This article teaches you how to turn off automatic updates on your Android smartphone, as well as how to turn them back on.

What to Know

  • Tap Settings > Software Update > gear cog > Auto Download & Install to disable automatic OS updates.Tap Google Play Store > Profile Image > Settings > Network Preferences > Auto-Update Apps to disable automatic app updates.It’s sensible to keep apps and software regularly updated to keep your phone most secure.

How Do I Stop Automatic Updates?

While it’s important to keep your Android phone up to date so you benefit from the latest security updates, it can be convenient to disable automatic updates so you’re in full control. Here’s how to stop automatic updates on Android. 

  • On your Android phone, tap Settings.
  • Tap Software Update.
  • Tap the gear cog.
  • Tap Auto Download & Install.
  • Tap Do Not Allow.
  • Automatic OS updates are now disabled so you’ll need to install them manually in future.

How Do I Turn on Automatic Updates on Android?

If you want to turn automatic updates back on, the process is near identical. Here’s what to do.

On your Android phone, tap Settings.

Tap Software Update.

Tap the gear cog.

Tap Auto Download & Install.

Tap Do Not Allow.

Automatic OS updates are now disabled so you’ll need to install them manually in future.

  • On your Android phone, tap Settings.
  • Tap Software Update.
  • Tap the gear cog.
  • Tap Auto Download & Install.
  • Tap Wi-Fi to enable automatic updates via Wi-Fi only or tap Wi-Fi and Cellular/Mobile to enable updates when you have any form of data connection.

How Do I Stop My Samsung From Automatically Updating?

To disable your Samsung smartphone from automatically updating, you can follow the same steps as above to disable or enable automatic updates.

Tap Wi-Fi to enable automatic updates via Wi-Fi only or tap Wi-Fi and Cellular/Mobile to enable updates when you have any form of data connection.

How to Turn off Automatic App Updates on an Android Phone

If you’d prefer to disable automatic app updates on your Android phone, the process is a little different than disabling operating system updates. Here’s what to do.

  • Tap Google Play Store.
  • Tap your profile image.
  • Tap Settings.
  • Tap Network Preferences.
  • Tap Auto-Update Apps.
  • Tap Don’t Auto-update Apps.
  • Tap Done to disable auto updates.

How to Turn off Individual App Updates on Android

If you wish to disable automatic updates for certain apps but not all apps, it’s possible to do so via a different route. This can be useful if you rarely use certain apps and don’t need them to be up to date all the time. Here’s how to do it.

Tap Google Play Store.

Tap your profile image.

Tap Settings.

Tap Network Preferences.

Tap Auto-Update Apps.

Tap Don’t Auto-update Apps.

Tap Done to disable auto updates.

  • Tap Google Play Store.
  • Tap your profile image.
  • Tap Manage apps and device.
  • Tap Manage.
  • Tap the app you wish to change auto-update settings on.
  • Tap the three dots in the top right corner.
  • Untick Enable Auto-Update to disable automatic updates.

Why Should I Keep My Phone up to Date? 

While it’s possible to disable automatic updates for your phone and apps, it’s not generally recommended. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of using auto-updates.

Tap Manage apps and device.

Tap Manage.

Tap the app you wish to change auto-update settings on.

Tap the three dots in the top right corner.

Untick Enable Auto-Update to disable automatic updates. 

  • Your phone is more secure. With regular updates, your phone benefits from the latest security and privacy updates without any action needed from you. It’s a much safer option than having to remember to do so manually.You gain new features. When an app is updated, it often comes with new features and tools meaning you get a superior experience. Not updating helps avoid teething issues. Not updating can have advantages though. If an app hasn’t been fully tested or is buggy, not updating means you can avoid early teething issues. It’s unlikely to be a problem but it’s something to consider.Updates can be large. If you’re low on space, you may not want your phone to be regularly downloading and installing updates. Instead, it might be more useful to pick and choose your priorities by manually picking out updates.

  • How do I turn off automatic updates on Windows 10?

  • To turn off automatic updates on Windows 10, you’ll need to adjust the Windows Update and Security settings. Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Select Advanced Options, then, in the Pause updates drop-down menu, choose a date. Automatic updates will be disabled until this date.

  • How do I turn off automatic updates on an iPhone?

  • To turn off automatic software updates on your iPhone, go to Settings > Software Update and tap Automatic Updates, then toggle off the switch next to Automatic Updates. To turn off automatic app updates on your iPhone, go to Settings > App Store; under Automatic Downloads, toggle off App Updates.

  • How do I turn off automatic updates on a Mac?

  • To turn off automatic system updates on your Mac, go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences > Software Update. Uncheck the box next to Automatically keep my Mac up to date. Select Advanced to control more specific update options, such as installing app updates.

To turn off automatic updates on Windows 10, you’ll need to adjust the Windows Update and Security settings. Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Select Advanced Options, then, in the Pause updates drop-down menu, choose a date. Automatic updates will be disabled until this date.

To turn off automatic software updates on your iPhone, go to Settings > Software Update and tap Automatic Updates, then toggle off the switch next to Automatic Updates. To turn off automatic app updates on your iPhone, go to Settings > App Store; under Automatic Downloads, toggle off App Updates.

To turn off automatic system updates on your Mac, go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences > Software Update. Uncheck the box next to Automatically keep my Mac up to date. Select Advanced to control more specific update options, such as installing app updates.

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