Modern smartphones and tablets based on Android (and not only) are programmed so that without regular updates can not work perfectly.

Is it possible to turn off auto updates on an Android device

Auto-updating applications and the operating system is an important procedure for all devices. Without updates, applications will not function properly and will not sync with the system. That is why it’s very important to update all of this stuff in time. Fortunately, the developers of all devices and operating systems have taken care of this detail and by default installed auto-update applications and systems.

However, not all users are suitable for such a solution. There may be several reasons for this – not enough space on the device, mobile data limit, outdated model of the device, etc. That is why it’s important to know how to limit the constant updates of certain applications.

How to postpone Android updates

As mentioned above, Android itself updates all the system applications and the OS itself, which are important for the correct operation of the device. And although its latest updates are often over 100MB, most people would rather not spend their data on acquiring the new OS.

However, you can set this option and instead of updating automatically every time there is a new update, you’ll just get a notification about it and you can manually update it whenever you want. Note that tabs and options may have different names in different devices, but have the same principle and sequence:

• Go to your Android phone’s Settings.
• Tap on “System apps updater.”

• Tap on gear icon.

• Click “Auto updates.”

• Select “Don’t update.”

Note: There is one downside to this method. The notification which informed you about the new update won’t be removed from your home screen until you actually download and install the update.

 When you want it gone from your screen, follow these steps:

• Open Settings on your device.
• Select “Software update.”
• Select “Download and install.”

How to enable developer mode

This method is only recommended if you cannot override the auto-updates through the standard Settings. Moreover, use this guide only if you’re one hundred percent sure that your system applications will not be updated again (which isn’t recommended).

• Again, go to your device’s Settings app.
• Usually, at the very bottom, you’ll see the “About Phone” or “About Device” option. Tap on that.
• Then, select the “Software Information” option.
• Scroll down and select “Build Number.”
• You’ll need to tap on that several times consecutively until you get the notification that you’ve enabled the “Developer mode.”
• Right after that you need to go back to the original Settings window. You’ll see close to the “About Device” tab another one that’s called “Developer options.”

Once there, you have to do tap on that section and look for “Automatic system updates.”

How about turning off auto updates for Google Play Apps

If you have mostly apps installed from Play Store, then their auto-updates can also sometimes mess you up. They also update themselves by default, but you can change this option manually. This way you can control them and not clog the memory of the device with updates for apps you use infrequently. Here’s how to do it:

• On your Android device, launch the Play Store app.
• Tap on your profile icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

• Now, select “Settings” followed by “Network preferences.”

• From the pop-up screen, select the “Don’t auto-update apps” option.

• Tap on “Done.”

Don’t forget to check for release updates in the Play Store periodically, because if you forget to update the application manually, you may encounter some bugs and problems in the application.

Is there an option to turn off auto updates for specific apps

Specifically, in cases where you want to leave auto-updates for applications that you use frequently and don’t want to encounter bugs and so on, there is a special option in the Play Store called “Enable auto-update” which you can turn on or off. This option is available on the page of each individual application in the Play Store. Here’s how to do it:

• Launch the Play Store app on your Android device.
• Search for the specific app in the search bar.
• Once you find it, tap on the three vertical dots in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

• Make sure to uncheck the auto-update checkmark from the list of options.

Now you know more about how updates work, why you need them, and how to adjust your system.