How To Turn Off Automatic Updates on Android

Automatic updates on Android can be a double-edged sword. While they keep your apps and system fresh with the latest features and security patches, they can also eat up mobile data, slow down your phone, or even break an app you rely on.

If you’d rather take control and update apps or software manually, here’s exactly how to turn off automatic updates on Android.

🔧 Turn Off Automatic App Updates in the Google Play Store

The Play Store is where most of your apps get updated. Here’s how to stop that:

1. Open the Play Store

Tap the Google Play Store icon on your phone.

2. Go to Settings

• Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
• Select Settings.
• Tap Network preferences > Auto-update apps.

3. Choose “Don’t auto-update apps”

A pop-up will appear with three options:

• Over any network
• Over Wi-Fi only
• Don’t auto-update apps ← Select this

Tap Done.

✅ This stops all apps from updating automatically. You can still update them manually anytime through the Play Store.

⚙️ Turn Off System (OS) Updates on Android

System updates are trickier. Most Android phones don’t let you completely turn off OS updates, but you can delay or restrict them.

Option 1: Pause Updates

On some phones (like Samsung):

• Go to Settings > Software update.
• Toggle off Auto download over Wi-Fi.

This stops the phone from downloading updates in the background.

Option 2: Developer Options (Advanced Users Only)

For more control:

1. Go to Settings > About phone.
2. Tap Build number 7 times to enable Developer Options.
3. Go back to Settings, find Developer options.
4. Look for Automatic system updates and turn it off.

⚠️ Be cautious: disabling system updates might expose your device to security risks. Only do this if you understand the trade-offs.

🤖 Per-App Update Control

Want some apps to auto-update, but not all?

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Search for the app you want.
3. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
4. Uncheck Enable auto-update.

Repeat this for each app you want to manage manually.

Why You Might Want to Turn Off Auto Updates

• Data usage: Updates can be large, and if you’re on limited mobile data, they can chew through your plan fast.
• Stability: Some updates introduce bugs or remove features you rely on.
• Control: You might want to review what’s changing before you install anything.

Final Thoughts

Turning off automatic updates on Android puts you back in control of what changes on your device and when. Just remember to check for updates manually now and then—especially for security patches.

Need help managing app permissions or freeing up storage space next? Let me know in the comments!