How to Download an Updated Add-On Version in X-Plane

Keeping your X-Plane add-ons updated is key for the best flight experience. Whether you're using X-Crafts products or exploring other add-ons, this guide simplifies the update process, ensuring you always fly with the latest.

There are three ways in which you can download the new version, and we’ll cover them all:

  1. Redownloading from the store

  2. Using the SkunkCrafts Auto Updater Standalone Client

  3. Using the SkunkCrafts Auto Updater In-Game Client

 
 

1 Redownloading from the Store

This option guarantees a “factory reset”, so you can be sure that the add-on will work correctly.

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. (Optional) Make a backup copy of the previous aircraft folder, in case you want to use the previous version after an update.

  2. Log into your account in the store.

  3. Download the latest version

    1. Click on “My Account”

    2. In the “Products” section, locate the add-on you want to update

    3. Click on “Download Item”. This will download the latest version.

  4. Install the package as you did for the first time.

  5. Activate the aircraft and fly!

 
 

What is the SkunkCrafts Updater?

The SkunkCrafts Updater is an application that provides a hassle-free solution for keeping your X-Plane add-ons updated. This option is easier and faster than redownloading from the store.

There are two versions of this app, a New Standalone Client (Released in August 2023), and the original In-Game plugin version. Both work the same, and they can co-exist, but it is recommended to only use one of them.

In rare cases, the updater can cause a corruption of files, resulting in the add-ons not functioning properly, in which case redownloading from the store will restore the add-on to its factory settings.

 
 

2 SkunkCrafts Updater Standalone Client

  • This is the newest version of the updater, which runs outside of X-Plane as a standalone application

  • You can download the Standalone Client here

  • All future updates will be developed for this version only

  • It is also faster, so it is recommended to use this version

  • Compatible with X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12, available on all Operating Systems.

 
SkunkCrafts Updater Standalone Client v3.0
 

HOW TO INSTALL THE STANDALONE VERSION

  1. Download the Standalone Client here. The downloaded files will come in a zip file.
  1. The zip contains:
    • SkunkcraftsUpdater.app for MacOS (both Intel and Apple Silicon)
    • SkunkcraftsUpdater.exe for Windows 10/11
    • SkunkcraftsUpdater_lin for GNU/Linux (tested on Ubuntu 22.04)
    • README.txt file.

  1. From the zip file, extract only executable file based on your operating system, and place it into your main X-Plane folder.

    If you have multiple installations of X-Plane, then copy it to each instance.

    You must run the application from the X-Plane folder.

If you are a MacOS user, you must authorize the app to run through Settings/Security. Click here for more info.

UPDATING YOUR PRODUCT USING THE STANDALONE UPDATER

  1. (Optional) Make a backup copy of the previous aircraft folder, in case you want to use the previous version after an update.
  1. Make sure X-Plane is closed, or else the update will fail
  1. Launch the SkunkCrafts Updater Standlone Client

  1. Click on Check all available updates

    Sometimes you may see that addons say “Addon locked by user”. This means the developers are uploading the files at the moment and you have to come back later and update once you see the update is available.

  1. If you see an update is available, click on the Update/repair everything button
  1. Wait for the updater to download and install all files until you see the Update successful message
  1. Close the Updater
  1. Launch X-Plane and load the updated aircraft
  1. Activate the aircraft and fly!

CONFIGURE AUTOMATIC UPDATES ON STARTUP

You can configure the updater so that it automatically detects and/or downloads new updates.

Warning: Sometimes add-ons have bugs right after a new update has been released, so it is advisable to only update after other users have confirmed that the new version is stable. If you select the automatic updates, you will not have that option.

Step-By-Step Instructions:

Click on Options > Automatic action on startup: and select one of the three options:

  1. Only show list of managed addons
    In other words, this setting will do nothing on startup, apart from checking which add-ons you have installed. You then need to manually check for updates, and then manually execute any available updates.
  1. Check for all available updates This setting will automatically detect the updates, but it will not update. You then need to update manually.
  1. Perform all available updates
    This setting will automatically detect and download all updates, as soon as you launch the updater.

ERRORS WHILE DOWNLOADING FILES, CHECK LOG

  • This error message appears when you are trying to use the updater, but you have X-Plane running and the aircraft you are trying to update is currently loaded.

SOLUTION: Make sure that X-Plane is always closed whenever you are using the updater!

 

3 SkunkCrafts Updater In-Game Plugin

  • This is the original version of the SkunkCrafts Updater, which runs as a plugin inside of X-Plane

  • Get the latest version of the SkunkCrafts Updater here. You need to have at least v2.5

  • Compatible with X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12, available on all Operating Systems.

 
SkunkCrafts Updater Plugin for X-Plane
 

HOW TO INSTALL THE IN-GAME VERSION

Installing is identical to installing any X-Plane plugin:

  1. Download the files
    Download the Standalone Client here. The downloaded files will come in a zip file.
  1. Locate X-Plane's Plugin Directory Navigate to your X-Plane installation directory. Within it, you'll find a folder named 'Resources'. Open it, and you'll see the 'plugins' folder. This is where all your plugins will reside.
  1. Install the Plugin Extract the ZIP file you downloaded directly into the 'plugins' directory. Simply drag and drop.

If you are a MacOS user, you must authorize the app to run through Settings/Security.

UPDATING YOUR PRODUCT USING THE IN-GAME UPDATER

  1. (Optional) Make a backup copy of the previous aircraft folder, in case you want to use the previous version after an update.
  1. Open X-Plane and load the default Cessna 172.
  1. Click on the “Plugins” menu on the top X-Plane bar.
  1. Make sure that the plane that you want to update is unlocked (Green open lock icon). If it is locked, it means the developers are uploading the files and you simply have to come back later and update once you see the unlocked icon.
  1. If you see an update is available, click on the Update/repair everything button
  1. Wait for the updater to download and install all files until you see the Update successful message
  1. Reload aircraft by going to the top bar in X-Plane and click Developer > Reload the Current Aircraft and Art
  1. Activate the aircraft and fly!

CONFIGURE AUTOMATIC UPDATES ON STARTUP

You can configure the updater so that it automatically detects and/or downloads new updates.

Warning: Sometimes add-ons have bugs right after a new update has been released, so it is advisable to only update after other users have confirmed that the new version is stable. If you select the automatic updates, you will not have that option.

Step-By-Step Instructions:

Click on Options > Tasks to execute at startup and select one of the three options:

  1. Only identify managed items
    In other words, this setting will do nothing on startup, apart from checking which add-ons you have installed. You then need to manually check for updates, and then manually execute any available updates.

  2. Check for updates and integrity This setting will automatically detect the updates, but it will not update. You then need to update manually.

  3. Apply updates/repairs when available
    This setting will automatically detect and download all updates, as soon as you launch the updater.