# App Updater

Essential Kit's App Updater feature lets Unity teams check for app updates and prompt users without maintaining platform-specific code. This tutorial walks you through setup, key APIs, testing, and troubleshooting so you can keep your users on the latest version with confidence.

{% hint style="info" %}
Using PlayMaker? See the PlayMaker guide: [PlayMaker](https://assetstore.essentialkit.voxelbusters.com/features/app-updater/playmaker).
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<div><figure><img src="https://1566720080-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FfuPrwfZVhn3pmPIv7et9%2Fuploads%2FEMgHbf8ybNrTLBH1wpUN%2Fapp-updater-update-prompt.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=b175a6a0-e0bc-4a7d-a5ab-73053c387b56" alt="" width="360"><figcaption><p>Update Prompt</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://1566720080-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FfuPrwfZVhn3pmPIv7et9%2Fuploads%2FCF22GcP4Od7uVvlb6n8k%2Fapp-updater-update-installation.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=92ba33d1-5086-4642-89b4-fc963c9187e2" alt="" width="360"><figcaption><p>Installation</p></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
Looking for a working reference? Open the demo scene at `Assets/Plugins/VoxelBusters/EssentialKit/Examples/Scenes/AppUpdaterDemo.unity` and the companion script at `Assets/Plugins/VoxelBusters/EssentialKit/Examples/Scripts/AppUpdaterDemo.cs` to see the full API in action.
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## What You'll Learn

* Check for available updates programmatically
* Show customizable update prompts with optional or forced updates
* Handle in-app updates on Android with progress tracking
* Direct users to app stores on iOS for updates

## Why App Updater Matters

* **Version Control**: Ensure users are on versions compatible with your backend
* **Bug Fixes**: Push critical bug fixes by requiring updates
* **Feature Adoption**: Drive users to new features with optional update prompts
* **Security**: Enforce security patches through mandatory updates

## Tutorial Roadmap

1. [Setup](https://assetstore.essentialkit.voxelbusters.com/features/app-updater/setup) – Enable the feature and configure app store identifiers
2. [Usage](https://assetstore.essentialkit.voxelbusters.com/features/app-updater/usage) – Check for updates, show prompts, handle different update flows
3. [Testing](https://assetstore.essentialkit.voxelbusters.com/features/app-updater/testing) – Test update detection in editor and verify on devices

## Key Use Cases

* **Critical Bug Fixes**: Force users to update before continuing
* **Optional Updates**: Suggest new features without blocking gameplay
* **Version Compatibility**: Ensure minimum app version for server compatibility
* **Soft Launch**: Control rollout by prompting updates to beta testers first

## Prerequisites

* Unity project with Essential Kit v3 installed and App Updater feature included in the build
* iOS or Android target platform with valid app store identifiers configured
* Published app on App Store or Google Play for testing update detection

{% content-ref url="app-updater/setup" %}
[setup](https://assetstore.essentialkit.voxelbusters.com/features/app-updater/setup)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="app-updater/usage" %}
[usage](https://assetstore.essentialkit.voxelbusters.com/features/app-updater/usage)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="app-updater/testing" %}
[testing](https://assetstore.essentialkit.voxelbusters.com/features/app-updater/testing)
{% endcontent-ref %}