How to Disable Android Automatic Updates? [Stepwise Guide]

1. Disabling Automatic System Updates

To prevent automatic system updates, you will need to access the Developer Options menu. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Enable Developer Options

To access the Developer Options menu, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings: Go to your device’s Settings app.
2. Navigate to About Phone: Scroll down and select “About Phone.”
3. Locate Build Number: Find the “Build Number” entry and tap it seven times.
4. Enter Your PIN: If prompted, enter your PIN or unlock your device. You will see a message confirming that Developer Options have been enabled.

Step 2: Disable Automatic System Updates

Now that Developer Options are enabled, you can turn off automatic system updates:

1. Return to Settings: Open the Settings app again.
2. Access Developer Options: Scroll to “System,” then tap “Developer Options.”
3. Disable Automatic Updates: Look for options related to system updates and disable any that mention automatic updates. This might vary depending on your device and Android version.

2. Disabling Automatic App Updates

Automatic updates for apps can also be disabled through the Google Play Store. Here’s how:

1. Open Google Play Store: Launch the Google Play Store app on your device.
2. Go to Settings: Tap on the profile icon in the top right corner, then select “Settings.”
3. Tap on Network Preferences: Select “Network Preferences” or “Auto-update apps.”
4. Select ‘Don’t auto-update apps’: Choose the option that says “Don’t auto-update apps” to stop automatic app updates.

3. Managing Update Notifications

Even with automatic updates disabled, you might still receive notifications about available updates. To manage these notifications:

1. Open Settings: Go to your device’s Settings app.
2. Navigate to Apps & Notifications: Tap on “Apps & Notifications” or a similar option.
3. Find Google Play Store: Locate and select “Google Play Store” from the list.
4. Tap on Notifications: Go to “Notifications” and adjust the settings to manage or turn off update notifications.

4. Regular Manual Updates

With automatic updates turned off, it’s a good practice to manually check for updates regularly:

1. Open Settings: Go to your device’s Settings app.
2. Navigate to System Updates: Tap on “System,” then select “System Updates” or “Software Updates.”
3. Check for Updates: Tap on “Check for Updates” to see if any updates are available.

By managing your update settings, you can ensure that you have control over when updates are installed, while still keeping your device secure and running smoothly.

Conclusion

Disabling automatic updates on your Android device can help you manage data usage and avoid unexpected changes to your device. Whether you need to disable system updates, app updates, or manage update notifications, this guide provides a comprehensive approach to ensure you remain in control of your device’s update settings. Remember to periodically check for updates manually to keep your device secure and up-to-date.

FAQs

1. How do I disable automatic updates on Android?
Go to Settings > About Phone and tap Build Number seven times. Then, in Settings > System > Developer Options, disable automatic updates.

2. Will disabling updates affect my security?
Yes, it can make your device vulnerable. Regular updates include important security patches.

3. Can I manually update apps if automatic updates are off?
Yes, you can manually update apps through the Google Play Store by going to My Apps & Games.

4. How do I re-enable automatic updates?
Go back to Settings > System > Developer Options and enable the automatic update options, or adjust settings in the Google Play Store.

5. What if I have issues after disabling updates?
Try re-enabling updates or check for any pending updates manually. Contact support if issues persist.