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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 for more information about checking for available updates, troubleshooting, and app update security guidance.

Tip: For details on our supported browsers and operating systems, visit Minimum requirements for using Slack.


Check your desktop app version

There are two versions of the Slack desktop app available for Mac and Windows — the Direct Download version and the App Store or Microsoft Store version. If you’re not sure which version of the Slack app you’re using, follow the steps below.

Mac

Windows

  1. Open the Slack app.
  2. From your computer’s top menu bar, click Slack.
  3. Select About Slack.

You’ll see the App Store mentioned in the pop-up window if that’s the version of the app you’re using.

  1. Open the Slack app.
  2. On Windows 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 select Help.
  3. Select About Slack.

You’ll see the Microsoft Store mentioned in the pop-up window if that’s the version of the app 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 to the right of the search field at the top of the app:
  1. Open the Slack app.
  2. Click the  help icon.
  3. Below App update, click the available app version, then click Restart Slack.


Mac App Store version

  1. Open the App Store on your computer.
  2. Click Updates in the left sidebar.
  3. If there are available updates for Slack under Pending, click Update.

Direct Download version

When Slack detects that an update is available, you’ll see a badge on the  help icon to the right of the search field at the top of the app:
  1. Open the Slack app.
  2. Click the  help icon.
  3. Below App update, click the available app version, then click Restart Slack. 


Microsoft Store version

  1. Open the Microsoft Store on your computer.
  2. Click the ••• three dots button in the top right.
  3. Select Downloads and updates.
  4. If there are available updates for Slack, click Get updates.
The steps to check for Slack desktop app updates vary across Linux devices. Some devices may be configured to use a repository for the Slack app, so when your computer updates, Slack will update too. The ability to disable this repository or update Slack using other steps will depend on your operating system’s environment.

Note: Some IT administrators may choose to disable app updates for their organization. If this is the case, you won’t see a badge on the  help icon when an update is available.


Trouble updating your desktop app

If you’re running into problems with updating the Slack desktop app, try the steps below. Common issues include seeing an error message when checking for desktop app updates, or the desktop app continuing to run on an older version of Slack after you've tried to update.

Mac

Windows

Linux

Direct Download version

  1. Quit Slack.
  2. Open Finder on your computer.
  3. In the Finder search field, type .app. From the drop-down menu, select Kind, then Application.
  4. Enter Slack into the search field to filter your search results. Then toggle your results to This Mac instead of a specific folder.
  5. Move any search results to the trash.
  6. From Finder, press ⌘ShiftG on your keyboard and enter ~/Library/Application Support/Slack in the search field.
  7. Move all files and folders to the trash, then click Empty.
  8. Visit https://slack.com/downloads/mac to re-download the desktop app.


Mac App Store version

  1. Quit Slack.
  2. Open Finder on your computer.
  3. In the Finder search field, type .app. From the drop-down menu, select Kind, then Application.
  4. Enter Slack into the search field to filter your search results. Then toggle your results to This Mac instead of a specific folder.
  5. Move any search results to the trash.
  6. From Finder, press ⌘ShiftG on your keyboard and enter ~/Library/Containers/com.tinyspeck.slackmacgap/Data/Library/Application Support/Slack in the search field.
  7. Move all files and folders to the trash, then click Empty.
  8. Visit https://slack.com/downloads/mac to re-download the desktop app.

Direct Download version

  1. Quit Slack. Make sure there are no Slack.exe or Update.exe processes running in Task Manager.
  2. On 8, open the Start Menu and click Control Panel. Then click Uninstall a Program and select Slack. On Windows 10, open the Start Menu and click Settings, then click the Apps & features tab.
  3. Find Slack and click the option to Uninstall.
  4. Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows KeyR.
  5. Type %AppData% and press Enter. Delete the Slack folder that launches.
  6. Return to the Run dialog and enter %LocalAppData% to also delete that Slack folder.
  7. Visit https://slack.com/downloads/windows to re-download the app.


Microsoft Store version

  1. Quit Slack. Make sure there are no Slack.exe or Update.exe processes running in Task Manager.
  2. On Windows 8, open the Start Menu and click Control Panel. Then click Uninstall a Program, and select Slack. On Windows 10, open the Start Menu and click Settings, then click the Apps & features tab.
  3. Find Slack and click the option to Uninstall.
  4. Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows KeyR.
  5. Enter the following path: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Packages\91750D7E.Slack_8she8kybcnzg4\LocalCache\Roaming
  6. Delete the Slack folder that launches.
  7. Visit https://www.microsoft.com/store/p/slack/9wzdncrdk3wp to re-download the app.

Ubuntu DDL

  1. sudo apt remove slack-desktop
  2. rm -rf ~/.config/Slack
  3. rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/slack.list /etc/default/slack


Fedora DDL

  1. sudo dnf remove slack
  2. rm -rf ~/.config/Slack
  3. rm /etc/yum.repos.d/slack.repo /etc/default/slack


RHEL DDL

  1. sudo yum remove slack
  2. rm -rf ~/.config/Slack
  3. rm /etc/yum.repos.d/slack.repo /etc/default/slack


Snap (all distros supported by Snapcraft)

  1. sudo snap remove slack
  2. rm -rf ~/.config/Slack

Tip: Still having trouble with updating? Get in touch with our Support team — we're happy to help.


Security guidance for desktop app updates

Starting with version 4.14.0, if Slack has made any security-specific improvements to a new desktop app version, the desktop app release notes will include security guidance to help customers prioritize updating the Slack desktop app. Here’s how to interpret different levels of guidance:

Guidance statement What it means
This release includes minor security improvements. Updating is beneficial. Slack has made minor improvements to the security of the desktop app. Upgrading to this new version will provide users with limited security benefits.
This release includes security improvements. Updating is recommended. Slack has made improvements to the security of the desktop app. Upgrading to this new version will provide users with security benefits.
This release includes significant security improvements. Updating is strongly recommended. Slack has made improvements expected to greatly improve the security of the desktop app. Users will gain significant security benefit from upgrading and should prioritize adoption of this new version.

Note: Security guidance should not be construed to mean that older versions of the Slack desktop app are insecure. We’re constantly working to reduce the likelihood and data security impact of security issues. We always directly inform our customers of any compromise impacting the security of their Slack workspace or client applications.

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