest build is vital for keeping your account and conversations safe from compromise by bad actors.
Unlocking Handy New Features
In a bid to remain the top choice for online hangouts, Discord continually rolls out new capabilities. Unless you update, you‘ll miss out on these fresh features your friends may be using.
A few recently added via updates include threaded conversations for better organization, customizable user bios for self-expression and improved discoverability for finding new communities.
I don‘t know about you, but I hate feeling left behind on the latest trends!
Bottom Line
Discord updates = a faster, more secure and fully-featured experience. Let‘s get yours up to speed!
How Discord Handles Updates
Before diving into the how-to steps, it‘s important to understand the way Discord distributes updates across platforms:
Desktop – Discord continually checks for new updates in the background and will automatically download/install them. But occasionally issues can block this process.
Mobile – The Discord mobile app leaves updates in the hands of users. You‘ll need to manually initiate updates by checking the Play Store or App Store.
Now let‘s get into the details on actually getting your copy of Discord refreshed!
Step-by-Step: Updating Discord Desktop
Most of the time, Discord desktop handles updates smoothly all on its own. But it never hurts to manually trigger a refresh to any pending releases.
Here is the quick and easy process:
1. Restart the Discord App
Completely quit out of Discord and restart it – this kicks off a scan for new updates and installs any available:
You can also press CTRL+R
(Windows/Linux) or Command+R
(MacOS) to refresh Discord instead of fully quitting.
2. Manually Check for Updates
If a restart doesn‘t grab updates (no animation plays on launch), you try manually forcing a refresh:
Windows:
- Right click Discord tray icon > Check for Updates
MacOS:
- Click menu bar icon > Check for Updates
Linux:
- In Terminal, enter:
sudo snap refresh discord
This triggers Discord to connect to update servers and pull down the newest files.
3. Uninstall and Reinstall as Last Resort
In rare cases, updates may fail to take hold after following the above steps. This typically points to a deeper issue requiring full reinstallation.
We‘ll tackle the desktop uninstall process step-by-step:
Complete Uninstall
Windows
- Open Settings > Apps > Discord > Uninstall
- Optional: Delete leftover Discord files in LocalAppData
MacOS
- Drag Discord icon from Applications folder to Trash
- Empty Trash to fully delete
- Optional: Remove leftover Discord files in Application Support folder
Linux
- In Terminal, run command
sudo snap remove discord
Fresh Install
Finally, grab the latest and greatest version by:
- Visiting Discord‘s Download Page
- Choosing your operating system
- Running the installer
This will replace your existing copy with updated files insured to have all the bells and whistles.
Now let‘s tackle mobile updates…
Updating Discord on Your Phone
Since Discord mobile relies on manual updates, you‘ll need to periodically check the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS) to catch any new releases.
Here‘s a streamlined approach:
Android Updating
Step 1 – Open Play Store app
Step 2 – Tap profile icon
Step 3 – Tap "Manage apps & devices"
Step 4 – View "Updates" section
Step 5 – If displayed, tap "Update" next to Discord listing
This downloads and applies the latest update containing any fixes or features.
iOS Updating
Similarly, you can update Discord on your iPhone or iPad by:
Step 1 – Launch the App Store
Step 2 – Tap profile icon
Step 3 – Scroll down to view apps with updates
Step 4 – If shown, tap "Update" next to Discord
Be sure to check both app stores regularly to keep your Discord build refreshed!
Troubleshooting Update Issues
Despite being generally a smooth process, sometimes Discord updates go awry:
- "Update failed" error messages
- Updates not showing as available
- App freezing during install
This typically links back to an unreliable internet connection disrupting the update download.
Here are a few handy troubleshooting tips:
- Check connection strength and toggle Airplane mode on/off to refresh
- Fully restart your device to clear any software quirks
- Free up storage space if your device lacks capacity
- Whitelist Discord app data within any antivirus/firewall programs
- Contact Discord‘s awesome support team for personalized troubleshooting help
In most cases, the above steps should get updates back on track. But if issues persist try fully uninstalling then reinstalling Discord as a last resort recovery measure.
I hope this guide served as a straightforward resource for keeping your copy of Discord continually updated. Please let me know if you have any other questions!