Do you rely on Slack to stay connected with your team? With over 12 million daily active users, Slack has become the collaboration hub for workplaces around the world.
But with rapid growth comes frequent updates. Slack is continuously improving with new features and fixes in each release. To get the most out of Slack, it‘s important to keep your app up-to-date.
Trust me, I‘ve been using Slack daily for over 5 years. Keeping Slack current has allowed me to benefit from the latest capabilities to streamline teamwork.
In this definitive guide, I‘ll show you step-by-step how to update Slack across all platforms – Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, and Android. I‘ll also dig into when and why you should update Slack, and answer some frequently asked questions.
Let‘s dive in!
Why You Should Keep Slack Updated
Before we get into the how-to, let‘s discuss why keeping Slack updated matters:
New features – Slack is rapidly iterating and releasing new capabilities. Recent additions include Huddles for quick audio chats, Clips for short video messages, and an overhauled search experience. Staying updated ensures you have access to the latest features.
Bug fixes – With millions of simultaneous users, bugs inevitably crop up. Each Slack release squashes existing bugs and improves stability. An outdated version of Slack may suffer issues.
Security patches – Hackers are always looking for vulnerabilities in popular platforms. Slack regularly issues security patches to protect your data and privacy. Running the latest version keeps you safe.
Performance improvements – Updates often include under-the-hood upgrades to improve speed and reliability. The latest Slack utilizes your device‘s resources more efficiently.
According to Slack‘s public data, they have over 9 million weekly active users on the platform. With growth at this scale, new versions ship frequently to meet demand.
Slack reports that 70% of paid teams are on the most recent release. Are you using the latest and greatest Slack has to offer?
Now that you know why it‘s important, let‘s get into the step-by-step process to update…
How to Update Slack on Mac
Updating Slack on a Mac is straightforward. The process depends on whether you initially installed from the App Store or downloaded directly from Slack‘s website.
Let‘s go through both options:
If You Installed from the App Store:
- Click the Apple menu in the top left and select App Store. Find it quickly by hitting Command+Space and searching "App Store".
- In the App Store, click the Updates tab along the top.
- Scan down to find Slack. If an update is available, you‘ll see the Update button instead of Open.
- Click the Update button to instantly download and install the new version of Slack.
And that‘s it! The App Store handles the update process automatically. Easy.
If You Installed Directly from Slack:
If you manually downloaded Slack from the Slack website instead of the App Store, use these steps to update:
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Launch the Slack desktop app on your Mac.
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In the menu bar at the very top, click the Slack dropdown and select Check for Updates.
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A window will pop up checking for new updates online. Follow the prompts if an update is available to download and install it.
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Once the latest version of Slack is installed, restart the app to complete the update process. You‘ll immediately be running the freshest Slack build!
Slack has made it simple to stay up-to-date whether you use the App Store or downloaded directly from their site. Let‘s move on to…
How to Update Slack on Windows
Similar to Mac, updating Slack on a Windows PC depends on your original installation method – either directly from Slack or through the Microsoft Store.
If You Installed the Slack Desktop App:
If you manually downloaded the Slack desktop app from Slack‘s website, follow these steps to update on Windows:
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Launch the Slack desktop app on your PC.
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Click the hamburger ☰ menu in the top left corner.
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Select Help from the dropdown menu.
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Choose Check for Updates from the Help page.
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If an update is detected, click to download and install the new version when prompted.
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Once the latest build is installed, restart Slack to complete the update.
Easy enough! Now let‘s look at updating Slack if you installed it from the Microsoft Store.
If You Installed from the Microsoft Store:
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Open the Microsoft Store app on your Windows 10 or 11 PC.
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Click on the Library icon along the bottom toolbar.
- In the top right corner, click the Get updates button to check your installed apps.
- The Store will look for updates online. If a new Slack version is available, click Update to install it.
And that‘s all it takes! Whether installed from Slack directly or the Microsoft Store, you can now keep Slack up-to-date on Windows with a few clicks.
Now let‘s look at…
How to Update Slack on iPhone or iPad
Thanks to the App Store, it‘s quick and easy to update Slack on an iPhone or iPad. Just follow these steps:
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Tap the App Store icon to launch the app store.
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At the bottom, tap in the Search bar.
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Type "slack" and tap Search. Select the Slack app from the results list.
- If an update is available, you‘ll see the Update button instead of Open. Tap Update to install the latest Slack version.
And that‘s all there is to it! The App Store makes keeping Slack up-to-date quick and painless on iOS.
Moving on to Android devices…
How to Update Slack on Android
Updating Slack on any Android device works seamlessly through the Google Play Store:
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Open the Play Store app on your Android phone or tablet.
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Tap the Search magnifying glass at the top.
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Search for "slack" and select the Slack app from results.
- If an update is available, tap the Update button to install the latest version.
Couldn‘t be easier! The Play Store makes keeping Slack updated on Android a breeze.
To Auto Update or Not To Auto Update?
Unlike some apps, Slack does not automatically download and install updates in the background. Updates must be manually initiated.
There are good arguments on both sides of auto vs manual updates:
Pros of Auto Updates:
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Convenient – Updates happen seamlessly without any action needed
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Ensures you always have the latest version
Cons of Auto Updates:
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Unexpected restarts or interface changes
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Potential bugs or issues introduced
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Uses bandwidth and resources even when not active
Many users prefer manual control so they can update on their own schedule when convenient. However others would rather have updates handled automatically.
It comes down to personal preference. Since Slack currently only supports manual updates, you‘ll need to periodically check yourself to stay up-to-date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about keeping Slack updated:
How often should I update Slack?
Slack releases new updates every 2-3 weeks on average. Aim to check for updates around once a month to catch any new versions.
What happens if I stop updating Slack?
An outdated version of Slack may experience performance issues, bugs, and security vulnerabilities. Features like Huddles and Clips will also be unavailable.
Will updating Slack cause me to lose messages or files?
Nope! Updating just installs the newest app files. Your messages, channels, settings etc. all persist after updating.
Does Slack notify me about new updates?
Unfortunately Slack does not proactively notify you about available updates. You need to manually open the app store and check.
What‘s the latest version of Slack?
Slack‘s version is continually incrementing. Check their release notes to see the latest version and changes.
Help! I‘m having issues updating Slack…
If you run into trouble updating, first make sure you have an internet connection. Next, try uninstalling and reinstalling Slack fresh. You may also want to contact Slack support for personalized troubleshooting.
Keep Your Team Connected
With over a hundred million messages sent on Slack per day, it has become a vital business communication tool. By keeping your Slack app regularly updated, you can access the latest helpful features and improvements.
I hope this guide has clearly illustrated how to update Slack across all major platforms. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help you stay connected and productive.