# Updates

How Machine Desktop finds, downloads, and installs new versions, how to check yourself, and what to do if an update fails.

Canonical page: https://themachine.myapps.ai/docs/desktop/get-started/updates

New versions of Machine Desktop bring fixes and new features. The app checks
for them for you, and always asks before downloading anything.

## How updates work

- Machine Desktop checks for a new version **shortly after it opens**, then
  **every few hours** while it's running.
- When there's a new version, it **tells you** but doesn't download it until
  you say so.
- Every update is **signed by Machine** and checked before it's installed, so
  you only ever get genuine updates.
- The app **never installs an older version** over a newer one.
- Updating **doesn't affect** your bots, conversations, or settings.

## Install an update

![The update card in the bottom-left corner of the window](/images/docs/desktop/update-card.webp)

When an update is available, a card appears in the bottom-left corner of the
window.

### Download it

The card says **Machine *version* is available**. Click **Download**.

Not a good time? Click **Later** or **×**. You'll be reminded again.
### Wait for the download

A progress bar shows how far along it is. You can keep working.
### Restart to finish

When the card says the new version is ready, click **Restart to update**. The
app closes and reopens on the new version within a few seconds. You'll see
*"Restarting to update…"* in the meantime.

If you click **Later** instead, the update installs automatically the next
time you quit the app.

> **Bots keep working while you restart**
> Your bots run on Machine, not on your computer, so restarting the app
> doesn't stop cloud work. A bot working on [This PC](/docs/desktop/this-pc/overview)
> does pause while the app restarts.

![An update downloading, then ready to restart](/images/docs/desktop/anim-update.webp)

## Check for updates yourself

Two places:

- Click your name at the bottom of the sidebar. The menu has **Check for
  updates**. After checking, it shows **You're up to date**, or the new
  version with a button to download it. While an update is waiting, a small
  badge appears on your name.
- Open **Settings → General → Updates**. It shows your status and a button:
  **Check for updates**, **Download**, or **Restart and install**.

To see which version you have, click your name and choose **About**.

## If an update fails

You'll see **Update failed** with a **Try again** button.

| Message | What to do |
|---|---|
| *Couldn't reach the update server* | Check your internet, VPN, or company firewall, then click **Try again**. |
| *No update has been published for this platform yet* | Nothing to do. You already have the newest version for your system. |
| Anything else | Click **Try again**. If it keeps failing, download the newest version from the [download page](/download) and install it over the current one. |

Installing a fresh copy over the old one keeps your sign-in and settings.

## Updates on each system

- **Windows and Mac:** the update installs in place and the app reopens.
- **Microsoft Store:** if you installed Machine Desktop from the Microsoft
  Store, the Store keeps it up to date, the same way as your other Store
  apps. The app never downloads updates itself.
- **Android:** updates come from Google Play. In **Settings → General →
  Updates**, **Check for updates** looks for one and **Update** installs it
  inside the app. **Open Google Play** opens the listing. New versions can
  take a day or two to reach every phone.
- **iPhone and iPad:** the app is a TestFlight beta, so updates arrive in the
  TestFlight app. **Settings → General → Updates** says *"This is a
  TestFlight build. New versions arrive in the TestFlight app."* with **Open
  TestFlight**. (The row checks the App Store first, ready for a future App
  Store listing.)

See [Settings on your phone](/docs/desktop/mobile/settings#updates).