Audience: Everyone (mobile users).

Short answer: Most updates happen silently in the background —
you'll just notice new features or fixes the next time you open the
app. Bigger changes (new system permissions, native libraries) ship as
a regular App Store / Play Store update that you install the
normal way.

The two kinds of updates

1. In-app updates (most common)

• Delivered automatically when you open the app — no store visit
  needed.
• Used for: new features, UI improvements, bug fixes, copy changes.
• The check happens silently in the background on every launch.
  If a new update is found, the app downloads it and reloads itself
  before you reach the home screen — usually fast enough that you
  don't notice.
• These don't change the version number you see in your phone's app
  list.

2. Store updates (less common)

• You install them from the App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android)
  the same way as any other app update.
• Used for: changes that need new device permissions (camera,
  notifications), upgrades to native modules, or major version
  bumps.
• The version number in the App Store / Play Store ticks up.

How to tell which one you got

• If the version in your phone's app list didn't change but the
  app looks different next time you open it — that was an in-app
  update.
• If the App Store / Play Store showed an Update button and the
  version number bumped — that was a store update.

Notes / gotchas

• You don't usually need to do anything. In-app updates download
  on launch; store updates auto-install if you have auto-update
  turned on for your phone.
• Android users: the Android app is currently being rolled out
  to the Play Store at version 1.4.0. Once it's live, all Android
  users will get the same set of in-app updates as iOS users (we
  align the runtime so updates reach everyone, not just one
  platform).
• If the app feels stuck on an old version, force-quit and
  reopen — that triggers the in-app update check. If still stuck,
  check the App Store / Play Store for a pending store update.

Video

• File: videos/11-app-updates.mp4 (to be recorded)
• Suggested length: 45–60 seconds
• Suggested script:
  1. Open the app — show normal launch (no visible "updating" UI),
  end on the home screen (5s)
  2. Behind-the-scenes callout: in-app update check ran silently
  during launch (5s)
  3. Show same version number in iOS Settings → General → Storage
  before/after — i.e. unchanged (10s)
  4. Cut to a store update flow — App Store Update button, version
  ticks up (15s)
  5. Brief callout: when each kind is used (10s)