Stop Auto App Updates in Google Play

This guide shows you how to stop apps from updating automatically in the Google Play Store on your Android phone or tablet. You’ll learn how to turn off auto-updates entirely, or control updates for individual apps, giving you full control over when your apps change and how much data they use.

What You’ll Need

• An Android device (phone or tablet) with the Google Play Store app installed.
• A stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• Your Google account credentials (in case you need to re-verify your identity).

Step-by-Step

There are two main ways to stop auto-updates: for all apps at once, or for a single app. Both methods are covered below.

Method 1: Turn Off Auto-Update for All Apps

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device. Look for the colorful triangle icon on your home screen or in your app drawer.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen. This opens a menu with several options.
3. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu. It’s usually near the bottom of the list, with a gear icon next to it.
4. Tap “Network preferences” (or “Auto-update apps” on some devices). This is the first option in the Settings menu on most versions of the Play Store.
5. Choose “Don’t auto-update apps” from the three options presented. The other two options are typically “Over Wi-Fi only” and “Over any network.” Selecting “Don’t auto-update apps” will completely stop all automatic updates.
6. Tap “Done” to save your change. Your selection is now saved, and no apps will update automatically until you manually update them.

Method 2: Turn Off Auto-Update for a Single App

If you only want to stop one specific app from updating automatically, follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
3. Select “Manage apps & device” from the menu.
4. Tap the “Manage” tab at the top of the next screen. This shows a list of all installed apps.
5. Find the app you want to stop from updating. You can scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top.
6. Tap the app’s name to open its detail page.
7. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top right corner of the app’s page.
8. Uncheck the box next to “Enable auto update”. A checkmark indicates that auto-update is on; tapping it will remove the checkmark and disable auto-updates for that specific app.

Common Mistakes

• Choosing “Over Wi-Fi only” instead of “Don’t auto-update apps”: This is the most common mistake. “Over Wi-Fi only” still updates your apps automatically, just not on mobile data. If you want zero automatic updates, you must select “Don’t auto-update apps.”
• Forgetting to save your settings: On some older Android versions, you might need to tap a “Done” or “OK” button after making your selection. If you just back out of the menu, your change might not be saved.
• Only disabling updates for one app: If you want to stop all updates, you must use Method 1. Disabling updates for a single app (Method 2) only affects that one app.
• Not checking for updates after a system update: Sometimes a major Android system update can reset your Play Store preferences. It’s a good idea to check your auto-update settings after a significant OS update.

Tips

• Manually update apps when you’re ready: With auto-updates off, you’ll see a notification when updates are available. Open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, and select “Manage apps & device.” If updates are available, you’ll see an “Update all” button. Tap it to update everything at once.
• Update over Wi-Fi to save data: If you keep auto-updates on, choose “Over Wi-Fi only” to avoid using your mobile data allowance for large app downloads.
• Check individual app settings: Some apps have their own in-app update settings. For example, a game might offer to download large asset packs. Disabling Play Store auto-updates doesn’t always stop these in-app downloads.
• Review app permissions before updating: When you manually update an app, the Play Store shows you any new permissions the app is requesting. This is a good time to review whether you still trust the app.

Troubleshooting

If your apps are still updating automatically after following the steps, try these fixes:

• Re-check your settings: Go back to Settings > Network preferences and make sure “Don’t auto-update apps” is selected. Sometimes a mis-tap can leave it on another option.
• Restart your device: A simple restart can clear minor software glitches that might interfere with settings changes.
• Clear the Play Store cache: Go to your device’s Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Storage and tap “Clear Cache.” This won’t delete your account or app data, but it can fix issues with the Play Store’s settings not being applied correctly.
• Check for a system update: Go to your device’s Settings > System > System update (the exact path varies by manufacturer) and check if an update is pending. Installing it may resolve any underlying issues.
• Check if the app is a system app: Some pre-installed apps (like Google’s own apps) are considered system apps and may update independently of your Play Store settings. You may not be able to stop these from updating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will I still get security updates if I turn off auto-updates?
A: Yes, you will still receive security updates for your Android operating system through your device’s system settings. However, security patches for individual apps will not be installed automatically. It’s important to manually update your apps regularly to ensure you have the latest security fixes.

Q: If I turn off auto-updates, can I still update apps manually?
A: Absolutely. Turning off auto-updates only stops the automatic process. You can still go to the Play Store, go to “Manage apps & device,” and tap “Update all” or update individual apps whenever you like.

Q: Will turning off auto-updates affect my ability to use the apps I already have?
A: No. Your existing apps will continue to work normally. The setting only affects future updates. You may see a notification that an update is available, but you can ignore it until you’re ready.

Q: Why would I want to stop auto-updates?
A: There are several reasons. You might want to avoid using mobile data for large downloads, you might prefer to wait and see if an update has bugs before installing it, or you might want to keep a specific version of an app that you like. Some users also find that updates change the look or functionality of an app in ways they don’t like.

Q: Will my apps still update if I don’t have a Google account signed in?
A: No. The Play Store requires a Google account to download and update apps. If you sign out of your Google account, you won’t be able to update apps at all until you sign back in.

Q: Does this setting apply to all devices linked to my Google account?
A: No. This setting is per-device. If you have multiple Android devices, you’ll need to change this setting on each one individually.

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