Modern smartphones series Galaxy from the company Samsung strive to keep the software up to date by automatically downloading and installing new versions of utilities. Although this feature is useful for security, it often leads to unexpected consumption of mobile data, overheating of the case, and slowdown of the device in the background. Many users need to cancel this process in order to maintain control over the gadget's resources.
The user may encounter a situation where a critical version of the app stops working correctly after an update, or simply needs to save memory space. The system Android on the shell One UI provides flexible tools for managing this process. Below we will analyze in detail all the available methods, from simple switches in the settings to more complex system restrictions.
Disabling automatic installations does not require obtaining superuser rights or resetting the device to factory settings. It is enough to correctly configure the settings in the two main content stores that are preinstalled on your device. This will allow you to manually choose the moment to download new versions of the software, excluding sudden changes in the interface or functionality.
Setting parameters in the Google Play Market
The main source of software for most smartphone owners is the store from Google. This is where the lion's share of installed apps is stored, and where changes most often need to be made. To prevent the system from updating apps on its own, you need to go to the settings of the store application itself.
Open the application Play Market on your device. In the upper right corner of the screen, find your profile icon or account avatar. Click on it to open the context menu. In the list of options, select Settings, and then go to the Network settingssection. Here you will see the item Auto-update applications.
Click on this item and the system will offer you three options. By default, the update mode is usually only via Wi-Fi, which saves mobile traffic, but still takes up space and processor resources. You need to select the option Do not update applications automatically. After selecting, confirm the action by clicking the button Done.
⚠️ Attention: After disabling global auto-updates in the Play Store, some critical applications (for example, antiviruses or banking clients) may persistently prompt you to update every time you start them. This is normal behavior for software that requires up-to-date security databases.
It is also possible to configure this setting for a specific app if you want to leave automatic mode for others. Go to the page of the desired application in the store, click on the three vertical dots in the upper corner and uncheck the item Auto-update. This will allow you to flexibly manage the process for each individual case.
Managing updates in the Galaxy Store
Device owners Samsung have a second built-in store - Galaxy Store. It distributes proprietary utilities, such as Samsung Health, Bixby, as well as special versions of popular apps optimized for AMOLED screens. The settings here are independent from Google Play, so they need to be configured separately.
Launch the application Galaxy Store and go to the tab Menu, which is usually indicated by three horizontal lines at the bottom of the screen or in the corner. Select item Settings. In the list that opens, find the section Auto-update applications. The system will prompt you to select an operating mode: always, only via Wi-Fi or never.
To completely stop background downloads, select option Never. This action will instantly apply to all apps installed through this directory. If you prefer hybrid mode, you can leave the update via Wi-Fi, but then you should limit background data transfer in the settings of the phone itself.
It is important to note that some system components One UI can be updated exclusively through Galaxy Store, ignoring the settings of the main store. Therefore, disabling startup here is a critical step to take full control of your device. Don't forget to also check the section Software version in the general phone settings to make sure that the interface itself is not updated in the background.
Limiting background data and traffic
Even if you have disabled the checkboxes in the store settings, some aggressive applications may try to use loopholes to obtain new versions or download resources. An effective method to combat this is to strictly limit background data transfer at the system level.
Go to Settings your smartphone and select the section Connections. Find the item Data usage and click on Traffic saving. Activate this mode. In this state, the system blocks data transfer in the background for all applications, except those that you add to the exception list.
- 📱 Background blocking: Applications will not be able to download data when the screen is off.
- 🚫 Blocking updates: App stores will have a harder time initiating downloads without explicit permission.
- ⚡ Battery saving: Reducing network activity will have a positive effect on battery life.
For more detailed settings, you can go to the section Mobile data -> Mobile data usage. Here you can select a specific application, for example Play Store, and disable the switch Allow background data usage. This ensures that even if the Internet is available, the application will not be able to download anything until you open it.
Enable Do Not Disturb mode during important calls so that background processes do not create a load on the network and interfere with the connection.
It is worth considering that when data saving is activated, notifications from instant messengers may arrive with a delay. This happens because the server cannot reach the phone until it wakes up from sleep mode. Therefore, it is better to use this method in conjunction with Wi-Fi when you are at home, or if the notification delay is not critical for you.
Disconnection through power saving mode
The system One UI offers powerful tools for extending battery life, which simultaneously solve the problem with background activity of applications. Power saving modes automatically limit the operation of processes, including automatic update mechanisms.
In the menu Settings -> Device maintenance -> Battery you will find several power profiles. The regime Maximum energy saving is the most strict. When activated, the system allows only basic applications (calls, messages), and all others, including stores, are completely blocked.
| Operating mode | Impact on updates | Impact on performance | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimized | Allowed by Wi-Fi | Standard | Daily use |
| Average savings | Limited in the background | Reduced CPU frequency | When low charge |
| Maximum savings | Completely prohibited | Greatly reduced | Critical charge |
Softer option - Average energy saving. It does not disable applications completely, but it significantly limits their background activity. In this mode, auto-update can only be initiated when you unlock the screen and launch the store manually. This is a compromise option for those who want to update software, but only under their own control.
⚠️ Attention: In maximum energy saving mode, the phone interface is simplified to a black background and large icons. To return to the normal view, you will need to go back to the battery settings and select the “Optimized” profile.
The use of power profiles is a temporary measure. Once you switch the mode back or connect the charger (in some settings), the restrictions may be lifted. Therefore, this method is suitable for situationally blocking updates, for example, while roaming or when the network signal is weak.
Checking developer and ADB settings
For advanced users who want to be sure to stop any network activity of specific packages, there are more in-depth configuration methods. They require enabling the developer menu and, in some cases, using a computer.
You must first enable the hidden menu. Go to Settings -> About phone -> Software information. Quickly click 7 times on the item Build number. After a message appears indicating that you have become a developer, return to the main settings menu. A new section will appear at the very bottom Developer options.
In this menu, find the section Applications and item Inactive applications (or similar, depending on the version of Android). Here you can forcefully stop background processes. However, a more radical method is to use the command via USB debugging.
Command to completely block updates via ADB
For advanced users: connect the phone to a PC with ADB installed and enter the command: pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vending. This will completely disable Google Play, including the ability to manually update, until the enable command is returned.
Be careful when using the command line, as incorrectly disabling system components can lead to unstable operation of the interface. The standard settings in the menu are usually enough for 99% of users to solve the problem without the risk of breaking the software.
☑️ Checklist for complete blocking
Possible problems and solutions
Sometimes users are faced with the fact that, despite all the measures taken, applications continue to be updated or require an update to launch. This may be due to cached data or the specifics of the operation of individual services.
The first thing to do is clear the app store cache. Go to Settings -> Applications, find Google Play Store and select Storage. Click the button Clear cache. Do not confuse this with clearing data, as the latter will reset all your store settings to standard.
- 🔄 Version conflict: Some applications do not work if the version is more than 2-3 releases out of date.
- 🔒 Security policy: Banking applications can block access when old libraries are detected.
- 📶 Network failures: If the connection is poor, the update process may freeze, creating the appearance of constant activity.
Also check if Google account synchronization is enabled, which can sometimes trigger version checking. In the section Accounts and archiving -> Manage accounts select your Google account and make sure that app store synchronization is not a priority.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface and item names may vary slightly depending on the version of the One UI shell (13, 14, 15, 16) and your smartphone model. If you have not found an exact match of the name, look for semantic analogues in the “Applications” or “Connections” sections.
Completely disabling auto-updates requires an integrated approach: settings of both stores, limiting background data and using energy saving modes.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions questions
Is it safe not to update applications on Samsung for a long time?
Using outdated versions of apps carries certain risks. Developers often release patches to fix security vulnerabilities. If you disable auto-updates, it is recommended to manually check for critical updates at least once a month, especially for browsers and instant messengers.
Why does the application update even if I have disabled it in the settings?
This can happen if the update was scheduled by the system before changing the settings, or if the application uses its own internal update mechanism, independent of the store (often found in game launchers or social networks). In this case, only blocking background data for a specific application will help.
Is it possible to update only some applications automatically?
Yes, in the Google Play Store you can set up auto-update for all applications, and then go to the card of a specific application and uncheck “Auto-update”, or vice versa - disable everything, and for your favorites, enable this option individually in their settings inside store.
Does disabling updates affect the warranty of the smartphone?
No, changing software settings in the user menu is not a violation of warranty. You do not make changes to system files and do not get root access, but only change the configuration of standard services.