How to permanently disable auto-update applications on Xiaomi: 5 working ways

Automatic updates to apps on Xiaomi smartphones often cause unexpected problems, from sudden consumption of mobile traffic to failures in the work of favorite programs after “updates”, especially for users with a limited Internet package or owners of devices with a small amount of memory, where each extra update takes precious megabytes.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable auto-updates, both for Google Play apps and MIUI system services. You’ll learn how to block updates for individual programs, completely deactivate background downloads, or even remove unnecessary updates if they’ve already been installed. The instructions are relevant for all modern firmware versions, from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14, including Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi’s flagship 13/14 series.

Important: some methods require superuser rights (root), but most methods work without them. If you use a device with HyperOS (the new shell from Xiaomi), some of the settings may be located in other menus, we will point out these nuances.

Why Xiaomi Auto Updates Are Dangerous: 3 Hidden Threats

At first glance, automatic app updates seem like a convenient feature: you don't have to monitor the release of new versions, and security is only good for you.

• 📉 Uncontrolled traffic consumption. Even if you have disabled background data transmission in your settings, some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser) can ignore these restrictions and download updates via the mobile Internet.
• 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge: Background download updates activate the processor and communication module, which increases power consumption by 15-20% (according to tests). XDA Developers on the Redmi Note 12 Pro).
• 🚨 Application malfunctions: New versions of software are not always optimized for specific Xiaomi models, for example, after the update of Google Play Services on the platform. POCO X3 Pro many users have encountered the error com.google.process.gapps.

Auto-updates also often install unnecessary components that take up space in memory, such as the Mi Community app, which can pull up additional language packs or ad modules after an update, even if you don’t use them.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Auto Updates can be activated again after resetting or updating the shell.

Method 1: Disable auto updates in Google Play (without root)

The main source of automatic updates on Xiaomi is the Google Play Store, and fortunately, there are flexible settings that allow you to completely block the background load or customize it to your needs.

To disable auto updates for all applications:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Select Settings → Network and Device → Auto-Update Applications.
4. Set the value of Do not update automatically.

If you want to keep updates but control them:

• 🔄 Select Only via Wi-Fi – This will prevent mobile traffic consumption.
• 📱 Enable the Notify Updates option (in some versions of the Play Store, it is hidden in App and Device Management).

To disable updates of individual applications:

1. Find the right app in the Play Store.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
3. Uncheck the box from Enable Auto Update.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Redmi) 10C or POCO M5) The auto update item may be called App Update. If it's not on the menu, upgrade the Google Play Store to the latest version.

Method 2: Block updates via MIUI settings (for system applications)

Xiaomi system applications (Mi Home, Security, Themes, etc.) are not updated through Google Play, but through its own App Market or System Updater service.

For MIUI 12-14:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select App Auto Update.
3. Turn off the automatic update slider.

For HyperOS (new shell on Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70):

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select Application Update (may be in the Additional section).
3. Install Do Not Update or Wi-Fi Only.

If these are not available, try an alternative route:

• 🛠️ Open Security (Security) → Optimization → Auto-start.
• 🔍 Find App Market or System Updater and turn off AutoRun.

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If your system applications are still updated after you disable auto-updates, check for updates for the firmware itself. Often, after a MIUI update, the settings are reset.

Method 3: Using ADB to completely disable (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android, which does not require root rights, but requires connecting your smartphone to your computer.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

ADB Tools

cmd

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.market


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vending

These commands will shut down Mi Market and Google Play Store respectively, and to get it back, replace disable-user with enable.

⚠️ Note: Disabling Google Play Market through ADB This method can cause a disruption to Google services (such as Gmail or YouTube) and only use it if other methods have failed.

Method 4: Removing updates for system applications (without root)

If auto-updates have already installed unnecessary versions of system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser), they can be rolled back to the factory version, which will not disable future updates, but return the program to its original state.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Mi Browser).
3. Slap three points in the top right corner.
4. Select Remove Updates (if the item is inactive, the application has not been updated).

List of packages of popular system applications Xiaomi:

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Removing updates does not disable their auto-update in the future. To prevent re-installation, combine this method with disabling auto-updates in Google Play or MIUI.

Method 5: Radical Method – Disabling Google Services (for experienced users only)

This is a good option for those who are willing to sacrifice some functionality for full control of updates, and we do not recommend it for beginners, as it can disrupt some services.

What can be done:

1. Disable Google Play Services: Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find Google Play Services. Select Disable (if the button is inactive, click Remove Updates first).

⚠️ Warning: This will disable push notifications, contact sync and other features that depend on Google. POCO F5 And other devices without Google services, this method will not work.

Freeze applications through ADB

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gms


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gsf

To return to the original state, use:

adb shell pm enable com.google.android.gms

An alternative is to use MicroG (a lightweight replacement for Google Services), but installing it requires root or custom recap (TWRP).

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Before you turn off Google Play Services, export your contacts and important data from your Google account, and after the services are deactivated, sync will stop working.

How to Check if Auto Updates Are Actually Disabled

To make sure your actions have worked, do a few checks:

• 🔍 Traffic Monitoring: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic: Check if suspicious data downloads appear in the background (especially at night).
• 📊 Update log: Open Google Play Store → Profile → App and device management. Check the Updates section -- if it's empty, auto-updates are disabled.
• 🛠️ Test app: Install a little-known app (like DevCheck) Manually check for updates in 2-3 days. If they don't install automatically, everything works.

For advanced users:

Use Logcat to track background activity. Connect your phone to your PC and type in ADB:

adb logcat | grep -i "update\|download\|install"

This command will show all the processes associated with downloading and installing updates.

FAQ: Frequent questions about auto updates on Xiaomi