How to Update Brawl Stars: A Comprehensive Guide
Brawl Stars, the fast-paced, team-based multiplayer game from Supercell, constantly evolves with new brawlers, maps, game modes, and balance changes. Staying updated with the latest version is crucial to enjoy these features and ensure a smooth and competitive gaming experience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the different methods to update Brawl Stars on both Android and iOS devices, troubleshooting common issues, and understanding why keeping your game updated is so important.
Why Keep Brawl Stars Updated?
Before diving into the update process, let’s understand why it’s so vital to keep your Brawl Stars game up-to-date:
* **Access to New Content:** Updates introduce new brawlers, maps, game modes, skins, and other exciting features. Without updating, you’ll miss out on all the fresh content that keeps the game engaging.
* **Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements:** Updates often include bug fixes that address glitches, crashes, and other technical issues. They also improve overall game performance, leading to a smoother and more enjoyable experience.
* **Balance Changes:** Supercell regularly tweaks brawler stats and abilities to maintain balance in the game. Updating ensures you’re playing with the latest balance changes, preventing you from being at a disadvantage against other players.
* **Security Patches:** Updates may include security patches that protect your account and device from vulnerabilities. Keeping your game updated helps safeguard your personal information.
* **Compatibility:** Older versions of the game may eventually become incompatible with the game servers or the operating system on your device. Updating ensures compatibility and prevents you from being locked out of the game.
Updating Brawl Stars on Android
There are several ways to update Brawl Stars on your Android device:
1. Automatic Updates via Google Play Store
The easiest way to keep Brawl Stars updated is to enable automatic updates in the Google Play Store. This ensures that the game updates automatically in the background whenever a new version is released, as long as you’re connected to Wi-Fi.
**Steps:**
1. **Open the Google Play Store:** Locate the Play Store icon on your home screen or app drawer and tap it to open.
2. **Tap your profile icon:** In the upper right corner of the Play Store, you’ll see your profile icon. Tap on it.
3. **Select “Settings”:** From the menu that appears, tap on the “Settings” option.
4. **Tap “Network Preferences”:** Within the Settings menu, find and tap on “Network Preferences”.
5. **Tap “Auto-update apps”:** This will open a pop-up window with options for how apps should be auto-updated.
6. **Choose your preferred option:**
* **Over Wi-Fi only:** This will update apps only when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network, which is recommended to avoid using mobile data.
* **Over any network:** This will update apps using either Wi-Fi or mobile data. Be aware that this could consume your mobile data allowance.
Once you’ve enabled automatic updates, Brawl Stars will automatically update to the latest version whenever it’s available, as long as your device is connected to Wi-Fi (if you selected that option). It’s generally a good idea to leave this setting enabled for all your apps.
2. Manual Update via Google Play Store
If you prefer to update Brawl Stars manually, you can do so through the Google Play Store:
**Steps:**
1. **Open the Google Play Store:** Locate the Play Store icon on your home screen or app drawer and tap it to open.
2. **Search for “Brawl Stars”:** In the search bar at the top of the screen, type “Brawl Stars” and tap the search icon or press Enter.
3. **Locate the Brawl Stars app:** Find the Brawl Stars app in the search results. It should be the one with the Supercell logo.
4. **Check for an “Update” button:**
* If an update is available, you’ll see an “Update” button. Tap it to begin the update process.
* If you see an “Open” button instead, it means you already have the latest version of the game.
5. **Wait for the update to download and install:** The download and installation time will depend on your internet connection speed and the size of the update. A progress bar will show the download status.
6. **Tap “Open” to launch the updated game:** Once the update is complete, the “Update” button will change to an “Open” button. Tap it to launch the updated version of Brawl Stars.
3. Using APK Files (Advanced Users)
This method is generally *not recommended* for most users, as it involves downloading the Brawl Stars APK (Android Package Kit) file from a third-party source. This can be risky, as APK files from unofficial sources may contain malware or viruses. Only use this method if you are an advanced user and understand the risks involved. If you *must* use this method, ensure that you download the APK file from a reputable source.
**Warning:** Downloading APKs from untrusted sources can compromise your device’s security. Proceed with caution and at your own risk.
**Steps (Use at Your Own Risk):**
1. **Enable “Install from Unknown Sources”:** By default, Android blocks the installation of apps from sources other than the Google Play Store. To install an APK file, you’ll need to enable “Install from Unknown Sources” in your device’s settings. The exact location of this setting varies depending on your Android version, but it’s usually found in the Security or Privacy section of the Settings app.
* **Android 8.0 and later:** Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Special app access > Install unknown apps. Select the browser or file manager you’ll use to download and install the APK, and then toggle the “Allow from this source” switch to on.
* **Android 7.0 and earlier:** Go to Settings > Security > Unknown sources and toggle the switch to on. You may see a warning message; read it carefully and proceed only if you understand the risks.
2. **Download the Brawl Stars APK file:** Find a reputable website that offers the Brawl Stars APK file. Again, exercise extreme caution when selecting a source. Websites like APKMirror and APKPure are generally considered safer than others, but always double-check the file’s integrity before installing.
3. **Locate the downloaded APK file:** Once the APK file has finished downloading, use a file manager app to locate it in your device’s Downloads folder.
4. **Install the APK file:** Tap on the APK file to begin the installation process. You may be prompted to grant permissions to the app. Review the permissions carefully and grant them only if you’re comfortable doing so.
5. **Launch the updated game:** Once the installation is complete, you can launch the updated version of Brawl Stars from your app drawer.
6. **Disable “Install from Unknown Sources”:** After installing the APK, it is highly recommended to disable the “Install from Unknown Sources” setting again to prevent accidental installation of malicious apps from other sources.
Updating Brawl Stars on iOS (iPhone and iPad)
Updating Brawl Stars on iOS devices is typically a straightforward process through the App Store.
1. Automatic Updates via App Store
Like Android, iOS allows you to enable automatic app updates. This is the most convenient way to ensure you’re always running the latest version of Brawl Stars.
**Steps:**
1. **Open the Settings app:** Locate the Settings app on your home screen and tap it to open.
2. **Tap “App Store”:** Scroll down in the Settings menu until you find “App Store” and tap on it.
3. **Enable “App Updates”:** In the App Store settings, find the “App Updates” toggle switch and make sure it’s turned on (green). There are additional options related to automatic downloads – you can select to have apps downloaded automatically over cellular data, or require Wi-Fi.
With automatic updates enabled, Brawl Stars will automatically update to the latest version whenever it’s available, as long as your device is connected to Wi-Fi (depending on your cellular data settings).
2. Manual Update via App Store
If you prefer to update Brawl Stars manually, you can do so through the App Store:
**Steps:**
1. **Open the App Store:** Locate the App Store icon on your home screen and tap it to open.
2. **Tap your profile icon:** In the upper right corner of the App Store, you’ll see your profile icon. Tap on it.
3. **Scroll down to see available updates:** Scroll down the page to the “Available Updates” section. You may need to swipe down to refresh the list.
4. **Find Brawl Stars in the list:** Look for Brawl Stars in the list of available updates. If it’s not in the list, it means you already have the latest version.
5. **Tap “Update” next to Brawl Stars:** If an update is available, you’ll see an “Update” button next to Brawl Stars. Tap it to begin the update process.
6. **Wait for the update to download and install:** The download and installation time will depend on your internet connection speed and the size of the update. A progress indicator will be displayed.
7. **Tap “Open” to launch the updated game:** Once the update is complete, the “Update” button will change to an “Open” button. Tap it to launch the updated version of Brawl Stars.
Troubleshooting Update Issues
Sometimes, you may encounter problems while trying to update Brawl Stars. Here are some common issues and their solutions:
* **Insufficient Storage Space:** If your device is running low on storage space, you may not be able to download and install the update. Try deleting unnecessary files, apps, or photos to free up space.
* **Poor Internet Connection:** A slow or unstable internet connection can interrupt the download process. Make sure you have a strong and reliable Wi-Fi connection or sufficient mobile data.
* **Google Play Store/App Store Errors:** Sometimes, the Google Play Store or App Store may experience temporary errors that prevent you from downloading updates. Try clearing the cache and data of the Play Store/App Store app or restarting your device.
* **Android (Google Play Store):** Go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data. Then, restart your device.
* **iOS (App Store):** There is no direct way to clear the cache of the App Store. Try restarting your device. If that doesn’t work, you can try resetting your network settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings). Note: This will reset your saved Wi-Fi passwords.
* **Incompatible Device:** In rare cases, your device may not be compatible with the latest version of Brawl Stars. Check the game’s system requirements on the Google Play Store or App Store to ensure your device meets the minimum specifications.
* **Update Stuck or Paused:** If the update seems to be stuck or paused, try canceling the download and restarting it. You can also try restarting your device.
* **Account Issues:** Ensure that you are logged in to the correct Google Play Store or App Store account. Sometimes switching accounts can resolve update issues.
Tips for a Smooth Update Experience
Here are some tips to ensure a smooth update experience for Brawl Stars:
* **Check for Updates Regularly:** Even if you have automatic updates enabled, it’s a good idea to check for updates manually from time to time to make sure you’re always running the latest version.
* **Update During Off-Peak Hours:** Updating during off-peak hours (e.g., late at night or early in the morning) can help you avoid congestion and download the update faster.
* **Use a Stable Wi-Fi Connection:** A stable Wi-Fi connection is essential for a smooth update process. Avoid updating over a mobile data connection if possible, as it can be slower and more expensive.
* **Close Other Apps:** Closing other apps running in the background can free up resources and improve the download speed.
* **Restart Your Device:** Restarting your device before and after updating can help clear temporary files and improve performance.
* **Monitor Social Media/Forums:** Keep an eye on Brawl Stars’ official social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Reddit) and forums for announcements about updates and any known issues.
Conclusion
Updating Brawl Stars is essential for enjoying the latest features, bug fixes, and balance changes. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily update your game on both Android and iOS devices and ensure a smooth and competitive gaming experience. Remember to choose the update method that best suits your needs and always exercise caution when downloading APK files from third-party sources. Happy brawling!