Apps updating themselves in the background sounds convenient — until an update eats through your mobile data, breaks a feature you relied on, or changes an app’s interface overnight. The Google Play Store updates apps automatically by default, and while that keeps things secure, there are plenty of good reasons to take back control.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to turn off automatic app updates on the Google Play Store, both for every app at once and for individual apps. I’ll also cover how to update manually when you want to, and what to do if the auto-update setting doesn’t seem to work.
Why You Might Want to Disable Auto-Updates
Before changing anything, it helps to know what you’re trading off. Auto-updates exist for a reason, but disabling them gives you real advantages:
- Save mobile data. Some app updates are hundreds of megabytes. On a limited data plan, a dozen background updates can blow through your allowance without warning.
- Avoid unwanted changes. Developers redesign apps constantly. Turning off auto-updates means you won’t wake up to a completely different interface.
- Skip buggy releases. Every so often a bad update slips through and breaks something. Waiting a few days before updating lets other users find the bugs first.
- Free up storage space. Updates sometimes increase an app’s size significantly. You decide when (and whether) that extra space is worth it.
- Control when your phone is busy. Background updates use battery and can slow your phone down while they’re installing.
The trade-off is security: updates often include fixes for vulnerabilities. If you disable auto-updates, commit to updating important apps (your browser, banking apps, WhatsApp) manually and regularly.
Method 1: Turn Off Auto-Updates for All Apps
This is the global switch. It stops every app from updating itself automatically.
Step 1. Open the Google Play Store app.
Step 2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
Step 3. Tap Settings.
Step 4. Tap Network preferences (on some versions it may be called General, then look for the update option).
Step 5. Tap Auto-update apps.
Step 6. Select Don’t auto-update apps.
Step 7. Tap OK or Done to confirm.
That’s it. From now on, no app will update itself in the background. The Play Store will show you available updates, and you decide when to install them.
What about “Over any network” vs “Over Wi-Fi only”?
The auto-update menu actually has three options, not two:
- Over any network: Updates install automatically using mobile data or Wi-Fi.
- Over Wi-Fi only: Updates install automatically, but only when you’re on Wi-Fi.
- Don’t auto-update apps: Fully manual updates.
If turning updates off completely feels like too much, Over Wi-Fi only is a solid middle ground. You get automatic updates without any mobile data usage. This is actually the option I’d recommend for most people who just want to protect their data plan.
Method 2: Turn Off Auto-Updates for a Single App
Maybe you like auto-updates in general but want to freeze one specific app — perhaps an app you know works perfectly and you don’t want to change, or an app whose latest version removed a feature you love.
Step 1. Open the Google Play Store.
Step 2. Search for the app you want to control, or find it via Manage apps & device.
Step 3. Tap the app to open its store listing.
Step 4. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the app’s page.
Step 5. Uncheck Enable auto update.
From now on, that specific app will never update automatically, even if you left the global auto-update setting on. This per-app control is independent of the global switch, which is exactly what makes it so useful.
To re-enable it later, just repeat the steps and check the box again.
How to Update Apps Manually
With auto-updates off, you’re in charge — but you still need to check for updates yourself. Get in the habit of doing this every week or two.
Step 1. Open the Google Play Store.
Step 2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right.
Step 3. Tap Manage apps & device.
Step 4. Under Updates available, tap See details to review which apps have new versions.
Step 5. Tap Update all to update everything at once, or tap Update next to individual apps to pick and choose.
You can also turn on update notifications so the Play Store reminds you: in Play Store → Settings → Notifications, make sure Updates available notifications are enabled.
Samsung Galaxy note
On Samsung phones, the steps are identical since this is a Play Store setting, not a Samsung setting. However, remember that Samsung apps (like Samsung Notes or Galaxy Store apps) update through the Galaxy Store, which has its own auto-update setting: Galaxy Store → Menu → Settings → Auto update apps. If you want full control, disable auto-updates in both stores.
Google Pixel note
Pixel phones use the standard Play Store, so the steps above apply exactly as written. Pixel users should also know that Google Play system updates are separate from app updates — those are handled under Settings → Security & privacy → System & updates → Google Play system update, and you generally want to keep those enabled since they patch core Android components.
Troubleshooting: Auto-Updates Still Happening
Sometimes apps keep updating even after you’ve changed the setting. Here’s why, and how to fix it.
1. You only changed one setting, not both
The global setting and the per-app setting are separate. If you turned off auto-updates globally but a specific app still updates, check that app’s own page for the Enable auto update checkbox. Conversely, if you disabled it for one app but left the global switch on, every other app still updates.
2. The setting didn’t save
On some phones, tapping away from the menu too quickly can discard your selection. Go back to Play Store → Settings → Network preferences → Auto-update apps and confirm it actually shows Don’t auto-update apps.
3. Your Play Store app is outdated
Bugs in old Play Store versions can cause settings to misbehave. Update the Play Store itself: Play Store → profile icon → Settings → About → Update Play Store.
4. Multiple Google accounts
If your phone has more than one Google account signed in, the Play Store setting applies per account. Switch accounts (tap your profile icon to change) and verify the setting under each one.
5. Pre-installed apps updating via another store
On Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and other brands, system apps may update through the manufacturer’s own app store even when the Play Store setting is off. Check your manufacturer’s store app for its own auto-update toggle.
6. Carrier or enterprise management
Work phones managed by a company (or phones with carrier management profiles) may enforce auto-updates through policy. In that case the setting may be greyed out, and you’ll need to talk to your IT administrator.
7. “Update over Wi-Fi” still counts as auto-update
If you chose Over Wi-Fi only thinking updates were off, they’ll still install themselves whenever you connect to Wi-Fi. Double-check that the selected option is actually Don’t auto-update apps — the wording is easy to skim past.
Should You Turn Auto-Updates Back On Later?
There’s no permanent right answer. Many people run with auto-updates off for months, then flip them back on before a trip or when their data plan renews. A few guidelines:
- Keep it off if you’re on a limited data plan, frequently on slow networks, or you like to vet updates before installing them.
- Use Wi-Fi only if you want convenience without data costs — this is the sweet spot for most users.
- Turn it fully on if you tend to forget manual updates. An outdated app with a known security hole is worse than an annoying interface change.
Whatever you choose, make it a habit to update security-critical apps promptly: your browser (Chrome), banking apps, messaging apps, and the phone’s system updates themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off auto-updates affect my phone’s system updates? No. Android system updates (the big OS upgrades) are separate and controlled under Settings → System → System update (or Software update on Samsung). The Play Store setting only covers apps.
Do disabled apps still get security patches? No — a disabled app doesn’t update at all until you update it manually. That’s why checking for updates every week or two matters.
Can I schedule auto-updates for a specific time? The Play Store doesn’t offer scheduling. It updates when you’re idle and charging (on Wi-Fi, if you’ve chosen that option). If you want time control, manual updates are your only option.
Will turning off auto-updates save battery? Somewhat. Background downloads and installs use power, so disabling them reduces overnight battery drain. The savings are modest but real.
Can I pause updates temporarily instead of turning them off? Yes. On the Manage apps & device → Updates available screen, an update in progress shows a Pause button. This is handy when a big update starts at the wrong moment — pause it now, resume on Wi-Fi later. It doesn’t change your auto-update setting, so future updates will still behave as configured.
Does this stop Google Play system updates too? No. Google Play system updates (the monthly core-component patches under Settings → Security & privacy → System & updates) are completely separate from app updates and continue regardless. That’s a good thing — those patches fix vulnerabilities in the OS itself.
Bottom line
Open the Play Store, tap your profile icon, go to Settings → Network preferences → Auto-update apps, and choose Don’t auto-update apps — or Over Wi-Fi only if you want a middle ground. For individual apps, use the three-dot menu on the app’s page. Then set a reminder to check for updates manually every week or two, and your phone will stay lean, predictable, and under your control. Your data plan will thank you.
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