An application manager receives a descriptor for a MIDlet update from an MIDP server system. The application manager determines that the descriptor identifies an update to a MIDlet that is already installed on the MID. The application manager also identifies the MIDlet for which the update is intended, and determines that the update is valid with respect to the MIDlet. The application manager provides information from the descriptor to the user of the MID. If the user decides to download the update that corresponds to the descriptor, the application manager sends a request to the MIDP server system to transmit the MIDlet update to the MID. When the application manager receives the MIDlet update from the MIDP server system, an installer installs the file(s) of the MIDlet update in the existing MIDlet.