Apps & Sync

Desktop auto-update

2 min read

The Electron desktop doesn't check on each open like PWA — it checks periodically in the background.

Account → Preferences: desktop auto-update strategy can be adjusted in Preferences

🚧 Desktop app in development — this article is a preview. Content may change and the download link will be enabled when the desktop app launches.

Auto flow

  1. A few minutes after launch, then hourly
  2. New version found → background-downloaded to local
  3. Download done → prompt: "New version downloaded" + "Restart to update now" / "Later"
  4. Click "now" → app restarts on the new version

Manual check

Three paths:

  1. OS menu → Help → Check for updates
  2. Avatar → "Check for updates"
  3. Account → Preferences → "Check for updates"

Control

Behavior Default Change at
Auto-download ✅ Preferences → Updates
Auto-prompt after download ✅ Same
Auto-restart (no prompt) ❌ Same

To avoid prompts: disable auto-download → manual check only.

vs PWA

See: PWA auto-update — PWA checks on open, Electron checks in background.

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