How to disable game updates on Android: all methods in 2026

Automatic game updates on Android often become a headache: they eat up traffic, take up space on the device and sometimes break gameplay after the release of “raw” patches. This is especially annoying when the game is updated at the most inopportune moment - for example, before an important match in PUBG Mobile or during a difficult level in Genshin Impact. Fortunately, there are several ways to disable these updates, and not all of them require root access or complex manipulations.

In this article we will examine 5 working methodshow to stop updates for a specific game or all games at once - from standard settings Google Play to advanced tricks with ADB and modified APKs. You will also learn what risks do disabled updates pose (for example, ban in online games for an outdated version of the client) and how to bypass them without losing your account. If you are tired of constant “Update available” notifications or want to save space on your phone, read on.

1. Disabling automatic updates in Google Play

The easiest and safest way is to configure Google Play Market so that it does not update games without your permission. This method works on all devices with Google services (including Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme etc.), but it will not help if the game is updated through its own launcher (for example, Epic Games Store or Garena).

To disable auto-updates for all applications:

• 📱 Open Google Play Store and tap on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
• ⚙️ Select Settings → Network settings → Auto update applications.
• 🔄 Set the value Do not update automatically.

To block updates for a specific game:

• 🔍 Find the game in Play Market via search.
• ⚙️ On the game page, click on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Disable auto-update.
• ✅ Done! Now the game will not update without your confirmation.

⚠️ Attention: If you previously allowed it updates via mobile data, the game may update in the background when connected to 4G/5G. Check the settings in Settings → Mobile network → Data usage and limit background activity for Play Market.

Is Play Market open under your account?|Auto-update is disabled for everyone applications?|Is the auto-update checkbox unchecked for the desired game?|Is background traffic limited for the Play Market?-->

2. Blocking updates through Android settings

Some firmware (for example MIUI, ColorOS, One UI) have built-in tools for managing application updates. They work regardless of Google Play and can even block forced updates through third-party sites.

Instructions for Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
2. Find the game in the list and tap on her.
3. Select Battery and background activity → Limit background activity.
4. Enable the option Prohibit autorun and Limit background data.

Instructions for Samsung Galaxy:

• 🔧 Go to Settings → Applications.
• 📱 Find the game and open its settings.
• 🚫 Select Mobile data → Prevent background data usage.
• 🔄 In the section Storage click Clear cache (this will not delete saves, but will reset some temporary files updates).

Firmware	Path to settings	Efficiency
MIUI (Xiaomi)	Settings → Applications → Management → Background activity	High (blocks 90% of updates)
One UI (Samsung)	Settings → Applications → Mobile data	Medium (can skip updates via Wi-Fi)
ColorOS (Oppo/Realme)	Settings → Application management → Autorun	Low (often ignored by games)
Stock Android (Pixel, Motorola)	Settings → Applications → Permissions → Background activity	Medium

⚠️ Attention: Manufacturers regularly change the location of menu items in new firmware versions. If the specified path does not work, use the built-in search in settings (magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner).

3. Removing updates and rolling back to the factory version

If the game has already been updated and you need the old version, you can return it to its original state. This method only works for applications installed via Google Play, and is not suitable for games with their own launchers (for example, Call of Duty: Mobile from Garena).

How to roll back a game:

• 📱 Open Settings → Applications.
• 🔍 Find the game in the list and tap on it.
• ⋮ Click on the three dots in the upper corner and select Delete updates.
• ✅ Confirm the action. The game will return to the version that was during the first installation.

What to do if the button Uninstall updates is inactive:

• 🔄 Try first Clear data i Clear cache.
• 📥 If the game is system (for example, pre-installed by the manufacturer), the rollback may be blocked. In this case, only reinstallation via ADB (see section 5) will help.
• 🛑 Some games (for example, Free Fire or Mobile Legends) check the client version upon startup. If the version is outdated, they may block entry.

What happens if you roll back an online game?

Rolling back the client version in multiplayer games (MMOs, shooters, MOBAs) almost always leads to a ban or restricted access. Developers check the game version when connecting to the server. For example:

- B PUBG Mobile an outdated version blocks the login with the message "Update the client."

- B Clash of Clans a warning about incompatibility with the server may appear.

- Genshin Impact the game simply will not start until it is updated.

The exception is offline games or single-player projects (for example, Minecraft in survival mode).

4. Using modified APKs (without root)

If standard methods do not help, you can install a modified version of the game (mod APK), in which update checks are disabled. This method is suitable for experienced users and has risks:

• 🚨 The account may be banned (especially in games with anti-cheat, for example Call of Duty: Mobile or Valorant Mobile).
• 🦠 Mod APKs often contain malicious code or mining scripts.
• 🔄 Updates may still arrive if the game uses own updater (for example Epic Games or Netease).

How to install mod APK safely:

1. Download the file only from trusted sources (for example APKMirror, APKPure). Avoid sites like happymod or blackmod —they often spread viruses.
2. Before installation, turn off the Internet (Wi-Fi and mobile data) so that the game cannot download the update immediately after launch.
3. Install the APK via file manager (for example Solid Explorer or FX File Manager).
4. After installation, block the game's access to the Internet via Settings → Applications → [game name] → Mobile data and Wi-Fi.

Popular games for which there are mod APKs without updates:

• 🎮 Minecraft (verification disabled versions)
• 🏀 NBA 2K Mobile (forced updates removed)
• 🏰 Clash Royale (blocking updates through the host file)

5. Advanced methods: ADB and host file

For users who are ready to dive into technical details, there are two powerful ones tool: ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and editing hosts file. These methods require connecting the phone to the PC or using Termux on the device.

Method 1: Disabling updates via ADB

ADB allows you to block updates for a specific package (game). To do this:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About the phone → Build number - tap 7 times to unlock the developer menu).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and run the command:

   adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vending

   This will disable Google Play Market for the current user. To get everything back, use:

   adb shell pm enable com.android.vending

3. To block updates for a specific game, find its package (for example, com.supercell.clashroyale) and do:

   adb shell dumpsys package com.supercell.clashroyale | grep versionName

   Then “freeze” the application:

   adb shell pm suspend com.supercell.clashroyale

Method 2: Blocking update domains through hosts

Some games check for updates through specific URLs. They can be blocked by adding to hosts file:

1. Install Termux from F-Droid (not from the Play Market!).
2. Run the commands:

   pkg update && pkg install tsu
   su
   mount -o rw,remount /system
   echo "127.0.0.1 play.google.com" >> /system/etc/hosts
   echo "127.0.0.1 android.clients.google.com" >> /system/etc/hosts

3. Reboot your phone.

⚠️ Attention: Editing hosts file without root may cause the system to crash. On some firmware (for example MIUI 14+) this file is protected from changes. Before experiments, create a backup via TWRP or Orange Backup.

Disabled in Google Play|Used Android settings|Deleted updates manually|Tried mod APK|Nothing helped-->

6. Risks and consequences of disabling updates

Before blocking updates, it is important to understand the possible negative consequences. They depend on the type of game and the policy of its developer.

What awaits you if you disable updates:

• 🔒 Account ban in online games. For example, Supercell (creators Clash of Clans) block accounts for using outdated versions of the client.
• 🐛 Critical bugs. New patches often fix bugs that can break gameplay (for example, crashes at certain levels).
• 🛡️ Security vulnerabilities. Old versions of games may contain exploits that are used by cheaters or hackers.
• 🎁 Loss of access to new functions. For example, Genshin Impact without updates, you will not be able to open new locations or get new characters.

How to minimize risks:

• 🔄 Regularly check manually whether critical patches have been released (for example, fixing crashes or vulnerabilities).
• 📥 Create backup copies of saves through Google Play Games or third-party tools like Swift Backup.
• 🚫 Do not block updates in games with an active anti-cheat system (for example, Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG, Valorant Mobile).

Game	Risk of ban for old version	Loss of functionality	Recommendation
Clash of Clans	High (ban in 1-2 days)	New troops, balance, events	Do not block
Minecraft	Low (only in online mode)	New blocks, mobs, worlds	Can be blocked for offline games
Genshin Impact	Medium (login blocking)	New regions, events, characters	Update manually every 2-3 months
Among Us	Low	New maps, tasks	Can be blocked

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about game updates on Android

❓ Is it possible to disable updates for a game installed not through the Play Market (for example, through an APK)?

Yes, but the method depends on the installation source:

• If the game is installed via APK from the official website (for example, Epic Games or Netease), updates are blocked through the app settings (Limit background activity).
• If the game has its own launcher (for example, Garena for Free Fire), you will have to block it via ADB or remove Internet rights.
• For pirated APKs, updates are usually disabled by default, but such versions often contain viruses.

❓ Why does the game update itself, even if I disabled auto-update in the Play Market?

Possible reasons:

• The game uses own updater (for example, Epic Games, Netease, Garena). Block it through Android settings or ADB.
• You are connected to Wi-Fi, and In the Play Market settings, wireless updating is allowed. Check Settings → Network → Auto update.
• Phone manufacturer (for example, Huawei or Xiaomi) forcibly updates pre-installed games through your store (for example, AppGallery or GetApps).
• Game system (pre-installed by the manufacturer) and is updated via OTA In this case, only rolling back the firmware will help.

❓ How to return the game to the old version if the "Uninstall updates" button is inactive?

If the standard rollback does not work, try:

1. Uninstall the game completely, then install the old version of the APK from APKMirror (search by release date).
2. Use ADB for forced reinstallation:

   adb install -r -d --fastdeploy file_name.apk

   Flag -d allows you to downgrade the version.

3. On firmware with root install AppOps or Package Disabler and block update operations for the game.

⚠️ Warning: In games with online authorization (for example, Brawl Stars) after a rollback, you may need to reset your data or relink your account.

❓ Will online competitions work if I turn off updates?

In 99% of cases - no. Most multiplayer games (MMOs, shooters, MOBAs) check the client version when connecting to the server. If your version is outdated:

• The game may block entry with a message like "Update the client to continue."
• In some games (for example, Clash Royale) you will be redirected to the update page in the Play Market.
• In rare cases (for example, in Hearthstone), the game will allow you to enter, but blocks access to new modes or cards.

The exception is games with reverse compatibility (for example, Minecraft Bedrock sometimes allows you to play on the old version, but with restrictions).

❓ Is it possible to disable updates only on mobile data, but allow them via Wi-Fi?

Yes, this can be configured in Google Play Market:

1. Open Play Market and go to Settings → Network settings → Auto-update applications.
2. Select the option Only via Wi-Fi.
3. For a specific game, open its page, press ⋮ → Enable auto-update (if the option was disabled previously), then again ⋮ → Auto-update settings and select Only via Wi-Fi.

Also check the traffic saving settings in Android:

• On Samsung: Settings → Connections → Data usage → Mobile data → [game name] → Allow background data usage (disable).
• On Xiaomi: Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Traffic usage → [game name] → Deny.