Smartphone users Xiaomi i Redmi often face a situation when a favorite app suddenly changes its interface, starts working slower, or consumes more battery power after automatically installing a new version. Developers strive to introduce new features, but sometimes this comes at the expense of stability on specific devices. The desire to stay on a proven software build is quite justified, especially if the current version works without failures.
The operating system Android in the shell MIUI or HyperOS by default is configured for maximum automation of processes, including downloading and installing updates for all installed apps. This is convenient for maintaining security, but annoying for those who prefer complete control over their gadget. Fortunately, the system provides several levels of protection against unwanted changes, ranging from simple store settings to advanced tools for developers.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available ways to stop automatic software updates. You will learn how to configure global settings, disable this feature for individual apps, and even block the system package installer if standard methods do not give the desired result.
Globally setting up auto-updates in the Google Play Market
The easiest and safest way to prevent mass software updates is to change the settings in the official application store. This action will affect all apps downloaded through this service and will not require obtaining root access or connecting to a computer. First you need to open the application Google Play on your device Redmi.
Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner of the screen to open the user menu. In the list of options, select Settings, and then go to the Network settingssection. Here you will see an option Auto-update applications, which by default is often set to "Wi-Fi Only" mode.
Change the value of this option to Do not update applications automatically. After this, the system will stop downloading new versions of apps in the background. However, it is worth considering that some critical security updates may still be offered to the user in the form of persistent notifications, although automatic installation will stop without asking.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling auto-updates in Google Play does not affect applications installed from third-party sources or through the Xiaomi brand store. They require separate settings. GetApps from Xiaomi. They require separate settings.
After making changes, it is recommended to restart your smartphone so that the new settings are applied to all system services. This ensures that background store processes do not continue to work with old cache settings.
Individual disabling of updates for specific applications
Sometimes the user needs to keep the antivirus or instant messenger current, but prohibit updating a heavy game or a specific tool that may not work correctly in the new version. In this case, global disabling is not suitable, and it is better to use a targeted setting for each individual product.
Go to Google Play Store and find the desired application through search or in the list of installed apps. Open the application page and click on the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of the screen. In the drop-down menu, find the checkbox opposite the item Enable auto-update and uncheck it.
If the checkbox is already unchecked, it means that automatic updating is already disabled for this application. This method allows you to create a flexible strategy: important apps will receive security patches, and experimental software will remain in a frozen state until your personal decision.
Use this method for banking applications and instant messengers to ensure they are up to date, but disable it for launchers and themes that often break after updates.
It is worth noting that the store interface may differ slightly depending on your needs. different versions Android and shells MIUI. If you do not find the desired option in the three dots menu, check whether the Google Play client itself has been updated to a new version, where the menu logic may have changed.
Blocking updates through the MIUI system settings
Smartphones Xiaomi have their own ecosystem of services, including an application store GetApps (formerly Mi Apps), which is often pre-installed and integrated deeper into the system than the standard Google Play. Even if you have turned off auto-updates in Google, the Xiaomi store can continue to update its apps and system components.
Open the application GetApps and go to the user profile by clicking on the little man icon. Select a section Settings and find the item Auto-update applications. Set the switch to Off or select the option Never. This will prevent updating apps downloaded from this particular source.
In addition, in the settings of the smartphone itself there is a section dedicated to updates systems and applications. Go to Settings → About phone → MIUI version. Click on the three dots in the corner and select Settings updates. Here you can disable Startup i Night installationso that the phone itself does not download and install update packages.
| Update source | Path to settings | Default status |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play | Profile → Settings → Network | Wi-Fi only |
| GetApps (Mi Store) | Profile → Settings | Enabled |
| System services | Settings → About phone → Update | Autoload enabled |
| Galaxy Store (Samsung) | Not applicable for Redmi | — |
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may change depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or HyperOS). If you do not find the described items, use the settings search by entering the word “Update.”
☑️ Checking system settings
Using ADB to completely block updates
For advanced users for whom standard settings are not enough, it is possible to disable the component responsible for installing packages via USB debugging. This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and having the tools installed ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
First you need to activate the developer mode on your Redmi. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the item MIUI version seven times in a row until a message appears stating that you have become a developer. Then in the advanced settings, enable USB debugging.
Connect the phone to the PC with a cable and open the command line or terminal on the computer in the folder with ADB. Enter the command to enter the device shell:
adb shellAfter successful connection, use the command to disable the package manager, which is responsible for installing updates:
pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.packageinstallerThis command “freezes” the system component. As a result, when you try to install an update (even manually via an APK file), the system will throw an error or simply ignore the request. Be careful: this may complicate the installation of apps you need in the future.
How to get everything back?
To restore the installer, enter the command: pm enable com.android.packageinstaller. This will return the ability to install applications in any way.
It is important to understand that this method is radical. It affects the entire system, not just specific applications. Use it only if other methods have not helped achieve your goal.
Limiting background activity and network access
Another effective way to deal with unwanted updates is to deny applications access to the Internet in the background. If the app cannot connect to the developer's server, it will physically not be able to download the new installation file.
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Select the desired app from the list. Find the section Control activity or Network. Here you can prohibit the use of Mobile data and Wi-Fi in the background.
In some versions MIUI there is a “Network Assistant” function that allows you to manage access globally. Go to the application Security (green icon with lightning), select Data transfer → Limit traffic. Uncheck the boxes of applications that you do not want to give access to the network.
This method has a side effect: the application will stop receiving push notifications and synchronizing data until you open it manually. This is an excellent option for games or utilities that do not require a constant online connection for basic functionality.
⚠️ Attention: Blocking network access may lead to incorrect operation of instant messengers, email clients and navigators. Use this method only for offline apps.
Banning access to the Internet is not only stopping updates, but also completely isolating the application from the network, which affects its functionality.
Managing updates for system components and services
In addition to user applications, system services are constantly updated on the smartphone, such as as Google Play Services, Android System WebView and components of the shell itself MIUI. These updates often come unnoticed by the user, but can affect the stability of the entire device.
For Google services, the disabling path is similar to regular applications, but with nuances. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Find Google Play services. Click on the three dots in the corner and select Uninstall updates. This will return the service to the factory version.
Next, to prevent it from updating again, you need to disable access to data, as described in the previous section, or use ADB to freeze the component. However, be prepared for the fact that some applications that depend on these services (for example, cards or banking apps) may stop working correctly.
Updates to the firmware itself MIUI are controlled separately. In the system update menu (via About phone), you can disable receiving notifications about new versions. But if the update has already been downloaded, you will have to delete it manually through the file manager by finding the file in the folder downloaded_rom.
Regularly check the downloads folder for downloaded firmware files. Removing these files frees up memory space and prevents accidental installation during reboot.
System components are security critical. Disabling them (updates) completely can make the device vulnerable to viruses and exploits. Weigh all the risks before blocking Google services.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why was the application updated despite auto-updates being disabled?
This can happen if the update was security-critical and initiated by the developer himself through special channels, or if you have multiple application stores installed (for example, Galaxy Store or Huawei AppGallery), and the update came from there. Also check if the “Game Acceleration” feature is enabled, which can force the update of game clients.
Is it possible to roll back the application to an older version after updating?
Yes, this is possible, but it requires uninstalling the current version. Go to the application settings and click Uninstall updates (available for system applications) or completely uninstall the application and install the old APK file from a reliable archive. Don't forget to disable auto-update before doing this, otherwise the new version will be downloaded again.
Does disabling updates affect the smartphone's warranty?
No, changing settings in the menu or using ADB to disable custom applications does not violate the warranty. However, getting root access or unlocking the bootloader for deeper intervention may void your warranty.
Is it safe to use older versions of applications?
Using outdated versions carries risks. Old builds may have known vulnerabilities that have already been fixed by the developers. If you disable updates for stability, make sure that the version is not critically outdated, especially for browsers and banking apps.
How to find out what version of the application is installed now?
Open Settings → Applications, select the desired software. The version number is usually indicated at the very top of the screen or in the Advancedsection. There you can also see the installation date and size of the application.