How to completely prohibit applications from updating on Android: all methods

Automatic app updates on Android often cause unexpected problems: from functions suddenly disappearing to a drained battery due to background activity. This is especially annoying when an update breaks the familiar interface or adds unnecessary advertising. Fortunately, Android allows you to completely block updates —both for individual apps and for all at once.

In this article we will look at all available methods —from standard settings Google Play to hidden features through ADB and modification of system files. You'll learn how to disable updates on Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and other devices, including phones without Google services. And also - what is the risk of forcibly blocking updates and how to bypass manufacturers' restrictions.

Why applications are updated without asking and why it is dangerous

Default Google Play Market and branded stores (Galaxy Store, AppGallery) are configured to automatically update all installed applications. This is done for security: developers close vulnerabilities, add new features and adapt apps for the latest versions of Android. However, this approach has serious disadvantages:

• 🔋 Traffic and battery consumption. Background updates eat up to 500 MB per month and drain the battery 10-15% faster.
• 📱 Glitches in operation. New versions may contain bugs, especially on older smartphones (for example, Android 8-10).
• 🎨 Changing the interface. Developers often simplify the design by removing familiar functions (as they did VK or YouTube in 2023-2026 years).
• 🛑 Blocking old devicesSome applications (for example, banking) stop working on outdated versions of Android after updating.

The biggest problem is some applications (for example, system ones from Samsung or Xiaomi) are updated bypassing the Play Market through proprietary servicesThey require separate blocking. actions that we will describe below.

⚠️ Attention: Forcibly disabling updates for banking applications, encrypted messengers (for example, Telegram, WhatsApp) or antiviruses may lead to to security vulnerabilities. Use this method only if you understand the risks.

Method 1: Disable auto-updates in Google Play (for all applications)

The simplest and safest method is to configure Google Play Market so that it does not update apps without your permission. This works on all devices with Google services (including Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus etc.), but does not affect system applicationsthat are updated through branded stores.

Instructions:

1. Open Google Play Store.
2. Tap on your profile avatar in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select Network settings → Auto update applications.
4. Set the value Do not update automatically.

After this, applications will be updated Only manually - through the “Update” button on the app page. However, this method does not block updates completely: you can still accidentally click “Update all” in the section Manage applications.

Make sure that your Google account does not have multiple devices with auto-update enabled|

Turn off synchronization of Play settings Market in your Google account (Settings → Google → Google account management → Data and personalization → Synchronization)|

Check that “Auto-update over Wi-Fi and mobile network” is not enabled in your mobile network settings-->

Method 2: Blocking updates for individual applications

If you need to disable updates only for specific apps (for example, Facebook, Instagram or VK), do the following:

1. Open the application page in Google Play.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Remove from auto-update (or Disable auto-update on new versions of the Play Market).
3. Confirm the action.

For Samsung Galaxy and some other devices this item may not be available. In this case:

• 🔧 Use Method 3 (disabling through application settings).
• 📦 Uninstall updates manually: Settings → Applications → [app name] → Three dots → Delete updates.

On Huawei i Honor (without Google) there is a similar setting in AppGallery: Profile → Settings → Auto-update applications → Select applications manually.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, Google Chrome, YouTube) can be updated through system services (Google Play Services). Blocking them requires superuser rights (root) or use ADB (see Method 5).

Method 3: Disabling updates through Android settings (without Play Market)

On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi or One UI from Samsung) applications are updated through proprietary services, ignoring settings Google Play. To stop this:

For Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
2. Tap on the three dots → Settings → Auto-update applications.
3. Select Disable or Only via Wi-Fi (if you want to limit updates).

For Samsung Galaxy:

1. Open Galaxy Store.
2. Go to Menu → Settings → Auto-update applications.
3. Disable slider or select Do not update.

On Huawei i Honor (from AppGallery):

1. AppGallery → Profile → Settings → Auto-update.
2. Select Disable or configure exceptions.

Manufacturer	App Store	Path to auto-update settings	Notes
Samsung	Galaxy Store	Menu → Settings → Auto-update	Does not block updates via Google Play
Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO	GetApps	Settings → Applications → Management → Auto-update	Works only for branded applications
Huawei/Honor	AppGallery	Profile → Settings → Auto-update	Can be configured via Wi-Fi or disabled completely
Google Pixel	Play Market	Profile → Settings → Network → Auto-update	No separate settings for system applications

Method 4: Uninstalling updates and blocking them through the app settings

Even if you have disabled auto-updates, Some apps (for example Google Play Services or Samsung Knox) can be updated forcibly. To return the old version and block further changes:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → [app name].
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Uninstall updates.
3. Confirm the rollback to the factory version.
4. Return to the main page of the application and click Disable (if the button active).

This method works for most system applications, but has limitations:

• ❌ Some apps (for example, Google Play Services) cannot be disabled without rootrights.
• ⚠️ After resetting the settings or updating the firmware, the lock is locked will be removed.
• 🔄 Some applications (for example, YouTube) will be automatically updated the next time you start them.

For Samsung and LG there is an additional trick: you can freeze application via Settings → Applications → [name] → Storage → Clear cache/dataand then disable it. This will not remove the app, but will stop it from working until you reboot.

What to do if the "Uninstall updates" button inactive?

This means that the application is critical to the system (for example, Google Play Services or Samsung Framework). In this case, you will need:

1. Use ADB (Method 5).

2. Obtain rootrights and delete updates via Titanium Backup or Lucky Patcher.

3. Install custom firmware without these services (for example, LineageOS).

Method 5: Completely blocking updates via ADB (for advanced users)

If the previous methods did not work, you can Forcibly disable updates via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This works even for system applications, but requires connection to a computer.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging on the phone: Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times) → return in Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging.
2. Connect your phone to the PC and confirm access.
3. Open a command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) and enter:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "package_name"

(Replace package_name with part of the application name, for example com.facebook.katana for Facebook.)

4. Copy the full package name (for example, package:/data/app/com.facebook.katana-1/base.apk=com.facebook.katana).
5. Enter a command to block updates:

adb shell dumpsys package com.facebook.katana | grep "installerPackageName"

If the answer contains com.android.vending (Google Play) or com.sec.android.app.samsungapps (Galaxy Store), run:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.facebook.katana
adb shell pm block com.facebook.katana

These commands will remove updates and block further changes for the current user. To unblock:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.facebook.katana
adb shell pm unblock com.facebook.katana

⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers (for example, Huawei or Oppo) block commands pm block on their firmware. In this case, only getting rootrights will help.

Method 6: Using third-party tools (without root)

If you don’t want to mess around with ADB, you can use specialized applications. They do not require superuser rights, but have limitations:

• 🛡️ App Blocker (NoRoot) — blocks updates by intercepting requests. Works on Android 5-12, but may conflict with some firmware.
• 🔒 Disable Service — disables background update services (for example, com.google.android.gms for Play Services).
• 📦 Package Disabler — allows you to “freeze” system applications (required ADB or root on new versions of Android).

Example of working with App Blocker:

1. Install an application from Google Play.
2. Select Blocking updates in the main menu.
3. Add to the list applications that should not update.
4. Activate protection (overlay permission will be required).

Disadvantages of this method:

• Modifier applications can update themselves and lose functionality.
• Some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi) block the operation of such tools at the firmware level.
• After a reboot, the blocking can be reset.

What to do if nothing helps: radical measures

If all of the above methods did not work, remain extreme measures:

1. Installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or GrapheneOS) without Google Play Services. This will completely disable automatic updating, but will require unlocking the bootloader and losing the warranty.
2. Obtaining root access and removing system updates via Titanium Backup or Magisk. Risk: loss of OTA updates and possible security problems.
3. Use of alternative stores (for example, F-Droid or Aurora Store), where updates are controlled manually. Minus: not all applications are available.
4. Rollback to an older version of Android (if the current firmware updates apps too aggressively). For example, Samsung you can flash an earlier version One UI via Odin.

Before resorting to these methods, weigh the risks:

• 🔓 Root and custom firmware they will deprive you of your warranty and may lead to brick (inoperability) of the device.
• 🛡️ Lack of security updates makes the phone vulnerable to viruses and attacks.
• 📵 Some applications (banking, Netflix, Pokémon GO) refuse to work on modified firmware.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Samsung Knox (for example, Galaxy S22, S23), obtaining root-rights will lead to irreversible operation flag Knox 0x1which will block Samsung Pay, Secure Folder some corporate functions.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about disabling updates

Is it possible to disable updates for system applications (for example, Google Play Services) without root?

Partly - yes. Through ADB (Method 5) you can remove updates and block further changes for the current user. However, some system applications (for example, Samsung Framework or Huawei Mobile Services) are protected from modifications and will require rootrights to be completely blocked.

Why, after disabling auto-updates in the Play Market, are applications still updated?

This happens due to duplicate services:

• On Samsung working Galaxy Store.
• On Xiaomi — GetApps.
• On Huawei — AppGallery.
• Some applications (for example, Facebook) have a built-in auto-update mechanism.

You need to disable auto-updates in all stores and check the settings of individual apps.

How to return the old version of the application after a forced update?

There are several ways:

1. Through Settings → Applications → [name] → Uninstall updates (does not work for all apps).
2. Download the APK of the old version from trusted sources (for example, APKMirror) and install manually, after disabling auto-updates.
3. Use ADB to rollback (command adb install -r -d file_name.apk).

Important: Installing APKs from unknown sources can be dangerous - check hash files and reviews.

Will the banking application work if you prevent it from updating?

Most likely not. Most banks (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB) require the latest version of the application to work. When blocking updates, you risk:

• Receiving an error "Outdated version" when logging in.
• Lose support for new features (for example, biometrics or Push notifications).
• Encounter security problems (vulnerabilities will not be closed).

For banking applications, it is better to leave automatic updates or update manually when notifications appear.

Is it possible to disable updates on Android without Google (for example, on Huawei or devices in China)?

Yes, but the process is different:

• On Huawei/Honor: turn off auto updates in AppGallery (see Method 3).
• On devices without Google (for example, Meizu, some Xiaomi for China): use alternative stores (Aurora Store, APKPure) with manual update control.
• For system applications (for example, Huawei Mobile Services) you will need ADB or root.

On some Chinese firmware (for example, ColorOS on Oppo/Realme) you may need to disable the service com.heytap.pco via ADB.