Many users of modern smartphones are faced with a situation where the device starts to work slower or unwanted changes appear in the interface immediately after installing a new version of the operating system. This often happens because automatic update enabled by default, and the gadget downloads data packages without the owner’s knowledge. The desire to keep the current stable version of the firmware is quite justified, especially if your model is no longer the flagship of the current year.
In this article we will look in detail at how to check or, more precisely, disable the update function on Android. The process may differ depending on the manufacturer of your device: Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme or pure Android from Google. We will look at both standard settings and more advanced methods that require connecting to a computer.
Before you start blocking system services, it is important to understand the risks. Failure to install security patches may leave your device vulnerable to malware. However, if the priority is stability and maintaining a familiar interface, the following instructions will help you take control of the update process into your own hands.
Disable via standard system settings
The easiest and safest way to prevent unwanted updates is to change the settings in the menu of the smartphone itself. In most modern shells, developers have provided the ability to disable automatic file downloading. You need to find the section responsible for the system and change the download settings.
Usually the path to these settings looks like this: go to Settings → System → System update. Here you will see the current software version and a button to check for updates. Nearby there is often a gear icon or a three-dot menu that hides additional control options.
In the submenu that opens, you need to find an item related to startup. Its name may vary: “Startup over Wi-Fi,” “Download updates automatically,” or “Only over Wi-Fi.” If you select the “Never” option or simply turn off the toggle switch, the phone will stop searching for new versions in the background.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices with a pure version of Android (for example, Google Pixel), it is impossible to completely hide update notifications through the standard menu. The system will persistently offer to install a new version until you click the install button.
It is worth noting that even if autoload is disabled, a notification about the availability of a new version may still periodically appear in the notification shade. This is normal, since the system service continues to check for releases on the server, but does not download them without your direct confirmation.
Smartphone manufacturers' interfaces change frequently. If you do not find the described items, check the official help for your specific model in the “Support” section on the brand’s website.
If you use the mobile data, be sure to select the “Download only over Wi-Fi” option so as not to accidentally spend all your traffic on downloading gigabytes of system files.
Managing system applications and services
If the standard settings do not give the desired result or are missing in your model, you can try to disable the system application responsible for checking for updates. This method is more radical, but effective for many devices based on MIUI, OneUI and other custom shells.
First, go to the Settings → Applications → All applicationssection. In the list of installed apps, you need to find a service with a name like “Software Update”, “System Update”, “Software Update” or “Update Downloader”. The icon of such an application often looks like a down arrow or the Android robot logo.
After finding the desired service, click on it. In the application information menu that opens, find the “Disable” or “Stop” button. If the "Disable" button is grayed out, try first clicking "Stop" and then "Clear data" and "Clear cache".
- 📱 Find the "Software Update" application in the list of system services.
- 🛑 Click the "Stop" button to force the process to end.
- 🗑️ Select “Clear data” to reset the accumulated information about available updates.
- 🚫 Try clicking “Disable” if this option is available in your menu.
After completing these steps, the system will stop checking servers for new firmware versions. In this case, the stopping procedure will have to be repeated.
☑️ Checking to stop the service
Some manufacturers protect their services from being disabled. In such cases, it will not be possible to bypass the protection using standard settings menu tools, and deeper intervention methods will be required, which will be described in the following sections.
Using ADB to block updates
For advanced users who lack the capabilities of the standard interface, there is a powerful command line tool - Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method allows you to disable system packages at the system level, making them completely inactive for the user and the OS itself.
To get started, you will need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and a USB cable. You need to activate developer mode on your smartphone. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the “Build number” item. After the message “You have become a developer” appears, return to the main settings menu.
In the “For Developers” section, enable the “USB Debugging” item. Connect your phone to your computer with a cable. On your PC, you need to download and unpack Platform Tools from the official Google website. Next, open a command prompt or terminal in the tools folder.
adb devicesAfter entering this command, a request for debugging permission will appear on the phone screen. Confirm it. If the console displays your device's serial number, the connection was successful. You can now enter commands to disable specific packages.
⚠️ Warning: Using ADB commands requires caution. Disabling critical system components may result in device instability or data loss. Enter commands only for packages associated with the update.
To disable an update, you need to know the exact name of the package. They differ for different manufacturers. For example, for Samsung devices this is often com.samsung.android.fmm or com.wssyncmldm, and for Xiaomi - com.miui.updater.
The command to disable it is as follows:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0After successful execution command, you will receive a “Success” message. From this moment on, the system will consider that the update application has been deleted, although the physical files will remain in memory. You can return everything back with the command adb shell pm enable.
List of popular packages to disable
Samsung: com.samsung.android.fotaagent, Xiaomi: com.miui.updater, Realme/Oppo: com.realme.ota, Google Pixel: com.google.android.updater
Features of disabling on different brands
Various smartphone manufacturers use their own unique implementations of the operating system, which affects the location of settings and the names of services. Understanding these differences will help you quickly find the desired menu item and avoid errors when setting up.
On devices Samsung with the One UI shell, you can often find the Auto Update Apps service, which is located in the settings of the Galaxy Store itself, and not just in the system. It is also worth checking the settings in the Device Monitoring application.
Smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco running MIUI or HyperOS have a built-in update downloader, which can be found in the list of applications. A special feature of these devices is that even after being turned off, notifications can appear in the form of pop-ups, which require separate settings in the “Notifications” section.
| Brand | Service name | Where to look for settings | Difficulty shutdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Software Update | Settings -> Software update | Medium |
| Xiaomi | MIUI Updater | Applications -> Hidden system | Low |
| Google Pixel | Google System Update | Settings -> System | High |
| Huawei | HiCare / Support | App Support | Medium |
Devices Google Pixel and other phones with pure Android are the most difficult to set up, as Google's policy is to forcefully keep security up to date. Here, only blocking via ADB or using third-party firewalls often helps.
Knowing the exact name of the system service for your model is 90% of success in the fight against unwanted updates. Look for information on forums dedicated specifically to your device.
Blocking through network settings and DNS
Another effective method that does not require superuser rights or a connection to a PC is blocking access to update servers at the network level. The smartphone will simply have nowhere to send a request for new firmware if the server address is blocked.
This can be done by changing the DNS settings in the Wi-Fi connection settings. Go to the settings of your Wi-Fi network, select “IP Settings” and switch it from “DHCP” to “Static”. In the DNS 1 and DNS 2 fields, you need to enter the addresses of special servers that block ads and trackers, which often include update domains.
However, a more reliable way is to use firewall applications, such as NoRoot Firewall or NetGuard. These apps allow you to control the access of each installed application to the Internet. You can simply block the system update service from accessing the network.
- 🔒 Install an application to control network access (firewall).
- 📵 Find the system application “Software Update” in the list.
- ❌ Deny it access to Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- ✅ Save the settings and restart the device.
The advantage of this method is that it is reversible and safe. You can allow access back at any time if you decide to update the system. In addition, this does not violate the integrity of system files, as can happen when using ADB.
It is worth considering that if you change the network or reset the network settings, the rules may be lost. Therefore, after each connection to a new Wi-Fi, it is recommended to check the firewall settings.
Possible problems and risks of refusing updates
When deciding to stop updating the system, you must be aware of the consequences. The main problem is safety. Developers release patches not only to add new features, but also to close vulnerabilities through which hackers can gain access to your data.
In addition, some applications no longer support older versions of Android over time. Banking applications, instant messengers and games may require a minimum OS version, which you will not be able to install if you block the update. This may result in the functionality of the smartphone becoming limited.
⚠️ Attention: Complete blocking of security updates for a long period (more than 1-2 years) makes using a mobile bank and entering payment data an extremely risky activity.
It is also possible that errors may occur in the operation of individual functions. For example, Bluetooth headsets or GPS navigation may stop working correctly if the drivers for them were corrected in the missed update. In such cases, the only solution is to return to factory settings and manually install the latest firmware.
If you notice that the phone begins to quickly discharge or overheat after a long period of no updates, this may be a signal that system processes are not working correctly. In such a situation, it is better to still allow the device to update to the latest stable version.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will the application be deleted if I disable updates?
No, the application itself will remain in the phone's memory, but it will stop starting and checking servers. You can always turn it back on in application settings or through the ADB command.
Is it possible to remove updates completely to free up space?
In application settings there is often a “Uninstall updates” button. It will roll back the system component to the factory version that was available when you purchased the phone. This will free up some space, but will not prevent downloading new versions in the future, unless you disable autodownload.
Is it safe to use ADB for a regular user?
Using ADB is safe if you enter only proven commands to disable specific services. The risk only arises when removing critical system components required to boot the OS. Always check the name of the package before entering the command.
Why do updates turn back on after a factory reset?
A factory reset returns the phone to its out-of-the-box state, where all options, including auto-update, are set to default. You will have to repeat the disabling procedure after each hard reset.
Does disabling updates affect the warranty?
Disabling updates through settings or firewalls does not affect the warranty. However, obtaining root access or unlocking the bootloader for deeper intervention may void the manufacturer's warranty.