Update the Slack desktop app
For the best experience, we recommend using the most up-to-date version of the Slack desktop app. Keep reading to learn how to check for available updates, and how to troubleshoot if you run into issues updating the desktop app.
Tip: For details about our supported browsers and operating systems, visit Minimum requirements for using Slack.
Check your desktop app version
There are two possible versions of the Slack desktop app for Mac and Windows: the App Store or Microsoft Store version, and the Direct Download version. If you’re not sure which version of the Slack app you’re using, follow the steps below.
Mac
Windows
- Open the Slack app.
- From your computer’s top menu bar, click Slack.
- Select About Slack.
You’ll see the App Store mentioned in the pop-up window if that’s the version you’re using.
- Open the Slack app.
- On Windows 7 or 8, click Help in the top left of the Slack app. On Windows 10, click the ☰ three lines icon in the top left of the Slack app, then click Help.
- Select About Slack.
You’ll see the Microsoft Store mentioned in the pop-up window if that’s the version you’re using.
Update your desktop app
Mac
Windows
Linux
Direct Download version
When Slack detects that an update is available, you’ll see a badge on the help icon at the top of the page:- Open the Slack app.
- Click the help icon at the top of Slack.
- Select Update Slack from the menu.
- Click Restart Slack.
Mac App Store version
- Open the App Store on your computer.
- Click Updates in the left sidebar.
- Under Pending, check if there’s an update for Slack. If there is, click Update.
Direct Download version
When Slack detects that an update is available, you’ll see a badge on the help icon at the top of the page:- Open the Slack app.
- Click the help icon at the top of Slack.
- Select Update Slack from the menu.
- Click Restart Slack.
Microsoft Store version
- Open the Microsoft Store on your computer.
- Click the ••• three dots button in the top left.
- Select Downloads and updates.
- If there are available updates for Slack, click Get updates.
Note: Some IT administrators may choose to disable app updates for their organization. If this is the case, you won’t see badges on the help icon when updates are available.
Trouble updating desktop apps
If you’re having trouble updating the Slack desktop app, try the steps below. Common issues we hear about include seeing an error message when checking for desktop app updates, or the desktop app continuing to run on an older version after you've tried to apply an update.
Mac
Windows
Linux
Direct Download version
- Quit Slack.
- Open Finder on your computer.
- In the Finder search bar, type .app. From the drop-down menu, select Kind, then Application.
- Enter Slack into the search bar to filter your search results. Then toggle your search results to This Mac instead of a specific folder.
- Move any matching search results to the trash.
- From Finder, press ⌘ShiftG on your keyboard and enter ~/Library/Application Support/Slack in the search bar.
- Delete all files and folders shown by moving them to the trash, then click Empty.
- Visit https://slack.com/downloads/mac to download the desktop app.
Mac App Store version
- Quit Slack.
- Open Finder on your computer.
- In the Finder search bar, type .app. From the drop-down menu, select Kind, then Application.
- Enter Slack into the search bar to further filter your search results. Then toggle your search results to This Mac instead of a specific folder.
- Move any search results to the trash.
- From Finder, press ⌘ShiftG on your keyboard and enter ~/Library/Containers/com.tinyspeck.slackmacgap/Data/Library/Application Support/Slack in the search bar.
- Delete all files and folders shown by moving them to the trash, then click Empty.
- Visit https://slack.com/downloads/mac to download the desktop app.
Direct Download version
- Quit Slack. Make sure there are no Slack.exe or Update.exe processes running in Task Manager.
- On Windows 7 or 8, open your Start Menu and click Control Panel. Then click Uninstall a Program and double-click on Slack. On Windows 10, open the Start Menu and click Settings, then click the Apps & features tab.
- Find Slack in the list that appears and click the option to Uninstall.
- Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows KeyR.
- Type %AppData% and press Enter. Delete the Slack folder that launches.
- Return to the Run dialog and enter %LocalAppData% to also delete that Slack folder.
- Visit https://slack.com/downloads/windows to download the app.
Microsoft Store version
- Quit Slack. Make sure there are no Slack.exe or Update.exe processes running in Task Manager.
- On Windows 7 or 8, open the Start Menu and click Control Panel. Then click Uninstall a Program, and double-click on Slack. On Windows 10, open the Start Menu and click Settings, then click the Apps & features tab.
- Find Slack in the list that appears and click the option to Uninstall.
- Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows KeyR.
- Enter the following path: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Packages\91750D7E.Slack_8she8kybcnzg4\LocalCache\Roaming
- Delete the Slack folder that launches from that view.
- Visit https://www.microsoft.com/store/p/slack/9wzdncrdk3wp to download the app.
Ubuntu DDL
- sudo apt remove slack-desktop
- rm -rf ~/.config/Slack
- rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/slack.list /etc/default/slack
Fedora DDL
- sudo dnf remove slack
- rm -rf ~/.config/Slack
- rm /etc/yum.repos.d/slack.repo /etc/default/slack
RHEL DDL
- sudo yum remove slack
- rm -rf ~/.config/Slack
- rm /etc/yum.repos.d/slack.repo /etc/default/slack
Snap (all distros supported by Snapcraft)
- sudo snap remove slack
- rm -rf ~/.config/Slack
Tip: Still having trouble with updating? Get in touch with us — we're happy to help.