Quick Answer: Tachiyomi doesn't update automatically because it's not on the Google Play Store. To update it manually, download the latest APK from tachiyomi.site or the official GitHub releases page and install it over your existing app. Your library and settings are preserved. The whole process takes under five minutes.

Most apps update while you sleep. You open them the next morning, and they're already on the latest version, no action required. Tachiyomi is not one of those apps, and if you've just noticed your version is several releases behind, or if you hit a bug that a newer build supposedly fixed, that gap between "knowing you need to update" and "actually knowing how" is more confusing than it should be.

The confusion is understandable. Tachiyomi lives entirely outside the Play Store infrastructure, which means there's no automatic update pipeline, no background download, and no notification unless you know where to look. Every update is a deliberate manual action. Once you've done it once, it's a two-minute task. The first time, though, especially if you've never sideloaded an APK before, there are a few traps worth knowing about before you start.

Why Tachiyomi Doesn’t Update Automatically

The reason comes down to how the app is distributed. Play Store apps update automatically because Google's infrastructure manages the update pipeline: it checks for updates on the server, downloads them in the background, and installs them when your device is idle. Tachiyomi bypasses all of that.

A manual app update means installing a new APK file directly onto your device, outside any app store. Because the app was never registered with Google's update system, Android has no mechanism to check for or apply new versions on its own. Every version bump is entirely on you to catch.

There's one partial exception: Tachiyomi has a built-in update checker you may not know about. Go to More → Settings → Advanced → Check for Updates. This pings the official release feed and notifies you in the app when a newer version is available. It still doesn't install the update automatically, but it removes the need to manually monitor GitHub every few weeks.

The practical result is that some users stay on outdated versions for months without realizing it. That matters because Tachiyomi releases occasionally include extension API changes, meaning an outdated app version can cause extensions to break even after they've been updated on the source side.

Before You Update: Back Up Your Library First

Knowing the update process is one thing. Knowing what to do before the update is where most guides fall short.

Installing a newer APK over an existing Tachiyomi installation is technically an in-place upgrade android preserves app data by default. Your manga library, reading progress, categories, download history, and settings all stay intact. In practice, across routine version bumps, this works exactly as expected.

But "in practice, usually" is not a guarantee you want to rely on when your entire manga library is on the line. Major version jumps, particularly those that include database schema changes, can occasionally cause data migration issues. These are rare, but they happen and the Tachiyomi GitHub issue tracker has historically documented cases where an update introduced library corruption on specific Android versions or device configurations.

The backup takes 30 seconds and removes all risk. Here's how:

Step 1 — Open the backup menu

Go to More → Settings → Backup and Restore → Create Backup. Select everything library, categories, chapters, tracking data, extensions, and settings.

Step 2 — Save the backup file somewhere safe

Tachiyomi exports a .tachibk file. Move it to Google Drive, your PC, or any location outside app storage. If you uninstall Tachiyomi, the app's internal storage gets wiped your backup needs to be somewhere that survives it

Step 3 — Confirm the file exists.

This sounds obvious, but skip it once, and you'll never skip it again. Open your file manager and verify that the .tachibk file is present and has a file size greater than 0 KB.

With a backup confirmed, backing up your Tachiyomi library, the update is genuinely low-risk.

How to Check Your Current Tachiyomi Version

Before downloading anything, know what you're working with.

Open Tachiyomi and go to More → About. Your version number appears at the top it follows semantic versioning format, something like v0.15.3. The first number is the major version, the second is a minor version with new features, and the third is a patch for bug fixes.

Take that number and cross-reference it with the latest release on the official GitHub releases page. If your version matches the latest tag, you're up to date. If there are releases above yours, there's an update available.

A quicker route: More → Settings → Advanced → Check for Updates runs this comparison automatically and displays a "New version available" banner if one exists, with a direct download link.

One version numbering quirk worth knowing: Tachiyomi uses the v0.x.x scheme even for mature, stable releases. A version number like v0.14.7 is not a beta it's production software. Don't let the 0.x versioning make you assume it's unfinished.

How to Update Tachiyomi App Manually (Step-by-Step)

With your backup confirmed and your current version noted, the update itself is straightforward. These steps work on any Android device running Android 5.0 or higher.

Step 1: Go to the official download source only

Open your Android browser and navigate to tachiyomi.site or directly to:

https://github.com/tachiyomiorg/tachiyomi/releases/latest

Do not use APK mirror sites, APKPure, or any result that isn't the official GitHub page or tachiyomi.site. The reason is covered in the security section for now, just trust that third-party mirrors are where update problems originate.

Step 2: Download the latest APK

On the GitHub releases page, find the release marked "Latest" at the top. Under the Assets section, tap the .apk file; it's typically named something like tachiyomi-v0.15.3.apk. Your browser will prompt a download confirmation. Accept it.

Download time depends on your connection. The APK is typically 18–25 MB, so on a standard mobile connection, it completes in under 30 seconds.

Step 3: Verify the “Install Unknown Apps” permission

Android requires explicit permission to install APK files from outside the Play Store. Go to:

Settings → Apps → [Your Browser] → Install Unknown Apps → Allow

If you've installed Tachiyomi before, this permission is likely already enabled for your browser. Check anyway Android sometimes resets this after a system update.

Step 4: Open the downloaded APK and install

Pull down your notification shade and tap the downloaded .apk file, or navigate to it through your file manager. Android will show an install prompt. Tap Install.

You'll see a brief "Installing..." progress indicator, then an "App installed" confirmation. The entire install takes under 20 seconds on most devices.

Step 5: Launch Tachiyomi and verify the update

Open the app and go to More → About. Confirm the version number now matches the release you just downloaded. Your library should appear exactly as before, same manga, same reading progress, same categories.

If the version number hasn't changed, the install didn't complete. See the troubleshooting section below.

How to Update Tachiyomi Extensions Separately

The app update and the extension updates are two completely separate processes. Many users update the main app and assume they're done only to wonder why certain sources still behave erratically.

Extensions are updated within the Tachiyomi app, not via APK download. Here's the process:

Step 1: Open Tachiyomi and go to Browse → Extensions (the second tab at the top).

Step 2: Extensions with available updates show an orange update button next to them. Tap it individually for each extension you want to update.

Step 3: If your Tachiyomi version supports it, an update all button may appear at the top of the extensions list when multiple updates are available. This handles all pending extension updates in one tap.

Extensions update to the latest version maintained by their respective source developers. Update frequency varies; some extensions update weekly, others go months without changes.

One important note: after a major Tachiyomi app update that changes the extension API, some extensions may be temporarily incompatible until their maintainers push a matching update. The extension list will usually show these as broken (with an error icon) until the compatible version is available. Waiting 24–48 hours after a major app update before updating extensions can save some frustration.

Update Methods Compared: What Works and What Doesn’t

Update Method	Works?	Preserves Data	Security Level	Time Required
Official GitHub APK (tachiyomi.site)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Signed APK	~3 min
In-app Update Checker + Download	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Signed APK	~3 min
Third-party APK mirror	⚠️ Sometimes	✅ Usually	❌ Unverified	~3 min + risk
Uninstall → fresh reinstall	✅ Yes	❌ Wipes data	✅ Signed APK	~10 min + restore
Play Store	❌ Not available	N/A	N/A	N/A
Auto-update (background)	❌ Not supported	N/A	N/A	N/A
Recommended for most users	Official GitHub or in-app checker

The in-app update checker is the most convenient way for users to stay up to date without having to manually monitor GitHub. The direct GitHub download is better if you want to review the changelog before updating the release notes on GitHub, which are detailed and clearly flag any breaking changes.

Real Numbers: What to Expect During the Update

Based on publicly available community reports and GitHub release data:

• APK file size: 18–25 MB per release (varies by version)
• Install time on device: 10–25 seconds after download completes
• Data preservation rate: Near 100% for same-key APK installs over existing versions; rare issues documented on major version bumps with database migrations
• Extension compatibility window after major update: Typically 24–72 hours before all popular extensions receive compatibility patches
• In-app update checker response time: Usually within a few seconds; it depends on GitHub API availability

The version history on the Tachiyomi GitHub releases page shows release dates and changelogs going back to the project's earliest versions useful for understanding how frequently a specific version line received patches.

Who Does This Update Process Affect Differently

If you are a casual reader who follows 5–10 manga series... the manual update process is probably something you'll do every few months when you notice something breaking. Set up the in-app update checker so you get notified. When you see the banner, spend three minutes updating. That's genuinely all the maintenance Tachiyomi needs for casual use.

If you are a heavy user with 50+ series, custom categories, and tracking enabled... the backup step is non-negotiable for you. A library of that size represents real accumulated data. Always export a backup before any update, move it off the device, and only then proceed. Also, pay attention to GitHub release notes before updating extensions that cover your most-read genres, as they often include compatibility notes.

If you are a developer or someone running a custom Tachiyomi build... You already know that you're working outside the standard release channel. Beta builds and development APKs are available on the GitHub repository under pre-release tags. Install these over production builds with caution; they don't always offer the same data stability guarantees as stable releases, and downgrading after a beta install may require a fresh install with a restore.

What Does Updating Tachiyomi Cost?

Nothing, directly. Tachiyomi is free and open-source, and every update is free. There's no premium version, no update subscription, and no feature paywalled behind a newer version.

The real costs are indirect:

Factor	Cost
Your time per update	~3–5 minutes
Storage for APK download	~20–25 MB (can delete after install)
Risk of extension downtime after major update	0–72 hours of broken sources
Risk of data loss without backup	Low, but non-zero without a backup

Compared to paid manga platforms:

Service	Monthly Cost	Auto-Updates	Offline Reading
Tachiyomi (manual update)	Free	❌ Manual	✅
Viz Media Shonen Jump	~$2.99	✅	✅
MangaPlus	Free (ads)	✅	❌
ComiXology Unlimited	~$5.99	✅	✅

If the manual update process is the main friction point keeping you on an older version, how Mihon compares to Tachiyomi Mihon, the active Tachiyomi fork, has an in-app update mechanism that's slightly more streamlined than the original Tachiyomi implementation. Security Checks Before You Update

Security Checks Before You Update

Updating any app from outside the Play Store is inherently a higher-trust operation than updating from Google's infrastructure. That doesn't make it unsafe; it means the responsibility for safety falls on you rather than Google. These four practices cover the real risk surface.

1. Download only from signed sources

The official GitHub releases and tachiyomi.site link to APKs signed with the Tachiyomi project's private key. Android uses this signature to verify the APK hasn't been tampered with between the developer and your device. If the signature doesn't match your installed version, Android will refuse to install and show an error treating that error as a signal to stop, not a prompt to uninstall and reinstall, is important.

2. Compare file hashes when in doubt

GitHub release pages often include SHA-256 checksums for APK files. If you ever question whether a downloaded file is legitimate, especially if it came from a link someone shared rather than from GitHub directly, use an app like Hash Droid to verify the checksum matches what GitHub shows.

3. Revoke “Install Unknown Apps” permission after updating

Go back to Settings → Apps → [Your Browser] → Install Unknown Apps and toggle it off after you're done. Leaving this permission permanently enabled means any APK downloaded to your device (via a malicious link, a compromised website, etc.) can be installed without a permission prompt. The few seconds it takes to re-enable this permission next time you update is worth the security benefit.

4. Read the GitHub release notes before every update

This is the habit that separates users who hit unexpected problems from those who don't. Release notes explicitly call out breaking changes, extension API bumps, and known issues with specific Android versions. Two minutes of reading before installing can save an hour of troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting Tachiyomi Update Errors

Problem: "App not installed" error during update.
Cause: The APK you downloaded uses a different signing certificate than the one on your device. This almost always means you downloaded from a third-party mirror that repackaged the APK.
Fix: Export a library backup from your current Tachiyomi install first. Uninstall Tachiyomi completely. Download the official APK from tachiyomi.site or GitHub. Install fresh. Restore your library from backup.

Problem: "Parse error" when opening the downloaded APK.
Cause: The APK file is corrupt, either the download was interrupted, or the file was damaged in transit.
Fix: Delete the APK file from your Downloads folder. Clear your browser's cache. Re-download the APK from the official source. Check that your available storage isn't nearly full, as low storage can cause downloads to become corrupted.

Problem: The version number in About hasn't changed after the install.
Cause: The install didn't complete successfully, or you installed the same version you already had.
Fix: Double-check the version number on the GitHub release page vs your current About screen. If they genuinely differ, force-close Tachiyomi, reinstall the APK, and verify that you see the "App installed" confirmation screen before reopening.

Problem: The library appears empty after updating.
Cause: Rare, but can happen with database migration failures on major version bumps, or if the app's data storage path changed between versions.
Fix: Don't panic and don't reinstall yet. First, go to More → Settings → Backup and Restore. If you had an auto-backup enabled, a recent backup file may already exist. Restore from it. If no backup exists and the library is empty, check your device's internal storage under Android/data/eu.kanade.tachiyomi to confirm the database file is still present. Recovery tools may be able to read it.

Problem: Extensions show errors or "Source not found" after updating the app.
Cause: The app update changed the extension API, and your installed extensions haven't been updated to match yet.
Fix: Go to Browse → Extensions and update all extensions that show an available update. If an extension update isn't available yet, that extension's maintainer hasn't pushed the compatibility patch wait 24–48 hours and check again.

Problem: "Install Unknown Apps" permission is greyed out and cannot be enabled.
Cause: Your device has Mobile Device Management restrictions common on work phones, school-managed devices, or some Samsung configurations with Knox enabled.
Fix: This restriction is enforced at the system level and can't be bypassed without administrator credentials. Use a personal, unmanaged Android device to install and update Tachiyomi.

Frequently Asked Questions

In Conclusion: Keep It Simple, Keep It Safe

Updating Tachiyomi manually is a three-step routine once you've done it once: check for a new version, download the official APK, and install it over your existing app. The complexity people run into almost always traces back to either skipping the backup or downloading from the wrong source.

Here's the routine that keeps everything clean:

Step 1: Once a month (or whenever Tachiyomi's in-app checker notifies you), open the official GitHub releases page and check the changelog. If the new version includes bug fixes relevant to your usage or extension API changes, plan the update.

Step 2: Export a fresh backup from More → Settings → Backup and Restore → Create Backup. Move the file off your device before proceeding.

Step 3: Download the new APK from tachiyomi.site or GitHub, install it, verify the version number updated in About, then go to Browse → Extensions and update any extensions showing pending updates.

One honest caveat: if you're on an older Tachiyomi version and jump several major releases at once, there's a slightly higher chance of hitting a database migration quirk. The safest approach for large version gaps is to have a current backup and be prepared to restore it if something appears to be wrong after the update. For everything that connects to this, the extension setup, the backup process, and the question of whether Mihon is worth the switch to tachiyomi.site has dedicated guides for each step.

The manual update process is a small price for an app that costs nothing, carries no ads, and puts you in control of a reading experience that no Play Store app has come close to matching.

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