VPP app version not updating in Esper Console: manually trigger install to force latest version to devices

iOS

AndroidiOS

If a VPP (Volume Purchase Program) app shows an outdated version in the Esper Console even though a newer version is available in App Store Connect, you can manually trigger an install to push the latest version to your devices. This article explains why the version lag occurs and how to force an update.

Before you begin

Esper syncs VPP app versions from Apple Business Manager once every 24 hours. This means the Esper Console may display a version number that is up to 24 hours behind the current release in App Store Connect. To deploy a newer version immediately without waiting for the next sync cycle, follow the steps below.

Make sure the new app version is fully approved and available for distribution in Apple Business Manager (not just submitted for review in App Store Connect).

How to manually push the latest app version to devices

1. In the Esper Console, go to Devices & Groups and select the device that needs the updated app.
2. On the device details page, go to the Apps section.
3. Find the VPP app you want to update and click Install.
4. Repeat step 3 for each affected device, or use device group actions to deploy to multiple devices at once.
5. Verify that the device is running the updated app version.

Triggering a manual install pushes the latest available version from Apple Business Manager to the device immediately, without waiting for the 24-hour sync cycle to complete. The version displayed in the Esper Console Apps section may still show the old version number temporarily—this is a known display limitation and does not reflect the actual version running on the device.

How to enable automatic updates (recommended for ongoing management)

To ensure devices automatically update to new VPP app versions going forward, enable Auto Update on the Blueprint applied to your devices.

1. In the Esper Console, go to Blueprints and open the Blueprint assigned to the affected devices.
2. Locate the VPP app in the app configuration section.
3. Set Auto Update to On.
4. Save the Blueprint.
5. Trigger a Converge action on the affected device group to apply the updated configuration.

Once the next 24-hour sync cycle completes and Esper detects the new version, devices with Auto Update enabled will update automatically.

Troubleshooting

If manually triggering an install does not push the newer version:

• Verify that the new app version is fully approved and available for distribution in Apple Business Manager. Simply having the version in App Store Connect is not enough—it must be added to your ABM account.
• Confirm that your VPP license assignment in Apple Business Manager covers the target devices.
• If the app version remains incorrect after more than 24 hours and devices are still running the old version, contact Esper Support. The 24-hour sync may have failed silently.

Still need help?

If you continue to experience issues updating your VPP apps, submit a support ticket and include the app name, device names or group, and the version numbers you expect to see.