You tap Update in the App Store, but the Discord mobile app won’t update. The progress bar hangs, the button stays gray, or the update fails without explanation. This typically happens because of a stalled App Store transaction, a corrupted download cache, or a network interruption during the update process. This article explains the exact reasons the update gets stuck and provides step-by-step fixes to get Discord updated and working again.
Key Takeaways: Fix a Stuck Discord Mobile Update
- App Store > Updates > Pull to Refresh: Forces the App Store to recheck for the latest Discord update and restart the download.
- Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Discord > Offload App: Removes the app without deleting data, then reinstalls to clear a corrupted update cache.
- Settings > Wi-Fi > Forget Network: Resolves intermittent Wi-Fi issues that cause the update to stall mid-download.
Why the Discord Mobile Update Stops on the App Store
When you initiate an update for Discord through the App Store, your iPhone or iPad downloads the new app package from Apple’s servers. The App Store handles the download, verification, and installation process. If any part of this process is interrupted or corrupted, the update appears stuck — the progress bar may stop moving, or the Update button may remain grayed out.
The most common technical causes are:
- Stalled App Store cache: Apple’s storefront caches information about available updates. If this cache becomes stale or corrupt, the App Store may not properly recognize that a new Discord version exists or may fail to start the download.
- Corrupted partial download: If your network connection drops while the update is downloading, the App Store may leave an incomplete download file. The system then refuses to restart the download because it thinks the file is still being transferred.
- Insufficient storage space: Discord updates range from 100 MB to over 300 MB. If your device has less free space than the update requires, the App Store will hang at the installation step without showing a clear error.
- Apple server congestion: On major iOS release days or during widespread app updates, Apple’s update servers can become overloaded, causing downloads to time out or stall.
Steps to Fix Discord Update Stuck on App Store
Follow these steps in order. Test the App Store after each step by opening it and tapping the Discord Update button.
- Force close and reopen the App Store
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause to open the App Switcher. Swipe left or right to find the App Store card. Swipe it up off the screen. Wait 5 seconds, then tap the App Store icon to reopen it. Go to the Updates tab and pull down to refresh. If Discord appears, tap Update. - Restart your iPhone or iPad
Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off the device. Wait 30 seconds. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. After the device restarts, open the App Store and try the update again. - Check and free up storage space
Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Look at the bar at the top — if it shows less than 500 MB free, you need to clear space. Tap Offload Unused Apps to remove apps you rarely use without deleting their data. Alternatively, delete large videos or photos manually. After freeing at least 1 GB of space, return to the App Store and attempt the update. - Offload and reinstall Discord
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Scroll down and tap Discord. Tap Offload App. This removes the app but keeps your documents and data. After the offload completes, tap Reinstall App. The App Store will download the latest version of Discord directly. Your login and settings remain intact. - Sign out and sign back into the App Store
Open Settings > your Apple ID > Media & Purchases > Sign Out. Wait 10 seconds. Tap Sign In and enter your Apple ID credentials. Return to the App Store, go to the Updates tab, and pull to refresh. The Discord update should now appear and download. - Reset network settings
Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This clears saved Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and cellular settings. After the device restarts, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network. Open the App Store and try the update. This step resolves most network-related stalls. - Wait and retry during off-peak hours
If none of the above steps work, the issue may be on Apple’s side. Try updating Discord early in the morning or late at night when server traffic is lower. Open the App Store, pull down to refresh, and tap Update. The download should complete within a few minutes under normal server conditions.
If Discord Still Has Issues After the Update
Discord App Crashes After Update
If Discord crashes immediately after you open it following the update, the app’s local cache may be corrupted. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Discord and tap Offload App, then Reinstall App. This forces a clean install of the latest version while preserving your data.
Update Button Is Grayed Out in the App Store
A grayed-out Update button usually means the App Store has a pending payment or a terms-of-service acceptance required. Open Settings > your Apple ID > Media & Purchases > View Account. Check for any unpaid balances or updated terms. After resolving these, return to the App Store and the Update button should become active.
Discord Update Fails With a Red Exclamation Mark
A red exclamation mark next to the Discord update indicates a download error. Tap the exclamation mark to retry the download. If it fails again, follow the network reset steps above. If the error persists, delete Discord entirely by tapping and holding the app icon, selecting Remove App > Delete App, then reinstalling from the App Store.
Discord Mobile Update Methods: App Store vs Direct Download
| Item | App Store Update | Direct Download (Not Available) |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | All iOS devices | Not supported on iOS |
| Update method | Automatic or manual via Updates tab | N/A |
| Requires internet | Yes, Wi-Fi or cellular | N/A |
| Requires Apple ID | Yes | N/A |
| Can get stuck | Yes, due to cache or network | N/A |
| Offload app option | Yes, preserves data | N/A |
You can now fix a stuck Discord update by force-closing the App Store, offloading the app, or resetting network settings. If the update fails after multiple attempts, delete and reinstall Discord from scratch. As an advanced tip, enable automatic updates in Settings > App Store > App Updates to avoid manual update issues in the future.